Byron Bay boutique hotel Rae’s on Wategos has been recently refurbished, with new life added to the hotel’s main building, villa, two penthouses and four suites.
Set on Wategos Beach, the 1960s curved Argentinian style property has always had a luxurious Bohemian vibe. Sydney based interior designer Tamsin Johnson has built on this aesthetic using natural textures of sandstone, sisal rugs, rattan woven furniture and washed linens and cottons contrasted with contemporary plantar boxes, dip-dyed concrete bedside tables, plaster-wrapped bespoke lighting and the occasional abstract art piece. Perspex black and white photography and bright pops of greenery in large indoor plants add an edge to the muted palette.
Rae’s has collaborated with several designers, both locally, interstate and internationally. A wrought-iron chandelier in the hotel entry was imported from an antique fair in Parma, Italy, while a 500-kilogram table craned into the Penthouse was part of a collaboration with Melbourne’s Den-Holm. Australian designer Lucy Folk is designing the hotel’s new uniforms, as well as custom towels and games for guests.
Later this year, Rae’s is slated to launch The Rae’s Collection which includes Air Rae’s; a private jet which will be available to fly guests to and from the hotel, and Sea Rae’s; a 26 metre yacht which will be available for charter. The hotel restaurant will also undergo refurbishment in August this year.
Rates at Rae’s on Wategos start from A$620.