What are the criteria for receiving Michelin stars?

'The star symbols judge only what’s on the plate, meaning the quality of products, the mastering of flavors, mastering of cooking, personality of the cuisine, value for the money and the consistency of what the restaurant offers to its customers both throughout the menu and the year.

One star indicates a very good restaurant in its category, offering cuisine prepared to a consistently high standard. A good place to stop on your journey.

Two stars denote excellent cuisine, skillfully and carefully crafted dishes of outstanding quality. Worth a detour.

Three stars reward exceptional cuisine where diners eat extremely well, often superbly. Distinctive dishes are precisely executed, using superlative ingredients. Worth a special journey.

Along with the rating of stars, the MICHELIN Guide provides a written description of each locale with a variety of symbols to give further insight into an establishment. Ambiance, specialties, and wine are just a few of the factors. Comfort is also rated by 1 to 5 forks and spoons for a restaurant and 1 to 5 pavilions for a hotel.'

http://www.michelintravel.com/michelin-selections/selecting-our-stars/

Marina Bay Sands, Singapore

It was our first visit to Singapore and we were adamant that we must stay at one of the better hotels. After researching, we got it down to 3:

• Capella on Sentosa
• Fullerton Bay Hotel
• Marina Bay Sands (MBS)

After looking at Sentosa Island we decided it wasn't for us (thankfully, as we did visit whilst there and would not recommend it). We decided to take the plunge and go with MBS and we were very happy with the choice.

Located around half an hour by taxi from the airport and over looking the ocean, bay and gardens, MBS is a huge property. Must admit, this was one of our concerns, as in recent years we have tended to appreciate the boutique, smaller hotels with more personal service and privacy.  That said MBS did not disappoint.

We booked a club room, which provided great value as it included breakfast, afternoon tea, cocktail and canape hour and non alcoholic beverages for most of the day.  The staff in the club lounge were fantastic. Our names and preferences were remembered by day 2 and the service was faultless. The food and drink choices and quality was great and we rarely had to wait more than 5 minutes for a table.

Our room was large with a huge bathroom with large separate shower and deep free standing bath. Floor to ceiling windows provided great views across the bay. Easy and controlled access to the top of the hotel where the infinity pool and club lounge are located was a breeze. Security ensure that only guests or paying visitors can access the area, so thankfully, it was not as packed as we expected.

Views from the top are amazing. The huge port one side and the city the other.  One night we had dinner at the trendy Ku De Ta. Impressive decor, great view and good service, but the food wasn't quite there for us.

Each night the hotel puts on a laser show - definitely worth catching. We would advise you take it in from out front of the Fullerton Bay Hotel on the other side of the water.

This is an amazing hotel with a fabulous range of facilities and convenient access to transport and major attractions. Whilst check-in was a pain (we arrived just before midnight and has to wait around 20 min at the general desk rather than the quicker , separate, club room check in area) everything else was a breeze.

With great access to shopping, the clean, safe and reliable metro system and the beautiful (and free) Gardens by the Bay http://www.gardensbythebay.com.sg this hotel was a great choice and we will certainly return.

We highly recommend the club rooms at MBS


http://www.marinabaysands.com/

The Gleneagles Hotel

This hotel does gain good reviews on other forums, but for us did not deliver on expectations.  For the price, the ratings and the accolades we expected much more.

We have to say, we got the feeling the hotel was resting on its reputation and that the rooms were in need of some minor renovations/spruce up.  New carpet wouldn't go a miss, ours was full of stains and the slippers looked as if they had already been worn. 

The bathroom was quite nice and very spacious, although we were not not a big fan of large plants that dominated the space.  The toiletries were decent and the towels were fluffy and thick.

Good hotel for those travelling with children, which meant they were everywhere - a slight put off for us

Room service at the property was just ok, menu was great but the flavours and temperature of the food was less than perfect and we were definitely a little disappointed.

The downfalls we found in this property are the things that make us weary of staying in older hotels - although other older hotels we have visited and reviewed have surprised and impressed us, unfortunately, on the whole, The Gleneagles did not.

The grounds are amazing. We visited in Winter and it was snowing which made the grounds look magical. Set in its own 850-acre estate, beautiful scenery, complete with Golf Club and championship course it was definitely impressing on the drive up to check in and it provided space for nice leisurely walks before dinner and after breakfast.

The rooms where comfortable, location was lovely, but this isn't the hotel for us

http://www.gleneagles.com/home.aspx

Roosevelt Hotel, Hollywood

Part of the Thompson hotel group, The Roosevelt boasts an impressive pool and bar area with well appointed rooms in the main hotel or 'cabana rooms' overlooking the pool.

