Escape to Paradise: Waves Hotel's Byron Bay Bliss Awaits
Escape to Paradise: Waves Hotel's Byron Bay Bliss… or Just A Bit of a Daze? – My Honestly Messy Review
Okay, so, Byron Bay. The land of sun-kissed skin, overpriced coffee, and… well, escape. Waves Hotel promises that escape, a slice of paradise right on the doorstep of the, well, I'm not sure, something is on the doorstep of Byron Bay, let's just say it's close! But does it deliver? Buckle up, because this is gonna be a bit of a messy ride. My stay wasn't perfect, far from it, but it had its moments. And honestly, that’s life, right?
Let's Start with the Good Stuff (Before I Whine):
The absolute highlight? The pool with a view. Oh. My. God. Picture this: I’d been wrestling with a rogue luggage wheel all morning (more on that later), finally dragged myself to my room, and then… bam! Stepped onto the balcony and practically melted. The infinity pool, shimmering turquoise, faded seamlessly into the ocean. Sun, water, a slight buzz from the complimentary bottle of water (thanks, Waves!), and just… nothing. Pure, unfiltered bliss. Spent a whole afternoon just floating, staring, and letting the world fade away. Highly recommend, seriously. Do that first. That's all I have to say here because it was that, the best single thing.
Then there's the free Wi-Fi in all rooms! Crucial, people. Because, let's be real, we live in the digital age, and I'm a sucker for Insta-stories (follow me at @ByronBlissBlogger, if you’re interested!). No, I am not really a blogger. Although… hmmm. Okay, so yeah, the Wi-Fi was good. Not lightning-fast, mind you, but good enough to upload a few poolside selfies and catch up on emails.
Now, the Messy Bits (Brace Yourselves):
Accessibility (or, Did Someone Forget the Ramps?):
The hotel's website claimed accessibility, and bless their hearts, there was an elevator. But navigating the grounds… well, let's just say it wasn't exactly smooth sailing for anyone with mobility limitations. The ramps were a bit… steep. The pathways, a bit… gravelly. This needs some serious improvement. I'm not even disabled, and I tripped walking across a particularly dusty patch. So, major points for the elevator, but otherwise, the accessibility stuff felt like a well-meaning afterthought.
Food, Glorious Food…? (Or, The Buffet of Indecision):
Breakfast. The buffet. The bane of my holiday existence. I got there at 8 am, assuming it would be the early bird. The food? Predictable. Cereal, some slightly overcooked eggs, and… the usual sad suspects of a hotel buffet. There was a 'Western Breakfast' option (huzzah!), but the bacon tasted suspiciously like cardboard. (I may or may not have snuck in a few pastries from a roadside bakery)
The 'Asian Breakfast' was, from the looks of it, what was left of the "Western breakfast" with a scoop of something that may or may not have been rice. I did not take that risk.
I did try the coffee shop once in the afternoon. Coffee wasn't the worst, but the selection of cakes and pastries felt depressingly limited. It was convenient, yes, and the pool-side bar was lovely.
Spa-Lah-Di-Dah (And the Quest for Relaxation):
Okay, the spa… I had high hopes. The website promised a world of pampering. Sauna, steamroom, massage – I was ready to be a puddle of bliss. The reality? Slightly underwhelming. The sauna was tiny, the steamroom smelled vaguely of mildew, and the massage… well, the masseuse seemed a bit distracted. But hey, at least they had body scrubs and body wraps, so I guess there was that.
Things To Do (Aside From… Well, You Know):
Waves Hotel does a decent job. They’ve got a fitness center, which I avoided like the plague (because, hangovers). There's a pool table in the lobby. They offer an airport transfer and taxi service - very accommodating. They have a souvenir shop.
Cleanliness and Safety (Because, 2024):
Waves Hotel takes its cleanliness seriously. They used anti-viral cleaning products, had staff trained in safety protocol, and offered room sanitization opt-out available. The daily disinfection in common areas was reassuring. But the hand sanitizer? Always running low. Always. This is a minor inconvenience, but something which I noticed.
