New look: A Byron Bay favourite gets a stunning reboot

Hotel Review: Crystalbrook Byron

Where: 77-97 Broken Head Road, Byron Bay, NSW

How much: From $465 per room, per night

Forest bathing is having a moment. Also known as "nature therapy", it's all about achieving massive physiological and psychological health benefits by hanging out with trees. And it's so Byron. So no wonder that when Crystalbrook Byron had a multimillion-dollar facelift during the pandemic, the environment was a huge driver.

The resort, which sits in 18 hectares of magical subtropical rainforest, partnered with EarthCheck to monitor and benchmark their eco initiatives and introduced sustainable practices under the tagline #ResponsibleLuxury. These included using upcycled, recycled and locally sourced materials; using regional produce, and employing local staff. Even the coat hangers are made from pulped movie tickets. The new owner's rebrand from The Byron at Byron to Crystalbrook was protested by locals. They shouldn't have worried. All that nature ensured it hasn't strayed too far from its roots.

In a wonderfully immersive natural experience, cabins are dotted throughout the rainforest. Walkways meander through the bush, birds sing and you can hear the waves crashing on the beach, accessed out a private gate and across a little road. There are 92 suites, updated with new furniture, flooring and bathrooms, as well as a large pool with an attached open deck also used for the daily yoga sessions. The rainforest is the true star and guests are encouraged to roam freely along the floating platforms and bridges and into the hidden chill-out areas.

"Namaste," says the lady in reception, where everybody looks slightly famous, with lots of neutral linens and perfectly dishevelled hair. Checking in behind us are a bunch of glamorous ladies there for a Botox convention. But the rooms are more laidback, with lots of exposed beams and natural light, a tan and bright green colour scheme, muted wooden furnishings, and native-sequences fabrics and patterns. The dressing gowns are instant recharge: deep green and covered in a lush foliage print.

We're in Cypress, a Treetops Luxe suite at the beach end of the rainforest property. There's a daybed, rainshower, huge freestanding bathtub and similarly oversized bed. It's on the top half of a block of four, level with the tree canopy, with two enclosed balconies from which to truly appreciate the sound of birds and waves.

Read more on Explore:

Rebranded from The Restaurant to Forest, Crystalbrook's restaurant is excellent, with a packed-with-locals breakfast and rave reviews for all the meals, which include pool and room service. We loved the spiced caramel pork hock, super succulent coal-roasted Iluka squid and pineapple panna cotta. Service is excellent and so Byron: halfway through dinner, our waiter, Yore, brings out his lovely 3D-printed ceramic bowls to show us. Locally sourced is a huge driver here and there's an on-site herb garden and beehives. Drinks include more than 30 sustainable, organic and biodynamic wines.

Crystalbrook rents out cute baby blue bikes so you never need to battle the busy Byron roads: there's a wide and sturdy flat bike track that'll take you from outside the resort to all the way into town. We pedalled to the main beach and sat on the grass with fish and chips from Fish Heads.

At the markets, held first Sunday of the month, there's more Byron: hemp purveyors, hemp vapes, more neutral linens, and tarot reading.

Explore more: crystalbrookcollection.com/byron

The writer was a guest of Crystalbrook Byron.

Pictures: Destination NSW; supplied