Elements of Byron's true beauty is slowly revealed, like sunrise peeking through the horizon over the ocean to start a new day.
On arrival at Elements of Byron, it's not quite the luxury resort I was expecting. The vast carpark comes into view, followed by the main low-level pavilion and beyond a series of demountable style buildings dotted across the resort. Is this really Australia's newest world-class beachfront resort?
However, one step inside my Botanica Villa reveals the true wow factor and a new level of luxury. The villa is a split-level design, separating the living and sleeping areas in style, creating a spacious and practical layout. The lower level features a comfortable couch for two, kitchenette with coffee machine and the dividing breakfast bar doubles as TV stand & dining space with two stools tucked neatly underneath.
The upper level, just two steps up, has a desk, king size bed with fabulous gold cushions, walk-in wardrobe with plush bathrobes and bathroom (as big as the bedroom) with freestanding bath, Appelles amenities, shower and separate toilet. It's a well-planned layout for a romantic getaway and beautifully designed with luxurious styling in natural coastal cool tones and textures with woods, neutrals and splash of colour from the headboard artwork.
The 90+ villas are dotted across the vast property, with stage two and further 99 villas underway to complete the resort. Surrounded by nature, new plantings will flourish and mature to complete the eco-resort style.
The centrepiece of the resort is the epic lagoon pool with hanging lounges, day beds, cabanas and a poolside fire pit, an ideal spot to enjoy sunset drinks. It's the kind of pool you could lounge about in all day, but there is much to explore in Byron.
Exploring Byron Bay is always a fun adventure and we've written about where to eat and drink here and here. Elements is located just out of town at Belongil Beach, so I decided to venture close by to hidden gem FOLK for avo toast for lunch. As you'd expect for a Byron cafe, it has a super chilled vibe and is achingly cool.
That night I checked out recently refurbished restaurant Balcony Bar & Oyster Co and was bitterly disappointed with the food & experience and wished I'd stayed in and dined at the resort. As consolation, I ordered an Espresso Martini back at Elements as a nightcap, which was a total winner. A cute touch is the coasters of the day series, by artist Mary Juice. The lobby, bar and restaurant is filled with pieces by local artists, specially commissioned by the owners and featured prominently in the poolside pavilion.
Your stay includes complimentary morning yoga by the beach. It sounds great in theory, but when the alarm goes off at 5.30am (following a night of espresso martinis) and I hear the pitter-patter of rain outside, I figure I'm off the hook. My conscience gets the better of me and I phone reception to confirm whether yoga is cancelled. I'm cheerily informed it's been moved to Osprey Spa due to the inclement weather *sigh*. I arrive at the day spa to find only one other guest has made the effort to get up. We start our yoga practice and the teacher stops and says "I'm just not feeling it, it's stopped raining now, shall we go to the beach?" We're not feeling it either and pack our gear into a buggy and tear up to the beach. Sure it's a bit damp underfoot, but we lay a few towels down and get started and are handsomely rewarded with the sun rising over the ocean to warm us, and the calming sound of the waves to soothe us. It's a truly magical experience.
I'm feeling rejuvenated and revived (and just a little bit smug) as I head to breakfast. I glance around at all the other diners who opted to sleep in, but I feel as though they're the ones who have missed out. Also included in your stay is a Farmers Market continental breakfast in Graze Restaurant. It's a simple selection of pastries, breads, cereals etc so I recommend indulging in ordering from the a la carte breakfast menu which includes items such as smoked salmon eggs royale, Shakshouka or Zucchini and Sweet Corn Fritters.
Throughout our stay, the relaxed attitude of the staff suits the slow-paced Byron vibe, more than a typical 5 star service style would.
Elements of Byron is the kind of resort you don't want to leave, where you can happily relax by the pool, be pampered in the day spa and enjoy a cocktail poolside. The beauty of the resort slowly revealed so you leave feeling nourished, revived and rejuvenated and longing to return.
To celebrate alluxia's 4th Birthday, we're offering the chance to win a two night escape to Elements of Byron, plus a styling experience and $500 wardrobe from David Lawrence. Enter here and entries open 25 August and close 15 September 2016.
Elements of Byron
144 Bayshore Drive, Byron Bay NSW
Book Elements of Byron here.
