This retro beach motel brings a touch of California cool to the NSW South Coast

If you holiday in Mollymook on the NSW South Coast and don't end up wishing you could stay forever, you aren't paying close enough attention. Between the pretty two-kilometre stretch of Mollymook Beach, the string of neighbouring beaches and kayak-able tidal inlets and the diverse dining options, this is a beauty spot that spoils visitors all year round. And Dolphins Motel is the newest - and coolest - place to stay on your weekend road trip.

Tucked neatly off the Princes Highway, three hours south of Sydney and just over two hours from Canberra, Mollymook sits between bustling Ulladulla and historic Milton. Dolphins Motel, a three-minute stroll from the south end of Mollymook Beach, used to blend into the streetscape as just another tired brick-and-tile motor inn. Now, freshly and fully renovated, it gleams as a glam splash of retro-chic paying homage to the golden age of drive-and-stay getaways.

The motel's four-metre street sign signals the funky pizzazz of its revamped, vintage-inspired personality. Channelling the neon spirit of the famous "Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas" sign, its artfully crafted nostalgia reflects a design style flowing elegantly through the motel's 10 rooms and three-bedroom apartment. It's an irresistible 1960s California Beach Boys vibe with a laidback Aussie accent that speaks of sun, surf and sand between your toes. "There's a familiarity to a great beach motel that Australians instantly understand," says general manager Paul Goodenough. "We've taken that feeling and reimagined it for today - combining old-school holiday charm with thoughtful design, local craftsmanship and the kind of comforts modern travellers expect."

The lush rooms layer luxe mid-century styling, including Portuguese cork flooring, Fibonacci terrazzo tiling, high-end furnishings and artwork, and adds Smeg appliances, Sam Gordon crockery, ST. Ali coffee, T2 tea and Leif toiletries. Beside your bed, a Geneva Time analogue alarm clock plays your tunes via Bluetooth. All that's missing is a Spotify playlist curated to complete the distinctive Dolphins Motel mood.

In our room we arrive to find a sample of local treats, including Broulee Brewhouse beers, South Coast Blend Nuts and chocolates - dolphin-shaped, of course! - by Woodstock Chocolates. Onsite, Dolly's Cafe, a snazzy eatery led by Riley Salisbury and Sam Roberts, is a must for breakfast or lunch - be it dine-in ricotta hotcakes or rainbow trout salad delivered to your private terrace. Celebrity chef Rick Stein fell in love with Mollymook 20 years ago and a seafood restaurant on a clifftop at the beach's northern end bears his name.

Swim in the onsite pool or grab one of their soft-top surfboards to go ride waves with real dolphins. Steer the motel's pedal-assist cruiser bikes along the wide, easy beach path, play a round at Mollymook Golf Club's courses, take a Pam Burridge Surf School class or nip up to Milton for more delicious Woodstock Chocolates.

Set your bedside alarm, pop on your togs, grab a coffee from Dolly's and take the barefoot stroll to Mollymook Beach to watch the sun rise. Then, get in the water. Life's way too short not to take an invigorating dip at dawn.

The writer was a guest of Dolphins Motel