If you love sunrise yoga on the beach, paddleboarding along the coast, or endless vacation days spent surfing, then Byron Bay should be your number one stop in northern New South Wales. 

Byron Bay has long been a favorite among backpackers and surfers. This once sleepy coastal town has a reputation for attracting “alternative” or “new-age” travelers, ensuring that Byron Bay has evolved into an East Coast tourist hotspot. 

But the evolution continues, and while you can find drum circles on the beach after dark and surfers crowding the pubs in the evening, Byron Bay is as popular with the boutique travelers as it is with the backpackers!

Stroll down to Main Beach, and you’ll soon understand why. On your way through town, you’ll pass boutique hotels, shops, and cafes. There are local breweries, farmers’ markets, and art galleries to pop into. On Main Beach, you’ll see the sand stretching northwest to Belongil Beach, while to the southeast, you’ll see Cape Byron jutting out into the Pacific Ocean.

You can spend your days lazing in the sand or learning to surf, or you can hike along the Cape Byron Walking Track to the town’s famous lighthouse and the most easterly point in mainland Australia. 

And while coastal activities and water sports are always a highlight of a trip to Byron Bay, much awaits you in the Hinterland, too. You can learn about the local rainforest ecosystem in the Cumbebin Swamp Nature Reserve or hike to mountaintops and waterfalls in Nightcap National Park or Mount Jerusalem National Park.

However you choose to spend your vacation, you’ll have some of the best boutique hotels on the East Coast to choose from. So keep reading, as we explain exactly where to stay in Byron Bay.

Don’t forget to check out our web story: 12 Cool Boutique Hotels in Byron Bay

Where to stay in Byron Bay

If you look at a map of Byron Bay, you can’t miss the prominent headland poking out into the Pacific Ocean. This is Cape Byron, and as well as being the most easterly point in Australia, it’s also the best local landmark!

Byron Bay’s main town is found at the base of this headland. To the northwest of Cape Byron, you have Main Beach, which then turns into Belongil Beach. You’ll find some of the best boutique hotels in Byron Bay in this central area. In town, there are rustic bed and breakfasts, luxury apartments, and even a few quirky motels and pubs. Plus, all options will be a 15-minute walk or less to Main Beach. 

At Belongil Beach, you’ll find more traditional (and luxurious) resorts and hotels overlooking the Pacific Ocean. You can hire out cabanas, villas, and cottages and be just a few meters walk away from Byron Bay’s famous surf. It’s the same situation to the south of Cape Byron, where luxury resorts surrounded by tropical rainforest overlook Tallow Beach.

While Cape Byron is itself predominantly a nature reserve, you can book a small selection of boutique hotels and apartments on Lighthouse Road, overlooking Clarkes Beach. If you’d love to experience the best sunrise views over the cape, then this is the place to stay. To inspire your trip to New South Wales, here are the best boutique hotels in Byron Bay.

The 12 Best Boutique Hotels in Byron Bay

1. The Lord Byron

One of the best hotels in Byron Bay is the enduringly popular Lord Byron. This fabulous boutique stay has just 30 guest rooms and three apartments, so book early before the Lord Byron books up!

You’ll understand why Lord Byron is such a popular choice when you first take in the sunshine from the privacy of your open-air balcony. You’ll instantly be in laid-back Aussie holiday mode, while the luxury furnishings and tropical decor of your suite induce a sense of serious tranquility and comfort.

Rooms at the Lord Byron are spacious, with queen-size beds, handpicked textiles and fabrics, and light, bright furnishings that complement the sunny climes. Sit back in the plush bedding and switch on the smart television in your downtime, or brew up a coffee using the in-room Nespresso machine. Upgrade to an apartment, and you’ll have all these facilities, extra living space, and a fully equipped kitchen.

If you can leave the comforts of your room, then you’ll find that the Lord Byron is home to a lush garden, complete with a covered communal cabana and a wide decking area offering both shade and sun. Of course, if the heat gets to be too much, then order up a cool beer, cocktail, or smoothie from the bar, or just jump into the outdoor pool or hot tub to cool down.

