Aussiecruisers123

We are regulars at the Shangri-La Hotel Sydney and highly recommend that you book a Horizon Club room which will give you access to a fabulous club lounge with 270 degree views of the harbour that Sydney is famous for. Breakfast, all day non-alcoholic beverages (including great coffee), afternoon tea and evening drinks and canapes are all included. We've never had to eat out for dinner after the evening canape service - it's awesome! If you go, say hello to Jerry, the head butler who has been there for more than 20 years and tell him that George and Sonja sent you (he will look after you!!!) 🙂

Rydges Sydney is in the Rocks area, so if you are there over the weekend, you will be very close to the lively Rocks Markets. The hotel is located among other lowrise buildings, so it has limited harbour views, but I imagine you're in Sydney to get out and about, so that may not matter 🙂

@Free2bMeForever you should be Ok at the Meriton Suites Sussex. That property is not in the area that will feel major effects from reconstruction work

Hands down, stay on the Gold Coast rather than Brisbane. The Gold Coast offers beaches and a holiday vibe, while Brisbane is a small city located on a river. You can fly into the Gold Coast airport and travel to any property in the southern part of the area is easy. As others have suggested, Broadbeach is a great option, as is Burleigh Heads. Avoid Surfers Paradise if you can. I'd describe it as tacky and touristy. Good luck🙂

As a local, I wanted to let you know that extensive reconstruction work is taking place in Darling Harbour and so I would not recommend staying there in 2023. In our view, and having stayed in many Sydney hotels, the Shangri-La Sydney Hotel offers the most memorable views of our harbour. 'Horizon Club' rooms offer access to a spectacular lounge with 280-degree views of the harbour, Opera House and Harbour Bridge. The Horizon Club offers breakfast, all day non-alcoholic beverages including tea and coffee, afternoon tea plus an extensive evening canape and complimentary drinks service. The staff, including the amazing Jerry who has been working in the Horizon Club for more than 20 years, make you feel like you are family. Highly recommended Shangri-La Sydney (shangrilasydney.com.au)

Hello! We are a couple sailing on our first trans-pacific cruise from LA to Sydney soon. We dock on Papeete on Friday 20 October at 8.00am and depart on 21 October at 6.00pm We'd love to jump on a ferry and experience the aquatic wonders of Moorea with operators like MOOREA MOANA TOURS (mooreaoceantours.com), but we're uncertain that timetables to and from Papeete will work in our favour What other options for two days of unique experiences would you suggest in the area? Many thanks for your help 🙂