Elements of Byron review in Brisbane News

22 March 2017

"Lavish choice - All the elements come together for a luxuary weekend away.

I think I've found resort Nirvana. It was a hot Friday afternoon when my husband, Dave, and I checked into Elements of Byron. Beyond the pool reception area, fit, swimsuit-dad guests were laughing and chatting at the bar. We could see a magnificent pool and lots of beautiful people. It looked amazing but would we fit in here? We found our luxurious little villa - number 50 of 103 on the 22ha site that hugs the shoreline of Belongil Beach, to the north of the Byron Bay township - and settled in at once. 

Created just over a year ago by award-winning Brisbane architect Shane Thompson with interiors by Brisbane talent, Rowena Cornwell
(Coop Creative), each villa is effortlessly chic and intensely inviting. They all open to the breeze and natural light with views of the beach, a lake or trees, and the clever designs ensure complete privacy. Features include a deep, freestanding bathtub, two TVs, a gas fireplace for winter, a quality minibar (think Veuve Clicquot, Chivas Regal, Belvedere vodka), sliding doors between the split-level rooms and poetic driftwood shelving.

It's easy to see why the resort won the most prestigious international Best Hotel Design award last year. Suitably impressed with our lodgings, we headed off to explore the (sometimes nudie) beach, the pool - my Speedo togs were fine - and a sunken firepit with live music by the bar. With an Ink gin and a traditional pizza in a poolside cabana at sunset, we were in heaven.

Breakfast was another joyful surprise. You can order off the menu, but the buffet would satisfy the greediest gourmand. Likewise, dinner in the restaurant, Graze, rivals anything the competitive Byron scene serves up. And after a decent feed, on a hot summer day, it's difficult to spend time away from the pool, but the onsite Osprey Spa, and a LaGaia precious element facial, was calling. And worth it!

Everything about Elements is respectful of the environment including the landscaping where protection of the existing, mature vegetation was paramount when siting the villas.

For the active, there are free yoga sessions, a gym and tennis court, but we opted for an eco-trail walk through rainforest, wetlands and the beach into Byron Bay (about 30 minutes each way - but watch the tide) and slow laps of the 30m pool at 6am. Did we fit in? We were in our elements.

ELEMENTS OF BYRON, Bayshore Drive, Byron Bay, ph: (02) 6639 1500. Villas from $380 a night for two, including continental buffet breakfast, daily yoga and high speed wifi. elementsofbyron.com.au"

"Lavish choice - All the elements come together for a luxuary weekend away."