My Trip to Victoria 8 - 10 July 2008

I picked up a Mitsubishi Lancer from Budget at Melbourne Airport and drove for about 2 hours along the M1 and the Princess Fwy to Rosedale for a meeting.

After the meeting, I checked in to the 'Century Inn' at Cnr Princess Hwy and Airport Rd, Traralgon. The hotel is quite new and the room was well presented and clean. It was quite cold outside (for a Queenslander anyway) and a hot spa bath in the room was very welcome. The bed was reasonably comfortable and the heating in the room did a good job. I had dinner at the hotel restaurant and it was above average food with great service.

Next day I attended an 'Energy Summit' at Monash University. Held i their brand new conference centre. Very nice place, a particular highlight were the fancy hand dryers in the toilets (you have to see them to appreciate what I am saying).

After the conference it was back to Melbourne for an overnight stay at the Grand Chancellor (booked on RatestoGo) in Lonsdale Street. Quick lesson in not trusting a GPS, guided me accurately to the back lane behind the hotel. Unfortunatley it was narrow, one-way and a dead end with hoards of people walking across the street...

The Grand Chancellor was well located in terms of the business I needed to do the next day (walking distance to meetings in Elizabeth Street and Queen Street). It was well priced when booked on RatestoGo but was very basic and frankly a little tired looking. Service from staff was very good, reception were very friendly and helpful. If you ever stay there I would recommend dining out as the room service wasn't very good.

Overall, I would put this in the list of Budget Accommodation for Melbourne CBD.

Trip to Gippsland, Victoria

Off to Victoria tommorow. 2 days in Gippsland and 1 day in Melbourne.

Weather outlook is cold and rainy. Last time I ventured to Gippsland I got a parking ticket in Traralgon and swore I would never return...

I have booked a small/medium sized car with Budget for 3 days to pick up from the airport.

Staying at a local motel in Morwell on Tuesday night and driving back to Melbourne on Wednesday night.

Accommodation in Melbourne for Wednsday night was booked at the Grand Chancellor in Lonsdale Street using RatestoGo.