This is the five-star hotel Byron Bay was screaming out for

The place: Basq House, Byron Bay

Check-in

Set on Bundjalung Country in the heart of Byron Bay, feel instantly at home when you step into the lobby cum bar at Basq House, tucked off a hidden laneway. Here a speakeasy-style lounge and intimate library feature local artwork, gas fireplaces, woven pendant lights and objets d’art. An antique brass call bell on the travertine-tiled front desk summons staff wearing Kivari jumpsuits (or you might want to ring it just for fun). A complimentary vino on arrival is a nice touch.

Bask central at Basq House.

The look

It feels like you’re staying with a friend with exceptional taste at the central, 32-room, boho-inspired hotel. Melbourne-based owners and good friends Matt Walsh and Shane Wilkinson wanted Basq House to feel like a home away from home. Matt Dalby, creative director and founder of StudioFAB, and local interior designer Leo Terrando have achieved just that.

Cool yet unpretentious: Basq House.

Taking its cues from a traditional riad, the house-style sanctuary is orientated around a central magnesium pool hemmed by cabanas, overhanging palms and pastel-pink umbrellas. A wellness-focused rooftop space opens next.

The room

The 32 guest rooms are stylishly minimalist.

There are six room types in a mix of formats, all stylishly minimalist with custom, honey-hued timber joinery. I’ve landed in a Pool Room which, true to its name, overlooks the sparkling magnesium pool fringed by palm trees.

One of my favourite features of the room is being able to fully open the sliding doors allowing the balmy breeze to waft in. Monochromatic rooms feature king beds (five can be split into twin beds), Mr Smith toiletries, linen bathrobes, HD TVs with Chromecast and minibars touting local artisanal fare. Some Pool Rooms like mine offer Juliet balconies; others full balconies. All rooms face either the pool or the street.

Food + drink

There’s no restaurant on site (only a bar at this stage) but that’s not an issue when bustling cafes, hip eateries and bars lie on your doorstep.

Embrace canteen-style dining at the new Commune Canteen where diners customise meals of Mediterranean-inspired, slow-cooked dishes and salads. Paddock-to-plate dining is on offer at Three Blue Ducks at The Farm (open for dinner Friday and Saturday nights).

Standout dishes include locally sourced steak with charred spring onion and curry butter, mussels with hash brown and whipped garlic, or leave decision-making to those who know best by opting for the chef’s selection.

A long, lazy lunch of modern Australian fare with a Mediterranean bent at hatted Raes on Wategos overlooking Byron’s most exclusive set of waves cannot be beaten. If the budget doesn’t extend, take a seat on the sun-drenched terrace of Raes Cellar Bar and Terrace and order an Aperol spritz. Life doesn’t get much better.

Basq House – new to Byron Bay.

Out + about

Take a complimentary Lekker bike out for a spin or catch a wave at The Pass on Basq’s candy-coloured boards. On your return, order a coconut margarita and partake in poolside reverie until dinner beckons. Two dedicated share vehicles can be hired for coastal or hinterland jaunts.

The verdict

This is the five-star hotel Byron Bay was screaming out for. It’s a goldilocks property in terms of price and clientele – you won’t find backpackers nor the achingly hip Instagram set here (not on our visit anyway). Offering one of the best locations in Byron, it’s aesthetically beautiful and peaceful, and service is refreshingly warm and unpretentious.

Essentials

From $340 a night (secure parking $20 a night). 4 Fletcher Lane, Byron Bay; [phone]; see https://basqhouse.com.au/

Our score out of five

★★★★½

Highlight
The little touches – filtered water on tap, coffee, tea and pastries in the morning, healthy snacks by the pool and complimentary welcome drinks.

Lowlight
The pool area will most likely get crowded and noisy in peak season when the hotel is fully booked.

The writer stayed as a guest of Basq House.