Hotels in Sydney & Melbourne

em_z

Hi All
Planning to head to Australia and New Zealand for four weeks next year. Unfortunately we can only go over Christmas (around Dec 10-Jan 10th) which I know is peak time. Does anyone have any tips for getting good deals on hotels or apartment hotels in Sydney and Melbourne? We are planning to spend around 10 days each there, and then another 10 days on the North Island of New Zealand.

We have an idea of where we want to stay in New Zealand as we have been there before, but have never been to either Sydney or Melbourne. Planning on doing Sydney then Melbourne then New Zealand. Would love some hotel suggestions or recommendations along with money saving tips (if this is possible at this time of year!). Ideally we would like decent hotel rather than budget places or hostels, but are open to ideas. We are thinking that apartment hotels might be the way to go, as we can eat in some of the time.

Thanks very much!

em_z

Can anyone help?

hcb42

Who have you booked flights with - often they can get access to better rates than the public rates...

I would normally start my research with Expedia - but then use hotel own websites to sign up for offers/book.

comeandgo

When we are in Australia and New Zealand I use booking.com, same as I do when looking for hotels in UK. We have used the Meriton group, the Meriton on Campbell Street in Sydney is really good. Close to The Chinese area and 5 mins fron train station. Try trip adviser for reports on hotels and apartments. Things are expensive in Sydney, though the rate of the Australian dollar to the pound is the best it has been for a number of years.

ibizafan_2

We liked the Swissotel in Sydney. Great location for walking to Circular Quay and Darling Harbour. While we were in Oz last month, we used Wotif to get a mystery 5 star hotel on the Gold Coast. My son worked out which hotel it was, and it saved us loads. Might be worth looking at that as the 5 star hotels are likely to be in the best locations. We booked the Swissotel through Travel Republic, and didn't have to pay until we got there. Trivago is also a good site to start with for comparison.

SW17

I always stay in the Intercontinental when I'm in Sydney, right by Circular Quay. Swissotel, and Meriton Apartment hotels mentioned by others also have good reputations. Assume you prefer Rocks/Circular Quay if you're a first time visitor, good but expensive as hotel supply is limited there.

An alternative area to consider is Surry Hills, a trendy inner suburb about 2.5 miles from Circular Quay. It's the centre of the creative industries in Sydney, with lots of art, fashion, good restaurants, funky bars & nightlife. Don't know the hotels there very well, but the ADGE apartment hotel there is currently the #1 Sydney hotel on TripAdvisor.

Price wise, it might be worth checking out an old-school travel agent. Australian hotels are very focused on price parity online, so online deals may be similar across sites. Travel agents might have access to rates that can only be sold offline or in packages.

I've only been to Melbourne a couple of times, the intercontinental Rialto in the centre is nice but there are probably many good choices. Again, the CBD area around Flinders Street is popular. There is a Sebel suite/apartment hotel on Flinders Lane which should be good, haven't stayed there but have stayed in that street, pretty nice place.

Hope this helps

em_z

This is very helpful. Thanks all!

Gloomendoom

em_z wrote: »

This is very helpful. Thanks all!

We just use Expedia and similar like we do for anywhere else. We have used it for booking accommodation in Australia, including an apartment type hotel just outside Melbourne.

Check the reviews on Tripadvisor before booking though.