I first stayed at Elements of Byron back in 2017, not long after it opened, and it was new to the Australian luxury hotel landscape. At the time, it struck the perfect balance between laid-back Byron and high-end resort, with the lagoon pool as the stunning centrepiece. Fast forward to now, and Elements of Byron has become one of the most well-known places to stay in Byron Bay and one of Australia’s favourite resorts, so I was curious to see how it stacked up on a return visit. Would it have become too popular? Who does it cater for in 2026, and is it still one of the best hotels in Byron? Read on to find out.
Elements of Byron: At a Glance
Located behind Belongil Beach, Elements of Byron covers 50 acres, with 202 villas spread throughout. It’s beautifully done and doesn’t feel overcrowded, with rainforest, walking trails and two swimming pools interspersed between the villas. Elements is a bit of a unicorn in that it appeals to both families and couples/friends, and caters to both really well.
Location
Elements of Byron is a beachfront resort, with Belongil Beach stretching along the resort’s edge, accessed via a path. You enter the resort via the Byron Bay’s Arts and Industry Estate, where you’ll find restaurants, shops, yoga studios and more all within walking distance. Byron Bay town is a 10-minute drive from the resort, or you can take the Solar Train, which runs every hour from 10am to 5pm, departing from North Beach station, a few minutes’ walk from the resort.
There is so much to do in and around the resort; both times I’ve stayed, I’ve barely left Elements. But if your goal is to explore Byron, then it’s an easy drive or cycle to town, the hinterland, and the beaches below Byron. There is plenty of parking available, and villas have their own parking spaces.
Villas
There are eight room types, with studio, one-bed and two-bed villa accommodations at varying levels and locations. I stayed in a Superior 2 Bedroom Villa this trip, which featured a generously sized open plan kitchen and lounge, an undercover al fresco dining area, and two bedrooms, each with its own spacious bathroom.
This would be a great room for two couples sharing or for a family, and it felt very luxurious for my sister and I, who enjoyed a room and bathroom each. The rooms were in excellent condition, with high-quality furnishings. I particularly liked the solid wood dining table on the terrace and the freestanding bath.
I love having accommodation with a kitchen, particularly for breakfasts when travelling with kids. But even this trip, when travelling without them, it was handy to prepare some food and enjoy a coffee from the Nespresso machine before heading out for the day.
If I were travelling with my husband, I think I would book a Dunal Villa by the beach with a cosy fireplace, or a Lagoon Edge Villa overlooking the water.
Pools: Lagoon vs Adults Pool
The lagoon pool really is special, with shady cabanas, overwater beds and a large shallow area perfect for kids. You can order food and drinks via a QR code or head to the poolside Breeze Café to enjoy them there. It never felt crowded during our stay, and there were plenty of loungers to choose from.
At the back is an additional little pool with hanging loungers. I remember loving this spot on my first visit, and it was equally as lovely the second time around. The lagoon pool is open from 6am to 10pm with food and drink service available from 8am to 6pm.
The new addition since my first visit is the adult pool. Since I was travelling without kids, this was extremely appealing to me, all the more so as it has a swim-up bar. So it was our first stop upon checking in at Elements of Byron. Much like the lagoon pool, it has a very relaxed vibe, with cabanas and sun loungers lining the pool.
You can order food and drink to the daybeds via QR code here too, but we didn’t miss the opportunity to eat and drink at the pool bar, enjoying some excellent margaritas and a very generously portioned lunch of lamb flatbread and Greek chicken salad. The adults-only pool is open 7am to 10pm, with food and drinks available from 12pm to 5:30pm.
The Osprey Spa
During my stay, I was lucky enough to experience a treatment at the Osprey spa. The Odyssey Spa Ritual, no less. Three hours of total bliss featuring body scrubs, hair treatments, massage and a facial. Absolute heaven. It’s a beautiful setting, not far from the lagoon pool, flooded with natural light and furnished with natural wood.
