Halcyon House
Since opening its arched doorways a few years ago, Halcyon House has been making waves on the luxury beachfront. The former 1960s motel favored by Cabarita surfers now attracts fashionable Gold Coast converts with its eclectic interiors and easygoing attitude. Walls in the 21 rooms are all upholstered in different fabrics; furnishings are seaside chic, accented with a delightful mishmash collected from flea markets and estate sales. Striped loungers add a Hollywood-heyday touch to the teak-lined pool. Wunderkind Chef Ben Devlin whips up simple coastal cuisine in Paper Daisy restaurant.
QX insider
The hotel keeps a fleet of basket-adorned vintage bicycles for pedaling along the beachfront, as well as two house Audi 1s for road trips to Byron Bay and the sleepy town of Bangalow.