This Buzzy New Hotel in Byron Bay is the Area's First Five-star Stay

Guests and locals breeze through this buzzy new address on the NSW North Coast.

Stepping away from Byron Bay’s salty-skinned crowds and through the cascading greenery at the entrance to Hotel Marvell feels like entering a new era in the beachside spot’s history. The signs have been here for a while – including the multi-level architect-designed homes popping up in place of surf bungalows – but Marvell, Byron’s first five-star hotel, draws a line under the town’s transformation from laid-back to luxurious.

Tucked down a side street only blocks from Main Beach, the property is a haven of cool from the top – the emerald-and-terracotta rooftop pool evokes a subtle Moroccan mood – to bottom, where chef Minh Lee pairs freshoff- the-trawler local seafood with hyperlocal Northern Rivers produce in a pan-Asian symphony at Bonito, the on-site restaurant.

The 24 guestrooms feature nods to artisans, such as wall sculptures by Bondibased artist Dion Horstmans, handcrafted mugs by local ceramicist Brooke Clunie and bespoke coffee pods from nearby Zentveld’s plantation. American oak, polished concrete and buttery leather give each room an urban feel, while sun-soaked balconies remind you exactly where you are in the world.

Much like Bonito, the rooftop cocktail bar, with its concise drinks list and hibachi-grilled bites, has clearly been designed to attract punters beyond the guest list. “It’s intentional,” says the hotel’s co-owner Scott Emery. “From the start, I wanted this place to be part of the community.” And he’s got his wish; on the right night, the Hotel Marvell crowd is a happy blend of both locals and holiday-makers.

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