Raes on Wategos, the boutique resort on Byron’s most exclusive beach that’s become a legendary rich-list hangout, turns 30 this year. From its origins as a private house built on a former banana plantation for eccentric local Ruth Harris, to its transformation into a hotel by Vincent Rae, to its refurbishment under current owners the Catalano family, it’s long been the summer playground for Australia’s well-heeled. Raes has a sun-bleached Mediterranean aesthetic by interior designer Tamsin Johnson.
Its colourful history – Liberace is said to have played piano in the original 1960s home, Salvador Dali allegedly had a hand in the design of the pool, and Keith Richards has been a regular visitor – is in sharp contrast to its whitewashed walls, snowy linen sheets and cool Mediterranean aesthetic by interior designer Tamsin Johnson . Even the birthday cake conceived by Raes executive chef Jason Saxby is an ivory tower of white chocolate and crisp meringue shards (though the filling is a vibrant mix of blood-orange sorbet, ruby chocolate mousse and citrus segments). A United Nations of impossibly good-looking (but switched-on) staff in pale, flowing uniforms completes the White Lotus vibe.
The alfresco Cellar Bar, overlooking Wategos Beach, is among the newer additions. It’s clear that after 30 years in business, Raes still has the capacity to innovate. In recent times the team has added the Cellar Bar with an al fresco terrace overlooking Wategos beach, created an ar.