Getting that ‘I’m on holidays’ feeling at Elements of Byron

It’s late on a Friday by the time we arrive at Elements of Byron after the long drive from Sydney. The first thing that strikes me is the vibe.

There are live musicians performing on the terrace just beyond the lobby. Guests recline on colourful lounges around the large round fire pit by the pool sipping wine and cocktails. “Ahhh,” I think. “I’m on holidays.”

Before long, our luggage is loaded onto the back of a golf buggy and we are being spirited away to our villa, one of 193 dotted throughout the resort.

With polished wooden floorboards, louvre windows, freestanding baths and plenty of mod cons, I can tell immediately our luxurious two-bedroom villa is going to be an extremely comfortable place to spend a few days.

We order room service on the in-room iPad, and begin our break with a relaxing evening of eating pizza washed down with a Stone & Wood beer, which is brewed just down the road, on the enclosed verandah.

On Belongil Beach, three kilometres’ north of Byron Bay on NSW’s north coast, Elements of Byron has nailed the concept of “barefoot luxury”.

The shape of the resort’s main pavilion was inspired by a windswept sand dune – one of four ‘elements’ that have influenced its design, along with eucalyptus, wetland and rainforest.

The integration with nature is one of the resort’s main drawcards. It’s lovely just walking around the 20-hectare property, taking in its rainforest, tea tree creeks, lakes and ponds.

At breakfast time, birds flutter through Azure Bar & Grill; their song is a constant companion throughout our stay. It’s a delight to glance outside and see two bush turkeys foraging beside the villa.

Elements really offers the perfect mix of beach and bush.

Day beds hang suspended over a shallow section of the main lagoon-style pool, and sun lounges stretch over the edge, so you can step straight into the water when it’s time to take a dip.

There’s also a separate adults-only pool hidden away in another part of the resort, where over-18s can sit on rope-and-plank swings by the swim-up bar or sprawl in cabanas sipping tequila cocktails and snacking on offerings from the food van.

One day I take part in an outdoor yoga class at a specially built podium known as Heart of the Bay, which has views of Cape Byron Lighthouse.

Another I catch the solar-powered train from North Beach Station, just down the road, into town to peruse the shops.

Byron Bay has always been a favoured shopping destination of mine, with its boho chic clothing boutiques, crystal shops and quirky homewares stores. It also abounds with cool restaurants, and each time I visit I try to check out somewhere new.

This time it’s Light Years, a small, colourful Asian bar and diner with a menu of share plates. We enjoy a feast of kingfish ceviche, char-grilled hanger steak, spicy rendang prawns and cumin-spiced fried cauliflower. Each dish tastes better than the last.

Byron has long been known as a hippie haven, attracting the type of crowd who care about the environment.

Elements is certainly on the money here, with sustainable practices incorporated throughout.

Think paper straws, meals served in recyclable packaging and biodegradable takeaway coffee cups with composable sugarcane lids. There are also large amenity pump bottles in bathrooms, low-energy lights, water filters and motion-activated power in villas. These truly make you feel even better about your choice of accommodation.

Fly: The nearest airport is Ballina, 30 kilometres south of Byron Bay. Qantas, Virgin and Jetstar fly direct from Sydney. Jetstar flies from Melbourne. Qantas flies from Canberra (seasonal). Pelican flies from Newcastle or Dubbo (seasonal).

Stay: Prices at Elements of Byron Bay start from $435 per night for a studio villa. It’s one of eight types of villa options.

Explore more: elementsofbyron.com.au