This hotel is in one of the best locations for those on a first time visit to LA.  Across the road is the Chinese Theatre, Walk of Fame and Madam Tussauds.  A short stroll down the street is  El Capitan Theatre and The Roosevelt is also in prime position for access to the subway and the Hop on Hop off bus routes. This is a great selling point as you can pop in and out of the hotel whilst sightseeing throughout the day.

The history and glamour of the hotel is undeniable, but this is not a pretentious property, the staff are friendly, service is that great mix of always having your needs met without feeling that staff are over attentive or intrusive.

The pool are of this hotel is a standout. With fire-pits, the Tropicana Pool Bar, comfy lounges and fabulous lighting it is definitely the place to be.  

The rooms were large with refined decor, pay tv and comfortable beds.  Whilst the bathroom was a little cramped, we were so busy sightseeing and spending time in other areas of the hotel that it was quite adequate and we found this to be a value for money property given the standard of the property and its proximity to attractions - you could also bump into a celebrity (we saw John Travolta and Joaquin Phoenix on our 2004 visit).

It seems the restaurant (which had great food when we visited in 2004) has recently been replaced by The Spare Room which opened in February 2011 and is a modern day gaming parlor and cocktail lounge with a great selection of drinks.

The bar out front of the hotel (25 Degrees) has a decent range of drinks and  also has a great burger menu at very reasonable prices.  The restaurant has been heralded twice by The Los Angeles Times as one of the best burgers in Los Angeles and you really cant beat happy hour at this place, not only were the drinks cheaper, but the sides were on special too. 

Large rooms, 24 hour fitness centre, amazing pool area, unbeatable location and late checkout mean this hotel is our choice when visiting LA.

Pullman Hotel, Olympic Park, Sydney

We had never stayed at Olympic Park before, and, to be honest, we didnt really want to.  We had assumed the hotels would be pretty average, catering for the one nighters going to events and providing 3 star service at best.

However, after deciding it was too much hassle getting to and from the city when we had an event at Olympic Park we decided to have a more detailed look at what was on offer,  and were so glad we did.

We found the Pullman Hotel initially on wotif and after reviewing the hotel website we decided to book what looked like a great offer - and it was!

The 'Shop til you drop package' includes:
1 nights accommodation in an executive room
Buffet breakfast for 2
Access to the Pullman executive lounge (including pre-dinner canapés)
$100 Westfield Voucher
2 glasses of champagne


After checking in, we enjoyed drinks in the executive lounge, which boasts pay tv, comfortable chairs, board games, complementary drinks and free internet access as well as great views.

It was a shame we were not able to make the most of the executive lounge privileges during our time at the hotel, due to having an event on that evening - however, we did try our best to get up there as much as possible during our stay.

 After our free drinks in the lounge we took a leisurely 15 minute walk to the DFO outlets shops.
We returned in time to get ready for dinner and decided to see what the quality of the 'pre dinner canapes' that are part of the executive experience, was.  After experiencing some very sad displays of what ever they had spare at other hotels as part of the pre-dinner display, we were pleasantly surprised to find fresh, tasty food that was of high quality on offer.  It was basically a selection of the restaurants entrees and they were beautiful.  They included a mix of seared yellow-fin tuna, fennel salad, ruby grapefruit, crisp lotus root, parmesan crumbed asparagus and vegetable spring rolls.

After enjoying the canapés , along with 2 vodka drinks and beers (all part of the executive experience and at no charge), we strolled down for our 6.30pm reservation at the hotels restaurant 'Bacar', and we have to say, this was on of the best hotel restaurants we have been to.

After indulging in a few too many of the free canapes in the executive lounge, we skipped the entrees and went straight to the main - seared beef fillet, celeriac puree, king brown mushrooms, braised red wine onions.  The steak was a good inch and a bit thick and cooked to perfection.  With a side of potato puree, garlic butter and  buttered baby beans we were in heaven - who would think this was a restaurant in a chain hotel.

At this point we were running late for our event but were bitterly disappointed that we didnt haven time to have a 3 course or the degustation that was on offer.

After our event had finished, we walked out of the stadium and straight into the hotel - there really is nothing better than walking out of the venue and practically straight into the front door of your hotel =)

Our executive room was large and modern.  The décor  and linen was beautiful and we had a great view across Olympic Park. The bathroom was well stocked with toiletries and towels and the bathroom itself was huge compared to most hotel, with both bath and shower.

In the main room was a Nespresso Coffee Machine, available free of charge =)

As a guest at the hotel you can also enjoy complimentary access to the hotel gym, pay

tv and access to the state of the art Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre

We encourage Accor to continue to keep this hotel as is.  Would hate to see it become a Novotel or Ibis.  It caters for travellers other than, no disrespect intended, families on a budget or young people looking just for a place to lay their head after a concert.

