Byron Bay has never been short on beautiful places to stay, but The Bonobo by Raes arrives with a different kind of energy. Set in the heart of town on Jonson Street, the new hotel brings the unmistakable Raes approach to hospitality into a larger, more urban setting, offering a fresh expression of Byron luxury for travellers who want design, dining, wellness and location all in one place.
Officially open at 116 Jonson Street, The Bonobo by Raes features 74 hotel rooms and residences, a Lobby Lounge for all-day dining and drinks, a rooftop pool with views from the Byron Bay lighthouse to the hinterland, a holistic wellness studio by Reset and a curated menswear retail space by Byron-born brand Atlas Homme. It is a hotel designed for weekends away, extended stays, family trips, group escapes and locals looking for a beautiful place to meet for a drink.
For Raes, one of Australia’s most recognisable coastal hospitality names, The Bonobo marks a significant new chapter. The brand has long been associated with Wategos Beach, understated elegance and a uniquely Australian approach to high-end travel. Now, The Bonobo brings that same sense of service and style into the centre of Byron Bay, creating a hotel that feels polished and relaxed, social and private, local and international.
It is not a secluded beach retreat, and that is exactly the point. The Bonobo is a town hotel with a Byron soul, made for guests who want to be close to the cafés, boutiques, restaurants, beaches and easygoing rhythm that make this coastal town so loved. For more inspiration on planning a stay in the area, our guide to the ultimate weekend getaway in Byron Bay is a great place to start.
A New Chapter for Raes in Byron Bay
Raes has become synonymous with Byron Bay’s coastal style. From Raes on Wategos to Raes Dining Room and Cellar Bar, Raes Spa and the superyacht M.Y Sea Raes, the brand has built its reputation around thoughtful hospitality, beautiful design and a strong sense of place.
The Bonobo extends that world into a more accessible and flexible setting. Rather than sitting quietly by the sand, it places guests directly in the rhythm of Byron Bay, with the town’s best-loved cafés, shops, restaurants, beaches and nightlife close by.
According to Marty McCaig, group general manager of Raes, the hotel has been designed as a place where people can stay, meet, dine and unwind, whether they are visiting Byron for a weekend, settling in for a longer stay or simply dropping by for a drink. That idea sits at the heart of The Bonobo. It is not only accommodation. It is a new social address for Byron.
For travellers, that means the ease of a central location paired with the service standards and detail-driven approach Raes is known for. For locals, it offers a polished new meeting place in the middle of town, with food, drinks, wellness and retail all under one roof.
Design in the Heart of Town
The Bonobo has been designed by architecture firm Richards & Spence, with interior furnishings by Studio Manifold in collaboration with Birdy Catalano. The three-level building is defined by a modernist brick facade and an open central courtyard that draws light, greenery and air into the heart of the hotel.
It is a clever response to Byron’s town-centre setting. Rather than trying to compete with the beach, the building creates its own internal world. Tropical gardens soften the architecture, courtyards provide breathing space and the rooftop pool gives guests a sense of elevation and escape.
The rooftop is one of the hotel’s defining features. Framed by sweeping views from the Byron Bay lighthouse to the hinterland, it has been designed for slow afternoons, poolside drinks, daybeds, lounge seating and sunset aperitivo. It is the kind of space that makes sense in Byron: relaxed, open, social and quietly glamorous without trying too hard.
Inside, the hotel leans into a warm and layered material palette. Texture, tone and subtle colour define the mood, while custom furniture designed in collaboration with Jardan sits alongside vintage furniture, lighting and decorative pieces sourced locally and internationally. The effect is considered but not overly formal, with a lived-in quality that keeps the property feeling grounded.
For readers who love coastal interiors and Northern Rivers design, this beautiful Northern Rivers home tour on ele Home offers more inspiration from the region’s relaxed, creative design world.
Rooms and Residences for Short or Long Stays
The Bonobo offers 74 hotel rooms and residences set across three levels, overlooking the courtyard, tropical gardens or Jonson Street. The accommodation has been designed with flexibility in mind, making the hotel just as suited to couples as it is to families, groups and longer-stay travellers.
The one, two and three-bedroom residences offer generous layouts, with the option to connect adjoining rooms for four-bedroom configurations. This makes The Bonobo particularly appealing for families and groups who want the space and ease of a private apartment, but with the service and amenities of a luxury hotel.
Each residence features a fully equipped kitchen with Breville appliances, in-room laundry facilities and spacious living and dining areas. Select residences also include private outdoor spaces and plunge pools, adding another layer of privacy and comfort.
