Halcyon Daze.

If you grew up in Australia in the 70’s there’s something wonderfully familiar about Halcyon House.

There’s an ease and sense of freedom to this special hotel that nods to gentler and somehow cooler times.

But the retro stops at the front door and gives way to thoroughly modern, considered design that draws on the best of Capri and Palm Beach.

The boutique property sits along the shore of Cabarita Beach and offsets five star luxury with the Aussie beach.

The food, service and interiors are as good as you will find in any luxury hotel and that’s what makes this place so unique.

Halcyon House is a step through the looking glass and this Alice absolutely loved it.

Located half way between the Gold Coast and Byron Bay, Halcyon House sits on one of Northern NSW’s prettiest stretches of coast.

Once a classic 1960’s beachside motel, the property has been lovingly reimagined as a contemporary boutique hotel that’s managed to maintain its retro soul.

One of the hotels strongest appeals is the staff. Headed by Mauro De Riso from the famous JK Place in Capri, there is a predominance of European training meaning nothing is a problem and everything happens efficiently and with grace.

A large recatangular swimming pool is the heart of the hotel. Each of the twenty one rooms look out over its aqua water to the beach.

Guests can sun bake, swim, read and eat here all day – and they do. It really is the the pulse of the place and like all good hotels it has enough lounges for every guest.

Including this one! The longest, chicest lounge I’ve ever laid on.

Brisbane based designer Anna Spiro is responsible for the hotels fanciful and eclectic interiors.

Anna’s blog – Absolutely Beautiful Things – was one of the very first I ever bookmarked – way back when blogs weren’t even a thing – and I’ve long been a fan of her considered and original aesthetic.

No two rooms at Haylcyon House are the same. Each offers a different blend of textiles, antiques, art and furniture. In fact the only signatures are upholstered walls and coloured bathroom floor tiles.

All the rooms offer free WiFi, 24-hour room service, and flat-screen TVs with cable channels, free minibar (always delicious) and beds as large and soft as clouds.

Halcyon House. offers standard and deluxe rooms in addition to two bedroom suites and a couple of luxurious master penthouses.

This hotel has wedding written all over it. If you are looking for beach, luxe and special then you’ve found you’re venue.

The property is full of ‘I want my house to look like this’ vignettes.

Before I’d unpacked, I wanted the fabric on my walls, everything reupholstered in navy Ikat and found myself in a second hand store in Byron Bay looking for old paintings I could turn into a parisian hang (as above).

Cabarita Beach is a surf favourite because of the long break and lack of tourists. About one minute from your hotel door, this beach will beckon you for walking, swimming and reading a book.

I started each day at Halcyon House with a run, followed by a cup of Byron Bay Coffee and a dip.

And then I started eating.

One of Queensland’s best chefs, Ben Devlin (ex Noma) heads Halcyon’s restaurant – Paper Daisy.

The stunning space named after the wildflowers that grow on the headland produces food which is literally as pretty as its name.

There are not enough adjectives to describe how good the food is. Truly.

The menu is very developed but the flavours are light and fresh,  exactly what you want when you’re one hundred metres from the surf.

From bicycle riding and and shopping (Boho Byron is down the road) to surfing to hiking (Mt Warning beckons)  this part of the coast offers food, adventure, retail therapy and stillness in equal measure.

No matter what your holiday mojo – you shall find it here.

I took the lazy day route and spent lovely no shoe time with my nephews (Ryuu,above) and had my first swim of summer.

I loved every second at Halcyon House  and honestly can’t wait to go back.