Raes opens The Bonobo hotel in Byron Bay

74 rooms, a rooftop pool, all-day dining at the Lobby Lounge and a wellness studio by Reset – The Bonobo is now open in Byron Bay

Raes has opened The Bonobo, its new hotel and lifestyle precinct at 116 Jonson Street, Byron Bay. The property brings together 74 hotel rooms and residences, all-day dining, a rooftop pool, wellness and retail to offer a buzzier and more centrally located alternative to Raes on Wategos.

Designed by architecture firm Richards & Spence with interiors by Studio Manifold in collaboration with Birdy Catalano, the three-level building is defined by a modernist brick facade and an open central courtyard. Rooms overlook the courtyard, tropical gardens or Jonson Street. Interiors draw on a warm material palette of custom Jardan furniture, vintage pieces and original works by Doris Bush in collaboration with 8 Hele Gallery, alongside prints by Traianos Pakioufakis.

One, two and three-bedroom residences are available, with the option to connect adjoining rooms for four-bed configurations. Each features a fully equipped kitchen with Breville appliances and in-room laundry, while select residences include private outdoor spaces and plunge pools.

Dining

The Lobby Lounge is The Bonobo’s all-day dining and drinks space, seating up to 110 guests across the main lounge, terrace and courtyard. The menu is overseen by Jason Saxby, executive chef of two-hatted Raes Dining Room, alongside Bonobo head chef Callum Gray. Highlights include the Bonobo Club Sanga, pork cotoletta and ricotta zeppole with Davidson plum jam. Food and drinks are available in-room and at the rooftop pool daily from 7am.

In-room drinks include The Bonobo Lager, brewed exclusively for the property, alongside ready-to-pour cocktails made in collaboration with Brookie’s gin – among them a Saltbush Gin Martini, Wattleseed Negroni and Lemon Aspen Vodka Martini.

Wellness and retail

Reset joins The Bonobo as its exclusive wellness partner, bringing its contrast therapy offering to Byron Bay for the first time. The studio features cedar saunas, ice baths, a eucalyptus steam room, magnesium bath, vitamin C-infused showers and a private treatment room for LED light therapy, facials and body treatments.

Also opening in July, Byron-born menswear brand Atlas Homme occupies the hotel’s ground floor, presenting an edit of clothing, accessories, fragrance, home décor and eyewear from brands including Tom Ford, Zegna and House of Creed.

“Opening The Bonobo marks a significant new chapter for Raes,” said Marty McCaig, group general manager, Raes. “We’ve brought the same attention to detail, hospitality and guest experience that sits at the heart of the Raes brand, and applied it to a larger, more accessible setting in the centre of town.”

Hotel rooms start from $355 per night, with introductory rates available for stays through to 31 July. The Bonobo joins Raes Guesthouses and the original Raes on Wategos as part of the brand’s growing Byron Bay portfolio.

thebonobo.com.au