On the curve of Byron Bay’s most coveted shoreline sits ESTE Wategos, a new definition of coastal escape. More than accommodation, it’s an architectural immersion designed for those who travel to feel inspired, not just rested.
Modern Australian Minimalism
Conceived by Dr George Bilios and Chris Bissiotis, ESTE is the work of Shaun Lockyer Architects—a name synonymous with modern Australian minimalism—and Fiona Dunin of FMD Architects, whose interiors breathe texture, calm, and quiet confidence. Together, they’ve created two sculptural villas that rise gently from the landscape, framed by rainforest and the endless blue of Wategos Beach.
Each villa spans three levels, with a rooftop terrace and a glass-bottom plunge pool that reflects sunlight onto hand-finished stone. Interiors are curated, not decorated—featuring pieces from Mark Tuckey, Jardan, and other Australian design icons. Every room feels intentional, layered with natural materials that age beautifully—spotted gum, travertine, and raw concrete in dialogue with sea breeze and light.
ESTE isn’t designed to impress loudly. Its beauty is felt in the details—the way a shadow falls across a curve of wall, or how ocean air circulates through open-plan living spaces. It’s a space that invites stillness, balancing structure and softness, refinement and retreat.
At its heart, ESTE is built around the philosophy of blue-green space—the intersection of water and vegetation, where the body and mind recalibrate. Guests wake to the sound of the Pacific, unwind beside the pool, and dine beneath the stars, cocooned by the surrounding bushland. It’s coastal living reimagined for modern luxury travellers: restorative, private, and profoundly Australian.
Re-Energise
At ESTE Wategos, every moment is curated with quiet precision. From the instant you arrive, the details disappear — transfers, dining, experiences — each one seamlessly arranged so you can focus on the art of being still.
Whether you’re arriving for a restorative escape or a private celebration, the ESTE team ensures every aspect of your stay reflects its surroundings: effortless, elegant, and deeply personal.
Services and experiences include:
- Airport transfers and on-arrival coordination
- Event and celebration planning, both on- and off-site
- Private in-residence massage and wellness treatments
- Expert recommendations for Byron Bay’s best spa experiences
- In-house catering and private dining for all culinary styles and dietary needs
- Personal chefs for bespoke dining occasions
- Local bookings and insider guidance on dining, culture, and nature
- Babysitting and childcare services
- Tailored itinerary design
From a chef-prepared dinner beneath the stars to the quiet luxury of an unhurried morning, ESTE invites you to rest, restore, and re-energise — all within the calm rhythm of Wategos Beach.
ESTE Wategos: A Sanctuary Between Ocean and Rainforest
Both villas can be reserved individually or together, hosting up to twelve guests in total. The flexibility makes ESTE ideal for families, design-minded groups, or executive escapes seeking privacy without isolation. Every service—from private chefs to in-villa wellness sessions—can be tailored, creating a seamless rhythm between indulgence and intention.
“ESTE was never about excess,” says Bilios. “It’s about connection—to nature, to design, to time spent well.”
That ethos runs through every space. ESTE is a place to exhale, to slow down, to experience Byron Bay through an architectural lens—one where luxury is measured not by opulence, but by harmony.
Whether you’re arriving for a long weekend or a long-overdue pause, ESTE Wategos invites you to inhabit something extraordinary. Here, architecture becomes accommodation, and every stay feels like an act of restoration.
Written By: Claudia H
Published: 28th October 2025