There’s an abundance of boutique holiday houses in Byron Bay, ideal for chilling out in style. Nestled on New South Wales’ north coast, Byron feels seductively tropical, with that curvy, bush-backed shoreline stretching as far as the eye can see. In fact, if you’re lounging on Clarkes Beach, ogling the misty-blue volcanic peaks on the opposite side of the bay, you could almost believe you were in South-East Asia.
It feels oh-so fitting then, that The Villas of Byron, a meander from Main Beach, offer romantic Balinese-style getaways fringed by jungle-lush foliage. The five villas are divided across three compounds, with one-bedroom villas at the front near the sleepy street and huge two-bedroom villas at the back, overlooking soothing trees. All are popular with couples and honeymooners, or book one of the grander villas for a holiday with pals.
Stepping stones over a koi carp pond lead into your glam retreat, where an airy living/dining area with fully kitted out kitchen flanks an outdoor terrace, zen garden and water feature-toting lap pool. Bedrooms are separated at opposite ends of the space in two-room pads to ensure privacy. The opulent wooden beds with floaty mosquito nets were all sourced from the owners’ trips to Bali and Java, as were the Buddha figures, day-beds and much of the art and accessories.
Sure, there are eco-friendly details, such as toilets which you ‘flush’ with saw-dust (you’re in New Age Byron, after all!), but luxury is a given thanks to pampering spa baths, outdoor rainshowers, massive widescreen TVs, snazzy music systems, heated floors, Balinese robes and massage slippers. Rates include a welcome basket of local treats and a bottle of champagne, too, and you can request a private chef to cater for you if you’re not in the mood to commandeer the terrace barbecue.
Beyond your heavenly hideaway, you’ll discover a central but quiet quarter of Byron, handy for popping to the Buddha Gardens Day Spa, the Byron Lounge Cinema or the produce and crafts markets at Butler Street Reserve (held on the first Sunday of every month). Further afield, swim, surf, shop or sip darn fine coffees and cocktails in this laid-back little town. Our top tips are the Byron Beach Café on Lawson Street for serious sea views or the Bayleaf Cafe at 8/87 Jonson Street for serious beans.
To book The Villas of Byron or any Mr & Mrs Smith boutique hotel in Byron Bay visit www.mrandmrssmith.com or call the Travel Team on 1300 89 66 27, 24 hours a day, five days a week. You don’t need to be a member to book, but Smith members enjoy special gifts on arrival, such as a Continental breakfast hamper and 12pm late check-out at The Villas of Byron.