Raes has opened The Bonobo on Jonson Street in Byron Bay, bringing 74 hotel rooms and residences, a rooftop pool, all-day dining, a wellness studio and a menswear boutique to the centre of town.
Marty McCaig, Raes Group General Manager, said The Bonobo represented a natural extension of what the brand had built over three decades.
“We’ve brought the same attention to detail, hospitality and guest experience that sits at the heart of the Raes brand, and applied it to a larger, more accessible setting in the centre of town. It’s a place where people can stay, meet, dine and unwind, whether they are visiting Byron for a weekend, an extended stay, or simply dropping in for a drink,” Mr McCaig said.
Designed by Richards and Spence with interiors by Studio Manifold, the three-level modernist brick building centres on an open courtyard drawing light and greenery through the heart of the hotel. The rooftop pool is framed by panoramic views from the Byron Bay lighthouse to the hinterland, with lounge seating and daybeds available daily from 7am.
Accommodation ranges from hotel rooms to one, two and three-bedroom residences with fully equipped kitchens, in-room laundry, private outdoor spaces and plunge pools in select configurations. The residences can connect into four-bedroom arrangements for families and groups.
At the heart of the food and beverage offering is the Lobby Lounge, seating up to 110 guests across the main lounge, terrace and courtyard, with a menu curated by two-hatted Raes Dining Room executive chef Jason Saxby and The Bonobo head chef Callum Gray. Highlights include a fried chicken club sandwich with bacon jam, pork cotoletta with brown butter mayonnaise and zeppole with burnt honey custard. In-room drinks include The Bonobo Lager brewed exclusively for the property and a range of native-inspired cocktails made in collaboration with Brookie’s gin.
Wellness studio Reset opens in July, bringing cedar saunas, ice baths, a eucalyptus steam room, magnesium bath and LED light therapy to both hotel guests and the wider Byron Bay community. Byron-born menswear brand Atlas Homme will also open on the ground floor in July, stocking Tom Ford, Zegna and House of Creed alongside local labels.
Hotel rooms start from $355 per night, with introductory rates available for stays until July 31.