Stay at the Lord Byron, and you’re just a 10-minute walk from Main Beach. The hotel even provides guests with the complimentary use of bicycles and surfboards to help you get around and enjoy your vacation. As a bonus, you also get a 12 pm checkout on the day of your departure, giving you time for one last dip in the pool or trip to the beach before heading home!

2. 28 Degrees Byron Bay

If you’d love an adults-only, luxury getaway, then one of the best places to stay in Byron Bay is 28 Degrees. 

This lovely cottage is easily missed when you stroll through the center of town on your way to Main Beach, but hidden away behind the nonchalant tropical-style facade is a charming boutique hotel where televisions are banned and all guests have to be aged 21 years or over. 

The name references Byron Bay’s latitude of 28 degrees (the most easterly point in Australia), and you’ll receive a warm and local welcome from owners Debbie and Lindon. They prepare homemade granola and seasonal fruit compote every morning, giving 28 Degrees a homey “bed and breakfast” approach that will help you settle right in. 

But 28 Degrees is quite unlike any other bed and breakfast we’ve ever stayed in. The cottage was lovingly built from scratch, with each of the rooms featuring Iranian bathroom tiles, beeswax candles, and organic French bed linens. 

You can choose from the Rustic Classic Room, the Luxurious Master Room, or the Lighthouse Room, the last of which offers views of Byron Bay’s famous lighthouse. These rooms all come with access to the “gourmet kitchen,” the communal reading room, and the lap pool, but if it’s available, then an upgrade to the Plunge Pool Room will provide you with an unbeatable private pool to enjoy!

3. Crystalbrook Byron

Embrace the rainforest life in style with a stay at Crystalbrook Byron. This five-star retreat is set among 18 hectares of landscaped rainforest gardens, and you’ll love how close you are to nature yet how luxurious the suites and facilities are!

There are 92 suites available at Crystalbrook Byron, each of which offers tranquility in a tropical setting. Suites are built with space and comfort in mind, and you’ll love the king-size beds and living areas, as well as the deep-soak bathtubs and walk-in rain showers.

You’ll also have a private veranda from where you can take in the sounds of the forest while more nature awaits you at Arakwal National Park and Tallow Beach, both of which are just a short stroll away. Upgrade from a Rainforest Suite to a Treetop Suite, and you’ll be elevated above the rainforest floor and immersed in the jungle itself!

If you’d love to learn more about the unique setting, then join a guided tour of the surrounding rainforest, where you’ll learn about Byron Bay’s local ecosystems from the Crystalbrook rangers. After a humid hike through the rainforest, you’ll welcome a dip in the resort’s swimming pool or a session at the Eleme Day Spa.

In the evening, enjoy dinner and drinks at the Forest Restaurant and Bar. The rainforest will again surround you as you dine on local seafood, meats, and vegetables that have been sourced from the surrounding area. 

4. Eco Beach Resort

Eco Beach Resort is without a doubt one of Byron Bay’s best hotels. Overlooking Belongil Beach, you can walk right out of this apartment hotel and straight into the Pacific Ocean!

This is a great choice for anyone looking for self-contained accommodation in a beachfront location. Eco Beach Resort has a small selection of boutique one-bedroom and studio apartments, all of which are fully equipped for a comfortable (and extended) stay in Byron Bay.

Apartments are decorated with bright, white decor and rattan furnishings, a design that embraces the summer vibes of Byron Bay. Plus, we know you’ll enjoy the home comforts of a kitchenette alongside spacious living and dining areas. Your apartment is completed by a private balcony or terrace, with the best units offering views over Belongil Beach.

Relax on your terrace, or take up a space in a deck chair around the small swimming pool in the center of the resort. The water is refreshingly cool, but you’ll also love sitting in the shade of the tropical gardens or chilling out in the outdoor spa pool. 

5. Byron Springs

One of the best boutique hotels in Byron Bay is Byron Springs, a petite guesthouse that’s just a 10-minute walk from the white sands and crashing waves of Tallow Beach. 

Byron Springs has the rustic, laid-back charms of a beachside cabana, but you’ll love how the hotel also provides an understated elegance in all of its suites. Bright white decor complements lush green foliage, while the walk-in showers wouldn’t be out of place in a Balinese guesthouse.

