I am planning a trip down to Oz and need a bit of advice over which hotels in Syd and Mel are decent for reasonable amounts of cash (between $100-$150 per night)? Ones preferrably that won't be filled with backpackers!!

I want central hotels not stuck in the middle of nowhere - I know Sydney pretty well but not the hotels, but I've never been Melbourne.

Any advice greatly recieved..

Cheers

On my last trip to Melbourne I stayed here : http://www.thelyall.com/

Great little place (about 40 rooms) short walk to some great eating and drinking establishments in a VERY nice area of Melbourne..

Not sure on the price, but I think it will fit into your budget.

Free WiFi in the rooms... and very nice bedrooms - well worth it if you can get in there.. and definitely no back packers!

Another nice place I have stayed in is : http://www.stamford.com.au/

Owned by the Raffles Group this is definitely a 5* in the middle of the city - again check them for the pricing..

There will be no back packers in there, but you are only a 5 minute walk into the busy areas of town for drinking and eating so there will be back packers in there

I am planning a trip down to Oz and need a bit of advice over which hotels in Syd and Mel are decent for reasonable amounts of cash (between $100-$150 per night)? Ones preferrably that won't be filled with backpackers!!

I want central hotels not stuck in the middle of nowhere - I know Sydney pretty well but not the hotels, but I've never been Melbourne.

Any advice greatly recieved..

Cheers

This site www.wotif.com is apparently offering special room rates for the Clarion Suites Sothern Cross on Darling Harbour

I always stay at the Sheraton on the Park in Sydney, and lots of advantages to this location. However, I'm not sure if you can get a discounted fare into your price range, but worth a try. Very nice property, and lots of good restaurant and other recommendations nearby.

enyaw - cheers for that link some good offers on there.

I'll have a look on the Sheraton - it's funny most people write of the big hotels as they think they will be overly expensive however most of the time they have rediculous discounts available making them as cheap as reasonable places.

Unless it's the Lyall .. .. very nice looking place but AU$400 per night! I have never been able justify myself paying that kind of money for a night in a hotel.

Currently however trying to get a seat on an aircraft is hard enough - all direct Thai flights are full until around the 3rd of Aug! Guess I'll get on the waiting list . .. .