Cabarita Beach, NSW – This winter marks a major milestone for one of Australia's most iconic stays. Halcyon House celebrates its 10th anniversary—honouring a decade of reimagining coastal luxury through a distinctly Australian lens.

When Halcyon House opened in 2015, it helped usher in a new era of travel—where experience, individuality and design mattered as much as amenities. Set against the stunning backdrop of Cabarita Beach, the 1960s surf motel-turned-boutique hotel immediately stood apart. With only 22 rooms, a hatted restaurant and a design narrative unlike any other, Halcyon House became a blueprint for boutique accommodation in Australia.

Designed by renowned interior designer Anna Spiro, Halcyon House's layered aesthetic—rich in textiles, antiques, and coastal whimsy—challenged the neutral minimalism of traditional luxury hotels and helped cement the hotel's place as a style icon. Her maximalist yet curated approach continues to define the property's personality and charm. Upon opening, Halcyon House became an instant sensation—the most Instagrammed hotel in Australia, heralding a new visual language for boutique travel that blended design, lifestyle and location.

Over the past decade, as the travel landscape has shifted—towards slower travel, deeper connection, and experiences over excess—Halcyon House has evolved while staying true to its essence. Its unwavering commitment to personal service, warm hospitality and design-forward thinking has ensured its continued relevance with new and existing generations of travellers.

The hotel has earned widespread acclaim from the global media. Vogue Living called it “the epitome of beachside elegance,” while Condé Nast Traveler described it as “one of the world's most beautiful hotels with a soul to match its style.” The Australian Financial Review hailed it as “a benchmark for boutique hospitality in Australia,” and Travel + Leisure named it “a must-visit destination for design lovers and ocean seekers alike.”

“When we opened Halcyon House, our vision was to create a place we ourselves wanted to stay—a hotel with soul, personality and warmth,” says Co-owner Elisha Bickle. “What's made Halcyon stand out over the last 10 years is that it's not just beautiful—it's deeply personal. Every detail is designed to make guests feel truly looked after.”

Over the past decade, the hotel has delivered a calendar of thoughtfully immersive events curated to bring guests closer to culture, creativity and community. These have included gourmet weekends showcasing celebrated Australian chefs, and an ongoing artist-in-residence program that invites visual storytellers to immerse themselves in the property and surroundings.

To mark this milestone year, Halcyon House is hosting a series of standout events that celebrate its community, creative collaborators, and the people who have shaped its journey. Highlights include a coastal culinary collaboration with acclaimed chef Danielle Alvarez, a styling Masterclass hosted by designer and tastemaker Steve Cordony, and a wellness retreat led by elite trainer Amanda Bisk. Each event reflects the layered lifestyle Halcyon House embodies—where design, food, wellbeing and connection intersect. A calendar of Spring/Summer activations will follow, inviting loyal and new guests and the local community to celebrate a decade of Halcyon magic.

Adding a playful and personal touch to the 10th anniversary, every guest who stays during the celebratory year will receive a complimentary miniature birthday cake—a nostalgic 100's and 1000's cake, inspired by classic Aussie childhood parties and reimagined by the Halcyon culinary team. It's a sweet, memory-laden detail that perfectly captures the spirit of Halcyon House: thoughtful, joyful, and unexpected.

The hotel's newly expanded wellness space has also been thoughtfully designed to meet guests' evolving needs. Complementing its coastal surrounds, the serene spa now features a state-of-the-art sauna, a dedicated cold plunge pool, a steam room, and treatment rooms—offering a full spectrum of contrast therapy and signature treatments that promote circulation, recovery, and deep relaxation. Whether beginning the day with an invigorating plunge or unwinding in the warmth of the sauna, guests are invited to reconnect with self and sea in this soothing sanctuary just moments from the shoreline.

Halcyon House has received dozens of accolades over the years, including recognition in the prestigious Condé Nast Traveler Gold List for the best hotels and resorts in the world as well as the Condé Nast Traveler Readers' Choice Awards, where the hotel has ranked among the top hotels in Australia and the South Pacific. Its signature restaurant, Paper Daisy, led by Executive Chef Andrew Milford, has earned hatted status and national acclaim for its regional, produce-led menu.

“At the heart of Halcyon's success is our incredible team,” says General Manager Laura Proctor. “Their genuine care, creativity and attention to detail is what makes every guest stay truly memorable. Halcyon House isn't just a hotel—it's an experience people carry with them long after they leave.”