Overview
Hot on the heels of Raes expanding its Byron Bay footprint with the landmark opening of The Bonobo, the luxe hotelier's original property, Raes on Wategos, has just received an acclaimed nod. Landing on 50 Best Discovery — a carefully curated list put together by a 3,000-strong roster of experts — it's hardly surprising this long-standing property stood out to the voting academy's gourmet travellers, critics and hospo professionals.
Raes Wategos secured its dreamy beachfront vista — assuredly one of Australia's most exclusive beachfront locations — over three decades ago, a rather savvy decision. Now, the hotel and its adjacent guesthouses are renowned for their careful balance of Mediterranean influences and Australian coastal bliss. In the hotel, choose from five suites or two penthouses, each with access to a guest-only pool primed for sun-drenched lazing.
Featuring interiors by Tamsin Johnson, each room offers a distinct personality, with sculptural lighting, custom fittings, rugs and upholstery. Meanwhile, a muted palette and natural materials define the Raes Hotel's unpretentious coastal aesthetic. Next door at Raes Guesthouses, the mood shifts Med-like, with 11 suites across two buildings bringing earthen pastels in blues and greens, hand-painted joinery and vintage-inspired pieces throughout.
Beyond the stylish quarters, the property also features two impressive lap pools set against tropical gardens. Then, stepping into Raes Dining Room, overlooking Wategos Beach, Executive Chef Jason Saxby and a talented culinary team showcase the surrounding region's immense food pantry, heroing local and sustainable ingredients from the Northern Rivers and Southern Queensland.
The culinary bliss continues at Raes Cellar Bar, a more casual beachside setting with an easy-breezy snack menu that spans elevated cucumber salad, tuna crostino, and vitello tinnato — a refreshing Piedmontese dish that balances savoury, salty and acidic elements. For a change of scenery, Raes Terrace Bar is another spot for laid-back bites and sips, while Raes Spa offers the full complement of all-over body treatments from within the hotel.
Yet Raes on Wategos isn't the only Australian hotel to make the list. With stunning stays from almost every major capital city also featured, browsing the 50 Best Discovery might inspire a visit to Ace Hotel Sydney, Capella Sydney, Jackalope Hotel, or perhaps Paramount House Hotel, The Calile, or The StandardX Melbourne. So, beachside bliss, vineyard indulgence or urban escape — there's no wrong decision here.
Head to the 50 Best Discovery website to learn more.
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Images: Supplied.