The idea of the humble motel was once a last resort where weary travelers stopped for the night when they could not or did not want to drive any further. A convenience at best, a necessary risk at worst. Now, these beautifully restored retro hotels are a destination in themselves.
Anyone who’s stayed in an original roadside motel — past or present — knows what I mean when I say, with all due respect, that it can have a certain “murderous” quality. You never feel safe enough.
Until recently, this was the majority of roadside motels and inns. But then something happened: the realization of the nostalgia potential these road trip stops held.
Turn up the volume on the kitsch, get an AVO for the less pleasant aspects and you’re onto something great.
Since then, motels up and down the country have been enjoying a renaissance.
Merimbula, about seven hours south of Sydney, is the oyster heartland of the beautiful Sapphire Coast. Down at sea level, its magnificent blue lake grows some of the best Sydney rocks you’ll ever taste.
And atop the highest point in Merimbula and boasting the ‘best view in town’ from the red sign on its roof now faded pink by the sun, the aptly named Hillcrest Motel he looks down on everything.
Watch Hillcrest’s quick in-depth video here:
We enter the winding drive of the motel and our eyes are inevitably drawn to the view beyond the flat front porch.
You can see the whole city from up here – all the way down to the water. The bay, the beach and the entrance to Lake Merimbula, with rows of oysters criss-crossed by dark lines in the brilliant blue water, lie before us.
The best view in town indeed.
Our room at Hillcrest Motel, Merimbula
Like the view from here, at first glance nothing much seems to have changed at Hillcrest. Many original features remain in this superbly appointed 70’s motor inn.
Park your car outside your door. As you enter, the minibar and bathroom are on either side of the room entrance. Then through a faux art deco arch is the master bedroom with the bed, back door and balcony.
It is as it would have been 40-odd years ago.
But the difference is the detail. And the details here are profound.
The bed is now huge and comfortable and is made with thick sheets and a beautiful Portuguese linen blanket. There is an alluring chase longue on a curved concrete plinth against one wall and a low rattan armchair against the other.
Curved nightstands are minimalist, but also more interesting than a square box, and the floor no longer has low-maintenance carpet. Instead, a soft, luxurious rug hugs your feet and makes you feel right at home.
These comparisons with what was once and what is now make a difference, but even more poignant are the existing contrasts that have been left on purpose.
It’s the smooth polished concrete floors, but the old brick paving as you walk in. It’s the Christmas brown vintage tiles on the bathroom floor with shiny new whites lining the wall.
It’s the original teak chest of drawers and wardrobe contrasted with the boho beachy beaded headboard and giant paper pendant light hanging in the corner.
Beyond the room, the boxy balcony, which exposes the building’s graying dark brickwork, is untouched. That’s if you don’t count the fun bright red outdoor backdrop and—best of all—the double sliding door. This slides back to open two-thirds of the wall to the fresh sea air.
All of these improvements and innovations still allow you to go back to how this place must have looked back in the day, while also covering you with top-notch, modern amenities.
The Kevin Murphy toiletries, the huge TV (which is already connected to Netflix, by the way), and even a set of binoculars on the side to take full advantage of the view all work together towards the same message.
Other facilities at Hillcrest Motel
Of course, Hillcrest’s retro luxe feel doesn’t stop at the rooms. Beyond the cute little reception, a hallway encourages you down to the bar and lounge.
With its mahogany floor and high ceiling, this wide airy room is the perfect place to relax.
The beach vibe of the 70s comes through here, with old wooden surfboards and surf culture posters on the walls. There are even vintage tennis rackets in their wooden frames, sets of golf clubs in their bags, and Mid Century Modern furniture throughout, all of which add to the feel.
But it’s through the floor-to-ceiling windows that span the width of the room that the real impact of this room lies. Feeling more like a lifeguard surf club than ever before, the last two meters of the lounge are all glass overlooking the sea. There is also an outdoor balcony and bar stools perfect for enjoying a wine or beer from the honesty bar inside and enjoying the view.
Beneath the lounge, there’s a tennis court if you want to take a dip and an LA-style pool for a dip, though the landscaping here is more for lounging than swimming.
On cooler nights, there is a communal fireplace and, scattered around the lawn, comfortable chairs and sofas transform the entire outdoor area into the ideal sunset experience.
Pamper yourself at Safir House
Although there are no spa or wellness facilities on site at Hillcrest, down in the town of Merimbula, you will Sapphire House. As you walk in, you get all the vibes of a regular spa. Soft scented air, soft lighting, fluffy towels and loud music welcome you.
But you won’t find any of the usual massage and facial treatments here.
Safir House focuses more on the intersection between science and wellness. Services here include ice baths, infrared saunas and lymphatic drainage. It is a place to come and relax, but Safir House is also dedicated to encouraging health and vitality.
riding the hill of the wave
Hillcrest is very much part of the new wave of renovated motels that give you that sense of nostalgia, but at the same time are smartly decorated so you can have fun with the original motel feel.
Other prime examples of this movement are places like Bannisters in Mollymook and Araluen Motor Lodge in Bateman’s Bay. Inside their original retro shells, the rooms are a far cry from what they once were.
Mind you, there is a sense that these motels have always had a certain sense of charm. Just like these others, the air of romance at Hillcrest goes beyond what’s there now.
The romance here is historical.