Byron Bay Hotel Comes to Market

A boutique hotel in one of Australia’s hottest destinations—Byron Bay—has come to market.

The Sunseeker, on a 6337sq m Bangalow Road corner site, offers 12 guest rooms, nine self-contained bungalows, a three-bedroom residence plus a caretaker studio apartment.

Facilities include a mineral-heated pool with a poolside bar and cabana, fire pit, retro coffee cart, lobby library lounge, children’s playground, edible gardens and beehives.

The property reopened its doors in early 2021 after a significant refurbishment, gaining recognition as Australia’s sole entry in Condé Nast Traveller’s The Hot List 2021: Best New Hotels.

Last year The Sunseeker opened The Residence, a luxurious three-bedroom house that now forms part of the hotel’s assets. It features its own barrel sauna, luxury bathrooms and full kitchen with signature rose quartz benchtop.

▲ The Sunseeker was reopened in 2021 after extensive renovations.

CBRE Hotels’ Wayne Bunz and Hayley Manvell have been appointed to handle the sale of the property

“Byron Bay’s allure, coupled with its recognition as a celebrity hotspot, positions it as a highly coveted investment destination. These factors will fuel interest in The Sunseeker from high-net-worth investors globally,” Bunz said.

The property also includes 1250sq m of vacant land that has an active development approval for extra accommodation. Investors can also explore alternative options such as additional accommodation or wellness-oriented activities, subject to the relevant council planning approvals.

Currently operated by the owner’s management team, The Sunseeker is available for sale with vacant possession, suitable for owner-operators or brands looking to enter Byron Bay’s tightly held hotel market.

The recent NSW Government approval of a 60-day cap on short-term rental accommodations starting September 2024 is expected to positively impact the hotel market.

▲ The Byron property also includes 1250sq m of vacant land that has an active development approval for extra accommodation.

“Limited availability in rental accommodations is expected to drive tourists to established hotel assets, ultimately boosting occupancy and revenue,” Manvell said.

Expressions of interest in The Sunseeker are open until March 20, 2024, unless sold prior.

The Byron hotel sector is among the tightest and most desired in the nation. 

In July last year, plans for a four-storey hotel were slated for the site of The Hibiscus Motel at 33 Lawson Street.

It would be demolished, while the neighbouring Waves Motel was expected to be retained, refurbished and incorporated into the new hotel design.

And in February, Johns Lyng Group chief executive Scott Didier sold his 52-key hotel in Byron for just shy of his $30-million ambitions—the first hotel transaction above $20 million in the tourism hotspot since 2019. 

The transaction of the 52-key Palm-Springs-style hotel was negotiated by Andrew Langsford, Gareth Closter and Taylor O’Brien of JLL’s hospitality group.

▲ The Gollan Hotel at Lismore has also come to market.

Meanwhile, about an hour up the road, a landmark hotel and its associated retail spaces at Lismore has also come to market.

The Gollan Hotel, at the corner of Keen and Woodlark streets in the regional centre’s CBD, famously played host to Queen Elizabeth II during her royal tour in 1954—the only pub she stayed in during that visit.

Anchor tenant the Northern Co-operative Meat Co occupy all 29 accommodation rooms on a registered commercial lease.

Extensively renovated, the property comprises a 1037sq m land holding, E2 Commercial Centre Zoning and a 20.5m height restriction.

The asset generates net income of about $500,000 excluding GST a year derived from six individual tenancies.

There are also three vacant spaces (including the former hotel area) that can be leased to generate about an extra $180,000 a year in income.

The freehold interest in the Gollan Hotel is offered for sale via expressions of interest manged by JLL Hotels & Hospitality Group, closing April 4.