Best Travel Deals of the Week

A selection of the best local and international travel deals of the week:

SYDNEY

Metro Hotel on Pitt, in the heart of Sydney's CBD, is offering a very Merry Sydney Christmas package to visitors who find themselves in transit on Christmas Day.

The package costs $250 and includes one night's accommodation for two in a Superior Deluxe Queen room, Christmas lunch or dinner for two people at Paradiso Restaurant (2 course), breakfast for two and free internet.

The total saving is $116. Offer valid for December 24 and 25, 2012, and subject to availability.
Details: 1800 004 321 or www.metrohotels.com.au.

CAIRNS

The 4.5-star Novotel Cairns Oasis Resort is marking the start of summer with rates for locals from $139 per room per night.

It includes one night accommodation for two adults and two children, and a buffet breakfast.
An upgrade to a pool view room is also part of the rate, subject to availability, as well as late checkout at midday and a 10 per cent discount off all food and beverage purchased at the resort.
The offer is valid until March 31; terms and conditions apply.

Details: (07) 4080 1888 or www.novotelcairnsresort.com.au.

TASMANIA

Peppers Cradle Mountain Lodge in Tasmania is offering a Gourmet Escape package this summer.
It includes accommodation in a Pencil Pine Cabin, breakfast daily for two people, a three-course dinner for two, and a wine and cheese tasting session on one night.

Prices start from $392 per couple per night and is valid until March 31, 2013. Subject to availability, and block-out dates and minimum night stays apply.

Details: www.peppers.com.au.

EUROPE

Princess Cruises is offering a discounted fare when travelling onboard Dawn Princess's 37-day cruise from Rome to Sydney.

The voyage takes in the Western Mediterranean and Asia, including visits to a range of UNESCO World Heritage sites such as Petra and Malta, as well as the option of an overland shore excursion to the Taj Mahal in India.

Departing Rome on September 4, 2013, prices start from $5999 per person twin share.
Details: 13 24 88 or visit www.princess.com.

THAILAND

Amari Palm Reef Koh Samui has a three night Christmas package starting at $680 (conditions apply).
The package is for between December 22-26, 2012, and includes accommodation in a deluxe room, daily breakfast, return airport transfers, a 20 per cent discount on treatments at the hotel's Breeze Spa, and a 15 per cent discount voucher off any of the resort's restaurants.

Details: www.amari.com/palmreef.

“Good Value in a Convenient Location” - Metro Hotel Sydney Central

“Good Value in a Convenient Location” - Metro Hotel Sydney Central

This hotel is conveniently located near Central Station and the Light Rail. Plenty of good reasonably priced cafes and restaurants in immediate vicinity. Staff were helpful and rooms clean and comfortable

Read this review of Metro Hotel Sydney Central and more on Tripadvisor

View Metro Hotel Sydney Central Offical Webpage

“Excellent for the price, great location” - Metro Hotel Sydney Central Guest Review

I managed to get a really good deal on this hotel for only $100 AUD, which in the centre of Sydney is great. I arrived after a 23 hr flight from London very early in the morning, and the reception staff did everything they could to accommodate me into an empty room as soon as possible, for which I was incredibly grateful.

The first room I was put in was a little old and un-renovated with a view of a grey wall, but it was very quiet and easy to sleep in. The room was large, clean and comfortable, with a large clean bathroom. I was moved later in my stay to a much nicer room facing Central station, that was very modern and stylish.

The staff were so great that even when I became ill during my stay at had to be hospitalised, they moved my baggage for me into storage and stopped my payment for that night! I was extremely impressed at the high level of customer service and friendliness I experience. The genuine concern alone was appreciated and not expected in todays customer service.

Everything you need is right outside your door - major transport hub of trains and buses all over Sydney, Darling Harbour is a 15 min walk and Town Hall and the shopping district is only 12 minutes away. Chinatown is only 5 minutes away with great restaurants and the Chinese Gardens. There are little convenience stores dotted around the hotel if you need snacks or amenities, and the lobby has vending machines too for drinks or munchies in the middle of the night.

Really surprised at the negative reviews on here - these guys could not be faulted. I'm coming back to Sydney in October, and will be staying here again. People, for $100 AUD a night to stay in the centre of town within walking distance of everything, with nice clean large rooms - this was a gift.

