This Busselton Motel Feels Like A ’70s Americana Fever Dream (In the Best Way)
The seaside city of Busselton carries a glow of nostalgia for generations of WA holidaymakers - memories of sunny family vacations by the beach, exploring picturesque streets and the iconic Busselton Jetty stretching into the broad blue of Geographe Bay. Busselton’s quiet charm amidst the busy tourist centre of the Margaret River region inspires ideas of the golden age of road trips and family-owned motels. Times when we moved slower, lingered and connected.
Locals Jamie and Alice Brady, owners of The Timothée Resort, say more travellers are waking up to Busselton.
“It still feels a little under the radar compared to some of the more prominent towns in the South West, like Margaret River and Dunsborough, but Busselton’s always been there,” Alice says.
Image credit: Timothée | Supplied
Named for Timothée Vasse, an ill-fated French sailor aboard (and then overboard) the Naturaliste expedition ship, The Timothée Resort sits by a bend in the Vasse River a mere 2km from the Busselton foreshore. Jamie and Alice took over this 1980s motel in 2022, transforming it into a living homage to Australian holidays of yesteryear.
The Timothée beckons travellers along Causeway Road, a classic pillared motel frontage of dusty orange and soft grey with towering palm trees waving above the pool. Alice and Jamie were guided by the original bones of the buildings, the round arches and cream brickwork, which they matched with an orange and green colour palette. It’s roadside accommodation convenience, but not as you know it: here, vintage vibes meet luxe mod cons, hearkening back to the heyday of Australian motels in the 70s and 80s and their Palm Springs Americana aesthetic.
The Timothée comprises a tidy 33 rooms in a neighbourly layout across single and double storey buildings. Behind your bright orange door, mood lighting casts mid-century modern-inspired interiors in a welcoming glow. Their classic carpark-out-front single storey motel rooms are “a bit more glam”, Jamie says. These deluxe suites feature high ceilings and exposed timber beams with rendered walls, floral arrangements and a full length mirror. A bench and workstation stretch along the wall, with a mini-fridge and tea and coffee-making facilities (Deluxe King Studios also have a kitchenette and separate living area). Pull back the curtain and a sliding glass door leads to a personal patio: prime position for taking in the morning light, coffee-in-hand.
Image credit: Timothée | Supplied
If you need a few more home-style facilities (especially if you’re planning to stay a while), Deluxe King Studios and the 1- and 2-bed apartments have separate living and dining areas and a kitchenette. Jamie and Alice find those travelling with family or a group of friends also choose to book multiple king and twin rooms in the two-storey building. The revamp, completed in 2024, naturally extends to contemporary comforts such as high-speed WiFi, smart TVs, Premium Bambury bedding and Slumbercorp mattresses, as well as a communal coin operated laundry and ironing facilities.
Travellers come to experience the unique region of Southwest WA, a hotspot of food, drink and creativity, so Jamie and Alice have incorporated local touches. Complimentary filter coffee is by Margaret River Roasting Co. and you can tack on the Unwind Package upgrade with a bottled Watermelon Collins or Margarita from Idle Hands Drinks Co, or bubbles from Lentedal winery on arrival (plus an accompanying pretzel snack, of course). Local artist Mia Laing created two original pieces for the motel, with framed prints in all rooms (also available for purchase at reception). The two works both tie into the story of Timothée Vasse (including subtle reference to the suspected rum that caused him to be lost at sea).
Alice and Jamie say the aesthetics especially are a ‘pleasant surprise’ for guests who don’t know what to expect of a humble 80s motel. While The Timothée revels in that old-school feel, it’s a forward-thinking operation. The drink trays and do-not-disturb signs are made of repurposed plastic by Precious Plastics Margaret River (each tray comprises around 364 recycled lids), and they have 84 solar panels, EV charging stations, recycled glassware, sustainable bamboo toilet paper and luxe bath and body products (refillable rather than single-use) by Australian-born company, INK & WATER.
Image credit: Timothée | Supplied
But it’s in the realm of leisure where The Timothée truly stands out. When Alice and Jamie took over the motel, their reno was more than a swish facelift. Building on the natural sociability of the motel setup, they tapped into the spirit of the caravan parks Jamie grew up with (his parents owned several in WA).
Entertainment extends beyond TVs or the idyllic solar-heated pool rimmed with deck chairs. Beside the river you’ll find a dedicated recreation space with courts for tennis, volleyball and even bocce ball. All equipment can be borrowed free from reception, along with board games and books. Beside the courts, an outdoor ‘cottage’ kitchen comes complete with cooking supplies, a BBQ and wood-burning fire pit overlooking the tree-lined waters. They’ve transposed the community of the campsite to a boutique motel: gathering around the fire for a yarn with neighbours while toasting marshmallows, frying sausages picked up from the farmer’s market (nearby and well worth a visit) or sitting back and sharing a drink beside your little patch of nature.
Alice and Jamie say people these days are seeking more from their accommodation than just a bed.
“Travellers want a story behind the places they choose,” Jamie says. “We believe people are wanting screen-free time and connection with others. In a crisis of loneliness we feel it’s our job to create social spots and get people out having old school fun.”
Image credit: Timothée | Supplied
The Timothée fits neatly within the nostalgic ideal of Busselton itself, keeping the heart of the old Busselton River Resort (formerly On The Vasse Motel Resort). Alice and Jamie say the original owner couple, Don and June, would manually broadcast a VHS movie nightly to all rooms and even have dinner with guests at the onsite restaurant, Rosie’s. Today, the restaurant is an independent family-owned spot, The Curry Port. Fully licensed and popular with the locals, it’s a welcoming restaurant and bar with traditional homestyle Indian dishes, including great vegetarian options (and a few specials, if you’re feeling thrifty).
But if you’d like to borrow one of the vintage bikes at reception (for free!) and take a whimsical ride into town, you can tap into Busselton’s growing cuisine scene, from the elevated pub food of the breezy Pavilion (think, steak night and burgers, but with an ex-Vasse Felix chef) to a pint and pizza at Shelter Brewing Co, Levantine dishes at Inara, cocktails at Banksia Tavern and all-day, 7-day dining at Firestation. Busselton’s also the perfect base for exploring wineries and eateries of the Margaret River Region - and the Margaret River Chocolate Company is a must for sweet-tooths.
For travellers who want more than the anonymous same-same of a standard hotel, The Timothée is a postcard-perfect setting for living out the retro roadtripping dream, where leisure and luxury meets character and charm. Stay, play, linger and holiday like the good old days.
Main image credit: The Timothée | Supplied