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Accommodation
HOTELS/MOTELS: Every State has a selection of hotels run by well-known and established international chains. More authentic accommodation can be found outside the cities. The smaller hotels are more relaxed, and offer more local flavour. The highways out of the State cities are lined with good quality motels offering self-contained family units, and often an in-house restaurant service.
Most hotels and motels provide rooms with telephones, private shower and/or bath, toilet, small fridge and tea- and coffee-making facilities. Check-out time is 1000 or 1100. Hotels/motels and motor inns have a licensed restaurant and a residents’ bar; some may provide a public bar. Motels in rural areas will normally only be able to offer breakfast. Motor inns in rural areas will probably have a licensed restaurant, and possibly a residents’ bar as well. Private hotels are not permitted to provide bars. The principal difference between a hotel and a motel in Australia is that a hotel must, by law, provide a public bar among its facilities. For this reason there are many motels which are hotels in all but name, offering an excellent standard of comfort and service but preferring to reserve their bar exclusively for the use of their guests, rather than for the public at large.
Grading: Hotels and motels in Australia are graded in a star rating system by the Australian Automobile Clubs. In most cases, different rooms will be offered at different rates depending on their size, aspect or facilities; this is particularly true of seafront hotels. In general, hotels in cities cost more than their rural counterparts. The fact that an establishment is unclassified does not imply that it is inferior. It may still be in the process of being classified. The following grading definitions are intended as a guide only and are subject to change:
5-star: International-style establishments offering a superior standard of appointments, furnishings and decor with an extensive range of first-class guest services. A variety of room styles and/or suites available. Choice of dining facilities, 24-hour room service and additional shopping or recreational facilities available. 4-star: Exceptionally well-appointed establishments with high-quality furnishings and a high degree of comfort. Fully air conditioned. High standards of presentation and guest services provided. Restaurant and meals available on premises. 3-star: Well-appointed establishments offering a comfortable standard of accommodation with above-average floor coverings, furnishings, lighting and ample heating/cooling facilities. 2-star: Well-maintained establishments offering an average standard of accommodation with average furnishings, bedding, floor coverings, lighting and heating/cooling facilities. 1-star: Establishments offering a basic standard of accommodation (simply furnished, adequate lighting) and resident manager. Motel units all have private facilities.
Note: Some hotels are graded with an additional open or hollow star. This indicates a slightly higher grade of facilities than the normal facilities for its classification. For more information on accommodation classification, contact the Australian Hotels Association, Comerce House, 24 Brisbane Avenue, Barton, ACT 2600 (tel: (2) 6273 4007; fax: (2) 6273 4011; e-mail: aha@aha.org.au; website: www.aha.org.au). Information is also available from the Australian Hotels Association, Level 5, 8 Quay Street, Sydney, NSW 2000 (tel: (2) 9281 6922; fax: (2) 9281 1857; e-mail: bross@aha-nsw.asn-au; website: www.aha-nsw.asn-au).
GUEST-HOUSES/HOMESTAY/SELF-CATERING AND FARMSTAY HOLIDAYS: Service apartments and self-contained flats are available at main tourist resorts, especially along the east coast. Many of the less accessible areas have accommodation on farmsteads, from guest-houses on the huge sheep stations to basic staff quarters on smaller arable farms, giving an insight into an alternative aspect of Australian life. There are many homes and farms which open their doors to foreign visitors and offer splendid hospitality. Bed & breakfast in private home accommodation is available throughout Australia, often at very low prices. Some companies offering budget bed & breakfast also offer tourist and general information services. For information on bed & breakfast accommodation, contact Bed & Breakfast Association of South Australia, PO Box 408, 5 Yarabah Avenue, Gordon, NSW 2072 (tel: (2) 9498 5344; fax: (2) 9498 1438; website: www.sabnb.org.au). Some hotels have self-catering apartments. For more information contact the Australian Tourist Commission. Guest-houses are not allowed to serve alcohol. Grading: Holiday units and apartments are classified according to a 5-star system with criteria comparable to those for hotels and motels above.
COUNTRY PUB ACCOMMODATION: These offer drinks, meals and simple but comfortable accommodation for travellers. Pubs tend to be easy to find and advance reservations are not always necessary. However, standards may vary according to the type of pub and its location.
CAMPUS ACCOMMODATION: University colleges and halls of residence offer inexpensive accommodation for both students and non-students during the vacation periods (May, August and late November to late February).
CAMPING/CARAVANNING: Camping tours cover most of the country, especially the wilder areas. Participants generally join a group under an experienced guide team and everyone helps with cooking, washing, etc. All equipment and transport is supplied; some also provide portable showers. More rugged tours with Land Rovers are available, offering limited facilities, although company equipment is again provided with a driver/guide and cook. This can be one of the best ways to explore the Australian outback. Campsite information is available from all major tourist centres. It is inadvisable to camp on undesignated sites.
A number of companies can arrange motor camper rentals, with a range of fully-equipped vehicles. Full details can be obtained from the Australian Tourist Commission. Grading: Caravan parks are classified according to a 5-star system with criteria similar to those for hotels and motels above. Accommodation is also available at many of Australia’s sheep stations.
YOUTH HOSTELS: Found throughout the country, but there are greater concentrations near cities and densely populated areas. Only YHA hostels meet Hostelling International standards. Further details may be obtained from the Australian Youth Hostel Association, National Office, PO Box 314, Camperdown, NSW 1450 (tel: (2) 9565 1699; fax: (2) 9565 1325; e-mail: yha@yha.org.au; website: www.yha.com.au).
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