This balance of hotel service and residential ease is one of The Bonobo’s strongest features. Guests can stay for one night and live out of a beautifully appointed room, or settle in for a longer Byron stay with the comfort of a kitchen, laundry, living area and room to properly unpack.
Throughout the property, guests are surrounded by the hotel’s signature scent of Le Labo Santal 33, featured in room amenities, candles and incense, and worn by staff. It is a small detail, but one that helps create a strong sensory identity for the hotel.
Interiors with Warmth, Art and Coastal Ease
The interiors of The Bonobo feel layered rather than overly styled. Natural materials, vintage finds, custom pieces and warm tones create a mood that suits Byron without leaning into cliché.
Custom furniture from Jardan brings a refined Australian design language to the rooms and public spaces, while locally and internationally sourced vintage pieces add character. The residences feature original works by Doris Bush in collaboration with 8 Hele Gallery, alongside prints by Traianos Pakioufakis.
Balconies are furnished with custom outdoor pieces by MCM House in warm timber and sun-washed upholstery, creating a natural indoor-outdoor connection. This is key to the Byron lifestyle, where doors are left open, meals stretch outside and the boundary between room and landscape feels intentionally relaxed.
The hotel does not feel beachy in an obvious way. Instead, it captures the softer side of coastal living through material, light, air and texture. The result is quietly luxurious, but still easy to live in.
The Lobby Lounge: The Social Heart of The Bonobo
At the centre of The Bonobo’s food and beverage offering is the Lobby Lounge, a relaxed all-day space with seating for up to 110 guests across the main lounge, terrace and courtyard.
Curated by Jason Saxby, executive chef of the two-hatted Raes Dining Room, alongside The Bonobo head chef Callum Gray, the food offering brings a thoughtful but playful approach to familiar classics. The space is designed to shift naturally throughout the day, from morning coffee to long lunches, afternoon drinks and late-night cocktails.
More than a hotel lobby or restaurant, the Lobby Lounge has been imagined as a neighbourhood gathering place. It draws inspiration from great hotel bars, diners and late-night institutions, while still feeling distinctly Byron.
Menu highlights include the Bonobo Club Sanga with fried chicken presse, bacon jam and dijonnaise, pork cotoletta with brown butter dragoncello mayonnaise, and zeppole with ricotta fritters, burnt honey custard and Davidson plum jam. The menu champions quality producers from Byron Bay and beyond, giving familiar dishes a local and seasonal point of view.
Food and beverage is also available in-room and by the rooftop pool daily from 7am until late, which means guests can move through the day without leaving the hotel if they do not want to. Morning coffee, lunch by the pool, drinks at sunset and dinner in the lounge can all happen within the same address.
For travellers who plan their trips around good food, Byron has plenty to offer beyond the hotel too. A visit to The Farm in Byron Bay is a favourite for its paddock-to-plate feel, open space and easy connection to the region’s produce-led dining culture.
Byron Drinks, Ready-to-Pour Cocktails and The Bonobo Lager
The drinks offering has been given the same attention as the food. Guests will find a curated in-room drinks selection stocked with The Bonobo Lager, brewed exclusively for the property, alongside ready-to-pour cocktails created in collaboration with Brookie’s gin.
The cocktail range draws on native Australian ingredients, with options including a Saltbush Gin Martini, Wattleseed Negroni and Lemon Aspen Vodka Martini. It is a smart touch for a hotel that wants to feel both highly curated and deeply connected to its region.
These details matter in Byron, where food and drink culture is a major part of the destination’s appeal. The Bonobo understands that guests do not just want somewhere to sleep. They want a place that can shape the rhythm of the whole trip.
Reset at The Bonobo: Wellness Comes to Jonson Street
Wellness has always been central to Byron Bay’s identity, and The Bonobo brings that culture into the hotel through its partnership with Reset.
Reset at The Bonobo is the brand’s first extension beyond its Double Bay studio, bringing a holistic wellness experience to Byron Bay for both hotel guests and locals. Designed for small-group and private sessions, the studio features traditional cedar saunas, ice baths, a eucalyptus steam room, magnesium bath and vitamin C-infused showers.
There is also a private treatment room dedicated to LED light therapy, facials and restorative body treatments. The Circuit offers a communal wellness space for up to five clients per session, while two private Contrast Therapy rooms allow for individual sessions.
Rather than being designed as a single spa room, Reset at The Bonobo has been planned as a sequence of connected spaces. Natural timbers, detailed tiling and controlled acoustics create a mood of stillness, while the bathhouse-inspired rituals bring together water, steam, heat and recovery.
