FEATURED IN: TOP 10 BOUTIQUE HOTEL GUIDE
Its sandcastle silhouette and Old Hollywood design is steeped in legend; Salvador Dalí is said to have designed the pool and gardens, while Liberace is rumoured to have played the piano during one stay. Is it true? Who cares. Raes on Wategos is a storied institution.
But where some institutions grow tired and stale, resting on their legendary chuff, Raes continues to evolve and innovate. Its breezy Balearic aesthetic – first envisioned by Tamsin Johnson in 2016 – has become the benchmark for Australian coastal luxury. In 2024, she returned to oversee the refurbishment of two new Guesthouses, ensuring every stylish nook and corner was given due consideration, layering rooms with custom furnishings and hand-picked artwork. As per the original Raes brief, no two rooms are the same, with every suite offering a distinct outlook and experience.
Located just a short stroll from the original Spanish Mission-style mansion, the Guesthouses have doubled the occupancy of the hotel, offering greater privacy with suites shrouded by lush tropical gardens. These also come with access to two lap pools, plus a shared dining terrace with an all-day menu curated by Raes executive chef Jason Saxby.
Whether staying in the main hotel or the Guesthouses, everyone is welcome to enjoy the hotel’s celebrated facilities, including Raes Dining Room, the popular Cellar Bar and the ethereal Raes Spa, where Rationale products come standard and guests can bask in the warmth of a eucalyptus wood infrared sauna.
In the Dining Room, Saxby brings a fine-dining flex to the menu, which champions the region’s exceptional seafood and produce, while elsewhere he leans into crowd-pleasing coastal classics. Think Bay lobster rolls, swordfish katsu sandwiches and fresh Ballina prawns with Marie Rose sauce.
All of that combined with frolicking dolphins and the verdant surrounds of Wategos Beach mean there’s little incentive to ever leave the serene enclave. Still, those who insist can take advantage of Raes’ complimentary e-bikes or simply ask the team to chauffeur them anywhere in the wider Byron area; it’s all part of the service.
Just like the signature aesthetic, details are everything when it comes to service at Raes. Returning guests might find their favourite Champagne or shampoo waiting in their suite. Mention how much you enjoyed the sweet treat left in your room the previous day and chef might offer to whip up another batch.
Unlike Dalí or Liberace, we can confirm these legends are true. And just one of the ways Raes continues to excel and set the standard for Australian boutique luxury.
All winners in the Gourmet Traveller Hotel and Travel Awards have been determined via an esteemed panel of industry experts, including Goumet Traveller editor Joanna Hunkin and seasoned travel contributors Michael Harden, Lee Tulloch, Alexandra Carlton and more. Led by Hunkin, the judges and an expert team of critics also reviewed and endorsed more than 50 hotels across Australia to deliver the Gourmet Traveller Hotel Guide.
How we pick the Gourmet Traveller Hotel and Travel Awards winners
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