Lux bathhouse built into old Mullumbimby bank
A HOTEL and spa aficionado, the owner of The Middle Pub at Mullumbimby, has launched an enchanting new luxury enterprise in the heart of the Byron Shire town.
The Banya bathhouse, built on the sunbaked bricks of a 1920s bank, is a twist on a traditional European bathhouse, and a first of its kind in Mullumbimby,
It features a marble tiled pool, hot mineral pools, wood-fired sauna, steam room and a cold plunge.
The man behind The Banya, Brendan Lawless, said he wanted to breathe new life into the space while preserving the original building.
“In Europe, going to the banya is a social experience. It’s in their blood,” he said.
“While we might go to the pub or a restaurant, they’ll go to the banya for a few hours.
It‘s food, it’s drinks, it’s wellness and connecting.”
Interior designer Mardi Borrack from Style Agenda was commissioned due to her background in the film industry and experience in periodspecific design – essential to preserve the old bank’s history.
Local builders Swell transformed the building with contemporary elements while respecting its history
An original concept, The Banya has possum footprints embedded in the 1920s bricks and includes original bank safes which have been hand painted.
Hospitality identity and former owner and operator of Coolangatta Italian restaurant Tasca, Carlee Bufalino is now general manager of The Banya.
She said it was quite a process to take the bathhouse to its opening, but “everything came out in the wash”.
“We opened the exact right moment in time,” she said.
“When Brendan was able to acquire this gorgeous old bank building he thought it was the perfect spot to create something like the bathhouses of northern Europe, which are social as well as (about) wellness.
“He has the passion there and he has covered these experiences himself and had the means to make it a reality.”
The Banya has five massage rooms and a rooftop sundeck for post-treatment relaxation.
Guests are encouraged to stay for a long lunch or drinks with friends.
Ms Bufalino said creating a team in a restaurant setting was her bread and butter.
“Having it be in this beautiful building with this gorgeous concept is really exciting for me,” she said.
Ms Bufalino said she was “excited” to see The Banya visited by both Byron Shire residents and visitors.