Each evening, as the sun slips into the Indian Ocean and the sky turns a deep burnt orange, guests at Cable Beach Club Resort & Spa lean on the railings at the Sunset Bar, easing into ‘Broome-time’ – the local rhythm of slow living. Below them, a string of camels meandering across Broome’s (Rubibi) most famous beach are silhouetted against the horizon as a cool breeze takes away the day’s heat.

Inside the resort, ceiling fans turn lazily, tropical plants sway, and a quiet gong from the Chahoya Spa signals the last treatment of the day. Here in Broome’s oldest luxury resort, schedules and to-do lists are best left at the front desk as you check in and sip your welcome drink.

Founded by Lord Alistair McAlpine, British businessman and one-time advisor to UK Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, Cable Beach Club was conceived as more than just a resort – it was central to his bold vision to put Broome on the (tourist) map. Designed with architecture that reflects the Kimberley region’s rich cultural influences, the resort’s origins are as colourful as its setting, with the original deal famously signed on the back of a beer coaster in the 1980s.

“Broome is a melting pot of culture and cuisine with a rich history,” says Cable Beach Club’s Marketing Manager Jessica Taylor, “and this is celebrated through the resort’s architecture, which blends with our stunning landscapes.”

From the welcoming boab tree and the distinctive red accents at reception to the ornate Japanese-style gates leading to swimming pools set among 23 acres of tropical gardens, Cable Beach Club creates a sense of place that reflects Broome’s past while remaining deeply in tune with today’s travellers.

The signature red latticework seen throughout the resort reflects Broome’s multicultural heritage, particularly its Asian and colonial architecture: the use of red is a gentle homage to traditional Chinese and Malay design elements found in the town’s early buildings.

As a nod to McAlister’s passion for art and collecting, the resort is filled with Asian antiques, Indonesian teak furniture, and Indigenous artworks, with suites that feature works by contemporary Australian artists.

“For example, the Price-Jones Suite is named after wildlife painter Humphrey Price-Jones, and the Nolan Suite after famous Australian painter Sidney Nolan. The distinctive Nolan style of paintings is also on display at reception and in the Chahoya Day Spa,” explains Taylor.

Chahoya Spa is considered one of the most luxurious regional spas in the country, and with good reason. Appropriately named after the Japanese word for ‘pamper’, there are seven private suites, including a double Vichy shower room, plus a relaxing lounge where you can sip on steaming chai tea after your treatment.

Adding even more flavour to the experience, guests can choose from fresh Italian cuisine at the recently refurbished Cichetti Bar and Boardwalk, relaxed poolside fare at the new Sol Mediterranean Restaurant, vibrant Asian fusion at the Thai-inspired Kichi Kichi, or local ingredients and spices at Sunset Grill, overlooking the ocean.

While the resort is open year-round, Jessica says the most popular months are from May to September, when the temperatures hover around a balmy 25–30 degrees Celsius and the cobalt skies are clear.

“From guests enjoying a leisurely aperitivo at Cichetti Boardwalk and lounging poolside surrounded by bougainvillea to experiencing Broome and the Kimberley on a day trip, the resort comes alive during these months,” says Taylor.

Even the local wildlife gravitates to the lush gardens, with wallabies quietly enjoying the shade of large tropical leaves and the sweetness of tropical flowers. It’s in these sun-soaked moments of stillness that Cable Beach Club honours both its legacy and its future as a luxury cultural sanctuary at the heart of Broome.