The addition of Reset gives The Bonobo another reason to appeal to both travellers and the local community. Guests can build wellness into their stay, while Byron locals can drop in for treatments and rituals without checking into the hotel. If wellness is central to the trip, our guide to luxury spa retreats in Australia is also worth bookmarking for future escapes.
Atlas Homme: Retail with a Byron Point of View
Retail at The Bonobo is anchored by Byron-born menswear brand Atlas Homme. Located on the ground floor, the space brings a curated approach to modern dressing, with relaxed tailoring, natural materials and an emphasis on ease and wearability.
The edit includes international and local boutique brands across clothing, accessories, home décor, fragrance, travel and eyewear, with names such as Tom Ford, Zegna, CAZAL and House of Creed represented.
It is a natural fit for the hotel. The Bonobo is not just selling rooms, it is creating a lifestyle around the stay. A guest might begin the morning with coffee in the Lobby Lounge, head to Reset for sauna and contrast therapy, shop at Atlas Homme, spend the afternoon by the rooftop pool and return for cocktails after dinner.
For travellers thinking about what to pack for a polished coastal stay, this guide to building the ultimate capsule wardrobe in Australia offers useful ideas on breathable fabrics, layering pieces and easy outfits that work for warm days, cooler evenings and resort-style escapes.
About Byron Bay
Byron Bay sits on the far north coast of New South Wales, known for its surf beaches, coastal walks, wellness culture, creative community and relaxed but increasingly polished dining scene. It has long attracted surfers, artists, families, wellness seekers and travellers looking for a beach escape with personality.
The town is framed by some of Australia’s most recognisable coastal scenery. Main Beach is close to the town centre, Wategos is known for its beauty and calm, and Cape Byron Lighthouse sits at Australia’s most easterly point. The lighthouse walk is one of the classic Byron experiences, particularly at sunrise or sunset, with views across the ocean and back toward the hinterland.
Byron’s appeal also reaches beyond the beach. The hinterland is home to rolling green hills, farm gates, small villages, wellness retreats, restaurants and scenic drives. Nearby towns such as Bangalow, Brunswick Heads and Mullumbimby each offer their own version of the Northern Rivers lifestyle, from vintage shopping and cafés to river swims and long lunches.
The Bonobo’s location on Jonson Street places guests in the centre of it all. Cafés, boutiques, restaurants and bars are close by, while beaches and coastal walks are easy to reach. For travellers who want to be able to walk to dinner, shop during the day and still retreat to a beautifully designed hotel, the location is a major advantage.
If you are new to the region, our classic Byron feature, Beaches, Beauties and Sunshine, Byron Bay, captures the town’s long-standing appeal, from its sandy beaches to its relaxed coastal energy.
What to Do Near The Bonobo
A stay at The Bonobo makes it easy to experience both the town and the coast. Start with a walk to Main Beach or continue toward The Pass and Wategos for one of Byron’s most beautiful coastal routes. The Cape Byron Lighthouse walk is a must for first-time visitors, with sweeping views across the coastline.
Food lovers can explore Byron’s strong café and restaurant scene, from relaxed brunch spots to polished dining rooms and casual late-night bars. The Farm is another favourite for visitors, offering a paddock-to-plate experience just outside town, while the hinterland is ideal for long lunches, market visits and scenic drives.
For a slower day, spend time browsing Byron’s boutiques, book a wellness treatment, take a yoga class or settle into the rooftop pool at The Bonobo with a drink and a view. The beauty of staying in central Byron is that the itinerary can stay loose. You can plan the day properly, or simply follow the weather, the tide and your appetite.
Travellers wanting to explore further along the coast can also continue north or south. Cabarita Beach is close enough for a day trip or a second stop, and our feature on Halcyon House in Cabarita Beach is a lovely reminder of how much this stretch of coastline has to offer beyond Byron itself.
Who Should Stay at The Bonobo?
The Bonobo is well suited to travellers who want the style and service of Raes, but in a more central and flexible setting. It is ideal for couples looking for a stylish weekend escape, families needing room to spread out, groups wanting multi-bedroom residences and longer-stay guests who like the ease of apartment-style living with hotel service.
It will also appeal to travellers who want to be close to Byron’s restaurants, boutiques and nightlife without sacrificing comfort or design. With its rooftop pool, Lobby Lounge, wellness studio and retail offering, The Bonobo can easily become the base for the entire trip.
For locals, it adds something new to Jonson Street too: a beautiful all-day lounge, drinks destination, wellness space and retail address that does not require a hotel booking.
Why The Bonobo Matters
The Bonobo arrives at an interesting moment for Byron Bay. The town has evolved from a laid-back surf and backpacker destination into one of Australia’s most recognisable luxury coastal escapes. Yet the best of Byron still lies in its mix of ease and energy. It is a place where barefoot mornings, beautiful design, serious food, wellness rituals and relaxed socialising can all sit side by side.
