Then age and parenthood kicked in and now I’m craving the Byron Bay those in the know fell in love with before property prices rocketed to Pluto. Holidays with slow vibes and hippie charm, early morning swims and coastal walks, a little boho luxe shopping mixed in with farmer’s market wanderings, and sampling the region’s restaurants and cafés.
When I check into The Lord Byron on Johnson Street, it’s clear I can get exactly that from a prime, yet wound-back, location. The property is home to 30 rooms and three fully-furnished and serviced apartments – one of which I am stopping in for a few nights with my mum and daughter. While the location is not prime beachside, it is set amidst tranquil landscapes and natural bushland. The serene surroundings allow for sleep-ins or for those that want more action, there is an onsite swimming pool, spa and tennis courts and complimentary surfboard and bike hire to explore Byron’s spectacular outdoors.
Upon entering our two-bedroom apartment, I am immediately impressed. We all are, particularly my mother who decides she could happily live there, and she doesn’t mean just for the next two nights.
Entering into the living room – which is open to a galley kitchen, dining area, and balcony – guests are immediately coated in natural light beaming in from skylighted ceilings and front and back balconies. Furnishings of leather, linen and reclaimed wood are boho-inspired and reflect cream, white, and caramel hues. Bespoke bedrooms pop with well-appointed textiles printed with vibrant tropical or geometric prints on lampshades, bedheads, quilts, and cushions. Bedrooms in the main building’s 30 rooms are also fitted out with hand-picked fabrics from Sydney’s Bourkeshire Interiors (@bourkeshireinteriors).
The kitchen has everything you need for a night in and a Nespresso machine to help wake you up after a night out. There is a main bathroom with tub and washing machine/dryer and an ensuite in one of the bedrooms.
While we were tempted by the property’s barbecue area, where other guests were cooking up local seafood by the pool, we didn’t cook meals while staying, instead choosing to dine at local hotspot The Italian for dinner on our first night. I highly recommend eating here – it’s literally a hop and skips down the street from The Lord Byron and it has incredible Italian fare on offer for adults and kids alike. Breakfasts were had at nearby cafes Bayleaf – a Byron institution that’s always packed with colorful characters – and Beach which is located at Clarke’s Beach and the perfect coffee stop when returning from the Cape Byron Lighthouse walk. If you’ve got the energy, I highly recommend taking in the scenic 4km track. It took about an hour and a half, including coffee stop, from the hotel but there were a few uphill battles that made that coffee on the way home even sweeter.
After discovering this hidden gem, I researched the hotel’s reviews to see if others had cottoned onto The Lord Byron offer. They had and they were all raving about the location, the comfort and the friendly staff. I couldn’t agree more. While there is no direct beach access or coastal views, you won’t pay a fortune for delightful rooms with breath-easy comfort and the facilities will leave you wanting for nothing. Especially with the tap-and-go drinks selection that can be had from the pool, cabana, or in your room.
Rooms start at $219
Check-in and out 9/10
There is a complimentary midday checkout. If like me you enjoy a lazy way to leave a hotel, rather than rushing about or having to store bags, this is an excellent offering.
Interiors 9/10
I couldn’t fault the boho interiors with pops of personality that delivered rooms that were anything but the hotel standard.
Location 8.5/10
Excellent location. So it’s not on the beach, but the beach is a five-minute walk away. The location offers free parking and is close to shops and amenities.
Verdict 9/10
In a town that has an abundance of four-star offerings, The Lord Byron stands out from the crowd for its personality and purse-friendly location in serene surrounds.
The writer was a guest of The Lord Byron. This article originally appeared on Escape and do not necessarily represent the views of australiaexploring.com
