A HOTEL staff member was able to escape to a locked office and call police, as two offenders committed an early morning robbery at the Coffs Hotel.

The perpetrators gained entry to the premises from the rear laneway between 4.30am and 4.50am, police said.

One of the men was armed with a hammer.

The morning manager saw the two males and ran to a nearby office.

She called 000 to report the crime.

Police said the offenders then smashed through an internal door with the hammer and gained access to a safe room.

Once inside they stole a sum of cash and ran from the hotel, escaping through the rear laneway.

Police are this morning reviewing security vision in the hope of identifying the men.

The two culprits had their faces covered.

Police are also investigating a break and enter at the Moonee Tavern where a front window was smashed and offenders made away with a small amount of alcohol around 2am.

Detectives are establishing links between the incidents.