Dress-circle Byron Bay beach resort Rae’s on Wategos (rooms from $620) is back in vogue after a thorough refresh of its rooms.
Perched above Wategos Beach, the Spanish Mission-inspired mansion’s return to cool splendour comes via pared-back white interiors accented with vibrant greenery, linens and rattan, azulejo flooring and objets d’intérêt such as a wrought-iron chandelier and, in the penthouse, a 500-kilo table by Melbourne stonemasons Den-Holm. The new look is a breath of fresh air, more in keeping with the arched windows, stone flooring and light-filled interiors than the heavy, drab décor of Rae’s recent years. The makeover extends to all seven resort rooms, including two penthouses and a villa.
One of the sitting rooms.
An upgrade of the 50-seat alfresco restaurant is imminent, but in the meantime house-guests and others can still savour chef Guy Skinner’s signature seafood plates such as spanner crab salad with pea, mint and fennel.
The bedrooms are a calm oasis of whites and neutrals.
There’s more change afoot at the Byron hotspot, including custom transfers to and from the resort by private jet and motor yacht as part of the forthcoming Rae’s Collection. The one constant is the right-hand point break at Wategos – as hot a surf spot as any.
