Tassie (Corus Hotel Hobart)

Member Name: kirstymack80

Product:	Corus Hotel Hobart
Date:	29/04/05 (109 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: cheap, convenient, modest

Disadvantages: basic, noisy neighbours

While staying in Australia with my best friend, we decided to have a few days away in Tasmania. Leaving the booking of the hotel up to my friend, she managed to get us a discounted room at the Corus hotel, courtesy of her cousin who works in the travel industry.

Situated in the business district, the hotel is around 25 minutes drive from the airport. We didn’t hire a car as we were only in Hobart for 2 days – so we used the airport shuttle. Check in at the Corus was smooth – our room was already allocated so my friend filled out the registration card and we were given two keys. A Visa imprint was also taken for any extras. However, we weren't planning on raiding the mini bar!

Reception is located on the left as you enter the door and the two lifts are out of sight but straight ahead. There are five floors and we were located on floor two.

* The room *

Our room was classed as ‘superior’ and was non-smoking. There was one single bed, with the pillow end towards the sliding door of the balcony. I took the double bed (hey, my pal insisted, so what’s KM to do?!). The décor was fairly simple but had a table and two chairs, a tv, one set of drawers with ample space and a mini bar and fridge. Tea and coffee making facilities were in a drawer and fresh milk was in the fridge. Always good to see rather than the powdered gunk!

The television, on closer inspection, seemed to have up to the minute in house movies, and an added bonus was that they were * free *! However, they don't run round the clock and have allocated times, so it's really pot luck as to whether your favourite happens to be showing when you're in the room!

The wardrobe was large and contained a safe for valuables. There were only six hangers so not really enough for two people but we managed. The wardrobe was also fairly cluttered with the iron and ironing board, extra blankets and a whopping great fan. Luckily we didn’t need too much space in the wardrobe as ours was only a fleeting visit!

* The bathroom *

Small and compact, it had everything it needed to. There was a bath and shower with a curtain, a few little freebie toiletries and always a nice touch, tissues. Very important for the Mack is a hairdryer, however slow and loud it is, and that was hanging on the wall. The wall by the sink was completely mirrored – not sure if that’s a good thing or not! Tee hee.

* Eating *

Another big part of Mack’s enjoyment of a holiday is food. There is of course room service. There was also a restaurant in the hotel called Embers bar and grill, although we prefer to venture out and about so didn’t actually eat here. The bar seemed popular at night though and we even saw a wedding party there. So it must be decent!

I’ll just mention a few eating places we tried as they were in walking distance of the hotel.

Kafe Kara, which is in Liverpool Street was our stop for breakfast (served until 11.30 am). A muffin is $4, omelette $12 and a hot chocolate $3. They have magazines to read and sell every kind of coffee. Very relaxed and friendly, it's open til 4.30 weekdays and 3pm on Saturdays.

The Ball and Chain – this was recommended to us by a colleague of my friend and is a must! It’s a convict built building situated at Salamanca market and has a charcoal grill. The steaks are to die for and the smell of them will draw you in (unless you’re a vegetarian, of course!). Chicken and seafood are also served.

Address: 87 Salamanca Place, fully licensed.

There’s also a very good (and cheap) Thai restaurant about 5 minutes walk from the hotel which is very reasonable and popular!

* Extras *

There is internet access in the lobby but it was very expensive and we found a proper internet café at Salamanca which was much better value.

The hotel was completely renovated in late 2000.

* Other stuff *

Address:

156 Bathurst Street
Hobart
Tasmania 7000

Telephone: 03 6232 6255
www.corushotels.com

* Price *

Our special rate was $105 per night, per room. This amounted to £22.15 per night each. We stayed two nights. I’ve paid double that for a B&B in Devon which was nowhere near as good! And for four star that’s an absolute bargain.

* Overall *

The room was comfortable, fairly large, affordable and the staff were helpful and friendly. This was a 4 star hotel and suited our needs for a short stay. However I have to say it was fairly average – nothing was particularly outstanding so for that I’ve taken a star away and given it 3.

My friend also said that on the Friday night (our final night) she had trouble sleeping due to some people yelling in the street. As I mentioned, her bed was very close to the window and that may have been part of the problem. KM didn’t hear a thing!

Its location is central – we were only a ten minute walk from the main shops and restaurants and only 15 minutes walk from Salamanca Market so we couldn’t have asked for more in that respect.

If you’re not fussy about having the best of everything and the most luxurious, the Corus will suit you well. I have to recommend it for basic and cheap accommodation and the amicable staff.

Thanks for reading.

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