The Timothée Resort: the perfect retro reset in Busselton

Just like those VHS machines from the eighties, the owners of The Timothée Resort found a way to rewind time when they purchased the old Busselton River Resort in 2022.

Named after French sailor and explorer, Thomas Timothée Vasse, the resort that’s positioned on the banks of the Vasse River, combines classic Californian motel styling with fresh Mediterranean coastal vibes.

Husband-and-wife team, Jamie and Alice Brady say their decision to bring the tired Aussie motor lodge back to life, was driven by their love for hospitality and the nostalgia of classic Australian summer holidays, inspired by Jamie’s upbringing.

“I grew up in the family business of caravan parks with my family running parks around the country'” says Jamie,

Our goal was to mimic the feel of a caravan park with some of their social offerings, plus retain the original brick and mortar features that give the motel built in 1982, its distinctive style”.

“We’ve jazzed things up a bit but kept things like the communal pool and parking spaces where people can drive right up and park in front of their rooms,” says Alice. “We’ve also left lovely original features like brick arches, the old roof façade outside, unrendered brick walls and breakfast hatches inside, to honour the building’s past.”

Wanting to add an element of freshness and fun, Alice and Jamie brought in the talents of Blank Slate Creative and Bel.Bon.Design, to help get the balance right.

The brief was to stay true to The Timothée Resort’s motel roots while introducing modern creativity and convenience.

“We wanted something that felt nostalgic but not too serious, and it was also important to focus on local touches and sustainable options,” says Alice.

As a result, 33 recently renovated rooms and deluxe style apartments are decked out with fun colour palettes (think tangerine orange and palm tree green), commissioned artworks from West Australian painter Mia Laing, and local offerings like ‘rip and drip’ coffee from Margaret River Roasting Co, recycled plastic homewares from Precious Plastic Margaret River, and refillable, ethical bathroom products from Australian owned Ink & Water.

Not wanting to do away with modern day living altogether, The Timothée Resort have included thoughtful, sustainable conveniences like keyless room entry, speedy wifi, e-vehicle charge stations, and Smart TV access to all your favourite streaming platforms. In addition, the property also operates on renewable energy, with the installation of 84 solar panels.

One of the best things about a retro stay is the chance to slow down and be more mindful about where you are and who you’re with, and The Timothée Resort offers multiple ways to do that.

From the resort’s on-site restaurant, Cottage Kitchen, communal BBQ and riverside firepit areas, to the provision of complimentary retro style bicycles, board games, lawn games, and tennis court, Jamie says it’s all part of encouraging people to connect to the outdoors and each other.

“We believe that when people come to a motel, they don’t want to be alone. They want to meet other people and that’s why we offer communal areas and opportunities for people to engage,” says Alice. “We want people to put their phones away, connect to nature, and get back to what a real holiday was all about.”

Located minutes from the centre of town, The Timothée Resort is just a short bike ride away from the Busselton foreshore – a favourite holiday destination for generations. Here you’ll find beaches, breweries, cafes, and shops, plus another timeless attraction – the Southern Hemisphere’s longest jetty, while if you’re wanting to discover further, it’s the perfect base for exploring the region’s other attractions, including surf beaches, forest trails, and wineries.

Taking out gold recently at the 2025 Perth Airport WA Tourism Awards, The Timothée Resort have proven that by learning from, and shining a light on the past, the future can look even brighter.