The Bonobo captures that duality well. It feels polished but not stiff, urban but still connected to the coast, luxurious but designed to be used throughout the day. It is a hotel for the new Byron, where locals and travellers move through the same spaces and the best stays are shaped by food, design, wellness and a strong sense of place.
For Raes, it is a natural evolution. For Byron, it is a new landmark in the centre of town.
For more beautiful stays in the area, read our review of Hide Byron Bay, a boutique luxury escape close to Byron’s beaches, cafés and shopping streets. Food lovers should also bookmark The Farm, Byron Bay for a relaxed day out centred on produce, open space and the Northern Rivers lifestyle.
The Bonobo by Raes is located at 116 Jonson Street in Byron Bay, New South Wales. It sits in the heart of town, close to cafés, shops, restaurants, bars and beaches.
Is The Bonobo by Raes now open?
Yes. The Bonobo by Raes is now open, with hotel bookings available through the property’s official website.
How many rooms does The Bonobo have?
The Bonobo offers 74 hotel rooms and residences across three levels.
What kind of accommodation is available?
The hotel includes beautifully appointed hotel rooms as well as one, two and three-bedroom residences. Some configurations can connect to create four-bedroom stays, making the property suitable for families and groups.
Do the residences have kitchens?
Yes. Each residence includes a fully equipped kitchen with Breville appliances, along with in-room laundry facilities and spacious living and dining areas.
Does The Bonobo have a rooftop pool?
Yes. The Bonobo has a rooftop pool with lounge seating and daybeds, framed by views from the Byron Bay lighthouse to the hinterland.
Is there a restaurant at The Bonobo?
The hotel’s main food and drink offering is the Lobby Lounge, an all-day dining and drinks space with seating across the main lounge, terrace and courtyard.
Who oversees the food at The Bonobo?
The food and beverage offering is curated by Jason Saxby, executive chef of two-hatted Raes Dining Room, alongside The Bonobo head chef Callum Gray.
What is on the menu at The Bonobo?
The Lobby Lounge menu takes a playful approach to familiar classics, with dishes such as the Bonobo Club Sanga, pork cotoletta and zeppole with ricotta fritters, burnt honey custard and Davidson plum jam.
Is food available by the pool or in-room?
Yes. Food and beverage is available in-room and by the rooftop pool daily from 7am until late.
What is Reset at The Bonobo?
Reset at The Bonobo is the hotel’s exclusive wellness offering. It includes traditional cedar saunas, ice baths, a eucalyptus steam room, magnesium bath, vitamin C-infused showers, LED light therapy, facials and restorative body treatments.
Is Reset open to non-hotel guests?
Yes. Treatments at Reset are available to both hotel guests and the wider Byron Bay community.
What is Atlas Homme at The Bonobo?
Atlas Homme is a Byron-born menswear brand with a curated retail space on the hotel’s ground floor. It offers clothing, accessories, home décor, fragrance, travel and eyewear from local and international brands.
Is The Bonobo good for families?
Yes. The hotel residences are particularly well suited to families, with multi-bedroom layouts, kitchens, laundries, living areas and the option to connect rooms for larger configurations.
Is The Bonobo good for couples?
Yes. Couples will enjoy the central location, design-led rooms, rooftop pool, Lobby Lounge, wellness studio and easy access to Byron’s beaches and dining scene.
What makes The Bonobo different from Raes on Wategos?
Raes on Wategos is known for its intimate beachfront setting, while The Bonobo offers a more central, urban Byron Bay experience. It brings the Raes style of hospitality into the heart of town with a larger mix of rooms, residences, dining, wellness and retail.
What is the best time to visit Byron Bay?
Byron Bay is a year-round destination. Summer is popular for beach holidays, spring and autumn offer warm weather with fewer crowds, and winter is ideal for surfing, wellness escapes and a quieter coastal stay.
What can you do near The Bonobo?
Guests can explore Byron’s cafés, shops and restaurants, walk to the beach, visit Cape Byron Lighthouse, head to Wategos, book wellness treatments, visit The Farm or explore nearby towns such as Brunswick Heads, Bangalow and Mullumbimby.
Byron Bay has never been short on beautiful places to stay, but The Bonobo by Raes arrives with a different kind of energy. Set in the heart of town on Jonson Street, the new hotel brings the unmistakable Raes approach to hospitality into a larger, more urban setting, offering a fresh expression of Byron luxury for travellers who want design, dining, wellness and location all in one place.
