Travel Diary: My Queensland Roadtrip Part 3: Byron Bay

BYRON BAY

After breakfast at the Sofitel Gold Coast Broadbeach we were back in our UberSelect vehicles, and off we went to BYRON BAY!!!

You all know my love for Byron Bay, where I spent my short (but lovely) honeymoon, then returned 4 years in a row thereafter, and more recently, came back with my two little ones...So this was for me, the highlight of my QLD trip...

Having only opened recently (earlier this year), Elements of Byron, of MGallery by Sofitel, is Byron Bay's first world-class beachfront resort, impressively situated on 50 acres, which encompasses almost 2km of beach frontage on Belongi Beach (the beach I usually stay at when I visit Byron Bay!).  There are currently 94 Villas (with a further 96 being built), with their design driven by reverence to the four landscape ecologies present on the site: rainforest, dunal, eucalypt and wetland. And although they may look humble from the outside, inside they were all about quiet luxury.

The mosaic tiling on this bar was so beautiful!

 Yessssss!

'Grazing'  at Elements of Byron - the crab-filled hole doughnuts, burratta, and parfait were my favourite! Ok, oysters too, and stuffed squid...ok, everything!

The only way to while away the afternoon after an amazing lunch is swinging on a daybed over a pool...

 Bikini: Lisa Marie Fernandez 'Mira' in denim (available at MyTheresa, Farfetch, Browns Fashion and Matches Fashion - which is where I got mine from; also love it in black, and might purchase it in white when it comes out).

Hat: bought at Nihiwatu

Photo obligingly taken by Shellie Froidevaux, who is in fact a Food Photographer (and I saw on her website, explicitly says "does not do portraits" :D), thank you for making an exception Shellie!

And sipping a cocktail!

No fighting required, there are 3 daybeds to share...wave hi to Natalie everyone!

Then treated to an amazing massage and facial at the hotel's Osprey Spa, such beautiful zen vibes inside!

Beautiful hotel grounds...en route to morning yoga overlooking the sunrise by the beach...

 We were treated to an incredible degustation by chef Justin Dingle-Garciyya at the hotel's restaurante Graze at Elements, repeating some favourites we had lunch plus loads more amazing dishes! This was one of my favourites (in addition to the favourites from lunchtime): octopus with compressed watermelon, watercress and wasabi...sooooo goood!

Next morning: Amazing amazing amazing buffet breakfast at Graze at Elements overlooking the hotel pool! The coconut chia pudding was SO good!

 And the A la Carte breakfast menu had me with hearts for eyes...

Greedy? Who, me?!? Here's the sambuca-cured salmon with dill hollaindaise with a side of avocado, and the 'waffles special' which was served with poached pear and berries. Uhuh, YUM!

And after breakfast thus concluded this fabulous fabulous road trip! Such a spectacular time spent with lovely people over incredible food!  Thank you Accor Hotels and UberSelect for the amazing ride!

All photos taken by me (bar the picture of me over the pool, which was taken by Shellie Froidevaux)

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Travel Diary: My Queensland Roadtrip Part 1 - BRISBANE

I was recently given the opportunity to embark on a fabulous food-filled road trip with Accor Hotels from Brisbane to Byron with a group of amazing girls, which I couldn't resist saying 'yes' to.  I mean, you all know how Byron Bay is my happy place here Down Under! And food?!? LIVE to eat!

As soon as I touched down in sunny Brisbane, I was whisked to the Sofitel Brisbane Central for a fabulous French 'Sky Picnic': the hotel offers a service where they pack you a fabulous picnic which you can take with you as you explore the city. Instead, we got to enjoy the most dreamy picnic I've ever seen in their beautifully-decorated terrace, complete with French patisserie, charcuterie and delicious salads...Oh, and a glass or two of champagne...because as they say, when in France, or in this case, at a French picnic...

I felt like I was Alice in Wonderland...a wonderland of amazing food, that is!

Cheeeeeeese!

 I seriously had hearts for eyes when gawking at this spread! I mean, just look at it! Sofitel Brisbane's executive Chef Patrice Falantin sure brought everyone's dreams to reality with this picnic!

 Greedy? Who, me? I actually ate another slice of tart in addition to these, eeps!

Don't worry, I also had my fill of deliciously healthy salads! The quinoa chicken salad was delish!

After lunch we returned to The New Inchcolm Hotel, for an afternoon preview of their 'Girls Night In', the hotel' new offering, where we enjoyed manicures, cheese, and wine and chatter at one of their beautiful suites! Because we weren't full enough from lunch (not!).  Such a fun way to spend an afternoon! And a fabulous way to have fun with some girl friends! Am thinking this would be a great idea for a hen's 'night' too (especially since my little sister is getting married in August!)

 The New Inchcolm Hotel is part of Accor's M Gallery by Sofitel series of boutique hotels, and is a newly renovated heritage-listed building, that has retained a lot of its charm (with elegant Art Deco furnishings, beautiful tiled flooring, and even a fabulously refurbished old elevator that I couldn't help smiling in whenever I saw it!). Boasting 50 elegant room options, that include one and two-bedroom suites, it also holds Brisbane's first loft-style hotel two-storied suites (which is where I stayed), all beautifully contemporary but with elegant edge in this vintage luxury hotel.

After a little downtime, we were ready to party on with some fabulous cocktails at the New Inchcolm's elegant Socialites Bar, their 20's decor and ambiance, was the perfect setting for a relaxed and fun start to the evening. We kicked off the evening with 'The Socialite': spiced rum, pear and ginger liqueurs served with fresh pear.

