Coffs Harbour Hotel Tips by iandsmith

I stay here a lot actually. Located just on the southern side of the CBD it's in a block of motels all side-by-side competing with one another.

Unique Qualities: It does have a pool and it's about 2 kilometres to the beach so, either way you're covered. It's a little on the worn side, though there are no holes in the carpet or anything.
It has foxtel so you get your sport and movie channels and it has its own restaurant for either breakfast or dinner.
Beds are comfortable and the rooms well appointed and it's on two levels. Car parking isn't all that great and you may have to park out the back if you arrive late as they are about 8 spaces short on the inside.
The staff are friendly and it's a Best Western so I get my points!

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Theme: Motel
Comparison: about average
Prices: US$40-80  » Currency Converter
Address: 27 Grafton St, Coffs Harbour, NSW 2450

It's comfortable and has all the basic things you need.

Unique Qualities: This is on a street that runs parallel to the highway on the other side of a small park.
Rooms are comfortable and, if you're into fishing, the owner might chat to you for some time on that topic.
Rooms are well appointed but you don't get an excess of minibar goodies.
They also have multichannel facilities and the units are set in a U-shape around the carpark and it's a two storey building.

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Theme: Hotel
Comparison: about average
Prices: US$40-80  » Currency Converter
Address: 14 16 Elizabeth Street, Coffs Harbour, NSW 2450

Comfortable and roomy, this place comes with all you'd expect in a normal Aussie motel and the staff have always been helpful. Due to the way it's constructed the rooms are fairly quiet for a motel so close to the highway.

Unique Qualities: This motel is all on the ground floor, has its own gym and pool and is set back off the highway.
It's called the Big Windmill (originally Der Windmolen) for a rather obvious reason but thereby hangs a tale. While the windmill was being constructed by the homesick Dutchman whose vision it was, he tragically fell and was killed.
The windmill was later completed according to his vision (the atmospheric restaurant is situated underneath) and so the motel had its famous landmark.
Two other stories may interest you. On one occasion a girl was fixed to one of the blades and did a rotation or two as part of a local radio station stunt and there used to be one of the most genial hosts I've ever known who managed the place who died of a heart attack while playing golf. He was in his early 50's and there is a small plaque behind the counter commemorating his passing. I still feel sad about his loss while writing this.

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Theme: Motel
Comparison: about average
Prices: US$40-80  » Currency Converter
Address: 168 Pacific Highway South
Directions: I took this sunset shot while standing in the middle of the carpark!

This multi-storey motel is set amongst a semi-bushland landscape beside the ocean.

Unique Qualities: This upmarket motel is situated about 5kms north of Coffs and is genuine seaside. Having said that, don't get excited by the beach, it's not really safe for swimming. For that exercise there's a chlorine pool.
The rooms are luxurious and spacious which is what you'd expect after you book in to your room at the reception area that is graced by a large water feature with marble stairway either side.
For balconies that face out towards the ocean expect to pay a little more.
The TV is multi channel plus in house movies (expect to pay for the latter) and all the normal facilites, including minibar, are available.
The picture is from a part of their splendid gardens and is a Spathodea Campanulata or, in layman's terms...AFRICAN TULIP TREE or FLAME OF THE FOREST. (Thanks to Tapis Volant for the I.D.)

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Theme: Motel
Comparison: more expensive than average
Prices: US$40-80  » Currency Converter
Address: Pacific Highway, Coffs Harbour, NSW 2450

Service is good with some amenities and activities for the kids and the rooms have self catering facilities.

Unique Qualities: This place has individual units set amongst palm trees and is ideal for families. It has a tennis court and pool and an outside restaurant where you can listen to the nearby surf (or the cursing of the tennis players).
The friendly staff can organize any of the tourist type outings for you and have brochures on most of them.
It's located by the beach though it's not a fantastic beach to surf in though nice to look at.

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Theme: Motel
Comparison: about average
Prices: US$40-80  » Currency Converter
Address: PACIFIC HIGHWAY NORTH, Coffs Harbour, NS 2450

I've forgotten its correct name but will look it up next time. Having said that, it's the only Best Western in Sawtell.

Unique Qualities: This is a classic Aussie seaside motel with tiled floors throughout and all the basic kitchen facilities that you might require for a week's holiday with the family or just the two of you.
I love its location. Just 50 metres from the beach and this is a good beach plus, at either end of the beach walk you can ascend to lookouts.
It's fairly inexpensive too and I only paid around $187Aus for two nights including breakfast.

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Theme: Motel
Comparison: less expensive than average
Prices: US$20-40  » Currency Converter
Address: 22nd Avenue, Sawtell
Directions: South of Coffs Harbour on the ocean side of the main road running through Sawtell