View Source

“Birthday event at the Paradiso Cafe & Bar Ground Floor Metro Hotel”

 

I organised the above for 16 friends on Tuesday 17.7.12...Blicash was fanastic in ensuring the evening was a great success. I had the tables at the back of the Cafe which gave us a the feel of a private room. The food was excellent - compliments to the chef.

I would recomment organising a function at Paradiso Cafe & Bar...anytime...it's central near Sydney Town Hall. Menu/wine...interesting & varied. Thank you to Bilcash, his wife Prabha & the chef! Sally Rippingale & delighted friends Gaelic Toastmasters Club.

Stayed July 2012, travelled with friends - Reviewed 18 July 2012

Metro Hotel Sydney Central, NSW - 4 Stars on TripAdvisor By ABDUL RAHIM M, June 6, 2012

1) I stayed at the hotel from 30/5 until 4/6/12. Here are my comments:
a) the room was clean and was made up every day.
b) it will be much better if there are more lights in the room but since we didnt have the time
do much reading, it is okay.
c) the lifts were fast.
d) the location is superb : easy access and near to many of the attractions of Sydney.
e) will definitely stay there again.
2) For muslim travellers, there are 2 halal restaurants nearby : Cafe Kasturi on George St
which serve Malay food (closed on Sundays and the Christmas period) and an Indian
restaurant at Paddy's Market. There is a halal Chinese restaurant (Neptune Palace) at
Circular Quay.
3) If you want to go on a day trip ie to Canberra etc ..........it is much cheaper to book the tour
in Sydney itself rather than by booking it online, which is very strange indeed. For examples,
a) I booked a day trip to Canberra by online and it cost me AUD 155. A fellow traveller only
paid AUD 100 when she booked it at the travel agent near the YHA which is located nearby.
There is nothing exciting in Canberra except for the guided tour of the Parliament House.
Along the way we stopped at the beautiful small town of Berriwa which is an absolute gem.
I booked by online a tour to the Blue Mountains and it cost me AUD 155 (inclusive of lunch).
A similar trip cost only AUD 138 if the booking is done in Sydney. If you travel to Katoomba
by rail and then take the Hop On Hop Off bus there, the cost is even less.
4) From the hotel, walk to Central Station and take a train on the North Shore Line to Milson's
Point. There you can get a picturesque views of the Opera House and the Harbour Bridge.
Then walk across the bridge to The Rocks. The views are breathtaking.
5) The cheapest place to buy Australiana souvenirs is at the Paddy's market, within easy
walking distance from the hotel. The cheapest perfumes can be found at the shops of
Discount Chemist. I found one such shop at Bondi Beach. The prices were much cheaper
than those at the duty free shops at the airport.

Review of Metro Hotel on Pitt by Max Llewelyn, Editor of The Holiday and Travel Magazine

Thanks for organizing my stay at the Metro Hotel on Pitt. It exceeded my expectations, as I was not sure what to expect after reading the rather negative reviews of it on TripAdvisor. 

The room size, cleanliness, quietness, comfort of bed, decor, friendliness and professionalism of staff were alI great. 

My wife was jealous that she did not stay with me at the Metro Hotel on Pitt after I told her how good it was. I crammed too much into my the day and a half in Sydney,(seeing and reviewing the Maritime Museum. Wildlife Sydney, Sydney Aquarium, Museum of Sydney. and Aida at the Opera House).  

I had passes to see Madame Tussauds and The Sydney Tower, but ran out of time to see these, so I hope to see them on my next visit to Sydney. I reviewed the Sydney Tower Buffet, Selah Restaurant, and City Extra at Circular Quay, and even though they were  good, I preferred the Paradiso Cafe, Bar & Restaurant at the Metro Hotel on Pitt. 

The food was good and better value for money, Lawrence the owner more friendly, and the atmosphere suited my lifestyle more. This is the place I will take my family to breakfast, lunch of dinner if we ever all go down to Sydney together. I arrived home yesterday afternoon in time for my night shift at work, so I will write and post a positive article on the Metro Hotel on Pitt today Thanks again for arranging the review oppotunity of the Metro Hotel on Pitt

Best regards,
Yours Faithfully,
Max Llewelyn
Editor/Travel Writer,
The Holiday and Travel Magazine,

“Clean, Great Service” - Metro Hotel Miranda

Great Location, Clean motel, friendly and helpful staff, well appointed rooms

Stayed March 2012, traveled as a couple

View Metro Hotel Miranda on Trip Advisor

View the Offical Metro Hotel Miranda Webpage