All we have to say to Pullman Olympic park is 'thank you very much, we will be back, and please do not change'

Sebel, Surry Hills, Sydney

For the bargain price of $145 a night for 2, including parking a breakfast, we decided to stay at the Sebel, Surry Hills on our last visit to Sydney.

The hotel is literally a stones throw from Central Station, a leisurely 10 minute walk to the markets and 20 min walk to the main shopping area it is in quite a good location for those wanting to spend time around the shops, Darling Harbour for those attending events the Sydney Convention & Exhibition Centre.

Facilities at the hotel include:

• Undercover  car parking
• 24-hr reception
• Business centre
• Heated in-door lap pool
• Spa, sauna and gym
• Two restaurants

Part of the Mirvac group and winner of the AHA (NSW) Accommodation Division Awards for Excellence 2009, the hotel has large, light and airy rooms with comfortable furniture and modern bathrooms.  Our bathroom was without a bath, which didn’t bother us, but might be something for other travellers to consider and possibly check when booking.

For dinner we had made a reservation at Aria (post to follow) which was a short and relatively cheap ($10) taxi ride from door to door.

The staff on check in and in the restaurant were friendly and helpful.  Going down to the restaurant for breakfast, we were pleased to find that guests were seated immediately (nothing worse than queuing to be fed in the morning).  There was a decent choice available at the buffet style breakfast including hot and cold options and varied beverages.

We found the hotel to be clean, comfortable and at $145 a night including parking a breakfast was an absolute bargain, meaning we had more money to spend at dinner and shopping (always good). We would definitely stay here again and recommend to those wishing to stay in a good quality hotel for a great price.  

Meriton Apartments Broadbeach, Gold Coast, Australia

A last minute trip to the Gold Coast resulted in a hurried search for a reasonably priced, newish place to stay on the Gold Coast via wotif.

We found Meriton advertising a 1 bedroom apartment for $112 a night and thought great deal, book it!

The hotel has great facilities - parking, BBQ area, garden, indoor and outdoor pool, gym, security, a variety of shops underneath and food options near by.

If you are wishing to stay in a twin there is an additional $10 charge (assuming this is due to the fact that the kings are made up of 2 singles and the charge is for the time taken to separate and re-dress the beds). Another small charge was car parking  at  $10 per night.

The hotel is quite new in a spot close to Pacific Fair, Convention Centre, Restaurants and the beach.  However, if you are wanting to be in the thick of Surfers Paradise then it will be a good 40 minute walk.  If you have a hire car then you can get to the main areas of Surfers in 5-8 minutes.

Although the hotel has a variety of apartments with kitchenettes and full kitchens, if you fancy popping out for breakfast, lunch or dinner there are lots of restaurants and options near by.

The rooms have wall mounted air conditioning  units in lounge room and bedroom as well as ceiling fans, laundry with iron, washer and dryer, kitchenette and HD flat screen TVs.

The apartments are slightly smaller  compared to others on the Gold Coast such as Artique and Circle on Cavill.  But it is much better and has great facilities compared to the older style hotels and apartments that are still charging comparable prices.

On the whole we were happy with the apartment for the price.  It was clean, modern and well priced.

The loungeroom was furnished with 2 sofas, one converting into a double bed if required, a small dining table and chairs, a large TV and access to the balcony.  The bedroom gave good sized mirrored wardrobes, bedside lamps and access to the balcony.   The laundry was well equipped with iron and ironing board, laundry sink, washing machine, dryer and airer - always handy when you are staying for a while or when you have travelled on a budget with only hand luggage.

The only real let down was the bathroom.  The room had no window, which wouldn't have been a problem if the extractor fan was powerful enough to remove the steam - it wasnt.  The sink was too high, possibly the sink chosen was meant to be dropped into the vanity rather than sat on top.  The corner shower with 3 glass panels did not allow water to flow towards the drain, rather it went out under the door and soaked the floor.  The shower head was not great, it created a finer spray with rouge jets spritzing your hair whilst you are trying to keep it dry - not a big deal but a bit annoying and easily fixable with a decent shower nozzle.

When booking there is the option of city or sea view.  The city side will provide views over a road to the casino, convention centre and Pacific Fair.  The sea view - well thats self explanatory, however, due to other properties surrounding the hotel, the higher floors do have much better views.

This hotel would be great for families and offers value for money.  It seems to put in a regular appearance on trip advisor so check rates between booking direct or using wotif and you may be able to save a bit of cash.

We had a good stay with no major issues and would stay at this hotel again when visiting the Gold Coast for non-special events, if we could get similar rates.

Dukes Hotel, London

Dukes is one of those hotels that feels like a home away from home.   Whilst being near to all that London has for offer you can return to the serenity and calm of your room whenever needed.  

