City Guides Anyone ?

[icemann]

I'd just like to see more city guides here, I've not surfed FlyerTalk for a bit, but there's not too many city guides here for Aussies. As an example, Lindsay's bit 'When in Perth' was very good. I enjoyed it for being informative and (unlike some 'survey pages'), it didn't slag off other places.

I'm sure that with the wealth of information available here amongst all of us, we could make something fairly sizeable. I don't expect to see everything here, but I'm sure that as a start, we could get something together for the Aussie major centres, esp. dining, wining (if you have a business client, for example).

I say this, because before a recent trip to the US, I was looking for a hotel in the rather small city of Albany, NY. I saw that they had a Hilton Garden, but accessing some 'survey guides' on the net gave a very poor overview of not only the hotel, but weren't too 'in depth'. And some of them just smack of bias without foundation. Is there anywhere on the net that has an unbiased view of where to go / stay ? (might be asking for a bit here).

Word of mouth (which this forum is to some extent) amongst business travellers / FFs is very good, because these people know good places to go. I'd be happy to contribute on ADL and BNE, plus some other places in SE Asia.

BTW, I went to the Marriot in Albany, and it was superb. Having come from MEL, I was given (without asking) a 4pm checkout. Great stuff. I heard a few good reviews about it on the net, but my whole point is, I was going 'pot luck' with what other people said, on the basis of a few lines without much justification.

Lindsay might disagree with me here - feel free... But I rate the Stamford in Brisbane, with Pier Nine (just close to it - recommended by the Valets) as a great wine and seafood place. Service was good too. The guys at the hotel were superb, everyone really friendly and great service.

 

[QF WP]

icemann, congrats on becoming a posting freak!

I agree with you actually..both on the Stamford and Pier Nine. I don't do a heap of dining. But I'm about to go to SYD/MEL/CBR in the next two weeks, so will add to my pages. Also, have an ADL page that I can type up. I think it's a good idea, I enjoy sharing information and have certainly learnt a lot since joining travel BB's about 2 years ago.

 

[redrat]

Icemann, I think you have an excellent idea. I have a couple of favourite restaurants in the places I've visited but I'm always on the lookout for more for the individual (on your own) traveller.
Have you ever eaten at The George Hotel in Christchurch? I had the 'degustation' (I think that is how it's spelt) consisting of 7 small courses and a different wine with each. The owner explained every course and wine. The only problem was eating it by myself otherwise it was excellent.

 

[icemann]

Cheers Lindsay (for the congratulations)

And thanks to Redrat as well. I'm glad my suggestion was so well received.

I reckon that if we put the threads up, e.g. when in ADL, when in BNE, and then everyone (whoever they are) can add to each individual thread, with all their own views and favourites. The beauty of this is, restaurants that are good, are usually 'good' across the board for everyone.

I'm always after different places to go, and in my head, I have a select database of particular places that I've been to that I would definitely go to again. It is also VERY useful, if you are with a client / business partner and you have an option on where to take them, particularly if part of the success of a deal hinges on the hospitality.

 

[straitman]

I'd just like to see more city guides here, I've not surfed FlyerTalk for a bit, but there's not too many city guides here for Aussies. As an example, Lindsay's bit 'When in Perth' was very good. I enjoyed it for being informative and (unlike some 'survey pages'), it didn't slag off other places.

I'm sure that with the wealth of information available here amongst all of us, we could make something fairly sizeable. I don't expect to see everything here, but I'm sure that as a start, we could get something together for the Aussie major centres, esp. dining, wining (if you have a business client, for example).

Go for it guys. It's quite difficult to get good reliable info about this sort of thing.
From my perspective, I'm not sure how you propose to set it up however I've certainly got a few places stored away amongst the cobwebs.

 

[icemann]

I wouldn't mind throwing in a Qantas Club / partner airline lounge review too.

As an example, some of the things that 'get me' are the fact that, when I go to some places, even though I am paying 'top notch', e.g. Hyatt ADL Regency Club floor, Marriot, little things, like internet access are NOT complimentary. Not even one minute. I mean, is AUS $300 or US $200 not enough to get this ?

I would have thought that a couple of minutes to go and read my email (which is really all I need it for) wouldn't be too much trouble ?

USA has to rank as one of the worst offenders for 'paying for everything', even when you have gone and shelled out money for a service. My boss has had to PAY to receive a fax in a hotel (Sheraton CHI) ! In the AA lounges, you have to as well. Some AA lounges don't have internet access (even some big ones), some have terminals there (e.g. CHI), some don't - it's a mixed bag.

As an illustration, you can receive and send faxes in QC lounges free. In a QC lounge, I know I can walk in and find a terminal to jump onto, because I sometimes don't have my laptop with me. I can mail things within Australia. Without the QC lounges, I would be struggling.

All I need is a place to receive faxes, read my email and keep the volume of my inbox down. On the road, this is often not easy, and is not made any easier when people try and sting me for more money for what should really be (and are), business essentials.

I mean, after all, I'm not a bloody backpacker.

 

[redrat]

Icemann, the Starwood Preferred Guest program gives you 1 free hour on their Business PC's. I'm not sure if it's available everywhere but I know the Sheraton runs it most places I go.
I've never regretted making Starwood & Qantas my preference as I'm happily Platinum in both (lifetime gold with QF) & even President's Club with Hertz. My business colleague is forever regretting all the times he made me drive instead of him.

 

[QF WP]

I'll get around to doing new topics for all the stuff that I have, but given that time is at a premium for me at present (7 weeks before I get married), I won't have the time to write them (due to their length) before late Sept/early Oct.

Redrat is correct on his SPG point. Likewise, I chose many years ago to focus on QF and SPG, but over the past 10 years have added both fringe programs (SQ, NW, UA) and major ones (HHonors, Avis, Hertz).

 

[straitman]

I'd just like to see more city guides here, I've not surfed FlyerTalk for a bit, but there's not too many city guides here for Aussies. As an example, Lindsay's bit 'When in Perth' was very good. I enjoyed it for being informative and (unlike some 'survey pages'), it didn't slag off other places.

Thought I'd start with one from the other side of the pond. The Auckland Heritage Hotel. BRILLIANT :!:

Relatively inexpensive, great, friendly service, quiet and with large very well refurbished rooms.

Not sure about the evening meals however breakfast was as good as it gets.

Great location as it's near a huge number of restaurants on and around the wharves. (although that might have changed a bit now the "cups" gone)

Biggest problem was getting lost driving from the airport to down town, but that might just have been me

Not sure what else to say other than I'd be keen to know if anyone else has been there :?:

 

[arun]

It could be useful to state the room rates - of course it vary seasonally and how you book, but could give a reasonable ball park.
Other useful info could be like "they give ff points if you are a QFF" or "if you pay by XYZ cards you get bonus points", etc.

 

[straitman]

It could be useful to state the room rates - of course it vary seasonally and how you book, but could give a reasonable ball park.
Other useful info could be like "they give ff points if you are a QFF" or "if you pay by XYZ cards you get bonus points", etc.

This particular acc was booked at a corporate rate so I'm not much use here and re FF points, believe so however I couldn't be sure. Sorry to be so vague :!:

 

[straitman]

Any more starters here?

 

[QF WP]

I've compiled a trip report + hotel, so now just have to type it into a new topic. May bet to it tonight or tomorrow...

 

[straitman]

Thanks Lindsay

 

[icemann]

I can comment on MCY (Noosa) off a recent trip, ADL (on quite a few), and SYD.

Will be posting some soon. Just got back and I am knackered.

 

[icemann]

Put two in the Your Tips section to start the ball rolling