Rydges South Bank Brisbane Convention Center

I attended a meeting at Brisbane Convention center. Last time I attended a meeting there I stayed near the Brisbane casino. Not so convenient - real pain d'rear. This time I stayed next to convention center at Rydges. It made a huge difference - less rushing. I got of the train station at South Bank it was a short walk to the Rydges Hotel. Check in was quick and I prepaid for the room. There is a connection to the convention center from the hotel or a short walk. There was a pool and a gym which I used. The evenings are best for the pool as the morning sun is intense in summer & shines right into your eyes in the pool. It's not a lap pool more for you to cool down after the conference & have a drink.  I really enjoyed the technology in the hotel rooms. There was apple airtime in room tv. So I could play SBS or ABC programs on my iphone onto the large screen high definition tv in the room. There was complementary hot chocolate in the room. Staff were friendly. This hotel has most of the features of a 5 star hotel but on a smaller scale. I didn't have any laundry or meals at the hotel but reading the other reviews may not have missed to much. Overall I think it's one of the better convention hotels I have stayed in and it made life so much easier for my stay. There's a woolworths 700m down the road if you run out of basics. Lots of great restaurant and bars around hotel. Return to airport is easy walk to South Brisbane station & 40 minute train ride.

Freshwater East Kimberley Digs in Kununurra

Flew in and out of Kununurra on day trips to Kalamburu, Wyndham & Halls Creek on Shoal Air. The friendly local air charter company. At the end of each 40 or 44 degree day returned to the magnificently large apartments. We had the outdoor shower in the enclosed courtyard every night. This was a my favourite part of the day. Glorious night and warm or cold water available too!! There is an indoor shower for the conventional people. A large well equipped kitchen in the apartment. There was not 1 but two bloody freezing cold air conditioners. It was so hot outside at 40 to 44 that I was forced to do indoor yoga and callisthenics instead running around outside. Thank the almighty & management for the 2 airconditioners. The pool was a god send & well wishes to all the pool users at 6am whom we shared laps in the pool with. The reception is only open from 8 to 5. The wifi does not work for apple mobile phones as it kept logging out of both the iphone 5 and 7. It was good for the windows laptop. Phone reception was good. As 1 night I had a 2.5 hour teleconference for a committee meeting to Perth and the mobile reception was good for the entire duration. This is the apartment to be in when you are in Knx. It also has a laundromat. Which I did not use. Check in time was fast and so was check out during office hours. Parking was free and easy to find as long as you don't park in the time share bays.

Apartment living area

Outdoor shower & bath

Oaks Broom

Flying in & out of Broome last two weeks. This week I got to stay in Broome after spending a day in Derby on a day trip by charter flight from Broome. BAS (Broome Air services) really put in the xtra mile to get us a plane & the pilot stayed with us all day in Derby. When we got back to Broome we stayed at the Oaks. Free parking. Run to lobby. Out of the heat into 3 minute check in at the lobby. Then into already airconditioned room with a fan on too. Chilled beer & wine glasses in the fridge. Drove to Woolworths store 10 minutes away. Got some refreshments and munchies. Then back into the airconditioning to watch a movie on the 5 or 6 available complementary movie channels. Then got up in the morning to swin in the lukewarm frehwater pool. Managed to swim 1km of 40 laps in a 25 meter pool over 40mins. heavenly bliss for the start of a hot day There was a toaster in the room to make toast for high carbs breakfast after the swim. Also fancy new temperature controlled kettle that you could use to boil hot water to poach eggs if you wanted. Literally a 1 minute check out. Then we went to Broome community town & later saw Tanya Ransom the local Broome songstress with a group of her friends. Should have asked for an autograph....... http://www.tanyaransommusic.com.au/ Worth a visit? Wifi was initially fast. Then kinda died on the phone but was ok on laptop.

Crowne Plaza Melbourne Convention Centre

Got lucky & room with river view on a high floor. Melb weather was kind so very scenic. Quck check in. No fuss. Complimentry internet that was surprisingly fast. Hot chocolate in the rooms. Close to convention center. 10 min walk from the Southern Cross sky bus service to airport. Casino 15 min walk acorss the river. Pool was nicely tucked away in a maze. Used the 24 hour gym. Quick checkout. Concierge can store your baggage until you are ready to leave. 1 computer not working in business area but no sweat use another. Forgot my laptop this trip. Forogot to bring back my poster from the convention.

River view from the room. Convention cneter in background. Great spring day in Melbourne.

Sir Stamford Circular Quay Sydney

Large room. Steak dinner with room service. Direct train from domestic airport then walk 10 minutes. Close to offices on Phillip st. Near the opera. Quaint old style decor. Small but passable gym. Wading pool on the 5th floor. Breakfast in dining room with old style charm. 

The pool on the 5th Floor

Breakfast in the dining room.

Had breakfast here after staying in the hotel. The have poached eggs with smoked salmon or trout in little containers. Also have a juicer for the ginger, carrot and celery breakfast juice. The pancake machine wasn't working on the morning I was there.  Tea came in a proper pot and single tea bag. $35 per person for the hot breakfast. Sausage and bacon available.

Hilton Adeliade

We arrived late on Thursday night. Couldn't get a steak on room service. Had the chicken curry & rice. Hearty chicken chunks in the curry.  Good feed. Buffet breakfast the morning after. Rooms were fine for the single night. Room overlooked the square and the light rail. Gym was ok. Didn't get to use the pool. Easy to get taxis. I didn't get to visit the city as I only stayed 1 night for work. Managed to get complimentary wifi.


Standard room

Chicken curry room service

Parkroyal Melb

I flew in late due to strong winds in Sydney disrupting flights around the country. Got upgraded to 914 a suite overlooking the airport. Automatic blinds in the living and dining room. There were two toilets. One in the bedroom & in the living room. Ample space. I went to the gym but didn't use the pool. The airport is on level 5 onwards in the car park. Just walk across the driveway in front of the airport. Good night sleep with earplugs. Couldn't hear any airplanes taking off or landing. After our meeting next day just walked across the road. Caught the flight home.