The Quirky Details (The Things You Remember):
- The room decorations felt a bit… generic. Think beige headboards and predictable art. I mean, it was clean, and that is what I needed.
- The soundproof rooms were a blessing because my neighbors were loud.
- The front desk [24-hour] staff were helpful.
- My room had a window that opens, which I loved.
- The staff were trained in safety protocol, I could tell.
Overall Impression (The Verdict):
Waves Hotel has potential. The location is fantastic. The pool is divine. Some of the staff are lovely. But it needs some work. The accessibility could be so much better. The food… well, let’s just say I spent a lot of time exploring Byron Bay's cafes. The spa could be much better.
The Verdict? Would I go back? Maybe. If I could guarantee a room with a balcony overlooking the pool (and a stronger coffee machine). If those things are met, then yes! But for now, I'd give it a solid 3.5 out of 5 stars. And a strong recommendation to order a pizza in bed and watch a bad movie. That, my friends, is paradise.
Escape to Paradise: The Cakra Bali Hotel Awaits
Okay, buckle up, buttercup, because this isn't your grandma's perfectly polished travel itinerary. This is me, heading to Waves Hotel Byron Bay, and, well, let's just say I'm embracing the chaos. The messy, glorious, sun-kissed chaos.
Waves of (Un)Certainty: A Byron Bay Blitz
Day 1: Arrival and Existential Dread by the Beach (aka Finding the Damn Hotel)
- Morning (7:00-9:00 AM): Oh god, the flight. I hate flying. Always convinced the plane's gonna plummet. Landed in Ballina, somehow survived. Now, the rental car. Praying it's not a rust bucket (my driving skills are questionable at best). Seriously, I need coffee. Like, intravenously. Mood: Nervous, caffeine-deprived.
- Late Morning (9:00-12:00 PM): Okay, rental car: Success! A little compact thing, but hey, it has wheels. The GPS on the phone is actually working (miracle!). Driving to Byron. The coastal scenery is…wow. Actually breathtaking. Like, legit made me gasp. Feeling a little better. Except, wait, are those…cows? Crossing the road? Australian driving is already confusing, and now I have to deal with livestock? The hotel has to be this way.
- Lunch (12:00-1:00 PM): Found a little cafe on the way for a late lunch, a quick sandwich. I ordered a 'healthy' salad, immediately regretted it, and found myself staring at a sticky bun the size of my head. "Everything in Byron Bay is so…relaxed," the cafe owner said with a smile. I hope my stomach agrees!
- Afternoon (1:00-3:00 PM): Waves Hotel…found it! Yay. Check-in: Smooth as silk. The room? Actually, gorgeous. Big balcony, ocean view. I could actually cry, it's that beautiful. Time to unpack, unpack, and then…collapse on the bed for a solid hour. Dealing with travel is exhausting. Mood: Recovering, slightly euphoric.
- Late Afternoon/Evening (3:00 PM - Whenever Dinner is Ready): Exploring the immediate area. Walk along the beach. The sand is… ridiculously soft. I actually squealed when I first stepped on it. The ocean is a perfect, dazzling blue. It's already better than every Instagram post I've ever seen. Then, a casual dinner at a beachside bar. Fish tacos and a sunset? Yes, please. Mood: Pure bliss, slightly tipsy.
Day 2: Surfs Up! (For Me, Maybe, Probably Not)
- Morning (7:00-9:00 AM): Wake up to the sound of the waves. Decide to conquer my fear and try surfing. Ok, no, I want a smoothie and a banana, first. Then maybe I'll contemplate surfing. Mood: Optimistic, but also…aware of my complete lack of coordination.
- Late Morning (9:00-12:00 PM): Ah, a surf lesson. It took approximately ten minutes for me to realize that balancing on a surfboard is harder than it looks. I spent most of the time flailing/ swallowing saltwater. The instructor was super patient, bless him. I think he took pity on me. At least I got out of the water without injury. Mood: Bruised ego, sandy in every possible cavity.