Byron Springs is all about tranquility, and you can sit back on your private veranda with a cold beer or a glass of wine, or enjoy the shade of a swaying palm on the spacious communal decking. When that tropical heat starts to be too much, then you’ll welcome a dip in the refreshing outdoor waters of the 10-meter-long Magma Therapy Pool. 

Byron Springs is (mostly) for adults only (guests have to be aged 15 years or over), making this an excellent choice for couples or singles looking for luxurious privacy during their stay in Byron Bay. 

6. Aloha Byron Bay

Stroll through the tropical gardens and out of the front gate of Aloha Byron Bay, and you’ll be just a five-minute walk away from Main Beach. You couldn’t ask for a better location, but you might never want to leave the tranquility of your villa during your stay at this luxury hotel!

Aloha Byron Bay channels the spirit of Hawaii and combines it with the laid-back sophistication of tropical New South Wales, and you’re going to love the landscaped gardens, saltwater swimming pool, and spacious verandas. Fire up the communal barbecue, crack open a few cold beers in the shade of the palm trees, or sit back on your private balcony and take in Byron Bay’s chilled-out atmosphere. 

Aloha Byron Bay is the perfect place to host a laid-back Aussie gathering, too. You can book out the three villas, the self-contained Beach House, the Apartment, and the King Studio, and you’ll have a total of 24 bed spaces for you and your friends!

All of the rooms come complete with private kitchenettes, private balconies, access to all of the fantastic communal and garden spaces, and use of the surf and paddle boards. The Beach House is, of course, a step up from the rest, with space for eight and a private swimming pool just steps away from the Pacific Ocean!

7. Waves Byron Bay

One of the best Byron Bay boutique hotels is Waves, where you can stay in a luxury hotel that’s located just meters from Main Beach. 

If you love boutique accommodation in unbeatable locations, then this is the hotel for you because after a day of surfing, hiking, or just lounging on the beach, you can stroll back to your spacious suite and sink into the king-size bed and soft white linens. 

All of the rooms at Waves feature marble and granite bathrooms with walk-in showers and deep bathtubs. You’ll have a private balcony where you can soak in the fresh air and sea breeze, and if you upgrade to a penthouse suite, you’ll have a private outdoor terrace with a barbecue.

You can start your day with a strong (and complimentary) breakfast in the lobby, where muffins, coffee, and orange juice are available for every guest. You can borrow boogie boards and beach chairs, and on Friday nights and Saturday nights, you’ll want to return to the Waves’ lobby for a free wine tasting before heading out to dinner in Byron Bay. 

8. Wake Up! Byron Bay

You’ll find Wake Up! overlooking the white sands of Belongil Beach on the northeastern side of Byron Bay. It’s a beautiful location, and we know you’re going to quickly fall in love with both the hotel and the setting. 

Wake Up! is a boutique retreat that channels the fun-loving vibe of Byron Bay to the max. You’ll be staying beachside, just meters away from the Pacific Ocean, with a choice of rooms ranging from cottages and cabanas to doubles, twins, and shared dormitories. Whichever room you choose, there’s a real sense of community here, and you’ll meet like-minded travelers in the communal barbecue and kitchen areas.

Better yet, Wake Up! has an on-site bar and restaurant (The Treehouse) where you can chill out with cold drinks or hot coffee, make new friends, and enjoy excellent Aussie cuisine in a laid-back setting. 

Wake Up! provides a complimentary shuttle bus for guests, allowing you to make the most of Byron Bay’s eclectic sights and atmosphere while staying away from the bustle of the actual town center itself. That’s not the only thing that’s free, either, and you’ll love how the hotel also offers yoga sessions for wellbeing, boards for surfing and paddleboarding, and bicycles for getting around.  

9. Julians Apartments

Book a stay at Julians Apartments, and you’ll be treating yourself to a luxury, four-star apartment that’s surrounded by lush tropical rainforest. This is one of the best boutique options in Byron Bay, particularly if you enjoy a self-catered stay in a fully equipped villa.

Each of the 12 luxury apartments at this boutique hotel provides you with spacious kitchens, living areas, and bedrooms. You’ll have everything you need for a self-contained vacation, including those much-needed laundry facilities if you’re on an East Coast road trip!

