Rydges Le Grand, Hamilton, New Zealand

Australia, Hotels (Hotels and Resorts), Leisure No Comments

Placed right in the center of Hamilton, or on High Street, the hotel was perfect for shopping in the day and partying in the night. The Bank, which changes from a restaurant to a club later in the night, is only a few steps from the hotel.

The rooms were nice and large and quite pretty. I had no problems with the cleanliness of the rooms and the shower was a good comfortable size. Unfortunately I only had a TV in the room, but that was a good excuse to visit the many nearby clubs and restaurants. The breakfast was very standard in the means of choice, but I am not a big breakfast eater anyway so that wasn’t a problem for me.

Average price considering the lack of different activities in the city of Hamilton and generally I would rate it a good but not fantastic experience.

1 Star2 Stars3 Stars4 Stars5 Stars (1 votes, average: 5 out of 5)

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Atarmon Inn, Atarmon, Sydney, NSW, Australia

Australia, Cities, Family Vacation, Hotels (Hotels and Resorts) No Comments

My partner and I stayed at the Atarmon Inn during New Years eve 2007. At the time of our stay the rooms were modern, very neat and tidy and well priced. The staff were very friendly and very helpful especially after failing to secure a good spot before the fireworks. They suggested we visit a fairly unknown location that allowed us a full view of all the fireworks going off at once along Darling Harbour. As a result of the staffs help, we ended up getting a better view then we could ever have asked for.

We did experience one issue with our first room. As the rooms were new, and we were essentially the first to use them there was a drainage issue with the shower in the room. The Staff immediately acted on the issue and allocated a new room.

The motel provides a 24-hour front desk that can accommodate most needs.

1 Star2 Stars3 Stars4 Stars5 Stars (1 votes, average: 5 out of 5)

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Aarons Hotel, Sydney, NSW, Australia

Australia, Cities, Hotels (Hotels and Resorts) No Comments

I have stayed at Aarons Motel over 4 times over the years and I have found the motel to be up to expectations. I have never known the motel to be the “bells and whistles” type of accommodation but rather a cheap, yet comfortable, place to stay in the heart of Sydney.

The primary benefit of Aarons is its perfect location in the heart of Sydney, as it is within walking distance of many of Sydney’s iconic areas and public transport. It is truly unbelievable as to how well the motel is placed. For example, if you step out the front of Aarons Motel, you are:

  • 20 metres from Paddy’s Markets (across the road)
  • 400 metres from the Exhibition Centre
  • 600 metres from Darling Harbour
  • 600 metres from the Powerhouse Museum
  • 200 metres from China Town
  • 70 metres to the inner city monorail (gives access to many other attractions)
  • 50 metres to tram station
  • 200 metres to train station

The staff has always been friendly and helpful.

 1 Star2 Stars3 Stars4 Stars5 Stars (1 votes, average: 5 out of 5)

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The Marque, Canberra, ACT, Australia

Australia, Business Trip, Cities, Hotels (Hotels and Resorts) No Comments

The Marque is well known as one of the better motels to stay at in Canberra providing great service to all, from families to travelling business people. The Marque hosts the Northbourne restaurant, with a delicious range of food that I have enjoyed on countless visits.

Located on Northbourne Avenue the motel is within 200 meters of the centre of the city which hosts the large civic centre. This centre has everything thing from supermarkets to cinemas.

The staff is friendly and has provided great service to me on various business trips and occasions. For business guests the motel provides wireless internet, photocopying and faxing facilities. The motel also provides an outdoor pool and gym area.

The motel also provides 24 hour reception.

1 Star2 Stars3 Stars4 Stars5 Stars (No Ratings Yet)

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Quality Resort Siesta, Albury, NSW, Australia

Australia, Family Vacation, Hotels (Hotels and Resorts), Leisure, Waterfalls No Comments

Located 3 km from the centre of Albury, Quality Resort Siesta Resort is a self enclosed Relaxation leisure motel. Rated at 4 1/2 stars the Siesta is perfect for families and boast’s a large array of interesting and relaxing activities including:

  • Tennis courts
  • Squash courts
  • Mini golf course
  • Enlarged chess game
  • 3 spas (2 of which are hosted inside an outdoor cave, 1 in a large sombrero hat)
  • 1 Heated indoor pool
  • 1 large outdoor pool, complete with islands and rock diving platform
  • Games room including pool and ping pong
  • 2 Saunas

The resort also contains two excellent restaurants; Cactus Cantina Bistro Bullring Bar and Restaurants that I have always found to be top class. The staff is excellent and always available to assist. My family has stayed at this resort 4 times over the years and has made plans for a future stay for we have always enjoyed the resort.

