5 Design-Led Hotels Near Brisbane For Your Most Stylish Road Trip Yet
The joy is in the journey
Far from the “are we there yet?” chaos, a road trip can be intimate, scenic and quietly luxurious. With the right ingredients – great company, a worth-the-drive stay and a smooth ride – it becomes the escape your busy schedule has been craving. A chance to slow down, reconnect with nature, and truly unwind.
This year, we’re encouraging you to take the road less travelled and veer away from the usual coastal hotspots. Instead, slip into a design-led stay that feels as beautiful as its surroundings. With plenty of destinations just a short drive from Brisbane, the journey becomes part of the experience from the moment you hit the road. After all, it’s not just about where you’re going – it’s how you get there.
From sleek Noosa retreats to rustic Bangalow homesteads, these are the considered places and spaces that make the road trip well worth it.
Make the journey a destination in itself
When the destination is design-led, the journey should feel just as considered. That means turning the drive itself into an indulgent experience – starting the moment you pull out of the driveway. In other words, you deserve to travel in style.
The latest innovation of the electric age, Polestar’s coupé SUV is making luxe getaways even more sophisticated. Eco-friendly and aerodynamic, with fashion-inspired interiors, Polestar 4 refines every moment on the road. Take in breathtaking hinterland views on the drive to Byron through panoramic windows, or sink into calming ocean energy with electric reclining seating.
The more elevated, eco-friendly way to travel, its range of up to 620km (WLTP) has a trip out of the city and back well and truly covered, no charging required. With Polestar 4, the holiday doesn’t stop when you check out; it continues right up until you hit home’s familiar driveway.
Stylish stays
Hotel Marvell, Byron Bay
Designed to impress, Hotel Marvell invites you into sun-dappled, slow mornings framed by natural materials and refined finishes. Set in the heart of Byron Bay – and just five minutes from the beach – it boasts some of the best views in town, complete with a panoramic rooftop pool, standout in-house dining, and beautifully considered accommodation. It’s the kind of place made for unwinding, indulging, and exploring at your own pace.
Road trip tip: Down for a day trip? After checking in and charging up at the hotel, explore the glorious countryside with a long drive through Byron’s hinterland. Journey through winding roads and towering trees, experiencing sunny skies through Polestar 4‘s panoramic glass roof, before stopping off at the cascading Minyon Falls in the Nightcap National Park – an easy, breezy two-hour round-trip back to the hotel (no servo required).
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Il Delfino, Yamba
The artistic renovation of a 1940s oceanfront cottage, Il Delfino, is the picturesque, private enclave perched above Yamba’s Convent Beach. Paying homage to its roots and grounded by family values, Il Defino is a celebration of community, scenery, and contemporary design. Embrace artistic murals from artist-in-residence, Heidi Middleton, placed intentionally throughout each suite and bungalow, all enhanced by Mediterranean touches – vibrant orange umbrellas, and contrasting white verandahs. Take an easy stroll following the rocky foreshore to the village, or use it as a centre point for a road trip at Il Delfino; everything is within reach.
Road trip Tip: Fuel up while you charge up. Even though Polestar 4 can take just 30 minutes to charge from 10-80%, use the stopover as a reason to see the sights. On the way to Yamba, and under two hours outside of Brisbane, The Farm Byron Bay is your eco-travel escape. While making good use of The Farm’s EV charging stations, indulge in a farm-to-table feast at Three Blue Ducks, then explore the Farm’s sunflower fields, nurseries, and organic farm.
The Range Estates, Bangalow
Created by Tom and Emma Lane after more than 20 years of crafting equally bold and beautiful spaces, Copperstone Homestead has been shaped by the lush Bangalow landscape. A design-led celebration of organic elegance, the homestead consciously sources local materials, with interiors that are rich, rustic, and effortlessly luxurious. Inviting guests to fully immerse in nature and connected living, the space is led by thoughtful, eco-conscious design.
Road trip tip: While in the midst of your quiet hinterland getaway, keep things eco-conscious – from how you travel to what’s on your plate. Time your stay with the Bangalow Markets, held on the fourth Sunday of every month, where local growers, producers, and artisans come together to curate everything you need for cosy, in-stay wine-and-dine moments and beautifully home-cooked meals.
Elysium Resort, Noosa Heads
Mirroring the clean, elegant energy of your Polestar 4, Elysium Resort is Noosa Heads’ newest kid on the block, designed effortlessly for luxe travellers seeking a luxe coastal sanctuary. Find spacious living, cosy corners, and calming views, all naturally expressed, not overdone. For an extra layer of serenity, the Wellness Suite pairs an in-suite infrared sauna and magnesium mineral spa with a fully stocked fitness closet, delivering the ultimate deep release.
Road trip tip: When you’re right in the heart of the Sunshine Coast’s most exciting lifestyle precinct, make the most of your road trip with a stroll down Hastings Street, ending with an oceanfront Italian dining experience at Elysium’s very own Cibaria Noosa (you won’t regret it).
Sea Sea, Crescent Head
With earthy textures and sexy ’70s bach-pad energy, Sea Sea is an eclectic coastal stay unlike any other. Stay in one of their artsy rooms opening onto the patio and gardens, complete with skylights, unique artwork and décor collected over the years, and an old-school radio. Sea Sea combines laid-back surfer energy with modern luxury accommodation.
Road trip tip: Sun, sea, surf. If the mid North Coast of New South Wales is known for anything, it’s the surf. Crescent Heads is a paradise for any surfie seeking crystal-clear waters and consistent breaks. And when you’ve got the gear, it makes catching those waves so much more seamless. Pack all the essentials, from your wetsuit to your shortboard, within the spacious interiors of your Polestar 4. Surf’s up!
Feeling inspired to plan your next road trip? As you know, the joy is in the journey – so travel with style and sophistication up your sleeve. Polestar 4 is the start of your most elevated road trip yet, because, after all, the drive makes all the difference. Peruse their in-stock collection here.
Imagery: @ildelfino__ / Polestar / @therangeestates
