Reopening as Motel Molly after a multi-million-dollar transformation, this new boutique motel has pastel pink, yellow and blue buildings adding a pop of colour to a charming beachside street dotted with fibro beach shacks.
Oozing chic coastal charm, the exteriors of the four buildings have granite pink crazy paving, Moroccan mosaic tiles on the stairs and landscaping to transport you to the Greek Islands.
Inside, the rooms are just as stylish. Choose from one, two and three-bedroom apartments and king suites decorated with handmade Moroccan ceramics and textiles by the incredibly talented Laurence Leenaert. Her Marrakech-based lifestyle brand LRNCE specialises in funky lines and patterns. A king-sized bed is draped with a LRNCE throw, the mini-bar has a baby pink Smeg fridge and kettle from the company’s 50’s Style retro aesthetics line.
Traveller: Lisa Wagstaff
Room: Oceanside Balcony Suite
Address: 2 Shepherd St, Mollymook NSW 2539
Date: December 2022
Price range: Standard Suite $299, Oceanside Balcony/Garden Suite $389, Spa Suite $389, One Bedroom $439, Two Bedroom $549 and Three Bedroom $699
Best for: Weekend breaks in a funky beachside boutique motel
Motel Molly’s South Coast Location
Mollymook is one of my favourite places for a weekend escape. It is three hours from Sydney on the South Coast of NSW. Motel Molly is just steps from the two-kilometre pearly-white Mollymook Beach. It’s pristine and fun to explore in any season, especially the bogey hole rock pools just around the headland at the southern end.
Five minutes inland is Milton. This sophisticated town has a great cafe culture, an art gallery and shops selling antiques, homewares and chocolate. Wine and dine at family-owned Cupitt’s Estate for quality South Coast produce. My favourite time to visit Cupitt’s is on a Sunday when you can enjoy wine, pizza and live music on the grassy lawn overlooking the vineyard.
Ulladulla is not as polished as Milton but oozes a rural charm of yesteryear around its fishing-boat-filled harbour. A number of trendy establishments are moving into the area and my breakfast selection, The Treehouse Cafe, serves the best coffee in the region. The Ruse is a great spot for an evening cocktail with harbour views and live music.
Rooms at Motel Molly
Inspired by the soothing pastel colours of Mediterranean coastal towns across the Amalfi, Portofino and Cinque Terre, the sixteen-room, boutique accommodation is designed as a soulful coastal retreat.
When inside, I spent my time either snug in the king-size bed, leaning against the soft pink leather bedhead while reading or wearing my super-soft bathrobe on the balcony. It’s a soothing spot to watch the sea and listen to the waves crashing while enjoying a margarita from the mini-bar.
The mini fridge is stocked with premixed cocktails, Moët & Chandon, AIX Rosé, Stone & Wood beers and local wines from Cupitt’s. There’s also Loco Love Chocolate, Pukka teas and a Nespresso machine to satisfy your coffee and sugar cravings.
I love the oversized mauve wardrobe with asymmetrical handles. It fits all our bags, so no floordrobe for me in this room. Motel Molly’s greenery isn’t just for outside, the room has a giant bird of paradise and a lime plant and rosemary growing on the balcony. The room has both a fan and air conditioning for the balmy summer days to come.
The pink marble tiles in the bathroom tie in beautifully with a pink paint stripe around the cornices of the room. The bathroom is compact with Santal 33 amenities from New York and a shower with two shower heads. Some rooms come with a Moroccan-style sunken bath.
Beyond the rooms
I make use of the complimentary Mick Fanning surfboards in two sizes to catch some waves then borrow the Reid Vintage Cruiser Bikes to ride to the ‘One Track for All’ walking trail to see local carvings and headland views.
At lunchtime, I plonk into the pool and spa while my SO cooks up a storm in the BBQ area. I rinse off at the outdoor shower while admiring the heart-shaped tile at its centre. It’s all about the little details here.
Eating out
Gwylo is a must-try restaurant in Mollymook. It has a creative menu of Asian-fusion street eats. I loved sitting at the bar discussing the creative cocktails with the bartender while the chef served us the Omakase Feed Me menu. Make sure you book in advance.
Milk Haus is housed in a 19th Century Cheese Factory. Open for breakfast and lunch, I ate blistered tomatoes and poached eggs on labneh with fresh basil from the garden. The property has chickens and a beautiful kitchen garden filled with much of the produce from my breakfast.
Hayden’s pies is one of the best pie shops in NSW. I left Mollymook beach to drive to Ulladulla to get one of these pies. If you don’t make it for lunch get one for breakfast – just make sure you try a pie. I can personally recommend the kangaroo and beetroot, steak, caramelised onion and sundried tomatoes and the Kashmir lamb. My partner said the butter chicken pie with mint yogurt is the best pie he’s ever had. The vegetarian options of roast pumpkin creamed spinach and goat’s cheese or roast pumpkin with spinach and feta sound equally as mouth-watering. There’s also a tempting dessert cabinet if you still have room. I was too full of pie.
The family factor
The two- and three-bedroom apartments have an open-plan living area, kitchenette, dining table and balcony. There’s Livvi’s Place Playground right across the road and Funland Ulladulla is just five minutes away. The indoor play centre has laser tag, dodgem cars, games and rides.
Insiders’ tips
Book the Oceanside Garden Suite for even quicker access to the beach and a spacious outdoor patio, although it is opposite the children’s playground so can be noisy in the middle of the day.
Where to find Motel Molly
For more information visit motelmolly.com.au
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