Officially open at 116 Jonson Street, The Bonobo by Raes features 74 hotel rooms and residences, a Lobby Lounge for all-day dining and drinks, a rooftop pool with views from the Byron Bay lighthouse to the hinterland, a holistic wellness studio by Reset and a curated menswear retail space by Byron-born brand Atlas Homme. It is a hotel designed for weekends away, extended stays, family trips, group escapes and locals looking for a beautiful place to meet for a drink.
For Raes, one of Australia’s most recognisable coastal hospitality names, The Bonobo marks a significant new chapter. The brand has long been associated with Wategos Beach, understated elegance and a uniquely Australian approach to high-end travel. Now, The Bonobo brings that same sense of service and style into the centre of Byron Bay, creating a hotel that feels polished and relaxed, social and private, local and international.
It is not a secluded beach retreat, and that is exactly the point. The Bonobo is a town hotel with a Byron soul, made for guests who want to be close to the cafés, boutiques, restaurants, beaches and easygoing rhythm that make this coastal town so loved. For more inspiration on planning a stay in the area, our guide to the ultimate weekend getaway in Byron Bay is a great place to start.
A New Chapter for Raes in Byron Bay
Raes has become synonymous with Byron Bay’s coastal style. From Raes on Wategos to Raes Dining Room and Cellar Bar, Raes Spa and the superyacht M.Y Sea Raes, the brand has built its reputation around thoughtful hospitality, beautiful design and a strong sense of place.
The Bonobo extends that world into a more accessible and flexible setting. Rather than sitting quietly by the sand, it places guests directly in the rhythm of Byron Bay, with the town’s best-loved cafés, shops, restaurants, beaches and nightlife close by.
According to Marty McCaig, group general manager of Raes, the hotel has been designed as a place where people can stay, meet, dine and unwind, whether they are visiting Byron for a weekend, settling in for a longer stay or simply dropping by for a drink. That idea sits at the heart of The Bonobo. It is not only accommodation. It is a new social address for Byron.
For travellers, that means the ease of a central location paired with the service standards and detail-driven approach Raes is known for. For locals, it offers a polished new meeting place in the middle of town, with food, drinks, wellness and retail all under one roof.
Design in the Heart of Town
The Bonobo has been designed by architecture firm Richards & Spence, with interior furnishings by Studio Manifold in collaboration with Birdy Catalano. The three-level building is defined by a modernist brick facade and an open central courtyard that draws light, greenery and air into the heart of the hotel.
It is a clever response to Byron’s town-centre setting. Rather than trying to compete with the beach, the building creates its own internal world. Tropical gardens soften the architecture, courtyards provide breathing space and the rooftop pool gives guests a sense of elevation and escape.
The rooftop is one of the hotel’s defining features. Framed by sweeping views from the Byron Bay lighthouse to the hinterland, it has been designed for slow afternoons, poolside drinks, daybeds, lounge seating and sunset aperitivo. It is the kind of space that makes sense in Byron: relaxed, open, social and quietly glamorous without trying too hard.
Inside, the hotel leans into a warm and layered material palette. Texture, tone and subtle colour define the mood, while custom furniture designed in collaboration with Jardan sits alongside vintage furniture, lighting and decorative pieces sourced locally and internationally. The effect is considered but not overly formal, with a lived-in quality that keeps the property feeling grounded.
For readers who love coastal interiors and Northern Rivers design, this beautiful Northern Rivers home tour on ele Home offers more inspiration from the region’s relaxed, creative design world.
Rooms and Residences for Short or Long Stays
The Bonobo offers 74 hotel rooms and residences set across three levels, overlooking the courtyard, tropical gardens or Jonson Street. The accommodation has been designed with flexibility in mind, making the hotel just as suited to couples as it is to families, groups and longer-stay travellers.
The one, two and three-bedroom residences offer generous layouts, with the option to connect adjoining rooms for four-bedroom configurations. This makes The Bonobo particularly appealing for families and groups who want the space and ease of a private apartment, but with the service and amenities of a luxury hotel.
Each residence features a fully equipped kitchen with Breville appliances, in-room laundry facilities and spacious living and dining areas. Select residences also include private outdoor spaces and plunge pools, adding another layer of privacy and comfort.
This balance of hotel service and residential ease is one of The Bonobo’s strongest features. Guests can stay for one night and live out of a beautifully appointed room, or settle in for a longer Byron stay with the comfort of a kitchen, laundry, living area and room to properly unpack.
Throughout the property, guests are surrounded by the hotel’s signature scent of Le Labo Santal 33, featured in room amenities, candles and incense, and worn by staff. It is a small detail, but one that helps create a strong sensory identity for the hotel.
