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. 

Stamford Plaza Melbourne

Had an overnight stay for a work meeting. Got in late. Ordered room service for the $20 for 5 curry puffs, Caesar salad and prawn dumplings. Nice Singaporean touch to room service - $75 for dinner. Large room with a divan by the window. Walk in closet or cupboard. Had the pool and gym to myself at 8 pm just before we ordered dinner. Large screen tv by the spa in the pool. There are 2 towers and I was in the other tower but the towers are interconnected by an over the road bridge. Ambience was 70s or 80s in the rooms and got a good sleep as I was on a high floor. Close to the trams near Parliament. About 1.5 to 2 km from the Sky bus station for the airport bus. If you walk it is about 20 minutes or you can catch the tram then walk. Breakfast was busy in the restaurant. So grab a muffin to go or have your breakfast in the room. If you can't spare the wait for a table.

Holiday Inn On Flinders Melbouorne

Had 2 nights in Melbourne attending seminar in convention and exhibition center. Holiday inn was 10 mins walk away. Easy walk from the Sky bus station. Large rooms. Didn't get to use the gym went jogging along the river. Close to casino and train station. Easy to walk to casinos. Large room for the corner suite 213. Was $269/night  on upgrade. Television in room and sitting room. Didn't use the pool. Reception staff alway available and quick to respond. Good storage facilities after check out. Free wifi.
Had the gastro bug from food court food in the casino. Fortunately, there were public ameneties between the convention centre and the hotel. Had to use one of the self cleaning toilets on one day.

Sitting room

Bedroom

View from the windows in the living room