1 Star2 Stars3 Stars4 Stars5 Stars (No Ratings Yet)

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Gisborne Bed and Breakfast, Gisborne, North Island, New Zealand

Australia, Hotels (Hotels and Resorts), Leisure No Comments

From an old hospital, this hotel has been converted into a spacious and beautiful B&B that serves absolutely divine breakfast meals. There’s nothing like waking up and taking a stroll to a large, sandy, yellow beach first thing in the morning while the air is fresh and the traffic is low – well if there was any traffic during the day at all of course! 

There is a huge variety of activities that can be done in and around Gisborne, from dolphin swimming, hikes, and trips to the old WW2 bunkers. If you would prefer the more calm day trips, there is always golf and wine tasting. 

The hotel itself is family run, and they endeavor to do the best they can to keep a wonderful friendly attitude between all the guests and staff. And at $100 NZD a night, there was many left for the pub just around the corner.

1 Star2 Stars3 Stars4 Stars5 Stars (1 votes, average: 5 out of 5)

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Thornton Beach Holiday Park, Bay of Pleanty, North Island, New Zealand

Australia, Leisure, Parks and Recreation Areas No Comments

Thornton Beach itself, is an incredibly beautiful and never-ending beach. And with 120 caravan sites (with power and water), you will be waking up to a variety of new neighbors everyday.  While the town of Thornton is quite small, which is part of the attraction, the holiday park is situated only 14km from Whakatane and 8km from Edgecumbe. 

The Wharf has a boat ramp and you can also purchase supplies like tackles and bait from the main office. There is also a child’s play area along with a very good set of amenities (including well kept kitchen, with microwave, fridge and hotplates,) And for those that want a hot snack or don’t wish to cook that night, there is a food caravan each day that serves hot and cold food and drinks. A site will set you back as little as $12 or $15 NZD.   

Having lived in Thornton as a child, it was a delight to return to the beach where I grew up and once again do all the activates I did as a child like fishing, eeling in the nearby river, collecting shellfish for the BBQ, and spending all day on the beach.

1 Star2 Stars3 Stars4 Stars5 Stars (No Ratings Yet)

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Central Regent Hotel, Sydney, Australia

Australia, Hotels (Hotels and Resorts), Leisure, Train Station No Comments

A bargain price for central Sydney at AUD 120 a night and located right next to the central train station. This is especially important in such a tourist icon as Sydney, because you can easily get to all the trademark locations. You can soon have all those photos of yourself standing in front of the strange looking buildings with a terrible sunburn, from the gorgeous weather, for you friends and family.

It is also within walking distance of Darling Harbour and a variety of shops, and with the endless supplies of good restaurants nearby and elsewhere in Sydney, your day will be full from dawn until dusk. The staff are friendly and the rooms are clean and cosy. The bathroom was especially spotless and the rooms were nice and quiet at night.

1 Star2 Stars3 Stars4 Stars5 Stars (No Ratings Yet)

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Cosmopolitan Hotel, Melbourne, Australia

Australia, Hotels (Hotels and Resorts), Leisure No Comments

Located conveniently very near the trendy bars and clubs, only 1 block, it’s a great place to stay in St Kilda. But because of this, it is quite a noisy location. It is best suited for those that want to spend the day sleeping in the sun, and the nights living the nightlife. It’s also only 3 blocks from the nice white sandy beach.

Rooms were nice and big and also clean. There is also a plasma TV, internet connection, good work area for business travelers, and the bed is very comfortable. And at $130 for the room, it was a good summer price at a time that a lot of hotels raise their prices. I also found the staff very friendly and helpful. If you manage to drag yourself away from the beach, there are many things to due in Melbourne’s St Kilda area. And make sure you try the tram, as it’s a delightful trip.

1 Star2 Stars3 Stars4 Stars5 Stars (No Ratings Yet)

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Rydges Southbank Hotel, Brisbane, Australia

Australia, Hotels (Hotels and Resorts), Leisure No Comments

I stayed here for only one night back in 2005 as part of business trip that had the flight back to the UK delayed by a day. The rooms were a good size, and even though some of my colleagues had warned me there had been problems with some of the furnishings in the hotel, my room was clean and comfortable.

You could self cater (I didn’t get the chance) as the room had a small microwave, kitchen and fridge. The staff were helpful and made what could have been a rather stressful situation, as calm as possible. The location was good but I was unable to take advantage in the short time I stayed there.

Situated right next to the Southbank Park area and only little way away from the train station, I regretted not having an extra day. All I managed to sample were some of the restaurants in the Southbank Park area, which were of an excellent quality.

1 Star2 Stars3 Stars4 Stars5 Stars (No Ratings Yet)

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