AFF Gathering #8 at MEL on 24 - 26 October

[woodborer]

Holy expensive accommodation, Batman. I'll have to think about it....

 

[gwilli1]

Melbourne is a big city with lots of accommodation = you don't have stay at the Hilton

Holy expensive accommodation, Batman. I'll have to think about it....

 

[JessicaTam]

I have changed my accommodation slightly. HSW on Friday night, followed by HotP on Saturday.

 

[amaroo]

I'm Gold along with mrsamaroo. Have booked Fri and Sat night at the Park Hyatt.

 

[penegal]

Does AUStudy (Centrelink) count for a government rate?

No...

I'm Gold along with mrsamaroo. Have booked Fri and Sat night at the Park Hyatt.

I may stay at either the PH or one of the Hiltons... or I may stay at châteaux penegal.

The advantage of being in the city is an extra ~hour of sleep thanks to reduced commute time to events


Of course being in the city also means I am closer to temptation, so likely to stay up later anyway, lol

 

[Cat207]

I probably will attend but too early to book anything yet. I'm going to have to see how many annual leave days I have to play with before I can commit.

 

[Newk]

No...




I may stay at either the PH or one of the Hiltons... or I may stay at châteaux penegal.

The advantage of being in the city is an extra ~hour of sleep thanks to reduced commute time to events


Of course being in the city also means I am closer to temptation, so likely to stay up later anyway, lol

what are the going rates for châteaux penegal?


and do you get points with that?

 

[MartinMemo]

what are the going rates for châteaux penegal?


and do you get points with that?

I'd estimate a few bottles of Bollinger

 

[MartinMemo]

As a local, if anyone is after a more budget friendly 4-4.5 star option in the city I'm happy to make a reservation and check in with you at any of these hotels - rates between $115-199 pn. Pm if you want the pricing.
(no Hyatt or Hilton on the list! Oh the shame!)

 

[samh004]

I recently stayed at Tune Hotels and was very impressed with the $80/night it cost. Tune is owned by AirAsia. Still undecided where I'll stay though.

 

[MartinMemo]

I'm a big citadines fan and recommend it to most of my family and friends when they come here. But back when I travelled to and from Melbourne I always stayed at the punthill Manhattan - very well priced, amazing rooms with full lounge and kitchen, just on little Flinders near the grand Hyatt

 

[woodborer]

I recently stayed at Tune Hotels and was very impressed with the $80/night it cost. Tune is owned by AirAsia. Still undecided where I'll stay though.

I think it is more true to say that AirAsia and Tune have a common owner (i.e. they are sister companies), than it is to say that one owns the other.

 

[samh004]

I think it is more true to say that AirAsia and Tune have a common owner (i.e. they are sister companies), than it is to say that one owns the other.

Whichever

Brand new building, comfortable rooms, dirt cheap.

 

[penegal]

what are the going rates for châteaux penegal?


and do you get points with that?

I'd estimate a few bottles of Bollinger

hahaha, rates are competitive

I don't take credit cards, so no points.

 

[TomVexille]

hahaha, rates are competitive

I don't take credit cards, so no points.

And not too far from the city?

 

[markis10]

hahaha, rates are competitive

I don't take credit cards, so no points.

But what is the turndown service like?

 

[TomVexille]

But what is the turndown service like?

And is it possible to get an upgrade?

 

[penegal]

And not too far from the city?

I live near nlagalle and tuapekasar, so not too far away, but it is a sufficient distance that I am contemplating a hotel stay to make things easier.

But what is the turndown service like?

And is it possible to get an upgrade?

In the immortal words of Darryl Kerrigan, "tell them the're dreaming"

 

[penegal]

The Colonial Tramcar Restaurant has been suggested as a possible activity for this do. As the name suggests it is essentially a restaurant aboard a tram. The tram departs and returns to the same point on Normanby Road (behind the Exhibition Centre). Diners can peer out at the Melbourne streetscape while enjoying a 3, 4 or 5 course meal ("fine dining") with drinks.

I believe much of the food is prepared in a catering facility offsite before being loaded onto the tram at various points (the on-board kitchen is quite small, and mainly used for reheating & final touches). Sound familiar anyone?

Check out the website for details. The "Times and Prices" tab has most of the important information.
The Colonial Tramcar Restaurant - A Melbourne Dining Experience

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Logistically this activity has some challenges. It must be booked well in advance, with prepayment and confirmed numbers. Traditionally AFF events allow for people to attend at relatively short notice, so if we commit to this activity please be aware you will need to confirm your attendance and cough up the cash in advance.

With regards to timing, I am not sure which day & time would be best for this activity. Traditionally the "main dinner" occurs on Saturday evening and is held in a restaurant to allow as many people as possible to attend. I would like to keep the "main dinner" open to as many attendees as possible, including a guest speaker. As such, I think this activity may need to be on the Friday evening, Sunday evening or during the day on one of the days.

Any opinions either way?

 

[mickeyc747]

I have done the Tram Car twice and would be happy to do it a third time. The food isn't to bad and the drinks are included. Friday night may be good considering it requires advance notice.