Raes at Wategos: What to expect from Byron Bay’s most iconic hotel

Before there was Byron Baes, there was the Insta-mecca known as Raes. Now, the iconic hotel is better than ever – and here’s why.

Long before there was ‘Byron Baes’, there was a little hangout called Raes.

A white beacon atop Wategos grassy knoll, the effortlessly cool hotel and adjoining restaurant is hard to miss from a cluster of palm fronds, clinking glasses and indistinct chatter on a Thursday afternoon.

I’d never stayed at Raes, but like anyone who had ever typed ‘Byron Bay’ into Google, I was familiar with the ocean blue font planted on the walls of the white cascading stairs to the establishment’s famed dining room.

You haven’t experienced Byron Bay unless you’ve had lunch at Raes.

Both the restaurant and the luxury hotel are no stranger to the eyes of influencers. Celebs venture to the iconic spot from far and wide to get ‘the shot’ on the stairs, dine on oysters and watch the sun go down. Since it opened in 1994, the hotel and adjoining restaurant have grown into an institution. And for 48 hours, I was about to experience every lap of luxury on offer.

Having driven the eight hours from Sydney, the allure of parking myself in a cosy corner with a glass of bubbles and watching the waves see out the day couldn’t have come any sooner.

Greeted with champagne and the first of many oysters, I took the pick of the tables overlooking an actual blue-sky afternoon (a rare sight on the east coast these days).

Dining Room at Raes Restaurant in Byron Bay.

You can’t go past the Australian Bay lobster.

If you’re in for lunch, you can’t go past the Australian Bay lobster. Filled with tomato tagiolini, urchin citrus butter, fermented chilli and a bush tomato crumb — it’s the ultimate in indulgence on a plate.

But, as with any dining experience — leave room for dessert, because this next dish was perhaps the highlight of the weekend.

Fresh and tangy, the restaurant’s take on a ‘Splice’ was the perfect ending to my lunch spread. With the autumn sun beaming in, the desert’s combo of coconut semifreddo, pine lime granita, macadamia and fingerlime packed a punch. The sourness is balanced out by the smooth coconut, leaving the Streets version from your local servo in its wake.

This dessert, called the Splice, was the highlight of Raes restaurant.

This dessert, Raes Trifle, is a unique twist on black figs, wattleseed sponge, Pedro Ximenez jelly, fig leaf custard, kefir sorbet and honeycomb.

Slipping from my cosy nook in the restaurant to my suite, it was like stepping into a private, spacious abode decked out in considered aesthetic with luxe yet natural touches.

Steps from the famed Wategos beach, each room uses natural fabrics with our particular suite an almost Moroccan feel with dotted decor of books and trinkets, curated art pieces and restful curtains.

Raes is the perfect combo of luxe and relaxed decor.

The private pool is the perfect spot to park yourself on a sunny afternoon.

Originally built in the 1960s, the beauty of the complex is the privacy despite sitting on one of the most popular beaches in the region. With two penthouses and five suites, there’s no influx of guests filling the lobby or crowding around the private pool. In fact, chances are if you’re visiting midweek — you might be the only one lazing under the palms.

Raes has just two penthouses and five suites.

You’ll be dining on oysters throughout the stay.

Each room has its own unique style and therefore, nightly rate to match (a bit on that later).

With cosy spots to take in the ambience dotted throughout each suite, there’s plenty to keep you occupied within the hotel itself — including a luxurious on-site spa.

However, if you do want to step out and explore, Watgeos beach is just steps from the front door, while the famous lighthouse is a heart-thumping 20-minute trek filtered with stunning views of The Pass.

Raes is surrounded by some of the best beaches and walks in the region. Picture: Getty Images

As an added bonus, the hotel offers various benefits to certain guests who are part of the Lexus Encore Member program.

So, in addition to the luxurious standard rate inclusions, Encore Members can enjoy private transfers to and from nearby Ballina airport in a fancy Lexus, a welcome cocktail, a delicious chef’s platter of cheese and cured meats and sparkling wine as well as the always appreciated 12pm checkout (yes please).

Lexus Encore Platinum benefits program is applied to guests at Raes.

The beauty of the “Encore Platinum” rewards scheme is that it encourages customers to indulge in the good life by letting current owners of a Lexus sample something different in the range, such as the Lexus ES300h – which features leading-edge technology, advanced safety systems and refined styling.

If you’re going to stay in luxury, it’s worth arriving in it, too.

As for the nightly rates, a stay at this iconic hotel doesn’t come cheap, with a night starting just shy of $1000 depending on which suite you select.

Suite 3 is the perfect spot to spend a cosy morning or a lazy summer afternoon.

For example, Penthouse 1 — which features a king size four poster bed, sunken bath, fireplace, and private atrium overlooking the pool and garden area below — will set you back $2450 per night during non-peak periods.

The cheapest suite is Number 6, which will cost you $950 for the night and features an open-plan layout, spa bath and private balcony.

For something priced in between, perhaps opt for suite 3, which has a large circular window settee and an Ocean View for complete relaxation.

This guest stayed at Raes as a guest of Lexus.