The hotel is located St James Place, in in a leafy affluent area close to the famous Ritz Hotel and within walking distance to Buckingham Palace as well as being handy for Petticoat Lane Markets, High end shops and Picadilly Circus (but out of the way enough if you know what I mean).

The hotel is on the main tube line meaning you don't have to be out all day, you can pop in and out whilst still staying on the tourist track.  Its a quick 1 stop to Hyde Park and the second stop takes you to the famous Harrods Department Store in Knightsbridge.  Within walking distance for any traveller Buckingham Palace (an easy and breezy 8 min stroll). In fact, if you want to, you could do all the attractions on foot - if you up for a day of strolling.  If not, the nearest tube station is Green Park or you could jump on one of the sightseeing buses from the top of the street just near the Ritz.

After undergoing redecoration, the hotel is covered in relaxing muted tones and always has fresh flowers in common areas and rooms - these are changed regularly  we did see a very busy florist tending to the arrangements twice during one of our stays.

All rooms we have stayed in were elegant, cosy, clean, provided good quality linens, slippers, robes, toiletries and were a reasonable size.  On one stay we had the pleasure of staying in a suite - my goodness it was like a full sized apartment and we did not want to leave.

The hotel can lay claim to something we now see as a rarity - a high quality room service menu that was delivered fresh and tasty.  We ordered dinner twice during our stay enjoying the venison and beef fillet.

At first we had thought the price for break fast was a little steep.  However, we needed an early start so decided to order.  On receiving breakfast in our room at our specified time, we found it well worth the price (please see image - this is ONE breakfast).  There was a fantastic range of choices to be included and all we had t o do was fill out our card specifying our selection and required delivery time.

The hotel has a elegant drawing room and conservatory overlooking a lovely courtyard which is perfect for afternoon tea and the sophisticated bar prides itself on making the best Martini in town.

A health club is located within the hotel providing a wide range of services.  However, on each trip we neglected to use it due to being preoccupied with sight seeing, shopping and eating.

As far as hotels in London go, we would rank this with the best of them due to location and   comfort level and is most certainly our regular and reliable place to stay when in the capital.  However, the hotel may be a  little expensive for those travelling on a budget or wanting an extended stay in London with rates starting from £220 per night including breakfast.

Hipping Hall, Kirkby Lonsdale, Lake District UK

Hipping Hall is a 17th century house close to Kikby Lonsdale.  It is tastefully renovated and decorated on the inside with quirky rooms and an intimate feel.

Having checked out the website and read numerous positive review on trip advisor, we felt the need to see for ourselves, so we set to the beautiful Lakes District.

It was like the stresses of the working week melted away as we pulled into the driveway and saw this lovely hotel and its small but lovely grounds.

Rates include dinner, bed and breakfast as well as tea/coffee and home made biscuits on arrival - what a lovely start to what would be a relaxing weekend.

There are 9 room options including 3 cottages. For our stay we chose room 3.  Whilst one of the smaller rooms in the hotel we were happy with our choice as it was cosy, had fabulous views over the garden and had a great bathroom. 

All rooms are decorated in muted tones with Vi-spring beds, meaning a comfy nights sleep.  

The hotel provides good quality toiletries, bath robes and bottled water in room as well as free newspaper of your choice.

Please note - there is no mini bar, tea/coffee making facilities or fridge in the room, but the idea of the hotel is as a retreat where all of your needs can be taken care of.  You wouldn't want to be going out to eat as the food here is fantastic !

Meals were served in the impressive dining hall with a large wood fire place.  There is a decent range of options available on the al a carte menu - we would have loved to try them all but decided on the scallop entree and the lamb loin main.

Breakfast is included - a decent sized menu is provided and you can order whatever you like and have it cooked fresh - a welcome change from standing in those canteen like queues waiting for some stale baked beans that have has some egg and half a sausage dropped in them.

The smoothies were amazing, the full English was delicious and the quality of the produce for all meals was beautiful.

The hotel is great for relaxation and romantic getaways. With attentive staff, intimate feeling, relaxed atmosphere and great food.  AND, it is so nice to see owners who have kept such a lovely property in original condition and with many original fixtures BUT have been brave enough to make the necessary changes to allow modern amenities and clean, fresh contemporary feel to the rooms.  

Too often hotels in older style buildings feels that EVERYTHING including the carpet, crockery and linens should be from the same age - might attract the retirees, but in this now heavily competitive market it will not attract the experienced traveller.

Although the grounds were a liitle smaller than expected, we were very impressed during our visit and would definitely return.  Hipping Hall deserves all accolades received on trip advisor.

Hard Rock Hotel, San Diego

Loved, loved, loved this hotel =)

Located in the Gaslamp Quarter of San Diego, an area that has undergone regeneration, the Hard Rock Hotel was one of the best surprises during our trip.

