Old Moaner Travel
I haven’t been everywhere, but it’s on my list
Australia Lodgings
Clearly, this is, by no means, a comprehensive guide to accommodation in Australia. Instead it's some of the places I've stayed in the past few years.
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There are clearly more comprehensive guides available elsewhere on the internet, however this guide may give some suggestions of places to stay or, more importantly, avoid if you are considering visiting a particular location. Each hotel is given a subjective score out of five.
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In some instances the establishment has replied to my comments, where this has happened I have include, for fairness, their response.
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Listings are alphabetical listing by city / town.
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Brisbane
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Brisbane Riverview Hotel, Hamilton 4½/5
A stunning hotel alongside, as the name suggests, the Brisbane River.
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Set in the Hamilton area of Brisbane the hotel is a ten minute walk from a City Cat stop with an approximate 30 minute river trip to the city centre. Buses to the city stop outside the hotel or the hotel is a reasonably priced taxi ride from the city centre.
The rooms are spacious with some rooms offering a panoramic river and city view.
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f you don't mind staying out of the city centre this is a lovely hotel to stay in.
Surfers Paradise
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Novotel 4/5
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A great hotel, centrally located and handy for all the attractions in Surfers Paradise.
The room was spacious, the bed lovely and comfortable and the views from the balcony were good with a view of the beach and downtown.
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Breakfast was good, with a wide choice, although it could get very busy and with only one person working on the "egg station" delays with orders were inevitable.
There is an evening buffet, advertised as a seafood buffet but seafood choices were limited and the price was very high, so we didn't bother as there were better options away from the hotel.
The staff were friendly and helpful.
The only downside, and not the hotels fault, was the resort itself was a disappointing anti-climax. It is definitely a resort aimed at the younger generation and as "oldies" we didn't enjoy the resort and found it too boisterous and, in places, very tacky but that's just a personal view.
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Hotel Response:
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Thank you for taking the time to write a review following your recent stay at Novotel Surfers Paradise, it is always a pleasure to receive positive feedback from our International guests!
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I will share your comments with my Team as just like me they will be very happy to know that you enjoyed your stay at the Hotel including your spacious room with it's spectacular ocean views.
Thank you for your comments regarding breakfast, the egg station has grown in popularity since it's introduction and at peak times we do have 2 chefs cooking, sorry if your omelette or eggs were delayed at any stage during your stay.
I was disappointed to read that you did not enjoy Surfers Paradise and I understand that it may feel busy at times due to the numbers of people that it's iconic location attracts, for our guests who prefer something a bit quieter, Main Beach and Broadbeach both have some great shops, cafes and restaurants which are reached by a short tram ride with tram stops being located only a few minutes walk to the North and the South of the Hotel.
Thank you for your feedback and I hope to welcome you back to Novotel Surfers Paradise again in the future should you be heading back to
Autsralia (sic) again!
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Sydney
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Holiday Inn, Kings Cross 4/5
Kings Cross, as in the case with its London namesake, used to be a down at heel area which has seen a gentrification.
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This hotel is your bog standard Holiday Inn, nothing fancy but you know what you're getting and good value for money.
The higher the floor, the better your view and the more you pay - some rooms offer views of the Harbour Bridge.
Reception staff were friendly and welcoming.
The restaurant looks deceptive - it looks more like a bar than a restaurant - don't be fooled. The menu can be expensive but keep your eyes peeled for some really good daily deals.
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The hotel is above Kings Cross station which provides easy access to all areas of the city.