- Lunch (12:00-1:00 PM): Reward myself with a massive burger, fries, and a large glass of something cold, very cold. Comfort food after that surfing fiasco.
- Afternoon (1:00-4:00 PM): Beach relaxation. Reading a book (finally!). People-watching. Observing the effortlessly cool surfers. Contemplating a nap. The best kind of nap is in the sun on a beach. Mood: Content, drowsy.
- Late Afternoon/Evening (4:00 PM - Whenever Dinner is Ready): Drinks on the balcony while watching the sunset. This is the life. Dinner at a restaurant that I somehow didn't make a reservation for, so I had to take a table at the bar, which was actually a good thing. I met some locals and heard some fantastic travel stories. Mood: Social, hopeful.
Day 3: Exploring Byron's Hinterland and the "Real" Byron
- Morning (7:00-9:00 AM): Sleep in. After all the beach time and surfing, I'm beat. Finally.
- Late Morning (9:00-12:00 PM): Day trip to the Byron Bay Lighthouse. It's a long way up there, but the views are allegedly stunning. I really hope it's worth it, because I'm not exactly a fan of heights.
- Lunch (12:00-1:00 PM): After exploring the lighthouse I stopped off at a small town close to Byron Bay, a town called Bangalow. It had a very quaint and old-fashioned feel to it. Stopped at an organic cafe for lunch.
- Afternoon (1:00-4:00 PM): Headed over to the Byron Bay market. Filled with local goods and art, it was a great experience. The prices of the local art items were high, but I thought it was worth it.
- Late Afternoon/Evening (4:00 PM - Whenever Dinner is Ready): Relax, and reflect on the trip! Time for dinner at the hotel restaurant and some much-needed sleep. Mood: Happy, content.
Day 4: Departure and Post-Holiday Blues
- Morning (7:00-9:00 AM): Wake up, eat a last, delicious breakfast. Pack. Trying to mentally prepare myself to leave this paradise. I don't want to go home. Mood: Sad, but also grateful.
- Late Morning (9:00-12:00 PM): Check out. Hand back the rental car (praying I didn't scratch it). One last walk on the beach. Trying to burn those memories into my brain.
- Lunch (12:00-1:00 PM): A quick lunch before heading to the airport. That, or I'm considering staying forever. Decisions, decisions…
- Afternoon (1:00-5:00 PM): Drive to the airport. Say goodbye to Byron Bay. And my newly adopted, laid-back lifestyle. Now, for the flight. Mood: Depressed, slightly hopeful for the future.
- Evening (5:00 PM onwards): Arrival at the airport, going home, and dealing with everything that comes with that. But the memories will last a lifetime.
Okay, spill the beans! Is Waves Hotel REALLY all that? I've seen the Insta pics...
Alright, alright, settle down, drama queen. Look, the Insta-hype? Yeah, it's there. Filtered sunsets, perfect tans… But the reality at Waves? Well, let me tell you… it’s *almost* as good. Seriously. I went with ridiculously high expectations (blame the algorithm, not me!), and there were definitely moments where I felt the actual chill of disappointment. Like, the "ocean view" from my room? More like "side-glance-of-the-ocean-if-you-craned-your-neck-and-squinted." Not exactly the postcard promised.
But then... Then there were the *other* moments. You know, the kind you *can't* filter. Like sitting on the balcony, sunrise painting the sky in these insane colours, actually taking a deep breath of that Byron Bay air? That’s the good stuff. That's the stuff that makes you forgive the dodgy coffee (more on that later…) and the mildly overpriced cocktails. So, yeah. It's good. Go… but manage those expectations, my friend. Manage them *hard*.
The rooms – pristine and perfect, or… what? Because I *need* a good bed.
Okay, the beds. This is vital information. Listen up. The *bed* itself? Honestly, dreamy. Seriously, I could have just stayed in bed for the entire trip and been happy. Like, one of those cloud-like situations where you sink in and never want to leave. Which, considering all the other things going on, was almost tempting.