We had been expecting a rowdy, less than perfectly clean hotel full off wanna be celebs. However, this was not the case.

The hotel was, and this is saying something, faultless. Yes, the rooms were great the dining options were great, the location was great and the staff were amazing - special thanks to the staff at Maryjanes where we spent most of our time due to yummy breakfasts and making the most of $3 tacos and beer - fantastic range and quality food. We had planned to eat at Nobu but we just couldn't leave Maryjanes, the staff were great the food was lovely.

Located across from the convention centre and the harbour, next to the PETCO stadium and with plenty of shopping nearby along with multiple dining and drinking options. 

Now to the rooms.

Due to high occupancy at the time of our stay we were in one of the lower graded rooms. However, we were very impressed, the room was large, modern and well equipped.

This hotel had the best stocked mini bar we have ever seen - mind you, you would expect that from the Hard Rock. The linen was soft, the bed was comfortable, the bathroom was very spacious and the room also housed a large flat screen tv and a decent sized working desk for anyone that would want to work whilst staying at this fabulous hotel???? We on the other hand, spent our time seeing the sights during the day, with Sea World and San Diego Zoo within easy reach, and enjoying the hotel and it's facilities at night.

We were pleasantly surprised with the free wifi. Although you dont want to spend your holiday looking at a computer, it is great to have the service available to keep up with e-mails, check your bank or what there is to do in the area without having to pay inflated charges or trek the streets for an internet cafe.

Maryjane's coffee shop was well frequented during our stay, enjoying breakfasts, lunch and dinner - all went down well. The happy hour runs 5-7 when you can treat yourself to $3 tacos, $3 beers and $5 cocktails - and these specials were taken advantage of during our stay. The tacos are well worth a try.

Although there were no events scheduled during our stay, it was evident that this hotel knows how to party. It is well set up to house numerous events with the impressive 'Woodstock' area, the 9,000 square foot event space near the roof top bar.

We cannot fault the staff they are so helpful and friendly and in a nice homely way, not a cheesy fake way.

If you like modern hotels with good amenities and friendly staff we recommend hard Rock San Diego.

Tip: valet parking is available at the hotel, but the multi-storey car park across the road is a cheaper and still convenient option.

Crystal Bay Sports, Lauterbrunnen

If your heading to Lauterbrunnen there is not a great deal of choice in the tiny village. The main spots are the contiki camp at the bottom of the village or Crystal Bay Sports Hotel near the train station.

Now whilst it may not be comparable to other accommodations on the blog, the small family run hotel rooms are clean with fabulous views over the valley. You know when you get the brochure and the the view is nothing like the picture???? Well the view here is straight from one of those pictures - fantastic.

The room we stayed in was at the back of the hotel with a decent sized private bathroom on a high floor. Although the hotel is small, do not worry, it does have a small lift for those with heavy baggage. The room was large, light, airy and clean and the beds were comfortable with nice fresh linen.

The breakfast was a well stoked continental style with plenty on offer. The staff at the hotel were willing to try to accommodate requests for boiled eggs, cereals etc. for those not wanting the continental experience.

Lauterbrunnen is a very small town that is en route to Jungfraujoch and has easy access via train the the larger town of Interlaken. We did make the train trip to Interlaken as we were keen to check out prices on the Swiss made watches - yes they were quite discounted here =). We also found a giant Hooters - slightly took away from the Swiss Alps experience but it seemed to be doing a roaring trade non the less.

On advice from our hosts we caught the bus (not far about a 10 min ride) to Trummelbach Falls. Trummelbach falls belongs to the UNESCO World Heritage Site Jungfrau-Aletsch and is listed in the Federal Inventory of Landscapes and natural Monuments of National Importance of Switzerland, so we thought it must be worth a look.

The falls provide walkways that allow access and viewing of deep crevices and caves that have been cut out by heavy streams of water. Its wet, its loud, and a unique half a day out - well worth the short trip. En-route you can stop for a quick putt putt game at the small and slightly humble course (no big clowns eating your balls or windmills launching them at speed as far from the hole as possible) just concrete and grass.s and caves

The cog train to 'The Top of Europe' Jungfraujoch, will require an early rise but is well worth it. The view, the ice caves and the husky dog sled rides are definitely worth it.

For James Bond fans you can visit Piz Gloria, the revolving restaurant sitting on the top of Schilthorn were scenes for 'Her Majesty's Secret' where filmed.

