The Sunseeker, Byron Bay, Australia hotel review

Why guide?
To expertise the inventive zing of Byron Bay – The Sunseeker showcases the design abilities of makers all through the area.

Jacqui Turk

Set the scene
This revitalised motel on Bangalow Highway, 10 minutes from Byron Bay city, is the most recent design vacation spot right here, pulling in a jet-set crowd eager to snap the retro area and road-tripping younger households drawn by the spacious but reasonably priced rooms.

The backstory
As soon as a drained motel, The Sunseeker has been given a recent spritz by first-time moteliers Jess and Dave Frid and their mates, a dream group of notable makers, artists and designers from in and round Byron Bay. Reflecting the native Northern Rivers inventive group, the motel is now a design hub crammed with artwork and collectables. ‘We wished to create a spot that we didn’t suppose existed for our little household, which was low-key however thrilling, and a spot the place children are welcome and the place we may vacation with family and friends,’ says Jess. By working with eco-minded builders Balanced Earth to retain the unique bones and heritage of the Eighties redbrick motel, the house owners have creatively repurposed a lot of the constructing. The jagged crazy-paving entrance was made utilizing salvaged tiles from the previous rooms, all of the kitchens within the family-size bungalows had been constructed utilizing timber panels from different elements of the property and every room in the principle constructing comprises terrazzo benchtops crafted from waste concrete. The result’s a conflict of daring colors, textures and shapes that talk to the previous however with a cool edge. ‘We wished to create a spot that showcases the unimaginable creatives within the Byron shire, but in addition a enjoyable spot to vacation,’ Jess explains.

James Tolic

The rooms
The 12 motel-style rooms – normal, one-bedroom and two-bedroom household suites – are extremely spacious, every with a patio or balcony overlooking the pool or gardens. There may be an uncomplicated surf-shack really feel to the concrete flooring and walk-in showers however, like the remainder of the motel, all the pieces is very curated – from these crystal-adorned terrazzo benchtops to the natural Leif bathe merchandise infused with native botanicals. Furnishings is bespoke and sometimes classic, and quirky design particulars embody bedside orb lights and sunshine-infused pops of artwork emblazoned with reminders to ‘Vacation Typically’. Mini-bars are stocked with domestically sourced treats, bottled cocktails and tons of kids’s snacks (with out refined sugar). Households ought to go for one of many six standalone, timber-cladded bungalows, all fitted with a queen mattress and a set of bunk beds, a completely outfitted kitchen, outside claw-foot tub and barbecue. It feels very convivial, with younger households cooking collectively and youngsters tearing about.

Jacqui Turk

Food and drinks
In line with the no-frills motel vibe, there isn’t a restaurant on web site, however visitors can order hampers from the close by Bay Grocer. The barbecue meal kits – sausages, steak, lasagne – are greatest suited to visitors staying within the bungalows with correct kitchens. These staying in bedrooms ought to persist with the grazing hampers of fruit, cheese and charcuterie. However actually all of the enjoyable is on the poolside tiki bar, which serves an fascinating checklist of small-batch natural wines and beer.

Jacqui Turk

The neighbourhood
Set on the sting of city, the hotel is a 10-minute drive out of Byron Bay – shut sufficient to the motion however with a pleasant buffer from the hectic throng, particularly throughout peak summer time. Tallow Seashore is a couple of 10-minute stroll. You’re additionally solely a 15-minute drive as much as the Hinterland and into the lovable cities corresponding to Newrybar, Federal and Bangalow, the place you’ll discover nice rustic eating places – guide tables at Harvest and Frida’s Subject.

The service
Smiley and informal – very a lot ‘we’re all mates right here’.

For households
The Sunseeker was created for younger households. There are at all times children enjoying outdoors by the bungalows or pool.

Eco effort
Admirable. Sustainability is a part of the ethos, from the renovation (working with green-minded builders Balanced Earth) to the follow (utilizing rainwater and solar energy).

James Tolic

Accessibility for these with mobility impairments
One of many ground-floor normal rooms is wheelchair accessible.

Something left to say?
The authentic kidney-shaped pool and tiki cabana bar are pure kitsch enjoyable with a number of zebra print and cane and a tropical Eighties aesthetic. There are a handful of solar loungers and umbrellas the place a motley mixture of influencers and younger households hang around. As it is a family-friendly motel in Byron Bay, the place the times are dictated by the crack-of-dawn surf, all the pieces quietens down early with final name at about 6pm. So if you wish to celebration, this isn’t the place.

Like this? Now learn:

The greatest accommodations in Australia and New Zealand: the Gold Record 2021 and 2020

These Byron Bay Instagrammers gives you critical life envy

The most lovely locations to go to in Australia and New Zealand