Aussie resort a real “game changer”
Byron Bay is pulling out its trump card and placing it on the table.
The new $100 million Elements of Byron Resort is taking its place on centre stage for Byron, having been hailed a “game changer” by tourism boss Sandra Chipchase of Destination New South Wales.
“The picture perfect setting at Belongil Beach is unsurpassed,” Chipchase said.
“The Elements of Byron Resort is a game changer for the Byron region. Congratulations must go to the architects and owners for creating this wonderful new addition to the local visitor economy.”
The ‘slow architecture’ venture, which is currently under construction, stretches along the beachfront sand dunes at Belongil Beach in Byron Bay.
The contoured roof of the main resort pavilions gives a subtle nod to the rolling shape of the sand dunes themselves, with owner Peggy Flannery putting her two cents in as part of the collaboration Shane Thompson Architects and Coop Creative.
Design inspiration was derived from the four landscape ecologies present on the fifty acre site – rainforest, dunal, eucalypt and wetland.
“The vision was to let nature, not buildings, dominate” development director Jeremy Holmes said.
“Each landscape has its own story”. Specific native landscaping, furnishings and colour palettes reflect the ecology or landscape in which each particular villa lies.”
The 94 villas are set amidst native trees, which weave up walls and over corrugated iron roofs, while the canopies prevented the effective use of solar panels on the villas. This is compensated to some extent by the 500 square metre array on the drive-through housekeeping facility, which generates power for daily operations.
A state of the art energy management system enables guests to monitor their carbon footprint in real-time via iPads in each villa. The system controls power and temperature using motion detectors to respond to human presence. Upon checkout guests have the option to offset their carbon footprint with funds contributing toward habitat restoration.
Resort guests can ride the Elements of Byron Train to and from Byron township, or alternatively enjoy the walk along the beach. The resort is investing $1 million to reinstate the train, including repairing the track.
“Cars will be unnecessary” Holmes added.
With business and leisure pavilions on site, a central lagoon pool, sunken fire pit and five suite garden spas, the experience oozes authentic barefoot Byron Bay.
Elements of Byron Resort and Spa have launched their website and will be taking accommodation bookings in September, while the resort itself will open in summer. Bookings and enquiries for weddings and other events can be made now.
Elements of Byron will join AccorHotels’ MGallery Collection of memorable hotels and can also be booked via www.accorhotels.com this September.
Email the Travel Weekly team at traveldesk@travelweekly.com.au
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