Raes Guesthouses: A secluded new coastal retreat in Byron Bay

Raes Guesthouses brings a new layer of luxury to Byron Bay – a secluded 10-suite retreat near Wategos where Mediterranean design, refined dining and signature Raes service come together in a coastal sanctuary

Why stay here

Celebrities and jetsetters have long rubbed shoulders at Byron Bay’s iconic Raes on Wategos. Now, the Spanish Mission-style hotel has expanded its offering with the new Raes Guesthouses, located in the foothills of the landmark Cape Byron Lighthouse. Housed in the former Victoria’s at Wategos, the 10-room hotel offers all the trappings of the original whitewashed Raes – notably its legendary hospitality and hatted food offering – in a lush, secluded setting.

Steps from the original hotel and lauded restaurant overlooking Byron’s most exclusive waves, Raes’ celebrated service begins pre-arrival. Spa and dining reservations are made, personal preferences noted – resulting in many happy daydreams of my upcoming stay.

Pulling into the driveway, linen-clad staff whisk away luggage, valet my car and usher me inside the sun-soaked sanctuary. A welcome drink of spritzed chamomile tea, pineapple and macerated raspberries along with a macadamia tart with salted nut shavings is proffered on check-in – hinting at the elevated dining experiences to come.

Guests bask by the pool; others head for the surf, blue-and-white striped towels flung over shoulders. It’s Raes, minus the front-row Wategos vistas but also sans the throngs – just how I like it.

Design with Mediterranean flair

Interiors prodigy Tamsin Johnson (behind the 2016 redesign of Raes on Wategos) has yet again weaved her magic on the Tuscan-inspired property. Located a mere 100 metres from Raes, the property is now similarly whitewashed, ushering in a relaxed Mediterranean feel to oversized rooms, restored colonial arches and acres of marble. Spanish-Hollywood and Balearic influences are at play with a joyful pastel blue and green palette, along with hand-painted joinery, antique glazed tiles and vintage-inspired pieces.

Two lap pools – one 16 metres with waterfall and the other 12 metres with cabanas and lounges – flank two adjoining buildings. Staff standby to take poolside orders and deliver filtered water and sunblock as required.

My light-filled room – Suite 16 – is elegant with a full width balcony, canopied king bed with scalloped headboard and generous ensuite with penny-round tiles and a freestanding, mint-hued bath. A piped Raes playlist (easily switched off) and Perrier Jouët champagne on ice instantly activates holiday mode.

Dining at Raes Guesthouses

Direct access to the two-hatted Raes Dining Room and alfresco Cellar Bar makes it easy to waft between dips in Wategos’ rolling waves, lazy lunches, treks to the lighthouse and Paloma cocktail sundowners with a serve of vinegar salt fries.

It feels almost like staying at a friend’s beach house when I float downstairs for breakfast in the communal lounge and dining space, where fellow guests chat amiably to a soundtrack of chilled tunes and the rhythmic ocean tide.

An à la carte breakfast of scrambled eggs, truffled mushrooms and pecorino with grilled greens is a wonderful start to the day. A daily juice and health shot is offered before I take my coffee out onto the terrazzo balcony as another sun-kissed Byron day beckons.

Lunch or dinner at Raes Dining Room is a must. Executive chef Jason Saxby (ex Quay and Pilu at Freshwater in Sydney, Per Se in New York and The Ledbury in London) serves up modern Australian fare with a Mediterranean slant. Think spanner crab and squid ink agnolotti (Oscietra caviar optional); or bay lobster, sea urchin and mussels in a tamarind-chilli broth. Saxby’s take on an Iced VoVo served in an original blue Arnott’s tin is a nostalgic trip down memory lane.

With elevated food and drink offerings on tap, it’s tempting to stay put. But do yourself a favour and visit Folk for coffee and the intimate Bar Heather for a curated list of natural wines. Raes’ in-house chauffeur service will ferry you to and from the latter Parisian inspired bar, so there’s no need to fret about drinking and driving.

It feels almost like staying at a friend’s beach house when I float downstairs for breakfast in the communal lounge and dining space, where fellow guests chat amiably to a soundtrack of chilled tunes and the rhythmic ocean tide

Spa and wellness

A range of tailored body and facial treatments using cult Australian brand Rationale (also available for purchase from in-room minibars) are on the menu at the intimate, two-room Raes Spa. Tea and probiotic drinks are offered pre- and post-treatment, while in-house guests can book in for complimentary infrared sauna sessions. I float back to my suite with a visible glow following a ‘Renew and Rejuvenate’ facial.

Later, a mat and bolster are delivered to my room so I can practice yoga on my palm-fringed balcony, while training sessions can be added to your stay with Raes’ wellness manager.

The special touches

Complimentary transfers from Ballina Byron Gateway Airport are offered for stays of two nights or more in a fleet of Lexus hybrid SUVs, and guests are chauffeured to restaurants, bars and local haunts free of charge. Vintage-inspired electric bikes are also offered for exploring Byron and surrounds with the wind in your hair. Custom beach umbrellas and fold-out chairs are available for beach jaunts – the staff will even set them up for you.

If you want to upgrade

Suite 16 and Suite 13 both offer bathrooms with a tub and shower and bifold doors that open out to generous balconies with dining settings and sun loungers overlooking lush tropical foliage. Suite 16 has an alcove with sofa bed, which can be set up for an extra guest.

Hotel Notes

Raes Guesthouses
Suite 16
Size: 54 square metres
Price per night: From $950
Website: raes.com.au