“I hate checking into hotels. This trendy motel finally has a solution for travelers like me.”

I’ve always hated checking into hotels, mainly because I usually check into a place after a long drive or flight that leaves me looking terrible and feeling worse.

The last thing I want to do after sitting in an economy seat for 12 hours or spilling food on myself during a trip is to face impeccably dressed hotel staff in a pristine lobby and check-in.

So you have no idea how relieved I was when I learned that the Dolphin Motel in Mollymook was done with that ordeal.

Instead of forcing travelers to show up at the front desk immediately upon arrival, the Dolphins encourages guests to register online the day before.

The motel then issues guests a room number and unique access code hours before they arrive in the idyllic town on the NSW south coast.

When they get there, all they have to do is enter the code on the high-tech touchpad lock on the motel room door and they’re in.

No more waiting in lines with tons of people arriving at the same time, awkward chatting, or desperately hoping to make it in time to finally take a shower.

Pulling into the Dolphins car park on Friday evening after a three-hour drive south of Sydney, I was very grateful for the system.

I had completed the online check-in the day before and received my code via text message that morning along with a cheerful message from the manager, Brenden, wishing me and my husband a bon voyage.

We hoped to arrive at the motel around 7:00 pm, but due to traffic, we ended up getting there close to 8:00 pm.

I was overjoyed that we didn’t make some poor employee wait for us at the front desk while we were delayed.

By the time we arrived at the motel, I was also hungry and was glad that we could just enter the code, throw away the bags and go look for food.

It was the perfect start to our weekend in Mollymook and the stay only got better after that.

Accommodation

The adorable nostalgic style of the dolphins won me over even before we walked through the pink front door of our Retro King room.

Designed like a classic American motel on the side of the highway, guests are greeted by a huge retro sign with exposed bulbs and a pink and blue palette.

Each room has a small covered seating area with table and chairs where guests can enjoy a coffee or evening drink, but we went straight inside.

All rooms have been recently renovated and decorated in natural tones, with sophisticated interiors and thoughtful style that I immediately wanted to recreate in my own home.

But what about the smallest details?

The bed was huge and plush, just like the rest of it, with four soft, oversized pillows to choose from and a fluffy blanket to ward off the late winter chill.

The bathroom was clean and modern, with a waterfall and handheld shower heads, towel hooks located within easy reach of the shower, and a huge drawer to compensate for the limited vanity space.

The only downside was that the shower was open plan and didn’t have a door, which I didn’t like.

The amenities made up for it; The room had a Dyson hairdryer, a Smeg kettle, a mini fridge, a huge smart TV, a cute reading corner instead of a full sofa and live plants.

Families and groups who need more space can book the motel’s single, spacious three-bedroom apartment with a full kitchen, dining room and living room.

Dolphins also has an outdoor ping pong table, free surfboards and bikes to rent, and a gorgeous outdoor pool that I was too cold to try this time, but I have big plans for my next visit to Mollymook.

The only major issue we encountered during our stay was the touchpad door locks, which I adored so much.

In the morning, room doors are exposed to direct sunlight and this can cause a malfunction when the locks overheat and stop working, effectively locking out guests.

We had this problem the first morning, but Brenden was able to immediately reset the lock on his phone and we were back in the room right away.

He also confirmed that the team is working to resolve the issue as soon as possible.

Food

If I didn’t already enjoy my stay, breakfast at Dolly’s Cafe the next morning really made me fall in love with dolphins.

The place itself is a bit small and shabby, but the food was absolutely divine.

On the first morning I had an avocado flatbread with goat fetta, lemon, pippari and pistachio pesto, and on the second day I opted for something sweet with hot ricotta flatbreads drizzled with maple syrup and passionfruit curd.

Not only were both dishes delicious, but the portion sizes were very generous, which is not always guaranteed.

The coffee was good, but I would recommend the tasty tart shake to anyone looking for a morning energy boost without the caffeine.

Guests who don’t need a full breakfast needn’t worry either; Dolly’s Cafe has a huge refrigerator stocked with freshly baked muffins, sandwiches, drinks and more for anyone who likes to eat on the go.

The cafe also serves lunch, but if you want something different or need a good place for dinner, there’s plenty here.

Around the corner, Mollymook Golf Club offers classic pub food in a clean, casual environment, while Bannister’s Rooftop Grill and Bar is a five-minute drive away and is a great place to grab a drink and a bite to eat.

If you’re looking for something really fancy, head 10 minutes down the road to Cupitt’s Estate for a bite to eat, or to Rick Stein’s restaurant in Bannisters for unreal seafood and ocean views.

Those looking to venture a little further afield to Milton can try the seasonal menu at Milk HAUS, which is located in a restored farmhouse, Pilgrims Café for plant-based dishes, Nomah for Middle Eastern dishes, or go old school at The Milton Hotel.

Things to do in and around Mollymook

Like many towns on the New South Wales south coast, Mollymook is ideal for a weekend getaway, especially in the off-season before the summer boom.

Located just three hours from Sydney and Canberra, it boasts warm days, clear skies and very reasonable prices in autumn and spring.

For example, room rates per night at the Dolphins Motel start at $330 midweek to $519 weekends for the Retro King in the summer, but drop to $239 midweek and $359 weekends in the winter.

The ocean is one of Mollymook’s main attractions and tourists can make the most of whale watching, kayaking or even swimming for those brave enough to take a dip in the cool waves of the South Coast.

Mollymook Beach is covered in soft white sand, so those who don’t want to get wet can spend the day walking along the shore or letting the kids build sand castles.

Families can also hop in the car and make the 50-minute drive for a day trip to Mogo Wildlife Park, which is sure to keep even the rowdiest little ones entertained.

Other attractions include the award-winning local Mollymook Golf Club, wellness centers such as Spa by the Sea in Bannisters, and the Mollymook Lions Beach Market, which you can stop by on a Sunday morning before heading home.

The writer stayed as a guest at the Dolphins Motel.