Due to the altitude you may find yourself rather weary on return. We arrived back to the hotel at 2pm (opting for the early train) decided to take a 'quick nap' and awoke at 10pm only to find there was nowhere open for the hungry travellers to get a feed =( Thank goodness that our lovely hosts at Crystal Bay had packed us a lovely brunch (we had advised the staff at the hotel we were heading to Jungfraujoch and would miss breakfast the the night before. They had arrived after dinner that night armed with a mini fridge packed with a large breakfast/lunch of croissants, sandwiches, snacks, fruit and juice). That brunch would have to tide us over until morning - still the trip was worth it =)

Nestled in a valley in the Swiss Alps, Lauterbrunnen was a welcome change of pace after completing a whirlwind trip through Europe. Going for walks, visiting the falls, the 'top of Europe' and admiring the view out of the window was just what we needed to recharge our batteries. having said that, it may not be the ideal stop for those wanting a fast paced energetic fun filled time. However, your energy could be put to use with snow activities on the mountain =)

Hilton, Anaheim

This hotel is located within easy walking distance and on the shuttle bus route to Disneyland. However, unfortunately the walk from entering the hotel lobby and getting to our room was almost as long as the walk to Disney =(

This is a huge hotel with many rooms being an unbelievable distance from elevators. At one point I almost lost the will to live after a full day at Disney (staying for the ever impressive final fireworks) traipsing corridor after corridor for what felt like miles to a weary traveller was almost too much.

We did have a slightly poor experience with guest reservations. We had paid for a 'Disney-view' room and had arrived into a room, which, in fairness was a Disney Glimpse but the window was directly in front of the large carpark so the main view was concrete and cars. On having a bit of a whinge and requesting a move the 'lovely lady' put us in a room next to the service elevator meaning that every couple of minutes the room rattled when the elevator went up and down and there was constant noise from staff chatting and moving furnitures, delivering room service etc. It was so bad I requested to move back to the 'car park view room' almost to the delight of the 'lovely' guest service representative - needless to say I did not like her for the duration of the stay.

The hotel fills its niche in that it provides reasonable accommodation in a good location for Disney and the Convention Centre, however we did feel it rested on these facts and that the level of service and the quality of the bathrooms in the hotel needed attention.

We would recommend this hotel to those requiring convenient accommodation to Disney and the Convention Centre. However, we would recommend requesting (carefully so as not to upset and be put next to the control room) a room that is not at the ends of the earth.

The shuttle 'Anaheim bus' is $10 for 3 days or $4 a day, whilst worth it if the weather isn't great, we often found it quicker to walk to Disney.

The hotel is more geared towards conference delegates and seems to look after this group well - to the point were we felt like unwanted relatives........due to this, the expectations we had of a Hilton (that was not met) and the extensive travel to rooms, we will not be returning,

Hilton, Sydney

The Hilton Sydney is a five star hotel in Sydney CBD that underwent extensive renovations in 2005.

The hotel is located opposite the Queen Victoria Building in the heart of the city, very handy for the shops and also within walking distance to Darling Harbour. The entry foyer is an impressive wall of glass and the staff at check in are polite and eager to help.

As with most Hilton hotels it comes with all the trimmings:

• Business centre
• Gym
• Pool
• Spa
• Restaurant
• 3 Bars
• Lobby cafe
• Wireless internet access

The rooms are clean, fresh and modern with remote control block out blinds,comfy beds, crisp white sheets, flat screen TVs and glass encased bathrooms with well designed lighting and all modern appliances.

Check out is a little later than some other hotels in Sydney and greatly appreciated =) The hotel is the proud and well deserving owner of the "best re-developed hotel' award 2005.

Occasions: Perfect for couples wanting a romantic getaway in the middle of the city giving plenty of choices.

Best bits: The remote controlled block out blinds are fantastic if you need a 'Nanna nap' after too much pounding of the pavement or shopping, or if you have had a big night the night before.

Worst bits: The Hilton has a club 'Zita Bar' which, whilst very trendy can lead to large queues, at times blocking side entry to the hotel and requiring patrons to validate themselves to burly security guards.

Keep in mind: Please ensure you check the room you have chosen has the upgraded bathroom facilities as some of the rooms are lacking this - we were bitterly disappointed on one of five visits to be without the new sleek bathrooms

Aguas De Ibiza, Lifestyle & Spa, Santa Eulalia Del Rio and Blue Marlin, Ibiza

Aguas De Ibiza is a member of Design Hotels and is located in Ibiza’s Santa Eulalia Bay marina far from the loud sounds, messy streets and rowdy revellers of San Antonio.

The hotel is wonderful and has become a firm favourite of ours.

There is free parking (on street) at the front of the hotel - a welcome change to the hip pocket, and our hire car stayed there safe and sound for the duration of the stay.

The rooms are large, bright and airy with all modern amenities. Clean lines, great tones and nice lighting make it easy to want to stay in your room/on your balcony for the duration of your stay.