Interiors with Warmth, Art and Coastal Ease
The interiors of The Bonobo feel layered rather than overly styled. Natural materials, vintage finds, custom pieces and warm tones create a mood that suits Byron without leaning into cliché.
Custom furniture from Jardan brings a refined Australian design language to the rooms and public spaces, while locally and internationally sourced vintage pieces add character. The residences feature original works by Doris Bush in collaboration with 8 Hele Gallery, alongside prints by Traianos Pakioufakis.
Balconies are furnished with custom outdoor pieces by MCM House in warm timber and sun-washed upholstery, creating a natural indoor-outdoor connection. This is key to the Byron lifestyle, where doors are left open, meals stretch outside and the boundary between room and landscape feels intentionally relaxed.
The hotel does not feel beachy in an obvious way. Instead, it captures the softer side of coastal living through material, light, air and texture. The result is quietly luxurious, but still easy to live in.
The Lobby Lounge: The Social Heart of The Bonobo
At the centre of The Bonobo’s food and beverage offering is the Lobby Lounge, a relaxed all-day space with seating for up to 110 guests across the main lounge, terrace and courtyard.
Curated by Jason Saxby, executive chef of the two-hatted Raes Dining Room, alongside The Bonobo head chef Callum Gray, the food offering brings a thoughtful but playful approach to familiar classics. The space is designed to shift naturally throughout the day, from morning coffee to long lunches, afternoon drinks and late-night cocktails.
More than a hotel lobby or restaurant, the Lobby Lounge has been imagined as a neighbourhood gathering place. It draws inspiration from great hotel bars, diners and late-night institutions, while still feeling distinctly Byron.
Menu highlights include the Bonobo Club Sanga with fried chicken presse, bacon jam and dijonnaise, pork cotoletta with brown butter dragoncello mayonnaise, and zeppole with ricotta fritters, burnt honey custard and Davidson plum jam. The menu champions quality producers from Byron Bay and beyond, giving familiar dishes a local and seasonal point of view.
Food and beverage is also available in-room and by the rooftop pool daily from 7am until late, which means guests can move through the day without leaving the hotel if they do not want to. Morning coffee, lunch by the pool, drinks at sunset and dinner in the lounge can all happen within the same address.
For travellers who plan their trips around good food, Byron has plenty to offer beyond the hotel too. A visit to The Farm in Byron Bay is a favourite for its paddock-to-plate feel, open space and easy connection to the region’s produce-led dining culture.
Byron Drinks, Ready-to-Pour Cocktails and The Bonobo Lager
The drinks offering has been given the same attention as the food. Guests will find a curated in-room drinks selection stocked with The Bonobo Lager, brewed exclusively for the property, alongside ready-to-pour cocktails created in collaboration with Brookie’s gin.
The cocktail range draws on native Australian ingredients, with options including a Saltbush Gin Martini, Wattleseed Negroni and Lemon Aspen Vodka Martini. It is a smart touch for a hotel that wants to feel both highly curated and deeply connected to its region.
These details matter in Byron, where food and drink culture is a major part of the destination’s appeal. The Bonobo understands that guests do not just want somewhere to sleep. They want a place that can shape the rhythm of the whole trip.
Reset at The Bonobo: Wellness Comes to Jonson Street
Wellness has always been central to Byron Bay’s identity, and The Bonobo brings that culture into the hotel through its partnership with Reset.
Reset at The Bonobo is the brand’s first extension beyond its Double Bay studio, bringing a holistic wellness experience to Byron Bay for both hotel guests and locals. Designed for small-group and private sessions, the studio features traditional cedar saunas, ice baths, a eucalyptus steam room, magnesium bath and vitamin C-infused showers.
There is also a private treatment room dedicated to LED light therapy, facials and restorative body treatments. The Circuit offers a communal wellness space for up to five clients per session, while two private Contrast Therapy rooms allow for individual sessions.
Rather than being designed as a single spa room, Reset at The Bonobo has been planned as a sequence of connected spaces. Natural timbers, detailed tiling and controlled acoustics create a mood of stillness, while the bathhouse-inspired rituals bring together water, steam, heat and recovery.
The addition of Reset gives The Bonobo another reason to appeal to both travellers and the local community. Guests can build wellness into their stay, while Byron locals can drop in for treatments and rituals without checking into the hotel. If wellness is central to the trip, our guide to luxury spa retreats in Australia is also worth bookmarking for future escapes.
Atlas Homme: Retail with a Byron Point of View
Retail at The Bonobo is anchored by Byron-born menswear brand Atlas Homme. Located on the ground floor, the space brings a curated approach to modern dressing, with relaxed tailoring, natural materials and an emphasis on ease and wearability.
