People are talking.
The Isla has been making waves with some of the most popular blogs, magazines and newspapers writing about their experiences here.
For all editorial and media enquiries or partnership collaborations, please contact Rachel Jones rachel@thisishelm.com.au
The Isla, perched on the edge of Beach Road in Batehaven, is just the latest—and with its light wash walls, clean, nostalgic minimalism and picturesque pool, it’s no wonder retro motels are finding favour with an altogether more fashionable set than their ’90s iterations did. Architecture firm Those is responsible for bringing a little old-timey glamour to the sleepy South Coast town.
By the pool you’ll find Cantina – a luxe communal space for guests to unwind. Think of it like a carefully curated vending machine room, complete with sparkling water on tap, an ice machine and custom vending machines with a curated collection of bespoke products including locally sourced beers, wines, cocktails, snacks and some fun extras.
The Isla includes features that the road-trippers of yesteryear couldn’t have imagined. The Cantina, for instance, contains two customised vending machines that dispense, among the more usual items, wine from Canberra and Dangerous Ales beers from Milton. (Dascarolis says it’s the first time Liquor and Gaming NSW has approved a liquor licence for a vending machine.) It’s a futuristic twist on nostalgia.
The incredibly cool retro interiors can be attributed to award-winning Those Architects, who anchored their inspiration from 80s interiors, taking design cues from the unspoilt landscape and relaxed energy of the South Coast.
The 18-room motel strikes a balance between the barefoot, sand-everywhere breeziness of the motels of yesteryear and the subtle luxury of boutique hotels. Unlike classic motels, check-in is contactless so you can head straight from your car to your room when you arrive.
The Isla takes on a retro approach to overnight stays, while levelling up on creature comforts – think rain showers, smart TVs and free wi-fi.
Visiting Batemans Bay on NSW’s South Coast? The Isla motel, designed by Those Architects, has 18 retro-styled rooms with terazzo, brass, timber and a whole lot more.
Instead of a minibar, guests will visit The Isla's Cantina, a new concept where bespoke vending machines offer carefully curated and locally sourced artisan products, such as Dangerous Ales beer, cocktails from Poor Toms Gin and ST ALi espresso martinis.
Should you wish to mingle with other guests or your group, there’s a cabana-style Pool House with a dining room table, comfy chairs and lounges and, to help set the atmosphere, Sonos speakers. After a morning spent exploring Batemans Bay local cafés and restaurants, grab snacks from the nearby IGA or Cantina and settle into a chair at the outdoor plunge pool, tunes blaring from the Pool House.
Inside, each room strikes a balance between the barefoot, sand-everywhere breeziness of the motels of yesteryear and the subtle luxury of boutique hotels. The lush king-sized beds are topped with cushy AH Beard mattresses, seating and sofas are from retailer Design by Them, and lighting is by Melbourne’s Coco Flip Design Studio. Unlike classic motels, check-in is contactless so you can head straight from your car to your room when you arrive. And, of course, no nostalgia-soaked motel can be without an umbrella-shaded pool.
This aesthetically pleasing coastal motel offers 18 rooms, with some major nostalgic nods to its 1980s history. The redesign is the work of award-winning architects at THOSE and each room features bespoke oak furnishings, dreamy A.H Beard beds, and contactless check-in. If it's available, we highly recommend booking the Grande Suite for your own private pool.
The Isla motel in Batemans Bay on the NSW South Coast pays homage to the classic beach holiday. Designed by Those Architects, its retro flair includes oak furnishings, brass accents, terrazzo touches and art by Vynka Hallam and Tegan Franks.
The Isla, a Batemans Bay boutique 1970s motel, has received a facelift and a new lease on life as tourists flock to the rejuvenated 18-room accommodation offering.
Whether you're traveling with friends or solo, The Isla's inviting atmosphere and innovative amenities will make your stay both comfortable and unforgettable.