Elemental Luxury in Byron Bay
At the top of Australia’s list of languid beach hotspots, Byron Bay has a unique charm that attracts thousands of visitors every year. Lured as much by the Bay’s laidback, artistic lifestyle and environmental consciousness as its stunning natural beauty, people have been flocking to this iconic destination for a taste of alternative culture for decades.
Increasingly however, there has been an influx of visitors with high-end taste and expectations seeking the classic Byron experience but in a more refined environment. The town’s only luxury beachfront resort, Elements of Byron, caters perfectly to this breed of traveller.
Sprawled across 22 hectares of absolute beachfront land, less than five kilometres from the heart of town, Elements of Byron is a place of pinch-me perfection where relaxation is plentiful and nightlife means a glass of organic local wine by the poolside fire.
Here, the two sides of Byron’s personality - eclectic and ever more sophisticated - meet in an impressive all-in-one experience where you can revel in the carefree local vibe in five-star luxury. With three restaurants, an infinity pool, conference and wedding facilities, daily yoga sessions at sunrise and a world-class day spa, there’s absolutely no need to leave the resort.
For those looking to simply unwind, Osprey Spa is an award-winning facility in a tranquil, nature-inspired setting that from the moment you enter the inner sanctum will have you swooning. Each of the five therapy rooms invite the outdoors inside, opening into a private garden alcove that features an outdoor bathtub or rain head shower. The services include a range of restorative treatments that can be enjoyed alone or with a friend or loved one in a double treatment suite.
If being pampered isn’t your cup of iced organic herbal tea, there are plenty of other ways to fill the time at Elements of Byron. You can play a spot of tennis or head down to the Botanica Beach Club, a private, fenced-off beachfront area decked out with sun lounges, umbrellas and equipment hire, offering undisturbed views over Belongil Beach to Byron’s iconic lighthouse. Surfers can even check the conditions out the front of the resort before they head down, using the surf cam function on the TV in their room.
Elements of Byron pays homage to the region’s eco-loving reputation through thoughtful design and architecture, with a particular focus on preserving native flora and fauna. All villas include environmentally-friendly features such as digital compendiums, water-saving showers, solar power and adjustable louvre windows for natural light and airflow. Even the beauty products are environmentally responsible and ethical.
To help you reduce your carbon footprint whilst staying at the resort, each villa has been fitted with motion sensors that control the lights and air conditioning and a function that allows you to monitor how much energy your villa is consuming in real time. Armed with this knowledge, you have the option of offsetting your carbon footprint when you check-out, with the money going towards local revegetation programs.
The entire resort is themed according to the site’s four ecological zones: sand dunes, eucalypts, wetlands and rainforest. The main building, the pavilion, is designed to look like a windswept sand dune while the colour schemes and modern, tasteful interior styling in the villas reflect other features of the local environment. The Botanica Villas capture the vibrant colours of the surrounding rainforest through bright green cushions and an artwork-adorned leather bed head while the Beachside Villas are decorated with splashes of blue and furniture made from blonde timber, in a chic surf-shack style.
As you wander through the lush grounds, it is clear that this respect for nature is where the inspiration for the resort’s name comes from. Elements of Byron salutes the ancient concept of creating balance between the universe’s building blocks, water, fire, earth and air; representing all four elements with equal attention to detail.
From the tea tree-stained Belongil creek that weaves its way through the property to the sound of waves crashing on the shore in the still of night, water is ubiquitous at the resort. The most striking representation, however, is the lagoon-style pool at the centre of the main pavilion. With its hot tub and paddling pool for kids, it has a gravitational pull that few guests can resist and luckily there are plenty of hanging lounges, over-the-water sun beds and poolside bures to go around.
Fire makes an appearance after sunset at the sunken fire pit in front of the pool where you can enjoy a bespoke cocktail or two, and for an added touch of romance, the Beachside Villas even feature fireplaces.
With a 10% building footprint, the resort’s appreciation of earth is apparent not only in the careful consideration given to preserving the local ecosystem but also in the creative timber installations that adorn the walls of the spa, restaurant and some villas.
Air is present in the feeling of privacy and isolation the resort boasts. With their open-plan layout and minimalist styling, the villas are much more spacious than they appear from the outside and the expanse of vegetation surrounding each one adds to the resort’s atmosphere of exclusivity.
The most enjoyable thing about the resort is the fact that its laidback glamour isn’t just superficial; it is reflected in the attentive and helpful attitudes of the staff members, the comfort of the beds and the quality of the food.
The menu at Azure Bar & Grill manages to walk the fine line between being sophisticated, modern and tasty, while still taking into consideration different dietary requirements. Your stay includes a complimentary continental breakfast and there are options for everyone including filtered coffee, tea and juice, a range of cold meats, cheeses, fruits, vegetables, yoghurt and nuts, and even gluten free bread. If you’re after a hot meal, there is also a comprehensive, reasonably priced breakfast menu available.
Thoughtful touches such as snacks in your villa’s mini bar from local providers like Byron Bay Chocolate Co and coffee table books that showcase the region’s endlessly photographic landscape and abundant agriculture constantly remind you that the resort isn’t just located in Byron, it has been designed as part of the landscape.
If, despite all the resort has to offer you simply cannot resist the call of the quirky shops and boutique cafes that line Byron’s main streets, it is less than a five-minute drive to town. If you’re feeling adventurous it’s an easy half-hour walk along the beachfront. The Byron Bay Arts and Industry Estate is also a short drive from the resort and here you’ll find art galleries featuring works by local painters and sculptors and treasures such as beautifully handcrafted timber furniture and antique homewares.
Byron Bay’s creative charm also spills into the surrounding towns of Bangalow and Mullumbimby. Tucked away in the hinterland, these quaint villages offer an insight into the region’s fascinating culture and thriving food scene. Enjoy a long, lazy lunch away from the hustle and bustle of Byron at one of the dozens of eateries dotted throughout the hills that boast healthy and sumptuous choices made from fresh, local produce.
Renowned world over for its stunning beaches and first-rate surfing breaks; a trip to Byron wouldn’t be complete without a healthy dose of sun, sand and surf. Nearby beaches Lennox, Broken Head, Wategos, Tallows, The Pass and Brunswick are just some of the beaches you should aim to check out while you’re in the area.
After a day soaking up the region’s distinctive character, return to your luxurious sanctuary that has been as the website boasts, formed from the elements of Byron itself. This is a holiday your chakras won’t forget any time soon.