After drinks we adjourned to the hotel's chef-hatted Thomson's Reserve restaurant, and were treated to a fabulous dinner by Chef Michael Crosbie, who has developed a menu that hones in on simple clean flavours whilst celebrating unique Australian ingredients.

 Loved the beautiful ambiance at the Thomson's Reserve restaurant..

This grilled wagyu rump cap, with glazed short rib, cider jelly and pistachio brittle, absolutely delicious!  The tasting menu offered matched wines, and instead of a wine, this dish was paired with a Custard and Co apple cider from Western Australia.

After dinner I rolled back into my beautiful suite for some R&R and off to the land of nod in this cloud of a bed.

And in the morning, it was time to eat again! Thought I'd order in to enjoy the beautiful lounge on the downstairs floor of my loft suite... 

Eggs benedict and brioche french toast with berries and toasted almonds, yum!

Well, that was after I ate some macarons I found next to my bed the day before...the Inchcolm Hotel sure know the way to a girl's heart!

Bag: Chloe Faye available at Selfridges (in the larger size too), clutch version at Forward, and at Neiman Marcus

Pyjamas: Personalized PJ's in the softest cotton ever from Keep it Personal. 

Love me an oozy egg yolk!

After breakfast we were off to our next stop: Gold Coast!

Watch this space for Part 2 of my Travel Diary.

All pictures taken by me on my DSLR and iPhone. ©

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Blissful Byron Bay

Apologies for disappearing again, but I have been too busy packing, unpacking, packing and upacking again, the last trip being to Byron Bay.  Remember this post?  We hadn't been back to Byron Bay since Lil' Brigs #1 was 3 months older.  Fast forward 4 years later, and I'm so so happy I got to take her back as well as Lil' Brigs #2.  They both had an absolute ball, and it was such a joy sharing our place, beach, gelateria with them.  One cannot help but relax and be happy in Byron Bay, it's just blissful...

 Our favourite beach: Watego's - I love how this little cove of a beach is shielded from the wind, making it perfect for the little ones to play hours on end...

 The green smoothie (one of the best ever!) and muffins (mango and coconut, as well as the blueberry and coconut gluten free cake in particular) were just amazing at Belongil Bistro (as was the green eggs and ham - amazing!), I also had so many amazing smoothies and vegan treats/desserts at Naked Treaties.

We ate 4 times at Treehouse on Belongil, and 3 out of those times we had this seafood pizza (made in a wood fire oven), just delish! This roasted pumpkin salad with red quinoa and fetta was amazing!

 We loved Bayleaf Cafe for their coffees and brekkies, this was a wild rice risotto made with almond milk and coconut cream, roasted spiced star fruit and blueberries...yum!  The little ones had a ball drawing on the pavement with big chalk provided by the cafe, what a brilliant idea!

 Swimsuit: Seafolly Goddess Maillot (available here and here), Lumira perfume (available here)

Wish I were there again!  In addition to the above we also eat/ate a lot at Kinoko and O-sushi, both favourites for many trips, and now a favourite of the little ones too! And the best gelato in town at Bella Rosa Gelateria.

Happy weekend everyone!

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Byron Bay - happy memories always!

I love Byron Bay. I only have fond memories of the place, and it all started in:

2007

I had always planned to go to Brazil for my honeymoon, but when my job at the time would not allow me to take any unpaid leave (I had to beg for 3 days, and was told I was lucky to even be awarded those 3 days off after my wedding - unpaid leave was not awarded unless under 'special circumstances' - call me crazy, but I thought getting married fell under that category). Anyways...since we only had 3 days, we decided to go to Byron Bay. It was my first time there, and although it was the Hinterland (ie. the rainforest/mountainous region) and not Byron Bay itself...it was a perfect place to relax:





2008

One year later my little sister was visiting from London, and hoping for some beach & sunshine. We decided to go to Byron Bay, unfortunately there was a lot of rain, but we did manage to soak a few rays of sunshine, and had a ball.


At my favourite beach in Byron Bay - Watego's - it is the same beach we return to every year

At my favourite Japanese restaurant in Byron - Kinoko
wearing: Topshop maxi dress & Rosa Cha bikini

PS. IndiaFrancis (aka Demanding Anon), it was during this trip that I went to Bangalow (that you recommended I visit), love that cute little town! (It was where I found the dress I wore in this post.)

2008

In the middle of the year, hubby & I decided to return to Byron Bay to escape the cold winter and celebrate my birthday. We stayed in a cute place overlooking the river, and it was absolutely beautiful & relaxing:




The best gelati in town...I have it everytime I come to Byron Bay, and this last trip, had it 4 times!

2009

We returned to Byron Bay when hubby needed to take a break from his studies last year. Sadly, we forgot our camera!

2010

Some things have changed since I first came to Byron Bay: upgraded cameras, gained a lot of weight (boo hoo!), but most importantly: added a new member to our family!






Wearing: hat I purchased at a chemist/pharmacy in Byron Bay
Tiffany & Co aviator sunglasses
Dress: purchased in Phuket, Thailand 3 years ago
Bikini: Jets by Jessika Allen (purchased at Byron Bay 2 years ago)

We only ate out for dinner once, at Cyprus Tree, a Cypriate restaurant we have dined at twice before. It is a lovely place...I was quite sad to find that my favourite Italian restaurant, Pasquale, had closed down since last year.


Pasta with meatballs, fetta & tomato

Klefthico - slow roasted goat with potatoes

Haloumi - yum!

Dolmades

Chargrilled calamari

One thing remains the same: Byron Bay is the 'go-to' place for sun, fun and relaxation...