There’s a calm that washes over you as you arrive in Byron Bay. The sky appears to open up, the warm, salty air starts playing with your hair and there’s an immediate urge to kick off your shoes and walk around barefoot. Barefoot luxury is exactly what we found during our first stay at Elements of Byron. I say our ‘first stay’, as Byron’s newest luxury resort quickly became somewhere we would come back to over and over again.
The fire pit precinct is a popular meeting spot. Grab a cocktail and make dinner plans by the fire. Image © Skye Gilkeson
On check in, the lovely girl at front-of-house asked what we had planned over the course of the weekend. I was still distracted by the incredible lagoon pool area that opened up to my left and the fact that she had just told me they had just started shucking fresh oysters by the fire pit for a dollar each. Clearly, we didn’t need to go anywhere else all weekend, I told her. She smiled and I got the feeling that’s what Elements was all about.
As the name suggests, the design of the resort has incorporated elements from the ecology of the site, the climate and natural materials. The result is a beautiful property accented with Australian hardwood, paperbark, glass and stone in a very organic way. Elements is impressive, without being imposing.
Villas nestle into the natural environment by the pond at Elements of Byron. Image © Skye Gilkeson
Stay at Elements of Byron
The grounds at Elements were quintessentially Australian; a blend of bushland, beach, wetland and rainforest. The 94 villas were very unassuming, nestled into the natural environment. On stepping into the sunken living area of our Beachside Villa, touches of understated luxury begin to jump out. There was a feeling of authenticity to the space; beautiful without the flashiness that can come with very opulent hotels.
Australian natural materials come together to create a warm, soft palette in our Beachside Villa. Elements of Byron. Image © Skye Gilkeson
The sunken living area with gas fireplace is a cosy spot to relax. Elements of Byron. Image © Skye Gilkeson
A closer look and high-end features you expect from a five-star resort present themselves; a Bose sound system, a personal tablet, 42” flat screen television, a bar featuring top-shelf pours, a gas fireplace and luxury skin care products from Appelles Apothecary. The villas were clearly designed with luxury retreat and relaxation in mind.
When The Hubby had to leave early, there was only one thing for me to do. Cue a bath, music, wine and relaxation. Image © Skye Gilkeson
A comfortable king-sized bed, casually cradled a soft woollen throw on one corner. The light and airy bathroom opened up to one side with large vanity, a large rain shower behind and robes hanging at the read in the closet. My favourite part of the villa was the Private Bathing Deck. A free-standing bath sat by itself with air flowing in through windows to one side, giving it an al fresco feel. I made a mental appointment with that tub for later in the stay and loved every indulgent minute.
Perfect stillness as the sun sets over our Beachside Villa at Elements of Byron. Image © Skye Gilkeson
Our villa was a few steps from the beach club at the sand which offered the perfect spot to sit back and watch the sunset. By climbing a few steps to higher ground, we went to spot whales breaching just off-shore. As a spot for a romantic getaway, Elements of Byron ticked all the boxes.
Fire Pit Fridays are a must at Drift Bar, Elements of Byron. Image © Skye Gilkeson
Nourish at Elements of Byron
It’s no exaggeration to say that the Byron Bay foodie scene has become a very competitive one and careful meal planning comes in when booking a trip to Byron. We had lofty expectations for Elements and of course they delivered on their promise of delicious, farm-to-fork fare handcrafted from local produce.
An incredible sunset welcomes us to Elements of Byron. Image © Skye Gilkeson
Drift Bar
Fire Pit Fridays at Drift Bar are legendary around town; a couple of people mentioned them when we said we were staying at Elements. It’s easy to see why. Oysters for one dollar each, bush tucker inspired cocktails and a fun Friday night crowd is a great combination. We sunk into lounge chairs and sipped on G and Ts with a couple of platters of oysters, only vacating the comfort of the chairs to get some pictures of the sun setting behind us. I couldn’t think of a more relaxing introduction to both the resort and the weekend.
Graze serves paddock to plate fare from local produce like this Shakshuka eggs. Elements of Byron. Image © Skye Gilkeson
Graze
Graze Restaurant is where guests start their day at Elements (after sunrise yoga, of course). A continental breakfast buffet is included in your stay and there is an amazing la carte menu as well. During our stay we tried the Farm House Breakfast, the Shakshuka and the very Australia, Smashed Avocado on Toast. Each of the dish was fresh, colourful and delicious. The food is clearly crafted with a great deal of care.
Colourful and delicious Smashed Avocado on toast at Graze, Elements of Byron. Image © Skye Gilkeson
Barefoot Kiosk
You don’t even have to move from your pool chair should you feel like a snack or a skillfully built cocktail, by the water. Barefoot Kiosk is a relaxed, casual spot where you can come as you are; even straight from the gym, pool or beach. Healthy travellers might like the smoothies made from Bare Blends protein (produced just down the road) and there are even organic ice blocks for the kids on the menu.
Guests asana with the sunrise at the beach at Elements of Byron. Image © Elements of Byron
Move at Elements of Byron
Wellness is part of the holistic ethos at Elements of Byron. Guests are invited to asana as the sun rises at First Light Club Yoga on the beach. One-on-one yoga and meditation sessions are also available to deepen your practice during your stay. The resort also has a great fitness centre that used a few times during our stay. It is just near reception and the restaurant so you can’t miss it when walking back to you villa after that buffet breakfast. The beach is also a lovely place for a training session or a morning or evening walk.
Heal at Elements of Byron
For those looking to dial down rather than sweat it up, Osprey Spa has a full menu of indulgent and nurturing treatments for guests. The expansive lagoon pool has a number of different spaces for relaxation and is an ideal place to unwind during your stay. Nap in the sun in an overwater hanging lounge, paddle with the kids or retreat from the sun in one of the large cabanas. There is also a dedicated adults only area for those searching for a quiet spot.
Byron Bay Bliss: The 850,000 litre lagoon pool and the Barefoot Kiosk across the water at Elements of Byron. Image © Elements of Byron
A private sunset show footsteps from our Beachside Villa at Elements of Byron. Image © Skye Gilkeson
Elements continues to expand in the coming year, from a railway line that links the resort, Sunrise Beach, the Byron Arts Estate and the town centre to almost an additional 100 villas on site. We look forward to checking in again then to see how the resort continues to take shape.
Elements of Byron
144 Bayshore Drive, Byron Bay, NSW, Australia
+61 2 6639 1500
The Fit Traveller was a guest of Elements of Byron for this stay. As always, the opinions and words are authentically our own.
Skye is the founder and editor-in-chief of The Fit Traveller.
She is a journalist, writer, photographer, intrepid traveller and a former personal trainer with a passion for helping others reach optimal health.
As a TV journalist and producer, Skye has worked for household names such as 60 Minutes, Sunrise, TODAY and Nine News. She has also written for Women’s Health, Fodor’s Travel and Yahoo7 Travel, among many others.
Equally comfortable in a 5-star resort or hiking a far-off mountain, Skye loves the unexpected and enriching life experiences that each trip brings and can often be found in a backstreet chatting to locals with her camera in hand.
Skye is based in Sydney, working to master the balance between motherhood and her appetite for adventure.
Read more about Skye’s story here.