Byron’s New York-inspired boutique hotel, The Bower, has just unveiled its most ambitious transformation yet; a refined two-year renovation that cements its place as one of the Northern Rivers’ most stylish stays.
Already loved for its mix of coastal chic and moodily monochromatic style, The Bower now boasts a striking new lounge pavilion and communal guest bar, a stunning new reception area, an onsite day spa exclusively for guests and four brand-new accommodation suites.
Designed in collaboration with award-winning architects Studio Plenty and Tanev Muir, and steered by the hotel’s first designer and co-owner Taliah Lowry, it's the biggest update since The Bower first opened in 2017, and the result is a Byron escape that feels both elevated and effortlessly relaxed.
Every corner of the property has its own considered personality, with rooms layered in natural materials, soft linens and textures that invite you to slow down. Design lovers will appreciate the thoughtful mix of vintage touches and contemporary flourishes, but the real charm is how it all feels seamless—like the kind of home you wish you lived in, just dialled up with a little (a lot of) extra polish.
I checked in to one of the stunning Bower Studios, and let me tell you—this is Byron’s version of Manhattan luxury. The adults-only space feels moody yet serene, with curved white-washed walls, high ceilings, billowing black linen curtains, dark timbers and a cloud-like four-poster king bed that envelops you. Hands down, the best sleep I've had in months. The ensuite, with a huge stone bath, custom-aged mirror and rain shower, is a sanctuary in itself, made for long, steamy soaks after a Byron beach day.
Beyond the Studios, The Bower has a suite of accommodation options to suit every style of trip; I love that no two rooms are exactly the same.
The five-bedroom Bower Cottage is a jaw-dropping 100-year-old original dwelling, complete with its own cedar mineral hot tub, perfect for long, lazy stays with friends or family.
The Bower Barn is intimate and atmospheric, with a pitched timber roof and a glass-ceiling ensuite with an egg-shaped bath that screams for you (and your special someone) to soak under the stars.
The Bower Rooms might be 'base rooms' but they're anything but ordinary. Take your pick from the Junior King Room, Junior King Plus or the King room, which sleep two to three guests and are all individually designed with bespoke interiors and hand-selected vintage artworks and touches.
My favourite? The Deluxe King Room with bath exudes The Bower's signature moody sophistication and you really can't go wrong a full stone bath, custom-made rugs, and floor-to-ceiling linen curtains.
And then, of course, there’s the pool. Perfectly circular and fringed with palm trees, it’s the kind of spot that deserves its own postcard. By day, it’s all about basking under Byron’s endless blue skies, the magnesium-rich water leaving skin soft and muscles soothed. By night, it takes on a different magic, glowing under soft light. The gardens wrap around it all, lush and subtropical, creating a sense of seclusion that makes you forget the centre of Byron is only minutes away.
The impressive renovation also extends to wellness, with a new on-site spa now exclusively available to guests. I indulged in a treatment with Mukti Organics products, and the combination of expert hands, botanical aromas and the hush of the subtropical surrounds was the kind of reset you don’t realise you need until you’re floating out the door.
While the upgrades are striking, they stay true to what makes The Bower so special. Original designer Taliah Lowry (Micalo) had a very clear vision for the hotel design from its beginning. She explains: "With The Bower, I had a very clear vision from the beginning: it was really important to me to keep the history of the retro drive-in motel alive, whilst enhancing it into a 5-star hotel with all the modern luxuries...It was about honouring the past while creating something elegant, enduring, and effortlessly livable — a true reflection of instinct-led design."
The result? A timeless blend of moody Byron chic and New York edge, with just the right amount of barefoot luxury. The Bower feels as iconic as ever; just sleeker, more soulful, and perfectly primed for its next chapter.
The Bower Byron Bay: What You Need To Know
- Where: 28 Bangalow Road, Byron Bay
- What’s New: Guest lounge pavilion, bar, reception, new suites, upgraded spa
- Book: Head to The Bower Byron Bay’s website