Jopen Cafe & Motel

The cafe has a good range of breakfast choices, but it closes at 3 PM. That was a bit disappointing, since getting to a restaurant for dinner meant driving about half an hour. The motel itself is nice and reasonably priced for around Sussex inlet, with a comfortable bed, a clean room and kind staff. You might spot some Kangaroos around 6 or 7 PM.

The room was quiet, the balcony was neat, and the check-in process was clear and Covid friendly. We also had fast internet, a strong WiFi signal, a microwave, shampoo and conditioner as well as soap, an iron and ironing board, and an extra pillow in the cupboard. The room was generally clean, but there were some problems. We both started coughing and getting an itchy throat soon after entering. We wondered if the room had been unused for a while and had dusty air, though that was only our guess. There were several yellow marks on the curtain, and the blanket had a number of stains, so we ended up using only the bed liner.

The price was modest, which may be the only thing in its favour. Our bathroom had mould throughout, and the floors and other surfaces felt sticky. The kettle was broken and the crockery was dirty too. At check-in, our key had been left under the mat and nobody was at reception, so we had to call someone for instructions. I’m not sure that counts as service. We were also told that school holiday numbers might mean the WiFi wouldn’t reach inside the rooms. What a joke.

The bathroom was clean and nice, and the room had AC, a fridge, microwave and kettle. We booked at the last minute and everything went pretty smoothly. It worked well as a place to stop for one night between drives, with services nearby and Jervis Bay a short drive away. Staff were friendly.