The edit includes international and local boutique brands across clothing, accessories, home décor, fragrance, travel and eyewear, with names such as Tom Ford, Zegna, CAZAL and House of Creed represented.
It is a natural fit for the hotel. The Bonobo is not just selling rooms, it is creating a lifestyle around the stay. A guest might begin the morning with coffee in the Lobby Lounge, head to Reset for sauna and contrast therapy, shop at Atlas Homme, spend the afternoon by the rooftop pool and return for cocktails after dinner.
For travellers thinking about what to pack for a polished coastal stay, this guide to building the ultimate capsule wardrobe in Australia offers useful ideas on breathable fabrics, layering pieces and easy outfits that work for warm days, cooler evenings and resort-style escapes.
About Byron Bay
Byron Bay sits on the far north coast of New South Wales, known for its surf beaches, coastal walks, wellness culture, creative community and relaxed but increasingly polished dining scene. It has long attracted surfers, artists, families, wellness seekers and travellers looking for a beach escape with personality.
The town is framed by some of Australia’s most recognisable coastal scenery. Main Beach is close to the town centre, Wategos is known for its beauty and calm, and Cape Byron Lighthouse sits at Australia’s most easterly point. The lighthouse walk is one of the classic Byron experiences, particularly at sunrise or sunset, with views across the ocean and back toward the hinterland.
Byron’s appeal also reaches beyond the beach. The hinterland is home to rolling green hills, farm gates, small villages, wellness retreats, restaurants and scenic drives. Nearby towns such as Bangalow, Brunswick Heads and Mullumbimby each offer their own version of the Northern Rivers lifestyle, from vintage shopping and cafés to river swims and long lunches.
The Bonobo’s location on Jonson Street places guests in the centre of it all. Cafés, boutiques, restaurants and bars are close by, while beaches and coastal walks are easy to reach. For travellers who want to be able to walk to dinner, shop during the day and still retreat to a beautifully designed hotel, the location is a major advantage.
If you are new to the region, our classic Byron feature, Beaches, Beauties and Sunshine, Byron Bay, captures the town’s long-standing appeal, from its sandy beaches to its relaxed coastal energy.
What to Do Near The Bonobo
A stay at The Bonobo makes it easy to experience both the town and the coast. Start with a walk to Main Beach or continue toward The Pass and Wategos for one of Byron’s most beautiful coastal routes. The Cape Byron Lighthouse walk is a must for first-time visitors, with sweeping views across the coastline.
Food lovers can explore Byron’s strong café and restaurant scene, from relaxed brunch spots to polished dining rooms and casual late-night bars. The Farm is another favourite for visitors, offering a paddock-to-plate experience just outside town, while the hinterland is ideal for long lunches, market visits and scenic drives.
For a slower day, spend time browsing Byron’s boutiques, book a wellness treatment, take a yoga class or settle into the rooftop pool at The Bonobo with a drink and a view. The beauty of staying in central Byron is that the itinerary can stay loose. You can plan the day properly, or simply follow the weather, the tide and your appetite.
Travellers wanting to explore further along the coast can also continue north or south. Cabarita Beach is close enough for a day trip or a second stop, and our feature on Halcyon House in Cabarita Beach is a lovely reminder of how much this stretch of coastline has to offer beyond Byron itself.
Who Should Stay at The Bonobo?
The Bonobo is well suited to travellers who want the style and service of Raes, but in a more central and flexible setting. It is ideal for couples looking for a stylish weekend escape, families needing room to spread out, groups wanting multi-bedroom residences and longer-stay guests who like the ease of apartment-style living with hotel service.
It will also appeal to travellers who want to be close to Byron’s restaurants, boutiques and nightlife without sacrificing comfort or design. With its rooftop pool, Lobby Lounge, wellness studio and retail offering, The Bonobo can easily become the base for the entire trip.
For locals, it adds something new to Jonson Street too: a beautiful all-day lounge, drinks destination, wellness space and retail address that does not require a hotel booking.
Why The Bonobo Matters
The Bonobo arrives at an interesting moment for Byron Bay. The town has evolved from a laid-back surf and backpacker destination into one of Australia’s most recognisable luxury coastal escapes. Yet the best of Byron still lies in its mix of ease and energy. It is a place where barefoot mornings, beautiful design, serious food, wellness rituals and relaxed socialising can all sit side by side.
The Bonobo captures that duality well. It feels polished but not stiff, urban but still connected to the coast, luxurious but designed to be used throughout the day. It is a hotel for the new Byron, where locals and travellers move through the same spaces and the best stays are shaped by food, design, wellness and a strong sense of place.
