Surprise Byron Bay hotel joins elite MICHELIN list

BOUTIQUE Byron Bay hotel BASQ House has become the only property in the Northern Rivers to receive a MICHELIN Key in the French company’s newly launched hotel guide.

The accolade is the accommodation equivalent of a MICHELIN Star, recognising exceptional hospitality and design in the global hotel industry.

Located on Marvell Street, the 32-room BASQ House opened in 2024. The design-led hotel caters to couples and solo travellers, drawing inspiration from the grandeur of Moroccan riads. Features include a magnesium pool, a library with an open fireplace, a rooftop terrace and bespoke furniture and art.

The five-star hotel is the creation of David Jones and Jeremy Holmes, who met while working at Elements of Byron resort before forming hotel management company Jeremy & Jones in 2020. They partnered with Melbourne-based developers Matt Walsh and Shane Wilkinson to bring their vision to life.

Jones, a former president of local tourism association Destination Byron, said the team was thrilled to be among just 35 Australian hotels recognised in the prestigious guide.

“We were surprised to be honest, as our hotel’s type of luxury isn’t ‘loud’,” he said. “It’s designed to compound quietly over time, so it was really nice be recognised so early in our journey.

“Our operating model is heavily influenced by my experiences working in hotels throughout Europe, so it’s personally so nice to be recognised by the European authority on restaurants and hotels.”

Jones attributed the accolade to both the launch campaign and the uniqueness of the hotel, which has experienced above market level occupancy during its first year.

“The hotel and its branding are designed to resonate with travellers seeking belonging over escape, and experience over excess,” he said. “This runs counter to the current lifestyle hotel boom, whose offerings lean into escapism and excess.

“That’s how the ‘House’ model came to life. It’s all about quality, not quantity — timeless design instead of fleeting trends, and real depth over distraction. It’s about giving guests something genuine, distinctive and effortless.”

Following the success of BASQ House, Jeremy & Jones has a second ‘House’ under construction in Brisbane and additional projects planned for the Gold Coast and Melbourne.

Other hotels to receive one key in the guide include qualia on Hamilton Island, Capella Sydney and the Ritz-Carlton Melbourne.

Capella Lodge on Lord Howe Island and Saffire Freycinet in Tasmania were among those to receive two keys, while Lizard Island Resort in Tropical North Queensland was the only Australian property to receive three keys.