You see places like this in the cooler corners of Miami or Los Angeles: a suspended pool, glowing with underwater disco colours after dark; a circular bar with cute staffers in shorts and sneakers running craft beers and cocktails to sun loungers with bold yellow and white striped umbrellas; a communal table, open kitchen – all photogenic, laid-back, beach shack chic.
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This rooftop playground belongs to Bannisters Pavilion in Mollymook, three hours drive south of Sydney. The 35-room property is the new little sister of seaside favourite Bannisters by The Sea, and it's blown into the holiday town like a fresh ocean breeze.
Owner Peter Cosgrove, who brought Rick Stein's restaurant to the original Bannisters six years ago, saw the need for another update for fast-evolving Mollymook. The contemporary sensibilities of the three-floor Pavilion match the region's growing appeal to a sophisticated visitor drawn to foodie restaurants and a looser vibe. Architects Molnar Freeman kept the rooms clean and simple and the same size, except for two outsized penthouses. A eucalypt forest makes for a pretty backdrop and Mollymook beach is a block away – but the draw card is that fabulous rooftop. Bondi would kill for it.
The rooftop, open all day, is intended as a social hub for locals as well as guests and it showed its potential for fun at the property's opening weekend two weeks ago when friends and fans of WSFM's Amanda Keller and Brendan 'Jonesy' Jones partied with the radio duo. Camilla kaftans wafted through the white timber space, Champagne corks popped and a DJ pumped out beats. The Pavilion has arrived at the party – in gorgeous style.
From $255 a night. See www.bannisters.com.au
