The Bonobo van Raes will open in June, bookings are now open | News
Raes today announces that its new boutique hotel, The Bonobo by Raes, will open in the heart of Byron Bay in June, with bookings now open. A contemporary hotel and lifestyle destination, The Bonobo combines flexible accommodation, an all-day dining and drinking lobby lounge, and a curated mix of wellness and retail experiences, supported by Raes’ signature service and hospitality. Reset will join as the hotel’s dedicated wellness partner, bringing a holistic approach to wellness to The Bonobo.
Marty McCaig, Managing Director of Raes, said: “The Bonobo introduces a more social expression of Raes to central Byron Bay. It is styled as a hotel that people can easily move through – whether they are staying over, meeting friends for a drink or popping in for a wellness treatment. By working with Reset we can build something that feels connected to the local community whilst providing a first-class guest experience. We look forward to opening the doors of The Bonobo very soon.”
Following the opening of the Double Bay studio in October, Reset will expand its wellness offering to Byron Bay. Reset at The Bonobo will feature traditional cedar saunas, ice baths, a eucalyptus steam room, magnesium bath and vitamin C showers, in addition to a private treatment room dedicated to LED light therapy, facials and restorative body treatments. Treatments will be available to both hotel guests and the wider Byron Bay community.
Reset co-founder William Schrumpf and co-founder and creative director Melissa Schrumpf say: “We are thrilled to be working with Raes to introduce Reset to Byron Bay. Our vision has always been to create a thoughtful space that offers a deeply personal and holistic approach to wellbeing. The Reset experience will be intentionally personal, centered around private and small group sessions in an elevated environment designed to feel like a private home. The Bonobo offers a natural opportunity to explore what we do in Double Bay to translate into a new setting – shaping a considered yet restorative experience that reflects the spirit and community that Byron Bay is known for.”
The Bonobo will comprise 33 hotel rooms, in addition to 4 one-bedroom homes, 28 two-bedroom homes and 9 three-bedroom homes, all managed by Raes and suitable for both short and longer stays. With generous layouts and the ability to connect with adjoining rooms to create larger multi-bedroom homes, the property is ideal for families and groups looking for flexible, spacious stays, whilst maintaining the thoughtful service, design integrity and attention to detail that defines the Raes experience. All homes will feature a kitchen and laundry for effortless extended stays, and will be fitted with Breville appliances, featuring pieces from the Aboriginal Culinary Journey collection.
Located at 116–118 Jonson Street, Byron Bay, The Bonobo is a three-storey modernist building designed by Richards & Spence, with interior design by Studio Manifold. Studio Manifold has created a cohesive interior experience that complements the building’s bold architectural form, while drawing on a materiality that reflects Byron Bay’s coastal environment. In the Lobby Lounge, courtyard, wellness areas, rooftop pool and hotel rooms and residences, the studio focused on warmth, tactility and flow – using natural wood, soft plaster finishes, stone and layered textures to create a sense of calm and understated luxury.
The hotel’s food and drinks are curated by two-headed Raes Dining Room chef Jason Saxby. At its center is the Lobby Lounge, a relaxed all-day space that can accommodate up to 50 guests, designed to evolve seamlessly throughout the day, from morning coffee to long lunches and afternoon aperitivo.
The hotel’s in-room dining menu and rooftop menu offer elevated takes on hotel classics, including a club sandwich, steak frites and a classic cheeseburger, each executed from a distinctly Raes perspective. The offering is designed to be enjoyed in the room, on the private terraces or by the rooftop pool and is available daily from 7am to midnight.
Positioned as a cultural touchstone in the city centre, The Bonobo connects locals and visitors, old and new Byron, offering a dynamic yet boutique retreat for those seeking spacious, flexible accommodation with Raes’ signature service and style.
As part of the wider Raes portfolio, which includes Raes Hotel, Raes Guesthouses and Sea Raes, The Bonobo by Raes will provide a more social expression of the brand in Byron Bay city centre. Raes’ Bonobo will open in June 2026, with retail partners to be announced in the coming months.
Hotel bookings are now available via https://thebonobo.com.au/.
