Image: Stacey O'Keeffe relaxing in the Deluxe Spa Suite
One of my goals this year is to truly harness the power of a work-life balance. It’s too easy to get caught in the chaos of everyday demands. So, I’ve decided to schedule in a few mini escapes every couple of months to ensure I take time to reset and relax.
This summer, I whisked my dear mother away for a girl’s trip and we enjoyed an overnight getaway at The Byron at Byron Bay. While it was a short stay, we certainly made the most of it.
We arrived a few hours before check-in on Friday morning and were greeted by the warm and friendly staff. We were given a quick tour of the resort, before being left to explore somewhat of the 45 acres of subtropical rainforest.
At the time of our visit, the restaurant was closed due to renovations, so lunch and dinner was enjoyed comfortably on the wooden deck overlooking the luxurious, crystal clear pool.
Once our room was ready, we drove a short distance and opened the doors to the Deluxe Spa Suite.
Surrounded by nature, it truly was a refreshing escape from the hustle and bustle of city life. The only tricky issue, my Wi-Fi and phone reception was down when were in the suite. Luckily, they had Wi-Fi that I could connect too.
The room was pleasant, modern and well presented. We stayed in the luxe room with two comfortable separate beds and a generous sized bathroom. The bathtub was super sexy and the wall length mirror was a favourite. But my biggest interior surprise was that the shower floor was made of stainless steel.
The bush lands surrounded us, so nestling up on the deck with a glass of red wine gave me the opportunity to feel like I was million miles away from reality.
Image: Stacey O'Keeffe by the pool
I loved the walk through wardrobe and the bedroom had a little nook that you could snuggle up in and read a book. The beds and pillows were so comfortable. The result: I had a deep and over-generous sleep.
Now, a girl’s weekend away wouldn’t be complete without a spa experience! So we booked in a treatment to unwind and get pampered. I had a reflexology massage, which helped eliminate the stress of my daily hustle. When I walked out, I felt completely brand new. As for my mum, she had a 60 minute facial and left with glowing, renewed skin.
The next morning, we woke up around 8am and walked the rainforest boardwalk where the birds were chirping and the sunlight kissed our skin. For me, it was rare and beautiful to experience such serenity before breakfast.
Once we arrived at the outdoor marquee, we were once again welcomed by staff and seated to then pick and choose from a generous buffet breakfast.
After indulging in eggs, pancakes, croissants, bacon, muffins, tarts and the rest, we headed to the pool to unwind before our holiday was officially over.
Image: Yvonne O'Keeffe and Stacey O'Keeffe by the pool
It was hard to leave and say goodbye to the peace and quiet. I’ve never stayed at a resort before where you don’t need to go anywhere because they have all the facilities you need for a stress free, relaxing break. The demographic is well suited to a more mature audience, but there were also a lot of mothers and daughters and groups of girlfriends.
I’d love to go back and I would highly recommend this to anyone who wants to escape and find their Zen. The Byron at Byron Bay’s restaurant has reopened from their revamp and I hear it’s amazing. They also offer complimentary yoga to all guests on a Saturday morning. Ready to book your next holiday? Visit www.thebyronatbyron.com.au for more information.
