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 crucial peril at worst. Now, these superbly renovated retro accommodations are a vacation spot in themselves.
Anyone who’s stayed in an authentic roadside motel—both again within the day or now—is aware of what I imply after I say, with all due respect, that they’ll have a sure ‘murdery’ high quality. You by no means really feel fairly protected.
Up till just lately, this was a majority of motels and roadside inns. But then one thing occurred: a realisation of the nostalgia potential that these roadtrip stop-gaps held.
Turn up the amount on the kitsch, get an AVO out on the much less convivial facets 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 attractive Sapphire Coast. Down at sea degree, its magnificent blue lake grows among the best Sydney rocks you’ll ever style.
And on the high of the very best level in Merimbula and boasting the “best view in town” from the crimson signal on its roof now light pink from the solar, the aptly named Hillcrest Motel seems down on all of it.
Check out 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 can see the entire city from up right here—all the best way down the water. The bay, the seashore and the inlet to Merimbula Lake, with its rows of oyster leases cross-hatching darkish traces throughout the sensible blue water, lie earlier than us.
Best view on the town certainly.
Our Room At Hillcrest Motel, Merimbula
Much just like 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 toilet are on both facet the room’s entrance. Then by a pretend 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, nonetheless, is the element. And the small print listed here are profound.
The mattress is now large and cozy, and is laid with thick sheets and an exquisite Portuguese linen blanket. There’s a seductive chase longue on a curved concrete plinth towards one wall and a low cane armchair by one other.
Curvy bedside tables are minimalist, but in addition extra fascinating than only a sq. field, and the ground now not sports activities low-maintenance carpet. Instead a comfortable luxurious rug hugs your ft and makes you are feeling at dwelling.
These comparisons with what was and what’s right here now do make a distinction, however much more poignant are the present contrasts which were left in on function.
It’s the sleek polished concrete flooring, however the previous brick paving as you are available. It’s the Christmas cake brown classic tiles within the lavatory ground towards 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.
Beyond the room, the boxy balcony, exposing the grizzled darkish brick of the constructing, hasn’t been touched. That’s for those who don’t rely the enjoyable vibrant crimson outside setting and—better of all—the double-sliding door. This glides again to open two thirds of the wall as much as the contemporary sea air.
All of those enhancements and improvements nonetheless will let you be taken again to how this place should’ve appeared again within the day, whereas on the similar time coddling you with high-end, trendy comforts.
Kevin Murphy toiletries, the massive TV (which is already logged into Netflix for you by the best way), 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.
Other Facilities At Hillcrest Motel
Of course, the retro luxe really feel of Hillcrest doesn’t cease with the rooms. Past the lovable little reception, a hall encourages you right down to the bar and lounge.
With its mahogany timber ground and excessive ceiling, this large ethereal room is the right spot to calm down.
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 baggage and Mid Century Modern furnishings all through, all including to the texture.
But it’s by the floor-to-ceiling home windows that stretch the width of the room the place the true impression of this room lies. Feeling extra like a surf lifesaving membership than ever, the final couple of metres of the lounge is all glass searching 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 under the lounge, there’s a tennis courtroom for those who fancy successful 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 hearth pit and, dotted across the lawns, cozy chairs and sofas flip the entire outside space into the perfect sundowner expertise.
Pamper Yourself At Safir House
Although there are not any spa or wellness services on website at Hillcrest, down in Merimbula city, you’ll discover Safir House. As you stroll in, you get all of the vibes of a daily day spa. Gently perfumed air, comfortable lighting, fluffy towels and lilting music welcome you in.
But you gained’t discover any of the standard therapeutic massage and facial remedies right here.
Safir House is extra targeted on the confluence between science and wellness. Services right here embody ice baths, infrared saunas and lymphatic drainage. It’s a spot to return and calm down, however Safir House can be dedicated to encouraging well being and vitality too.
Riding On The Hillcrest Of The Wave
Hillcrest may be very a lot a part of the new-wave renovated motels that offer you 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.
Other 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 distant from what they as soon as have been.
Mind you, there’s a sense that these motels have all the time had a sure sense of glamour. Just like these others, the air of romance at Hillcrest goes past what’s right here now.
The romance right here is historic.
