Where 21 Cypress Cres, Cabarita Beach, (02) 6676 1444,
Cost From $600, with breakfast; minimum two-night stay Fri-Sat.
At a glance 21 rooms and suites; bar, restaurant, pool, day spa, steam room, free bike hire, free parking.
In room Free WiFi, smart TV, balcony or courtyard, some baths, free minibar, coffee machine, pillow menu, Evo toiletries.
Best rooms Clocking in at 81 square metres, corner room 308 has its own terrace and possibly the best view of the ocean.
Some hotels only come to life in at night, but the halcyon hour at this remarkable property is the morning. Wander over the dunes for a surf or a stroll along the beach and saunter back, splashed with salt, rinse off by the pool and jump into one of the world’s great hotel breakfast experiences. The Slim Aarons aesthetic is invoked up and down the east coast but no one nails it with anything like the savvy and verve of Halcyon House. It combines the Ace idea of refitting an old surf motel with a level of plush comfort and bold but finely judged detail that recalls the luxe UK and US properties of Firmdale Hotels. If only they could muster food this sunny and brilliant in London and New York.
We love
A poolside experience framed by pandanus palms and white-painted fences, trimmed with playlists that are en pointe, a magazine rack that gives equal weight to surfing, fashion and travel, a stunning drinks list, plus prawn sandwiches? We’re in love.
Poolside cocktails, anyone?
Thoughtful extras
Cold and hot outdoor showers for those fresh off the beach.
Dining options
Hands down one of the best hotel restaurants in the country. Fresh fare that’s inventive without ever becoming taxing to the diner, with a focus on the local that translates as flavour rather than earnest ideology. Even the club sandwich is reimagined with flair: crisp chicken skin with mortadella on milk bread.
The Master Room, one of only two at the resort.
Drink up
The ordinariness of the drinks offer that the hotel opened with has been thoroughly remedied with the offer of Provençal rosé, chilled Beaujolais, Ochota Barrels chardonnay and bottles of Dom with some reasonable age on them. And that’s just from what’s on offer at the pool.
This review was made independently for the Gourmet Traveller Hotel Guide. The guide’s reviewers visit unannounced and pay their way.
