BASQ House hotel hideaway coming to Byron Bay
A new boutique hotel in the heart of Byron Bay is aiming not to be “Insta-famous” – with the owner planning to stand distinct from recognised celebrity haunts with a discreet, traditional vibe.
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A new boutique Byron Bay hotel owner is hoping to ditch the town’s Insta-famous “t*ts and arse” reputation in favour of creating a discreet haven honouring Byron’s hippie history.
BASQ House owner David Jones said his new hotel would embody a sense of tradition and history you cannot find at many of Byron’s most recognisable celebrity-approved haunts.
“The Byron brand narrative has been formed by social media, independent fashion labels, booze companies, food service offerings and influencers, (Netflix reality series) Byron Baes is a classic example.” Mr Jones said.
“Unfortunately for the uninitiated, from the outside in, (the Byron brand) is literally the t*ts and arse crowds not living very holistic spiritual lives – that’s really superficial and it’s not what the local community has turned into.”
The three-level BASQ House will soon open on the corner of Marvell St and Fletcher Ln in Byron’s town centre.
It will have an open rooftop with for a yoga space, 32 rooms, a bar, pool, library and wellness hub as well as three ground-floor retail premises facing Marvell St.
Tenants are yet to be secured but Mr Jones said they could become a wellness space and event space.
“When you start seeing the Sun Ranch, Swell Hotel Byron, Hotel Marvell and The Bonobo by Raes which are very prescriptive brands that have a distinct look and feel,” he said.
“We wanted to have a throwback to something a lot more location sensitive and internationally compatible where people feel it’s a lot more inclusive.
“We’re trying to bring back those more traditional hospitality pieces that a lot of these other venues are doing away with nowadays.”
Mr Jones is also the Destination Byron Visitor Industry Association president.
“I think there’s a huge disconnect between that (stereotypical) image and what we as locals experience,” Mr Jones said.
“There’s generally been a strong misalignment between (the influencers’) identities and narratives and what this very small coastal town has been in the past and is at the moment.”
Mr Jones said they have opted to create a house concept at BASQ, with a residential feel rather than that of a contemporary luxury hotel.
“We want to make sure people feel like they are staying in their rich mates’ holiday house where they can help themselves to the library with more than 500 books, board games and more,” he said.
“We swapped the entry from Marvell St to Fletcher Ln to create a hideaway or a haven in Byron.
“We’re looking to create a place where you’re not going to be seen – a really discreet haven that is hopefully not Insta-famous.”
The $2.98 million hotel will be operated by Mr Jones and his business partner Jeremy Holmes, who also played a role in the family favourite Elements of Byron hotel.
The developers are Matt Walsh and Shane Wilkinson and the building was designed by Harley Graham Architects.
Mr Jones said from a community-based perspective, outside the weekends and the summer, Byron is still quiet.
He said: “This is not the time to be launching an on-trend contemporary hotel that speaks to the luxury mindset.”
“We’ve found that’s probably not as location sensitive as it should be, hence we are going for a discrete haven.”
From a pricing perspective Mr Jones said the BASQ House rooms are “fairly accessible”.
“We’re not piling on luxuries and expenses that are unnecessary,” he said.
Pricing in the first year will began at about $300 to $400 per night and in the second year about $400 to $500.
BASQ House will swing open its doors on April 15.
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