Review: Il Delfino Seaside Inn

Set the scene

Like it’s been plucked from a glittering Italian seaside town, this low-slung seaside sanctuary feels like a stylish hidden secret, with just five suites and a tumble of rocky shared terraces, a few white sun loungers, private balconies and wide-open views of the frothy ocean below. On a humdinger of a day, it’s not uncommon to spot playful pods of dolphins that call this pocket home. You might have to jiggle a key, and the windows might rattle during a storm, but that’s all part of its charm. Waking with the pink sunrise and nodding off to the sound of waves is the closest you can come in Australia to experience a dose of la dolce far niente—the sweetness of doing nothing.

The backstory

Il Delfino is one of the last remaining original structures on the oceanfront, where it has been standing since 1948. Formerly a seafront cottage and lodgings, then holiday apartments, the latest reincarnation into Il Delfino by globetrotting local Sheeree Comerford was a two-year restoration project, with a primary focus on preserving as many original features as possible while honoring its mid-century design and embracing Australian surf culture. Collaborating closely with local builders, tradespeople, metalworkers, artists, and friends and family, the goal was to maintain the building’s old bones with a fresh focus on design.

The rooms

The five suites vary in size from one and two bedrooms to a studio, but all have views of the ocean, some with balconies, and all are kitted out with exceptional design details. There are no cliché seaside tropes here but rather thoughtful hand-made ceramics and lamps by local artists and makers. Small murals on the walls have been painted by friend and founder of Sass & Bide, Heidi Middleton. There are knick-knacks, trinkets, and vintage one-off finds from Commerford’s travels around Italy, from mirrors to lemon squeezers. There’s crisp white linen, soft beds and small wardrobes which act as a gift shop with caps, straw hats and sunscreen. The design is simple, with fresh white walls and flashes of color like red-striped day beds and bottle-green and white bathrooms. For the best-uninterrupted ocean views from every which way, book the Scopello suite: it’s the smallest studio but by far the cosiest.

Food and drink

Each suite has sweet kitchenettes with everything you need to whip up a local scampi pasta and grill some seafood. Before arrival, guests can choose from various pantry boxes sourced from local markets and purveyors, including aperitivo spritzes, wine and cheese. There is also a compendium of local suppliers and recommended restaurants by Commerford. This is a quaint little fishing town—make the most of it.

The area

This go-slow coastal village in the Northern Rivers region of NSW is all about the outdoors. There are six well-known nature trails and 11 beaches—from famous surf breaks to gentler tides and family-friendly swathes of sand. Saturday mornings down at Main Beach are a flurry of activity with locals swimming, exercising, or simply catching up over oat-milk lattes and avo toast at the much-loved Kiosk. Yamba's ocean pool is built into the rocks on the southern end of Main Beach and has made itself onto postcards across Australia. There is also a charming weatherboard cinema, a sleepy main street, and the iconic Pacific Hotel on a hill overlooking the ocean for pub meals with a view.

The service

As this is self-catered, you’ll have check-in details via email and text messages before arrival, but you’re left to your own devices.

For families

Children from 10 and up are welcome.

Eco effort

Considerable. Restoring the property instead of developing a new build goes a long way in terms of eco-effort. Plus, the property used salvaged materials like old tiles and restored bathroom vanities and original windows/ doors. The kitchen benches in some suites are made from recycled glass waste and there are solar panels and electric vehicle car chargers.

Accessibility

Unfortunately, keeping the old bones of the building means there are steps throughout, but call ahead to discuss individual needs.

Anything left to mention?

There is no pool or spa, and it is self-catered, so don’t arrive expecting bells and whistles—this is a stylish but unfussy getaway.