2 Best Hotels in Byron Bay, North Coast

This hotel offers high-end technology amid an open and free-flowing design that pulls the surrounding rain forest in. The emphasis is on a connection to nature here and one- or two-bedroom luxury villas are nestled in the rain forest, and offer a lounge area that opens into a completely private balcony with a fire for the winter months. There’s a large lagoon-style pool with surrounding cabanas, pool bar, restaurant, and chill-out area, which is reserved for adults-only. Elements is a short five-minute drive from central Byron Bay but a solar train connects guests to the town center, running regularly from 10 am until 5 pm ($10 per person).

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.