Can any Mumsnetter living in Brisbane or Adelaide help me??

[Klio]

Hi there, apology in advance as this is going to be slightly long and complicated but I am desperate for help.

I'm going to Brisbane and Adelaide on Nov 18th with dh and ds who will be 7 months when we fly. Have booked through a travel agent and believed we were getting 4* hotels. However when I looked at some reviews of the two places we're staying in they were simply dreadful and it has totally stressed me out. I need some help and advice as I'm now desperate.

In Brisbane we're booked in to the Astor Metropole for which the concesus is that it is dirty (soiled sheets, ripped carpets, etc..), exposed wires, air con that doesn't work and rude staff In Adelaide we're at the Saville City Appartments which are not much better in the cleanliness stakes plus are apparently in the red light district and too dangerous to go out at night As you can imagine I am now worrying myself sick as this was supposed to be a really special trip and our honeymoon to boot and it all seems to be falling apart. Dh has spoken to the travel agent who seems genuinely shocked at the reviews but is dragging feet re: finding us somewhere else to stay that is more suited to having our baby with us. Has anyone been to either of these two places and can tell me any more about them or can you give me any advice as to what I might be able to do? This is the first time we have ever booked through a travel agent, we usually do it all ourselves, and if this is the experience then maybe this is the last time!!!

I am in adelaide, but only been here a few months, so don't know of the hotel personally leave it with me, will speak to dh & his family, see what I can find out.

I have also put some info on my Oz mums site, see if the can help

I am in Brissy and have no personal experience with this hotel but the location would be a bit of a bugger. Whilst it is within walking distance to the city - the walk into town, gardens etc will be fine - the walk back would be a bugger - up a rather steepish hill.

We have recommended to friends to stay in this place - much closer to every thing and above train station if you want to explore elsewhere....right on beautiful gardens - roma street parklands and an easy walk anywhere in the city.

holiday inn roma street

know dh's dad and family stayed here in when they came over - in the city - easy walk to places again - they were very impressed.

carlton crest hotel

Is it not possible to cancel the accommodation part of the trip personally via the hotels themselves and then organise your own. See both hotels are available at great rates on discount accommodation sites. If you do a google for either those sites should come up.

With regards the Astor Metropole it seems they have various levels of rooms. This is pretty common in NZ too as they add a new bit, but don't really do too much to the old bit keeping it as a budget alternative. The hotel at Mount Cook is a good example.

You would need to know what the review was of only the 4* room that you have paid for (they appear to be brand new, so wouldn't think they would have the carpet problems and exposed wires etc.) Ask which part you are staying in.

Rude staff - well that really is the eye of the beholder. My dad finds Australians and NZers "rude" because they use his first name without asking and are more sarcastic. A Qantas check in operator (when dad checked in for an internal flight an incredible 4 hours early) said "oh, you better run if you want to catch it" and dad tore off across the airport, then felt silly when he realised.

ADELAIDE
Saville City Apartments

Rating & Reviews

\link{http://www.asiahotels.com/hotelinfo/Saville_Park_Suites_Adelaide/\Reviews at bottom

Have found these on google search, but will see hwta more I can come across

Reviews at bottom

Have no personal experience of the Astor in Brisbane but have stayed at Carlton Crest which Eidsvold pointed out. It was older but find. Restaurant quite expensive though.

My recommendation would be for your travel agent to find you somewhere close to SouthBank. 2 mins to the city centre/shopping etc but Southbank itself has wonderful parklands/markets/beachy swimming pool/restaurants/museum/art gallery etc. Close to west end outlet shopping. City Centre is short walk across bridge or a ferry ride. Think any of the motels in SouthBank area would be fine as it has huge conference facilities that attract international visitors.

the creest is literally across the square from cafes and the city central - a walk through the mall to SOuthbank.

Southbank area would be fab. Have stayed at the holiday inn - was very good.

holiday inn at roma Street that is

city botanical gardens have a lovely cafe - do fab breakfast - think that is only weekends - we come in for that.

cafe menu

Hilton on the Mall is also fab - have stayed there - right in city centre

hilton

discount rooms

might try wotif also

I like lastminute.com.au

Ok, here's what they posted on my Oz site

ADELAIDE

Here
This link shows you that the hotel is at #13.
This is located on Hindley St which is a popular night life part of town which might have given a certain person the 'red light' opinion.
In my opinion adelaide doesn't really have a famous 'district' like Kings Cross for eg.
If you scroll down to pg 13 you can see Qantas holidays opinion on the property. They have rated it a 4 flag which is quite high and it seems to me to be in a great location. I would not be concerned at all with this property. Qantas Holidays review their hotels annually and they have to meet a certain standard to be considered for their wholesale product.

BRISBANE

I haven't heard of this one before but judging from their website they seem just fine.

Here

Thanks so much for all your help, has really eased my mind!! Dh is going to talk to travel agent this afternoon and see if we can cancel the accomodation part of the trip for Brisbane. Just worried about finding alternative accomodation tho' as we're coming over for the cricket and the whole of Brisbane and Adelaide is going to be full to bursting with Brits!!!

I'd keep the accomodation, and only move if it's really grotty, and then claim compensation. We went with Air NZ and the hotel had double booked up - one phone call and we were in our room (and presumably some other poor soul was in a taxi to another hotel).

Or get your new accomodation first before you cancel.

Agree with threebob. I would not cancel the Bris accomm until you have new accomm.