The hotel has direct access to the promenade that leads around to the next little village and is flanked with restaurants and bars which makes it easy to stroll around whilst working up a hunger with plenty of food styles to choose from.

There is a boat trip from Santa Eulalia stopping at Cala Longa and San Antonio which is much cheaper than booking a guided vessel and has views just as good.

The only negative with this property is if you go in the off season. Arriving in May we were astonished to find that all hotel facilities were not available:

- roof top bar & pool was closed

- one of the hotel restaurants was closed

- limited staff on duty

However, to compensate these aspects the hotel was much cheaper than during peak times and the only reason the above was an issue was due to the fact that we were not advised this when booking.

Highly recomend making the trek to Blue Marlin. Our sat nav began taking us down dirt roads, over grown with head high grasses and we began to think we would never find our way out/back when the road opened into a dirt car park full of trendy mopeds, four wheel drives and sports vehicles. All of a sudden shorts and t-shirts did not seem the appropriate attire.

Yes, we would have preferred to have been aware of the venues reputation and clothed ourselves appropriately, but that was just our preference, as the staff treat everyone the same, make all feel welcome and there is a great relaxed atmosphere. The food is fantastic and for the quality you get not that expensive. The Blue Marlin is a regular haunt for celebs and plays host to some great DJs. It's cool, beachside, chilled vibe made this a highlight of the trip and although getting there may be hard (we have since heard there may be buses from the towns) it's well worth it.

Hotel Griso, Lecco Italy

Located on Lake Lecco, a boat ride away from the more famous Bellagio the hotel venue is fantastic.

Reading lonely planet, Lecco did not get high ratings, but we were pleasantly surprised and happy that we chose this spot over the more popular Bellagio and Como.

It had a town feel, plenty of shops and places to eat and have a relaxing atmosphere.

We arrived by train from Milan - an ok but not too enjoyable experience - worth it though.

Having booked Lecco due to Bellagio being busier/pricier we thought we'd best check of what/if we had missed out on anyting and so decided to take the (quite expensive) boat trip to Bellagio. The village is nestled in between the water and mountains and has some fabulous scenery - one day we sat lake side for 4 hours taking it all in.

The boat trip was about 1.45 to 2 hours each way and the views were amazing. Although the boat was a little noisy it was a very relaxing trip.

On arrival in Bellagio we enjoyed a very quick trip round the city (the boat trip was a bit of a pain as the timings were not so good, you can either stop in Bellagio for 30 minutes or 5 hours) we decided to whip round the very small place in 30 minutes and were happy with the choice as we were still able to see most of the cobbled lanes, whiz past the shops, get all the photos we wanted, post cards and an gelato and be on our merry way.

After visiting Bellagio we were comforted with our choice of staying in Lecco as there is much more space and things to do, more choice in terms of where and what to eat, plus it is cheaper and more easily accessible - in our opinion Lonely Planet got it wrong and this place is great.

The hotel Griso was a welcome haven compared to other hotels expreienced throughout Europe with commanding views across the serene water. Our room was spacious with a large, well equiped bathroom (shower only) and a large balcony over looking the amazing lake and mountains- the view was fantastic.

Breakfast was above the typical fare offered by European hotels however McDonalds is a 20 minute leisurely walk around the lake for those who need to indulge in a heavier breakfast to get prepared for the day ahead.

The hotel restaurant served modern food with a seasonal menu that had a wide range of dishes. Please ensure you check the dress code as flip flops etc are not acceptable in the hotel restaurant.

All in all a great base for those wanting to take time to explore the Italian Lakes District over a week or so, or a lovely stop for those who have 3 nights to spend in a picturesque place but that also has a variety of choices in terms of things to do and places to eat in the lakes.

Could have sat on the balcony for the duration of the trip !

Ibis, Darling Harbour, Sydney

The Ibis is what it is.

A basic hotel for those who want a clean place to sleep, a buffet breakfast and a decent location at a reasonable price.

The rooms are very small (I'm talking only enough room to take in your hand luggage), very basic and we would only recommend booking if you are primarily in Sydney to spend your time outside of the hotel and mearly sleep and shower in your room.

These hotels are good for the business traveller or conference delegate or for those who really just need a place to rest their head and have faith in the large hotel chain.

The hotel shares facilities such as the pool with sister hotel the Novotel. However, guests will have to make a trek to get to the pool - not the nicest when you are dripping wet, looking not so fabulous in your soggy swimmers

Occasions: After a show at the entertainment centre, if you are intending on spending most of your time exploring and just need the basics but want the guarantees of a large chain hotel.

Palazzo Versace, Main Beach, Surfers Paradise QLD

OK so most people know about this hotel as it is currently (but not for long) the ONLY Versace hotel in the world (a second will soon be gracing the ever expanding Dubai shortly).

