So where do we stay?

[mitchja]

Sarah
I've booked a 'Deluxe Opera House View King' room at the Shangri-La, Sydney

Dean
I'm planning on doing the twilight climb this time - did the day climb last time.

HL
It's not at all strenuous and completley safe and controlled at all times - as Sarah says go for it , the views are amazing - just dont go over-board the night before with the alcohol as the first thing they do is breathalise you.

Heres a couple of pics from when I did the climb back in 2000:




(sorry about the quality as they are scans)


Regards

interestingly enough, My fav hotel there is the Holiday inn, Old Town. No miles to earn, but GREAT location, staff were friendly, and very nice rooms.

[mcmbenjamin]

My Bridge Climb Photos from Dec 2005: Link

Everything is attached to your suit, the suit is attached to the bridge. If you get engaged, they even have a device for that.

The Shangri-La is about one block away from the Bridge Climb start. Also the Bridge Climb gives a free coupon for to visit point Lookout.

There is a market on the weekend in The Rocks. I liked it.

[mcmbenjamin]

BTW - If you thought the Bridge Climb cost a bunch of cash, the photos on a CD (four) cost about AUD65.00. But you get a free group photo. And you can't bring your own camara.

Also the Hyatt looked really nice. Ate at the restaurant. Good view and there is a little park there where you could read a book, enjoy an ice cream cone and look at the Opera house at the same time.

Great photos Benjamin. I know theyre expensive but I would probably drop my camera into Sydney Harbour so probably for the best. [:(]

One question, can you request they take off that naff "I climbed it logo" at the bottom of the pics, it really annoys me when they add those on. Like at Disney "your Pal Mickey Mouse"....grrr - I think thats fairly obvious from the photo [V]

Dean

Originally posted by Wolves27
One question, can you request they take off that naff "I climbed it logo" at the bottom of the pics, it really annoys me when they add those on. Like at Disney "your Pal Mickey Mouse"....grrr - I think thats fairly obvious from the photo

I've got some photos with the logo on too, I dont recall the option to have it removed (or I would have done!!)

Rich.

[HighFlyer]

Great pictures guys! I'll have to dig mine out - although it rained on the day i did mt climb so i have the full watherproofs on and a beanie hat so dont exactly look very lovely!

Me'thinks we ought get a galley of these going!

Richard - Im sure Photoshop can aid in getting rid of the logo - might test that theory in the office on Monday

[mitchja]

Just had a nosey at the Bridge Climb Web site and I dont remember it costing me that much last time [:0], mind you I did the day climb last time and that was 5 years ago now.

It's Au$165(£70) for a day/night climb or Au$245 (£104) for a twilight climb

Regards

[honey lamb]

OK, I'm back for advice again. My itinerary thus far is looking like this:

Hong Kong - Peninsula Hotel - 3 nights
Singapore - Shangri-La, Orchard Road - 3 nights
Sydney - Shangri-La - 3 nights
Port Douglas - Sheraton Mirage Resort - 3 nights

I am returning to Sydney for an additional four nights and I have an overnight in Hong Kong. What do you recommend for this?

Unless seeking bridge/harbour views & area again...
What about the Hilton Sydney?
Im a Hilton-junkie anyway, so typically seek it out first, but certainly wasnt disappointed. The location not best for the better known attractions, but as your already down beside them for 3 nights I doubt that would bother you!
It is right across road from the QVB & round corner (our out back door!) from the main shopping area should you have urge to go shopping. Short walk to Darling Harbor & the attractions around there too.
We were in an Exec.Floor room, which was quite spacious, very comfortable & had me wishing I was staying longer.

Interesting, i'm too a Hilton junkie and our upcoming trip were at the Conrad in HKG for 4 nights and the Hilton in SYD for 9.
I've read lots of very dissapointing reviews about the Hilton Sydney since it reopened last year, so its good to hear a good one

Dean

[HighFlyer]

Honey Lamb

Would love to help, but you have chosen so wisely for Hong Kong, Sydney and Port Douglas (;))that there isnt a lot else i can say.

For your overnighter in HKG, im guessing you intending on doing a day in the city before your flight? Might be a plan to stay on Hong Kong Island (as you'll have been in Kowloon at the Pen) for a different perspective, and have a look at the local things close by. I take it you are going to be doing the Peak Tram and the usual touristy things on your way out? So you really only need a base for the day, and of course you'll be vacating your room nice and early to get your pre-requisite 5 hours of Clubhouse time in before your flight??

Originally posted by Wolves27
Interesting, i'm too a Hilton junkie and our upcoming trip were at the Conrad in HKG for 4 nights and the Hilton in SYD for 9.
I've read lots of very dissapointing reviews about the Hilton Sydney since it reopened last year, so its good to hear a good one
Dean

Ive had some bad Hilton stays & some good Hilton stays - my SYD one was certainly one of the better ones. I suppose it depends on what you expect from a hotel & if the stay meets those expectations?

Personally, I liked the room, received great service, loved the food (have at least one meal in the Glass Brasserie) - all round it was great (for me).
On comparable cost, somewhere like the ShangriLa might give you better view, service etc - but then again Ive read reviews from people who havent enjoyed their stay there.
To be fair, in general most hotel reviews I read on anonymous review sites tend to be filled with negative reviews - suppose if you didnt enjoy your stay your more likely to go tell people, if you enjoyed it you`ll try & get back as soon as possible.
I had a bad stay @ Hilton 18 months ago, but instead of shouting it out to the world - I let the hotel know. I wound up with a free night & £70 of Hilton gift vouchers. Similarly, I emailed Hilton Sydney when I got home to thank them for my stay.

As I said in my 1st post above, the location isnt the best for the main touristy things - but central Sydney is still fairly compact (compared to say London or New York) - and whilst you can nip down to the harbour area in a couple of minutes by train, its also a nice leisurely walk.

[honey lamb]

Originally posted by HighFlyer
Honey Lamb

Would love to help, but you have chosen so wisely for Hong Kong, Sydney and Port Douglas (;))that there isnt a lot else i can say.

For your overnighter in HKG, im guessing you intending on doing a day in the city before your flight? Might be a plan to stay on Hong Kong Island (as you'll have been in Kowloon at the Pen) for a different perspective, and have a look at the local things close by. I take it you are going to be doing the Peak Tram and the usual touristy things on your way out? So you really only need a base for the day, and of course you'll be vacating your room nice and early to get your pre-requisite 5 hours of Clubhouse time in before your flight??

Decisions! Decisions! I'm still trying to work out the last bits of my itinerary but to be honest I haven't done much since I last posted. I did look at the Landmark in HK but they only seemed to have King bed rooms and I need a double [:(!] Part of me wonders if I should stay near the airport or is that a waste of a day?

[HighFlyer]

Part of me wonders if I should stay near the airport or is that a waste of a day?

You could always consider the Airport Express

You can stay closer to the airport, use the check-in and bag drop facility they have in the Airport Express terminal, and then once you have your boarding pass, head off into town for a day of shopping or relaxation?

Once you check-in and collect your boarding pass (from one day in advance up to 90 minutes before take-off) you can take a shuttle bus to and from some of the main hotels, or take the MTR into town.

Apparently there is a free porter service at the Airport station to help assist with luggage.

Just a thought? That way you are checked in, you do not have to worry about your bags, and you do not lose a day in Hong Kong.