‘Cats, birds and even a rabbit’: Byron’s new beachside luxury digs for pets

Cats, dogs, birds and even rabbits are welcome at this luxury Byron Bay resort, only a few steps from the beach.

Inside the rooms at the Beach Suites at Byron Bay.

Beach Suites Byron Bay
20 Bay St, Byron Bay

Rooms from $495 a night

beachsuites.com.au

Many years ago, while on a 2000km road trip with my dog that crossed four states, I spent a night at a pet-friendly roadside motel in a small town in the middle
of nowhere.

It was a relic of the ’80s, nestled between two truck yards (think faux leather couch, brown coverlet, built-in headboard and side tables) but it was comfortable and I was glad to have a room where I could bring my dog inside.

The Beach Suites at Byron Bay.

In my mind, this is where the bar for pet-friendly accommodation sits. But on a recent trip to Byron Bay, I discovered this is very much not the case.

The five-star Beach Suites at Byron Bay lands at the opposite end of that scale, with its ocean views, private rooftop pools and luxurious finishes.

The property is the pet project of businessman and entrepreneur Scott Didier, who counts Byron as one of his favourite places in the world.

He bought the Beach Suites in 2018 and has spent the past six years regenerating and reinvigorating – with plans to further modernise the rooms in the works.

The animal-friendly element was a must – and it’s not just dogs that are welcomed at the luxurious property. Byron Suites has also played host to cats, birds and even a rabbit.

Ralph, having a great time on holiday.

My 14-year-old spoodle Ralph is immediately welcomed as an honoured guest when he sniffs his way into reception.

Our room comes with a sign – “pet on holidays” – and inside is a plush dog bed, as well as food and water bowls. The entrance to this, one of the property’s four penthouses, opens into an enormous open-plan kitchen, living and dining area. The enormous tan leather couch could easily seat eight and faces a wall-mounted big-screen television.

Large glass sliding doors take you to a balcony so large, it’s more of an outdoor entertaining area.

Out there is an outdoor dining set, as well as a bar table and chairs, two sun lounges and a BBQ.

Kate with Ralph at Byron Beach Suites.

In case you were curious about how far the property is from the beach – it is right there in front of you. It’s as beachfront as Byron Bay gets and the rippling blue of the ocean makes for a magical view.

In front of us is the Byron Bay Surf Life Saving Club where the beach is patrolled and a short walk past it is the off-leash dog beach.

Exploring the rest of the apartment, there were two large bedrooms, one with an ensuite with a spa bath. There was also a large main bathroom, separate powder room and full laundry.

But it was the glass door leading to a curved staircase that held the real surprise.

Byron Beach Suites - the private penthouse pool.

At the top of the stairs was a stunning rooftop pool, an area of decking, two more sun lounges and a large umbrella. From the deck, the ocean stretched in both directions, Byron’s famous lighthouse on display in the distance.

Ralph, who does not like water he can’t stand up in, made a lap around the pool before flopping on to the deck to snooze in the sun.

Back in the kitchen, the fully stocked mini bar came with regular shop prices. General manager Helen Buckley tells us this is at the insistence of the owner.

“Why should anyone pay $7 for a Kit-Kat?” she tells us he instructed her.

There were many other bonus touches too. Downstairs in the architecturally-designed parking garage were EV charging stations and the wall was lit up with surfing videos.

There were bikes you could borrow, a free guest laundry for guests in rooms without one, beach chairs and towels and even children’s sand toys.

Byron Beach Suites.

The ground level also had shower facilities so guests who have checked out can still spend the day at the beach and come back, rinse off and collect their bags.

We spent our three days in Byron sampling the local cuisine – all at dog-friendly venues, of course.

The pooches were welcomed in the laneway at Bonito for cocktails – a restaurant attached to Hotel Marvell, another project of Didier’s, along with businessman Scott Emery. Bonito has a James St vibe, with its stunning architecture and luscious greenery.

Back at Byron Suites, the largest penthouse (three bedrooms with three ensuites) hosted our group for dinner.

Private chef Sam Campbell, owner of the popular Woods Bangalow Cafe, served up freshly shucked oysters with lime and ponzu, slow-cooked lamb shoulder, smoked eggplant, smashed roast potatoes and a chocolate cremeux with salted caramel and passionfruit.

Lunch at the Treehouse, Byron.

The food extravaganza continued the next day with lunch at the famed Treehouse at Belongil Beach.

The rustic beachside eatery was the perfect setting for spicy margaritas and wood-fired pizzas. And of course, it was dog friendly.

We returned to our accommodation to find our dogs freshly pampered by local groomer Clean Paws and ready for a photo shoot.

Ralph does not appreciate a bath, or the paparazzi, but he survived the ordeal.

Dinner on our second night was another incredible experience where we took the dogs across the road for a luxury sunset picnic on the lawn.

The luxury sunset picnic.

We sat on cushions and ate salads and charcuterie and drank champagne.

After dinner was our only venture to a non-dog venue. With our dogs safely in our rooms, our group headed to The Northern Hotel to see the incredible Duelling Pianos. There, two amazing pianists played request after request on duelling grand pianos while an enthusiastic crowd sang along, clapped and cheered. We’re told that when the pub first started doing this in 2021, the crowds spilt out and gathered in the street outside to sing and dance.

The next morning, after breakfast on my ocean-view balcony, and a quick beach walk for Ralph, it was time to head home. Ralph was farewelled by the friendly staff – his status as honoured hotel guest sadly at an end.

The writer was a guest of Beach Suites Byron Bay