Dooleys Capella Tavern and Motel

Check-in was simple, and we parked right outside our room. It was clean, tidy, and spacious, tucked away from the main road. There’s a pool and even a gym. The hotel has great food and drinks too, and at this time of year Christmas decorations are everywhere.

The attached tavern served a good-value steak quickly, and the motel is worth the short drive out of emerald compared with some places closer in. From the outside it doesn’t look like much, but the rooms are modern, spacious, well equipped, and very clean. They’re also comfortable, with good insulation against noise and temperature.

The restaurant staff were excellent and friendly, and they made the stay. Some meals were average, though my salmon on the third night was excellent. I reported the room issue to a woman in the restaurant, and she passed it on. My room was clean on the first day, but it was left open after staff went in, and nothing had been done or cleaned. I expected it to be serviced at least once during my four-night stay, but got no service at all and no fresh towels. The bill also had breakfast and lunch added every day when I hadn’t eaten them. I only spotted the charges because they’d added a lost key fee, even though I returned the key. I got a refund, but it’s strange that meals were added automatically. I won’t return.

The rooms were nice and the staff were pleasant enough. I was the only person there, but still waited an hour for my meal. They said they’d forgotten it, then brought it out completely raw. I got a refund and went to the service station instead. Won’t be back.