2 hours ago
5
November 6, 2025 — 5:00am
The hotel
Halcyon House, Cabarita Beach, New South Wales
The Tweed Coast’s Halcyon House has garnered global acclaim since opening in 2015; Vogue Living called it “the epitome of beachside elegance” and just last year it was voted one of Australia’s top hotels by Conde Nast Traveller UK and US. I’m visiting for the first time as it celebrates its 10th anniversary, keen to see if this 1960s surfie motel turned boutique hotel lives up to its stellar reputation. Things get off to a good start with a swift 20-minute car transfer south to Cabarita Beach from Gold Coast airport – holiday mode kicks in fast.
Check-in
With just 22 rooms over three levels, check-in at the small front reception is fast and friendly; I’m soon enjoying the restorative ocean breeze from my room’s terrace. There’s also a ground-floor bar, restaurant and pool, an adjacent day spa and boutique, and direct access to the beach across the grass from a rear gate. The signature blue-and-white alfresco colour scheme has been updated for the anniversary celebrations with Business & Pleasure Co introducing mint and coral-pink sun umbrellas and soft furnishings for a Slim Aarons vibe.
The look
There’s no denying the hotel’s former origins – the motel-style layout is not expansive nor the bones of the building particularly luxurious – but renowned interior designer Anna Spiro has worked her magic, creating a colourful energy that’s fun and relaxed. Antiques, artworks and textiles are cleverly and joyfully combined; judging from the number of photos on my phone, the result no doubt inspires many a budding home decorator.
The room
My Master Room is a comfortable and spacious 81sqm, with a king-size bed, sitting area and large terrace with two sun loungers and armchairs facing the ocean. The generous bathroom has blue Moroccan-style floor tiles, English tapware, a marble vanity and a bath and separate shower, with toiletries from the super-cool (and environmentally friendly) Australian brand Evo. Wi-Fi is free of charge and a complimentary mini bar includes nut mix from local producer Brookfarm and Byron Bay Cacao chocolate.
Food + drink
Paper Daisy, the airy one-hatted restaurant, has defied the odds of regional hotel dining since opening, with a drawcard offering that attracts locals as well as inhouse guests. Long-time Halcyon chef Andrew Milford leads the kitchen, following in the accomplished footsteps of Ben Devlin (now at Pipit in nearby Pottsville) and Jason Barratt (now at Andrew McConnell’s Supernormal in Brisbane).
The room’s casual bistro chairs and wooden tables belie the quality here; asparagus, spring peas, sheep’s feta and olives are matched with an Ocean Eight pinot gris, while local line-caught Venus tuskfish with fish-bone butter and brown-rice vinegar sauce gets a Burton McMahon pinot noir. Dessert reflects the whimsical, nostalgic touches elsewhere: a “Halcyon Magnum” or a housemade Neapolitan ice-cream.
Breakfast could be buttery scrambled eggs with the tastiest tomatoes you’ve ever eaten, or corn fritters with ridiculously fresh rocket and smoked buffalo mozzarella, plus Allpress coffee. End your weekend on a high with a prawn and avocado sarnie by the pool before heading home.
Out + about
It’s not hard to lose a couple of days here napping, reading by the pool or enjoying the beautiful day spa, which has five treatments rooms. Cabarita Beach is steps away for a swim; walk around to Norries Headland for coastal views and a picnic (Halcyon House can organise) or take one of the provided bikes on the dedicated path to Kingscliff, 10km north. No 35 Kitchen & Bar is a block away for a dinner alternative to Paper Daisy; it’s run by Rachel Duffy, former GM of Icebergs Dining Room & Bar in Bondi, and offers excellent snacks and drinks – try a Paloma and the wonderfully crunchy pea and mozzarella arancini generously blanketed in freshly grated parmesan. Meanwhile the Halcyon boutique has a covetable range of homewares and clothing if you want to take a little of that Anna Spiro style away with you.
The verdict
Halcyon House encapsulates the best of Australian hospitality: an informal but highly professional approach fused with playful design, produce-led dining and a laid-back beachside location. It all adds up to an easy, indulgent getaway.
Essentials
Halcyon House, 21 Cypress Crescent, Cabarita Beach. Rooms from $750 a night. See halcyonhouse.com.au
The closest airport is Gold Coast, Queensland (beware the time difference during daylight saving hours, as with the hotel’s location just over the border in New South Wales, it can make flight times confusing).
Our score out of five
★★★★
Highlight
The thoughtful touches left daily, from a mini birthday cake to an illustrated map for exploring and a take-home Halycon House room fragrance.
Lowlight
The new wellness area with sauna and cold plunge bath has been shoehorned into a rather narrow outdoor space.
The writer was a guest of Halcyon House.
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