The rest of the room? Spotlessly clean, yes. Stylish, sure. But… and this is a *big* but… the air conditioning was a bit temperamental. Which, in the Byron Bay heat is no joke. One night, it decided to blast out a symphony of icy air, and the next, it was all “nah, I’m good, you’re on your own.” Had to call reception three times. Three times! Fortunately, the staff were super friendly and helpful. So, bed: A+. Everything else? Could be a bit more reliable, you know?
Breakfast. Tell me about the breakfast. Is it worth waking up for? Because sometimes, sleep is life.
Ugh, the breakfast. This is where the "almost" from earlier comes in. Okay, so the *setting*? Gorgeous. You're literally overlooking the ocean while you munch. It’s *chef’s kiss* worthy, right? Except… the coffee. Oh, the coffee. It was… not great. Like, seriously, I’ve had better instant coffee at a truck stop. It was bitter and weak and left me feeling more sluggish than the morning I actually woke up, bleary-eyed, convinced I'd slept through my alarm and missed the apocalypse (true story).
The actual food? A mixed bag. The fruit was fresh and amazing. The pastries? A bit on the dry side. The eggs? Perfectly fine. So, is it worth waking up for? Maybe. But bring your own coffee. Or, you know, secretly sneak a Nespresso pod in your suitcase like I did. Don't tell anyone. Shhh.
What's the vibe like? Is it all yoga pants and kale smoothies, or can I survive in jeans and a burger craving?
Okay, the vibe. This is important for your sanity. Look, Byron Bay is Byron Bay. Expect a *healthy* dose of yoga pants, tanned, perfectly sculpted bodies, and the general air of 'living your best life.' Which, sometimes, is incredibly irritating. Like, *can't you just have a bad hair day and a bag of chips like the rest of us?!*
But Waves itself? Surprisingly relaxed. Yeah, there are definitely the "look at me, I'm so zen" types. But there are also a lot of regular folks, like me, just trying to chill out and enjoy a vacation. You’ll be fine in jeans. You'll *definitely* be fine with a burger craving. There are a few amazing burger joints nearby, so don't you worry about that. Embrace the imperfection. It’s allowed. In fact, it's encouraged. Trust me on this one. You don't have to be perfect to enjoy paradise.
The pool! Is it as Instagrammable in real life as it looks? And are there enough sun loungers or are you fighting for your spot?
The pool. Ah, the pool. Yes. It’s beautiful. Seriously. Even better than the pictures. Azure water, palm trees swaying… it's a total vibe. The "Instagrammable" part? Checks out. I mean, I *did* take a few photos myself. Don't judge me, it's practically required by law!
The sun loungers, however… this is where things get a bit… *competitive*. It's not quite "Hunger Games" level, but you definitely need to be up early if you want a prime spot. I’m talking pre-breakfast early. Like, before-the-dodgy-coffee-kick-in early. I'm an early bird, so I was fine, but the few times I lingered, I definitely saw some tense glances and strategic towel placement. My pro-tip? Go for the loungers that are *slightly* in the shade. You’ll thank me later. And always, *always* bring sunscreen.
Beyond the hotel, what's there to *do*? I'm not just going to sit by the pool all day... am I? (Maybe…)
Listen, let's be real. You could EASILY spend the entire time at Waves by the pool, and that's totally valid. Sometimes a vacation is just about pure, unadulterated relaxation. And I won't lie, I had *several* days where that was the plan.
But, Byron Bay itself? It's got a lot to offer. Surfing! (Tried it, failed spectacularly, but the experience was hilarious). Hiking! (The lighthouse walk is a must-do, even if you're hungover from the night before – hypothetically, of course). Shopping! Cute little boutiques everywhere. And, if you're into the "alternative" scene, tons of crystal shops and yoga studios. There's a farmers' market on Thursdays that’s honestly worth a visit just to soak up the atmosphere. And the beaches, people. The beaches are stunning. So, yes, you *could* sit by the pool all day. But you’d be missing out. So just set up a day for each activity and you'll be fine!
So, the million-dollar question: Would you go back?