Lets not beat around the bush, the rooms are expensive. And, for the Gold Coast, where there are more and more serviced apartment blocks springing up, with modern facilities and decor, this hotel may not be for everyone.

At Palazzo Versace the entry level rooms are without balconies and the views may not live up to expectations. The entry level rooms are just that - standard rooms. However, the decor in the rooms is anything but your usual hotel trimmings. The marble floors & Versace products from floor to ceiling really make you feel you are living in the lap of luxury. The bathroom is opulent and the separate shower and VERY large spa bath are great.

Obviously the more you pay, the more you get. The rooms do go up in size and facilities with 72 condominium suites providing a much larger accommodation option equipped with full kitchen facilities as well as a plunge pool or spa.

The hotel has 3 award winning restaurants which provide great food with exceptional service to boot. One of the best buffet breakfast I have ever experienced. Big ticks for the made to order omelettes and pancakes.

The Palazzo Versace breakfast has an enormous range of options all of which are fresh and tasty - we've all been to hotels that had half a mushroom, some spaghetti and a hash brown stuck in the scrambled egg that has been left out so long it has a crust like a meringue - well not at Palazzo Versace (but of course you'd expect it to be fantastic).

Vie Bar & Restaurant is a great place which we have dined at a number of times. The view from the outdoor deck is fantastic. The food is modern Australian with a well designed menu full of options for most dinners. They know how to prepare & present food to the highest quality with the eye fillet steak cooked to perfection every time we have ordered it. They have an extensive wine list that would impress any sommelier, as well as a broad range of alternate drinks such as assorted local & imported beers and well made cocktails.

The pool is beautiful, designed to look like a small intimate beach on an island somewhere. The turn down service each night, with complimentary chocolates and Versace bath products is lovely. The staff are helpful and look after your every whim. They will take care of dinner and spa reservations, taxis and chauffeured cars and assist you with any plans you may wish to make during your stay.

During our stay we came back to our room one night and found we had been treated to a plate with hand pipped 'Happy Birthday' and beautiful chocolates and strawberries as we advised on booking it was a special occasion. This is what you pay extra for - the staff are friendly and attentive and although your every need is met they manage to do it without you even noticing - seamless and effortless making the stay relaxing and much less pretentious than most would think.

When staying at the hotel you do not need to leave for anything - and why would you want to. Casually stroll downstairs after six and you will find the lobby filled with candles and a pianist, a lovely casual and relaxed atmosphere perfect for pre or post dinner drinks or late night hot chocolates (always a favourite) .

While it is quite hard on the hip pocket, I believe you should stay here at least once. It is a unique hotel, so even the rarity alone is worth the try. You would be hard pressed finding a more luxurious & professionally run hotel in Australia. Go on, give it a try!

What to wear: A lot of people will be put off with the grandeur of this hotel. However, in our experience, the is little to no evidence of the pretentiousness that can be found even in hotels of lesser quality. Dress however you like, but do take note that a lot of people do dress well there, especially if you are attending one of their restaurants.
How much: Basic rooms start at around the $475 - $550 per night mark, depending on the season. Condominiums start at $1200 and go to $1900 per night. If you are feeling extra wealthy you could always go for the Imperial Suite which fetches $3000 - $4000 per night.
Appropriate occasions: Romantic getaway, birthday surprise, anniversaries.

Radisson Hotel, Sydney

There are two Raddisson Hotels in Sydney and having stayed at both it is absolutely IMPERITIVE that you do not get them confused. One a 4 star near China town, the other a 5 star near circular quay.

The Radisson Plaza on O'Connel Street near Circular Quay is by far and away the best of the two hotels. It's a short stroll to Circular Quay and not too far to the shops.

The breakfast is fantastic. I awlays love a buffet breakfast that allows guest have made to order omlette and pancakes - big tick there.

The facilities of the hotel are great, of course they have a fitness centre, pool, and restuarnat all of which are good. The rooms are decent sizes - some quite large and are clean and comfortable and the large marble bathroom with separate bath and shower are quite a luxury.

The 4 star Radisson Hotel and Suites Sydney on Liverpool Street near Darling Harbour was very dissappoiting. After staying at the Radisson Plaza I was expecting a similar level of hotel and service. OK I understood this was a 4 star property but based on my experiences here i would rate it at 3 star. The room we were allocated smelt like stale cigarette (although it was designated no smoking) and our view was the less than desirable sight of an alley way and dierectly opposite looking at me, looking at them, some tennants of a shabby looking apartment block. The bathroom was average, the whole experience was average to be frank. I mean I wasn't expecting anything grand but just a clean and fresh looking and smelling room would have been good.

My advice - if staying at the Raddison be sure to check it is the one closest to Circular Quay