With a career in travel, people’s go-to question is often, “Where’s your favorite place you’ve ever traveled?” (It’s a pretty vanilla question most people ask when they have no idea how to start a conversation, especially when there aren’t any cocktails around.) And I always say that if I could live anywhere, it would be Australia. More specifically, Byron Bay.
Byron Bay is a beautiful, boho escape from the high-energy cities of Sydney, Melbourne and even Brisbane. A chic, upper-class beach town home to several celebrities like Olivia Newton-John, Chris Hemsworth, Gemma Ward and even Matt Damon. Sure it may be expensive, but its laid back charm and eco-chic aesthetic is what keeps people continuously exploring this secluded part of the Eastern coastline.
And no place is more stunning than Bask & Stow, located in the very heart of Byron Bay.
For $40 off your stay at Bask and Stow, use this code!
The Property
Bask and Stow is a small, multi-suite property only a stone’s throw away from the legendary Wategos Beach and Arakwal National Park. You’ve probably seen this spot on a handful of influencers’ pages and with good reason! This small family owned guesthouse and suites was conceived by award-winning local architect Harley Graham, inspired by Bauhaus and Palm Springs, the suites celebrate local designers. Nestled in a quiet neighborhood, yet only a short walk to Clarke’s beach and town, just three doors down from the iconic Top Shop Cafe.
Inspired by 1960’s mid-century modern decor, you’ll feel as though you’ve instantly transported yourself to Palm Springs amongst the cacti and ergonomic, aesthetically pleasing chairs. Our group of 6 stayed in The House, a 3-bedroom home with a kitchen room, sitting room, dining room, entertainment room and 2.5 bathrooms.
Situated along the pool you will find 4 other suites with cute, pseudonyms that perfectly encapsulate the essence of Byron Bay (The SAND, The SUN, The SEA, and The SALT). The suites, only slightly smaller than The House, are perfect for couples looking to get away from the city scene and have a romantic retreat to themselves.
Amenities
The beautiful thing about this property is that despite the boutique-hotel feel, this place has all of the tasteful comforts of home. Everything listed below is available at The House property (though most of these should be available within the suites as well).
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Complimentary Wifi
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Full-service kitchen and dining area
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Washer and Dryer
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Iron
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Entertainment room including games and a flat screen television with Roku
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Heating and AC unit
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Beach towels, umbrella, beach blanket, snorkeling gear, bicycles*
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Free parking on premises
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Organic, locally made toiletries (shampoo, conditioner and shower gel)
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Patio, balcony, and shared swimming pool
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Hair dryer
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BBQ grill
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Grand bathtub
*Please note that beach accessories and bicycle rental requests must be made in advance!
Things To Do
This lovely abode isn’t just an Instagram-able place to rest your head (and take the occasional bubble bath). There are actually plenty of things to do on site so you can relax in modern-day comfort.
The entertainment room towards the side of the house has a few games and a large TV hooked up to Roku and cable should you decide to have a night in. And don’t even get me started on the beautiful pool and outdoor area (please keep in mind that this is small and is designated to guests of the rooms rather than the Home). With a special request, you can even use the property’s bicycles!
Being so close to the center of town means there are TONS of things to do around the area. The clothes and decor shopping in Byron is one of the best in the world for unique pieces. Drive along the coast to Wategos Beach and slightly above that is the famous Byron Bay Lighthouse. But what the city is mostly known for is its impressive surf scene and organic/vegan cuisine.
Staff
So I’ve painted the picture of a hotel-like space that you would expect to find on a major hotel site. But I’m sure you might be wondering, “Is a staff-less, boutique hotel possible?” Why yes, yes it is. And after my stay at Bask and Stow, I might prefer it this way from here on out.
That doesn’t mean that there wasn’t some quality hospitality. Upon arrival, we were greeted by the supervisor (not the owners) of the property that went over house rules, showed us around and greeted us with a heavenly bouquet of local and exotic flowers. I’m not gonna lie, I *might* have used those flowers as photo props later.
And then she left! Leaving us her telephone number as well as another manager’s number in case we needed anything at all. We had the perfect blend of privacy and warmth that I didn’t know was possible in an Airbnb property.
