The idea of the common-or-garden motel was as soon as a final resort the place drained travellers stopped in for the night time once they couldn’t or didn’t need to drive any additional. A comfort at finest, a essential peril at worst. Now, these fantastically renovated retro resorts are a vacation spot in themselves.
Anybody who’s stayed in an authentic roadside motel—both again within the day or now—is aware of what I imply once I say, with all due respect, that they’ll have a sure ‘murdery’ high quality. You by no means really feel fairly secure.
Up till lately, this was a majority of motels and roadside inns. However then one thing occurred: a realisation of the nostalgia potential that these roadtrip stop-gaps held.
Flip up the quantity on the kitsch, get an AVO out on the much less convivial features and also you’re onto one thing nice.
Since then, motels up and down the nation have been having fun with a renaissance.
Merimbula, some seven hours south of Sydney, is the oyster heartland of the gorgeous Sapphire Coast. Down at sea stage, its magnificent blue lake grows among the most interesting Sydney rocks you’ll ever style.
And on the high of the very best level in Merimbula and boasting the “finest view on the town” from the purple signal on its roof now light pink from the solar, the aptly named Hillcrest Motel appears down on all of it.
Try our fast walkthrough video of the Hillcrest right here:
We pull into the winding drive of the motel and our eyes are compulsively drawn to the vista past the flat porch of the reception.
You’ll be able to see the entire city from up right here—all the way in which down the water. The bay, the seaside and the inlet to Merimbula Lake, with its rows of oyster leases cross-hatching darkish strains throughout the sensible blue water, lie earlier than us.
Finest view on the town certainly.
Our Room At Hillcrest Motel, Merimbula
Very similar to the views from right here, at first look nothing a lot appears to have modified on the Hillcrest. Many authentic options stay on this splendidly positioned ‘70s motor inn.
You park your automobile outdoors your door. As you enter, the minibar and loo are on both facet the room’s entrance. Then by a fake artwork deco arch is the principle room with the mattress, again door and balcony.
It’s as it might have been 40 or so years in the past.
The distinction, nevertheless, is the element. And the main points listed below are profound.
The mattress is now enormous and cozy, and is laid with thick sheets and a wonderful Portuguese linen blanket. There’s a seductive chase longue on a curved concrete plinth in opposition to one wall and a low cane armchair by one other.
Curvy bedside tables are minimalist, but additionally extra attention-grabbing than only a sq. field, and the ground not sports activities low-maintenance carpet. As an alternative a gentle luxurious rug hugs your ft and makes you are feeling at residence.
These comparisons with what was once and what’s right here now do make a distinction, however much more poignant are the present contrasts which have been left in on function.
It’s the sleek polished concrete flooring, however the previous brick paving as you are available in. It’s the Christmas cake brown classic tiles within the toilet flooring in opposition to shiny new white ones that clad the wall.
It’s the unique teak chest of drawers and wardrobe versus the boho beachy tongue-and-groove bead head and the enormous paper pendant lamp hanging within the nook.
Past the room, the boxy balcony, exposing the grizzled darkish brick of the constructing, hasn’t been touched. That’s if you happen to don’t rely the enjoyable shiny purple out of doors setting and—better of all—the double-sliding door. This glides again to open two thirds of the wall as much as the recent sea air.
All of those enhancements and improvements nonetheless mean you can be taken again to how this place should’ve appeared again within the day, whereas on the similar time coddling you with high-end, fashionable comforts.
Kevin Murphy toiletries, the large TV (which is already logged into Netflix for you by the way in which), even a set of binoculars on the facet to take full benefit of the view, all of them work collectively in direction of the identical message.
Different Amenities At Hillcrest Motel
In fact, the retro luxe really feel of Hillcrest doesn’t cease with the rooms. Previous the lovable little reception, a hall encourages you all the way down to the bar and lounge.
With its mahogany timber flooring and excessive ceiling, this large ethereal room is the right spot to loosen up.
The beachy ‘70s vibe ramps up right here, with previous picket surfboards and surf tradition posters on the partitions. There are even classic tennis rackets of their picket frames, units of golf golf equipment of their luggage and Mid Century Trendy furnishings all through, all including to the texture.
But it surely’s by the floor-to-ceiling home windows that stretch the width of the room the place the actual affect of this room lies. Feeling extra like a surf lifesaving membership than ever, the final couple of metres of the lounge is all glass looking in direction of the ocean. There’s additionally an open-air balcony and bar stools good for having fun with a wine or beer from the honesty bar inside and taking within the views.
Down beneath the lounge, there’s a tennis courtroom if you happen to fancy a success and an LA type pool for a dip, although the landscaping right here is extra about lounging than swimming.
On cooler nights, there’s a communal fireplace pit and, dotted across the lawns, comfortable chairs and sofas flip the entire out of doors space into the perfect sundowner expertise.
Pamper Your self At Safir Home
Though there are not any spa or wellness amenities on website at Hillcrest, down in Merimbula city, you’ll discover Safir Home. As you stroll in, you get all of the vibes of an everyday day spa. Gently perfumed air, gentle lighting, fluffy towels and lilting music welcome you in.
However you gained’t discover any of the same old therapeutic massage and facial remedies right here.
Safir Home is extra centered on the confluence between science and wellness. Providers right here embody ice baths, infrared saunas and lymphatic drainage. It’s a spot to return and loosen up, however Safir Home can be dedicated to encouraging well being and vitality too.
Driving On The Hillcrest Of The Wave
Hillcrest may be very a lot a part of the new-wave renovated motels that provide you with that notion of nostalgia, however on the similar time are cleverly adorned in order to have some enjoyable with the unique really feel of the motel.
Different prime examples of this motion are locations like Bannisters at Mollymook and Araluen Motor Lodge in Bateman’s Bay. Contained inside their authentic retro shells, the rooms are far-off from what they as soon as have been.
Thoughts you, there’s a sense that these motels have all the time had a sure sense of glamour. Similar to these others, the air of romance at Hillcrest goes past what’s right here now.
The romance right here is historic.
