6 Best Hotels in North Coast, New South Wales

This lovely timber cottage with a white-picket fence is the ideal place for a quiet, romantic escape near the beach, a girls' weekend away, or a safe and friendly overnight when traveling solo. Brezza Bella is a two-room B&B, complete with manicured gardens, barbecue facilities, and a lovely courtyard, just a few blocks from Merewether Beach and the ocean baths. Both the Tuscan Room and the Oriental Room have king beds, LCD TV and DVD player, complimentary Wi-Fi, private bath with rain shower, bathrobes, and luxurious toiletries. There's an outdoor hot-cold shower to wash off the salt and sand after a day at the beach, while the courtyard is perfect for predinner drinks (or morning coffee and newspapers) before heading out to Merewether or downtown Newcastle. A hearty continental breakfast is served in the dining room, or you can have a breakfast basket delivered to your room.

Three luxury bures—the Fijian word for cabin—may be only 650 feet from the city center, but the lush, peaceful setting makes it feel like a private oasis. All bedrooms have king-size beds and are outfitted in calming blues and whites, and bathrooms are stocked with high-end French toiletries. Georgi, the host, has gone to great lengths to create a quiet atmosphere for adults.

In the shadow of Mt. Gower, Capella Lodge is Lord Howe Island's most posh lodging—views from the terrace and each of the nine suites are sensational, taking in the gorgeous lagoon to the north and the volcanic peaks to the south. While it's a little out of the way, Capella Lodge has a beautiful setting, and nothing is too far away on so small an island. The high-ceilinged accommodations include lofts and single-level suites, plus the spacious Lidgbird Pavilion, with its wraparound veranda and plunge pool. All have an elegant beach look reflected in the sandy and sea hues and shuttered doors. A small spa administers mud wraps and hot stone treatments and has an inviting old-world timber hot tub camouflaged by kentia palms. Rates include all meals, along with pre-dinner drinks and canapés, and wine with dinner.

These studio apartments just opposite Clarkes Beach are neat, spacious, and well equipped. All have a fully equipped kitchen, a laundry, and either a balcony or a courtyard with rooms opening onto a generous private patio. Furnishings are in need of a refresh but clean, teamed with blond timbers and blinds, blue fabrics and colorful cushions, and white walls. The beach is so close that the sound of the waves can rock you to sleep.

These self-contained hardwood cottages on a hillside overlooking Bellingen are superb examples of local craftsmanship, particularly in their use of timbers from surrounding forests. Each has a complete kitchen, a family room, and a shower (no tub). The retreat is only a short distance from town, but it feels miles away as it's secluded among the trees. Breakfast is not included in the rate but can be arranged if organized in advance. Discounts are available if you stay for more than one night.

A high-design boutique hotel, Raes' luxurious Mediterranean-style villa surrounded by a tropical garden offers individually decorated rooms with an eclectic mix of antiques, Indonesian art, Moroccan tables, and fine furnishings. The secluded rooms have gorgeous four-poster beds, tile floors, huge windows, in-room fireplaces, and private terraces; the service is top-notch, and the alfresco in-house restaurant, Rae's Fish Cafe ($$), is true to its name and serves fish and seafood dishes like Spanish-style seafood stew and wok-fried baby snapper. There is also a cellar door to sample local wines and a wellness spa. There's a minimum two-night stay on weekends.