Dining
Elements of Byron offers a variety of dining options, from casual eats by the pool to a fine dining restaurant. Azure Bar and Grill offers relaxed lunches overlooking the pool from the bar menu, features clay-fired pizza, charcuterie and snacky bites. On the grill side is a more formal setting for dinner, with a contemporary Australian restaurant menu. This has all changed since my first stay and I was very impressed with the variety and quality of food on offer.
The poolside dining is excellent with different menus at both pools. The salads at the lagoon pool were a highlight during our stay (along with the cocktails).
Breakfast isn’t included in the room rate, but you can choose from the breakfast buffet from 7am – 10.30am or grab and go from the Breeze Cafe from 9am. Alternatively, the villa kitchens are very well equipped for self-catering, and there are also lots of lovely cafes within walking distance in the Art and Industrial Estate. Next to the beach is Bar Botanica, serving cocktails and snacks during sunset, which I really recommend for a pre-dinner drink.
We also popped into Byron Bay for dinner during our stay, which is very easy by car or Uber.
Facilities & Activities
In addition to the lovely pools, Elements has some great facilities for both adults and kids. There are bookable tennis courts, sunrise yoga overlooking the ocean (I highly recommend this) and a well-equipped gym.
There are 2km of trails throughout the resort, with the option to take a guided walk with a ranger to learn about native wildlife and Indigenous bush foods.
For kids and families, there is an adventure playground, outdoor games such as giant chess and bocce, and a pram-friendly fairy trail. Babysitting is available via external partners and during the school holidays. Elements offers a kids’ club for children aged 5 to 12.
Elements is a very accessible resort with wheelchair-friendly pools, villas, and facilities throughout.
Is Elements of Byron Good for Families, Couples or Groups?
Families
Elements is a really great family resort, and I would definitely return here with my kids. The lagoon pool is really well designed, particularly for toddlers and the villas are well laid out for families. The kids club during school holidays, child-friendly facilities make it a really good family destination, while still feeling like a luxurious escape for parents.
Couples/Friends
The resort also works really well for couples, with the adults-only pool, secluded villas and excellent dining options. It’s easy enough to stay away from kids in the resort if you prefer and are looking for a relaxing getaway. If you want to be social, the weekend fire pit is a good opportunity to meet other guests, as is the yoga class and Botanica Beach Bar.
Is Elements of Byron Worth It?
If you’re looking for luxury accommodation in Byron Bay, then I think Elements is the top choice. There are other luxury hotels in the area, but none can match the incredible lagoon pool and spacious resort vibes of Elements of Byron.
Is Elements of Byron for Everyone?
If you’re looking for budget accommodation or want to stay in the centre of Byron Bay, then it’s probably not for you. But otherwise, you can’t go wrong with a stay at this resort.
What Could Be Better?
It would be great to offer an alternative early morning breakfast option other than the buffet. Something else to note is that once you have checked out, you are no longer able to use the pools and resort facilities. This stops the resort from feeling overcrowded. If you’ve got an evening flight, then there is plenty to see and do outside of the resort, but definitely save your pool time for your checked-in days.
Final Thoughts
After my second stay at Elements of Byron, it’s safe to say the resort is just as good, if not better, than the first time around, and I wouldn’t hesitate to return. The addition of an adults-only pool makes it even more appealing for couples and groups of friends, and the swim-up bar is a definite highlight.
The villas are as lovely as I remember, and although the number of rooms has nearly doubled since my first visit, the resort never feels crowded. The villas are thoughtfully spaced among lush greenery, so you still get that sense of privacy and calm.
There have been a few other additions since 2017, too, including the adventure playground, giant chess and bocce, which strengthen the family offering alongside the ever-handy (and eco-friendly) solar train.
The setting is as beautiful as ever, and that relaxed coastal feel remains firmly intact. If anything, it all feels a little more polished now, with smoother service and well-established facilities. Importantly, it hasn’t lost what makes it special. You’re still right by the beach, surrounded by nature, with space to properly unwind. It remains one of the best all-round places to stay in Byron Bay.