The best features of these luxury apartments, though, are the private outdoor spaces. Each apartment has either a spacious outdoor balcony or verandah or a cozy courtyard garden where you can enjoy the sunshine, the peace, and the quiet.  

Julians Apartments are supremely located in a glorious position overlooking Clarkes Beach. You’re a short walk away from the Pacific Ocean, and you’re also just a 20-minute walk away from Cape Byron, the famous Cape Byron Lighthouse, and the most easterly point in Australia.

Check Prices & Availability on Booking.com

10. Beach Hotel Resort

The Beach Hotel Resort is one of the most famous hotels in Byron Bay, and we know you’re going to love soaking up the Aussie beach vibes when you stay at this local institution!

Walk out of the Beach Hotel Resort, and you’ll literally be on the beach. The hotel overlooks Byron Bay’s iconic Main Beach, and you couldn’t ask for a closer or more central location in the town. But despite its location on bustling Bay Street, step back inside the resort, and you’ll instantly be surrounded by tranquil tropical gardens that hide a secluded outdoor swimming pool and hot tub. 

Your suite is equipped with either a private balcony (the best have views over the Pacific Ocean) or a quiet courtyard space, and you’ll love the king-size beds, plush furnishings, and the luxury ASPAR products in the bathrooms. 

While your room is an oasis of privacy, you can step your vacation up a notch by experiencing the holiday atmosphere of “The Beachy.” This is the hotel’s famous pub, which is located next door to the resort itself. 

“The Beachy” (its official name is The Beach Hotel pub) has live music every day of the week, while bartenders serve cold pints of beer while handcrafting world-class cocktails. Guests of the hotel have the luxury of an exclusive entrance to one of Byron Bay’s best-known pubs, where you can get your vacation off to a rocking start when you’re looking for a fun stay in town!

11. Arts Factory Lodge

One of the most unique hotels in Byron Bay is the Arts Factory Lodge, an unusual favorite that’s packed with color, character, and world travelers. Arts Factory Lodge is technically a hostel, rather than a hotel, but don’t let that put you off, as they provide both dormitories and boutique rooms!

Yes, this is a budget choice, but nowhere else in Byron Bay has as much history (or quirkiness) as this. Arts Factory Lodge started life back in the 1970s. It was founded by artists and hippies just when Byron Bay was beginning to attract the alternative travelers it’s now so famed for. 

That bohemian vibe still shines through today, and if you’re feeling adventurous, then you can book out one of the teepees or island bungalows rather than a standard hotel room. You can even camp out on the grounds if you’re road-tripping through with your own tent. 

Whichever accommodation option you choose, you’ll have access to five acres of tropical gardens, an outdoor swimming pool, and all of the communal facilities, including barbecues and kitchens.

Arts Factory Lodge is more than just a place to stay. You can visit the on-site beer brewery, take part in morning yoga sessions or afternoon didgeridoo-making lessons, or enjoy evening jam sessions and live music events at the bar. 

12. Hibiscus Motel

Aussie motels are usually no-nonsense, no-frills establishments. Aussie motels are also part of the travel tradition, and no trip is complete without experiencing the authenticity of a motel stay!

But if you prefer your motels to be more hotel, then we know you’re going to love staying at the Hibiscus Motel in Byron Bay. Located right in the center of Byron Bay town, the Hibiscus Motel offers big parking spaces and spacious ground floor rooms, making this perfect for anyone on an east coast road trip.

The rooms at the Hibiscus Motel are equipped with queen-sized beds and comfy sofas, as well as large living areas where you can sprawl out after a long drive. Rooms are also equipped with televisions, work desks, and dining areas for added home comforts.

You can unpack for your stay, settle in, then head down to Main Beach, which is just a 10-minute walk from the Hibiscus Motel. On your way back, pick up supplies from the supermarket because with a fully equipped kitchenette, you can treat yourself to home-cooked meals throughout your stay!

That completes our list of the 12 best Byron Bay hotels! Did we miss any cool boutique hotels in Byron Bay? Comment below so we can add them to the list!

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