One for the road
The Sun-Herald: January 20, 2008

Jo Hegerty discovers an Aussie classic that’s been made over on the South Coast.

Motel. It’s not a word that conjures up images of luxury and romance – unless you’re on the run after escaping prison. But maintaining that motor-inn feel was key to the rebirth of this Aussie classic to create Bellachara boutique hotel.

Situated at the edge of sleepy seaside Gerringong and surrounded by verdant pastures and the gentle mooing of dairy cattle, Bellachara is a shadow of its former self. Red bricks have been rendered over with soothing taupe, white feather poles dance in the breeze and the family pool at the centre of the property sparkles sapphire in a way that no pebblecrete pond ever could.

The layout of the 52-room property is unmistakably roadside accommodation, but the finish is purely four-star (and a half). I Immediately feel the claming effects of the neutral colour scheme, and the words “day spa” attract my attention like a shiny coin to a bird. Reception is a farmhouse restored in dazzling white, and above the verandah a word in lowercase gives an understated welcome: “hello”.

Hello indeed. One of the redeeming features of motels the world over is the ability to motor on in and this one is no exception. This makes it particularly appealing to families – in fact the owners, both dads themselves, actively encourage families to stay.

We are without children this weekend and check into our spa room, which opens onto the adults-only pool, shielded from the road by an impressive line-up of gum trees. The rooms are sleek yet homey, with plush white bedding and a chocolate leather sofa to crash on while reading the paper. Stepping up to the bathroom, we find a deep spa with more than enough room for two. Adjacent rooms each have either spa or double walk-in shower, and mini kitchen or kitchenette.

We’ve eschewed the self-catering facilities in favour of the restaurant, housed in a building that started life as a barn, was reinvented as an art studio and then a German restaurant. Today it’s an open space loosely separated into fine dining and more casual areas, with a long row of sofas in front of the fire. Beneath the high rafters, slate, chocolate and poison-apple red create a warm but elegant feel. Through the doors, a Tuscan style courtyard twinkles with fairy lights and in wafts the dulcet tones of kids being entertained at Jak’s Corner while Mum and Dad get a few hours to themselves.

Sunday night is roast night, a nod to the locals just a couple of clicks down Fern Street who have come to embrace the upmarket addition to their town. Every other night is a la carte and Matt Hilford, who sharpened his knives at est, MG Garage and Level 41, turns out seasonal dishes.

The best thing about Gerringong is that there’s nothing to do. You control your own action – poking around a handful of shops, walking, swimming or fishing on the beach, or popping into Kiama to watch canny pelicans con chips out of tourists at the famous blowhole.

On day two, I can resist the Bellachara Day Spa it no longer. After a strong, Swedish style massage, I mellow out in a private bath with a glass of sparkling, then lounge about nibbling on a cheese plate to recover from the strain of the afternoon.

This is definitely unlike any other motel I’ve had the pleasure of staying in, I think, as I reluctantly hand back the fluffy white robe. And certainly Bellachara is not a motor inn that anyone could simply drive by.