For Raes, it is a natural evolution. For Byron, it is a new landmark in the centre of town.
Where to Next?
If The Bonobo by Raes has you planning a Byron Bay escape, continue the journey with more ELE travel inspiration from the region. Start with Discovering the Ultimate Weekend Getaway in Byron Bay for ideas on how to spend a short stay, then revisit Beaches, Beauties and Sunshine, Byron Bay for a classic look at the town’s coastal appeal.
For more beautiful stays in the area, read our review of Hide Byron Bay, a boutique luxury escape close to Byron’s beaches, cafés and shopping streets. Food lovers should also bookmark The Farm, Byron Bay for a relaxed day out centred on produce, open space and the Northern Rivers lifestyle.
If you are turning a Byron stay into a longer east coast holiday, continue with our guide to The Ultimate Guide to the Gold Coast or explore more coastal inspiration with Halcyon House in Cabarita Beach.
FAQ: The Bonobo by Raes, Byron Bay
Where is The Bonobo by Raes located?
The Bonobo by Raes is located at 116 Jonson Street in Byron Bay, New South Wales. It sits in the heart of town, close to cafés, shops, restaurants, bars and beaches.
Is The Bonobo by Raes now open?
Yes. The Bonobo by Raes is now open, with hotel bookings available through the property’s official website.
How many rooms does The Bonobo have?
The Bonobo offers 74 hotel rooms and residences across three levels.
What kind of accommodation is available?
The hotel includes beautifully appointed hotel rooms as well as one, two and three-bedroom residences. Some configurations can connect to create four-bedroom stays, making the property suitable for families and groups.
Do the residences have kitchens?
Yes. Each residence includes a fully equipped kitchen with Breville appliances, along with in-room laundry facilities and spacious living and dining areas.
Does The Bonobo have a rooftop pool?
Yes. The Bonobo has a rooftop pool with lounge seating and daybeds, framed by views from the Byron Bay lighthouse to the hinterland.
Is there a restaurant at The Bonobo?
The hotel’s main food and drink offering is the Lobby Lounge, an all-day dining and drinks space with seating across the main lounge, terrace and courtyard.
Who oversees the food at The Bonobo?
The food and beverage offering is curated by Jason Saxby, executive chef of two-hatted Raes Dining Room, alongside The Bonobo head chef Callum Gray.
What is on the menu at The Bonobo?
The Lobby Lounge menu takes a playful approach to familiar classics, with dishes such as the Bonobo Club Sanga, pork cotoletta and zeppole with ricotta fritters, burnt honey custard and Davidson plum jam.
Is food available by the pool or in-room?
Yes. Food and beverage is available in-room and by the rooftop pool daily from 7am until late.
What is Reset at The Bonobo?
Reset at The Bonobo is the hotel’s exclusive wellness offering. It includes traditional cedar saunas, ice baths, a eucalyptus steam room, magnesium bath, vitamin C-infused showers, LED light therapy, facials and restorative body treatments.
Is Reset open to non-hotel guests?
Yes. Treatments at Reset are available to both hotel guests and the wider Byron Bay community.
What is Atlas Homme at The Bonobo?
Atlas Homme is a Byron-born menswear brand with a curated retail space on the hotel’s ground floor. It offers clothing, accessories, home décor, fragrance, travel and eyewear from local and international brands.
Is The Bonobo good for families?
Yes. The hotel residences are particularly well suited to families, with multi-bedroom layouts, kitchens, laundries, living areas and the option to connect rooms for larger configurations.
Is The Bonobo good for couples?
Yes. Couples will enjoy the central location, design-led rooms, rooftop pool, Lobby Lounge, wellness studio and easy access to Byron’s beaches and dining scene.
What makes The Bonobo different from Raes on Wategos?
Raes on Wategos is known for its intimate beachfront setting, while The Bonobo offers a more central, urban Byron Bay experience. It brings the Raes style of hospitality into the heart of town with a larger mix of rooms, residences, dining, wellness and retail.
What is the best time to visit Byron Bay?
Byron Bay is a year-round destination. Summer is popular for beach holidays, spring and autumn offer warm weather with fewer crowds, and winter is ideal for surfing, wellness escapes and a quieter coastal stay.
What can you do near The Bonobo?
Guests can explore Byron’s cafés, shops and restaurants, walk to the beach, visit Cape Byron Lighthouse, head to Wategos, book wellness treatments, visit The Farm or explore nearby towns such as Brunswick Heads, Bangalow and Mullumbimby.
Where can you book The Bonobo by Raes?
Bookings are available via thebonobo.com.au.
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