“That was the most impressively designed hotel room that I’ve ever stayed in” was what my wife said to me after spending two nights in fabulous Mollymook, situated along the glorious NSW South Coast.
No, we didn’t check in to a Four Seasons, The Ritz-Carlton or even a Hyatt property, instead we pulled into a motel – yes, a motel! – just moments from picturesque Mollymook Beach.
Dolphins Motel, located on Shepherd Street, recently reopened following a comprehensive redesign that transforms the classic Australian roadside motel into a thoughtfully reimagined boutique stay, inspired by the optimism and simplicity of mid-century coastal living.
With help from Architectural Design firm Lukin Design, interior design by Studio Aquilo and branding agency Swell Design Group, the family reimagined the tired site from the ground up, which resulted in a highly curated retreat that serves up Palm Springs energy with a distinctly Aussie accent.
Part Australiana, part 1950s Californian, Dolphins Motel embraces the enduring appeal of the classic beach motel while offering a modern interpretation of the coastal Australian getaway.
When we pulled up to the property on a beautiful but chilly Saturday afternoon, we were immediately greeted by friendly Dolphins Motel General Manager Paul Goodenough, who explained to us that people visit Mollymook, which is roughly three hours from Penrith, for the beaches, the coastline, the slower pace and the feeling that you’ve truly escaped.
“Dolphins Motel has been designed to reflect that. It’s relaxed and unpretentious, but every detail has been carefully considered,” Paul told us.
Inside our stunning Retro King Studio, the design language is unmistakably mid-century. Portuguese cork flooring, Fibonacci terrazzo surfaces, Brodware tapware, locally crafted cabinetry and handcrafted bedheads by Create Estate sit alongside furnishings from Jardan, Tait, Vincent Sheppard and Vitra.
The bespoke bedside table was topped with a Geneva retro alarm clock, while artwork by Studio Elwood, Leigh Vardenega, Studio of the Sun and PTSR Studio brought colour, character and a distinctly coastal sensibility to the room.
The 10 Retro King Studios blend modern conveniences with old-school beach holiday charm. Each features a private terrace, kitchenette fitted with Sam Gordon crockery and Smeg appliances, Dyson hair dryers, Steamery clothes steamers, St. Ali coffee, T2 tea and Leif bathrooms amenities.
When we arrived, we were welcomed with a curated hamper in our room featuring South Coast producers including Broulee Brewhouse, South Coast Blend Nuts and Woodstock Chocolates Co., which created custom dolphin-shaped chocolates exclusively for the motel – a nice touch!
Just beyond the gorgeous rooms, a breezy pool framed by landscaping and soft mid-century curves invites long afternoons in the sun, while complimentary cruiser bikes, soft-top surfboards, garden table tennis and two Porsche EV chargers encourage guests to make the most of Mollymook’s coastal lifestyle.
I also loved the property’s towering four-metre illuminated motel sign, which serves as a beacon from the street, channelling the neon spirit of Palm Springs and the golden age of roadside motels while announcing a new chapter for this Mollymook icon.
Complementing the brilliant accommodation offering is Dolly’s Café, a licensed neighbourhood café led by local hospitality duo Riley Salisbury and Sam Roberts.
Open daily, the café has quickly become a local gathering place, serving morning coffees, matches and smoothies alongside delicious ricotta hotcakes, porridge and breakfast buns – we enjoyed our Dolly’s breakfast in the morning sun from the comfort of our private terrace.
For my wife and I, this was our first time visiting this much talked about beach town, and it certainly lived up to the hype.
Not only was Dolphins Motel the truly perfect property, but the food scene in Mollymook was up there with some of the best Australia has to offer.
The first restaurant we visited for dinner was Gwylo, located just a five minutes’ drive from Dolphins Motel in Tallwood Avenue.
This funky and fully licensed establishment, which opened in 2020, brings together Asian street eats, classic tunes and delicious one-of-a-kind cocktails and house brews all under one roof.
Gywlo’s ever evolving menu focuses on big flavours and dishes that are made to share.
We selected the $76 per person set menu, which featured seven perfectly crafted dishes including bao buns and the most flavoursome Asian inspired lamb skewers I’ve ever eaten!
Our dessert was insane too, we shared a donut with Szechuan sugar, apple ginger jam and coconut ice cream – yum!
For our second night in Mollymook we visited the famous Rick Stein at Bannisters, a place we’ve wanted to dine at for years.
Opening in 2009 inside the Bannisters by the Sea resort, this famous celebrity-chef oceanfront seafood restaurant highlights fresh local seafood with simple, elegant preparation.
We were treated like celebrities ourselves at this restaurant, with the staff giving my wife and I the rockstar treatment as soon as we walked in.
To start, we enjoyed a freshly shucked oyster and grilled Shark Bay scallop, while for our entrée the Sashimi of Kingfish, New Zealand Ora King Salmon and Bluefin Tuna were a delight with every bite.
For our mains, I had a spicy Pondicherry Ling Curry from southern India that was simple, fresh and fragrant, while my wife had the famous Bannisters Fish Pie – a must-have dish when visiting this seafood palace. Thank you, Rick!
Overall, our winter stay in Mollymook will be remembered for long time.
It will be remembered for the food, the hospitality and of course this charming coastal town’s incredible natural beauty.
If you’ve never been to Mollymook or it’s been a while between visits, now’s the ideal time to start planning that much-needed getaway!
Nathan Taylor is an experienced print and digital journalist who has worked in the industry for more than 15 years. He has travelled the world extensively, with some of his favourite destinations being the United States and Bali.