Bannisters Pavilion Mollymook

Where do I start? Our room was spacious, clean, comfortable and gorgeous! We dined on the Rooftop, with our meals, cocktails and service of the highest quality — While our stay was a winter escape, the pool would be prized in summer! To top off our stay, our complementary breakfast was the best from our entire Illawarra holiday; the coffee couldn’t be beat. HIGHLY recommend!

A few weeks ago headed down the Coast for a short break. As usual we found ourselves at Bannisters Pavilion – the cheap version of Rick Stein’s Bannisters Lodge at Mollymook, a bit more distant from the sea, but a bit closer to the ever-enticing town of Milton. In winter Bannisters have sales because no-one wants to go to the seaside – except those who live there – and we love a bargain. We also like Bannisters Pavilion a lot. We had dinner and an a la carte breakfast in The Rooftop, the bar and grill on top of the hotel, and as always sprawled out in the welcoming rooms below. I could even have had a bath if I’d wanted. On our final night we had vouchers for cocktails by the pool up at the more expensive Rick Stein resort. Ironically while we’ve eaten in his restaurant there twice – and in his original restaurant in Padstow in Cornwall – we’ve never stayed there. Before he bought the hotel and totally renovated it, we stayed in its previous incarnation, a 60s motel surrounded by feral rabbits. This night was a Friday, a day we are not usually there and after our cocktails we had an excellent pizza, one of those where the base is so good and puffy that it wouldn’t really matter what was on top – even though that was terrific too. The joint was was rocking, with two musicians reminding us why live music is without peer. We were rocking, too, though also shivering. Even on the South Coast, clear winter skies can be cold.

This place is amazing. The Rooftop Bar and Restaurant is the best I've had the pleasure of visiting. The ambience is warm and intimate. Not noisy at all. The service was 5 star and the food was mind blowing. The pork in sticky sauce dish is on another planet. This place is a must.