The Timothée Resort
As soon as you set foot on the grounds of The Timothée Resort on the outskirts of Busselton, the world seems to fade into a pastel Slim Aarons fantasy.
There’s the palm-lined pool, surrounded by mint-green striped umbrellas. Airy rooms are styled in tones of cream and terracotta, with terrazzo bathroom floors. And the low-rise motel setup is right out of a Brady Bunch family special.
Yet The Timothée isn’t jumping on any slapdash pastiche bandwagon. There’s truly thoughtful attention to detail here, meshing retro Mediterranean style with luxury. Little touches – locally commissioned artwork honouring the hotel’s namesake, seafaring French explorer Thomas Timothée Vasse; the powder-coated bent wire clothes racks and wall hooks handmade by co-owner Alice Brady and her dad Trevor – prove that there’s a tonne of heart poured into every bit of your stay.
The perfect Timothée day? A lazy, late wake-up followed by a stroll along the Vasse River into town for a gigantic cinnamon scroll from Dusty Buns. Then, a walk along the Busselton Jetty, before a long afternoon by the pool. To finish, round things off with the resort’s secret weapon: a truly excellent chicken curry from Curry Port, the old-school Indian restaurant on-site. The Bradys never had it this good.
Need to Knows
- 33 rooms (Superior Twin, Superior King, Deluxe King, Deluxe Studio, Deluxe Apartment).
- Check-in: 2pm; Check-out: 10pm.
- Each room has its own dedicated parking spot, plus there are EV chargers on- The in-room TVs are programmed with streaming apps, so all you need is your Netflix or Foxtel password to watch like you do at home.
- The resort is in the midst of renovation works, so you’re currently able to book either refurbished rooms or rooms-in-waiting. Most of the work is due to be complete by mid-2024.
What’s There
The sun loungers next to the heated outdoor pool have your name written all over them. Otherwise, there’s a riverside barbecue area and fire pit attached to an old dairy shed, which is a top sunset spot for getting to know your fellow travellers. The team can also supply racquets and balls for use on the property’s tennis court, which is soon to get a fun retro makeover featuring wooden benches and mid-century racquets.
What’s Around
The flat walk into town along the riverbank is the perfect way to stretch your legs. The ocean beckons once you’re there; there are several enclosed sections of shoreline that are perfect for swimming, and the 1.8-kilometre Busselton Jetty, with its underwater observatory, is one of the region’s most noteworthy landmarks. Hungry? The burgers at Burger Bones are some of the best in the state.
What’s Super Special
There’s a firm commitment to sustainability at The Timothée. Solar panels provide energy across the resort, and single-use plastics has been banished from the rooms. The dispensers for the Ink & Water toiletries are refillable, and the homewares are made from recycled plastic.
Children
The twin rooms featuring two side-by-side queen beds are the best bet for families, and the kids will love the pool.
Breakfast
At the time of writing, no breakfast was available on-site beyond complimentary drip coffee from Margaret River Roasting Co, but co-owners Jamie and Alice Brady have plans to introduce mid-century-style breakfast hatches to deliver coffee and local pastries.
Eating and Drinking
All hail the resort’s on-site restaurant, the almighty Curry Port. It’s not every day you find great Indian food sitting on the edge of a motel forecourt, but here we are. The curries are truly exceptional, and the eclectic ambience is amped up by Hindi covers of Supertramp on the stereo and AFL on the TV.
Things to Book
The team at reception can arrange winery tours around the Margaret River region. The house favourite? Family-owned Lentedal Vineyard Estate, where Timothée guests receive 20 per cent discount on cellar-door purchases.
Notes
Co-owners Jamie and Alice are Busselton locals, and they’ve loaded up the rooms’ directories with a bunch of properly considered recommendations including hidden gem cafés, tip-top local bars and ace breweries. Get stuck in – if you can tear yourself away from the pool and a good book, that is.