Brisbane in January

[jte]

I'm hoping to buy tickets today for a trip to Brisbane the week of 10 January. Just 4 days on the ground. I'll probably arrive in Sydney Tuesday morning and swing by my company's facility there for a couple of hours prior to heading back to the airport for the connection to Brisbane. Then three nights in Brisbane, likely departing Saturday morning.

So... any recommendations as to where in Brisbane to get a hotel? I'll be visiting an office downtown for a day or so, but spending the majority of my time in my company's facility in Lytton. A colleague stayed in the Morningside area a couple years ago when he was there, and thought that I would enjoy a hotel closer to downtown even though the taxi ride to Lytton would be a bit longer.

Anyone there want to join me for a beer one of the nights?

jt

 

[zdas04]

I stayed at the Sebel Suites of Brisbane RIGHT downtown and while it was older, it was very nice (not fancy like a 4 star chain, more like a '60s vintage apartment). Looks like I'll be back there in the Spring (their Fall), but not in January.

David

 

[hokie66]

jt,
I live in Brisbane, but don't often stay in a hotel here for obvious reasons. Rydges at Southbank might be a good choice, as it is within walking distance of the CBD, next to Southbank parklands, and on the right side of the river for commuting to Lytton. There are several other hotels near that location as well.

Wotif.com has lots of Brisbane hotels, in all price categories.

Let us know closer to time. There are several members in Brisbane who would enjoy having a beer with you.

 

[zdas04]

There has been a complaint from a member that this discussion should have been in the Pub.

He was probably right. As I see it

Pat's Pub - Discussions that don't involve bar napkins and grease pencils
Tech Side - Discussions that do involve bar napkins and grease pencils. Basically if it don't have math it should probably be over there.

Anyone have any reason not to move the discussion over there?

I'm going to start a new thread to discuss this in general. If you have a reason for keeping this here, please post it in this thread.

David

 

[Artisi]

It seems that keeping pub and tech talk seperate might cause a few problems, 1 or 2 forum "monitors" with the authority to posts around might be helpfull.

 

[patprimmer]

Seeing as it has not moved I will reply here.

It has been 15 years now since I stayed there, but in my opinion the very best hotel in Brisbane was the Powerhouse Boutique Hotel at Breakfast Creek. It also had an exquisite restaurant.

Looks like it had a name change.

http://www.agoda.com.au/pacific_ocean_and_australia/australia/brisbane/brisbane_riverview_hotel.html

Regards
Pat
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[jte]

Thanks for the input folks! Hokie - I'll contact you via your hotmail address.

Ok to kill the thread if necessary...

jt

 

[hokie66]

jt,
Do that. I'll be careful to check my junkmail so you don't get deleted.

 

[stanier]

Brisbane is hot and sticky this time of year . So keep the hotel near to where you are drinking/eating/working.

There are plenty of serviced aprartments near the river in the CBD. I use Hotelclub.com for bookings.

 

[csd72]

I would recommend hiring a car and doing a trip up to the sunshine coast it is quite nice there.

Not a massive amount in brisbane.

 

[patprimmer]

The Sunshine Coast is interesting as is the Gold Coast hinterland, especially Lamington National Park.

The drive up there on it's own is an interesting adventure.

http://www.oreillys.com.au/

Regards
Pat
See FAQ731-376 for tips on use of eng-tips by professional engineers &

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[jte]

If I had a few days off while there I could do some side trips. But, alas, I don't. I try to keep my business trips as short as possible and save vacation days for family.

Thanks, all!

jt

 

[csd72]

jte, yes it is the one major problem with being an employee in the US, the lack of annual leave. I have 28 days a year and this is fairly typical for the UK.

If you are ther for 4 days you can stay the saturday and fly out the sunday. At least that will give you one day to do something.

I would also recommend spending the first night in Sydney as the last thing you will want to do is hop on another plane. You also might see a little of that beutiful city.

 

[jte]

csd-

Thanks for the input! Just to clarify - its not so much that I don't have the vacation time as I try to not "abandon" my wife and kids for too long. My wife tolerates my business trips but I don't want to push it... Though last year she asked me why I didn't spend a day or two exploring when I transited through Amsterdam - after I'd purchased the tickets.

Out of curiosity - does your 28 days include holidays? How much seniority - if any - do you need to get the 28? I've been in the industry for 19 years and get 4 weeks (ten years of service with a company, in my case I'm on my third company but they matched my vacation) plus 9 holidays. Since I swiched employers, I'll need 5 more years with my current employer to get the bump to 5 weeks.

jt

 

[Compositepro]

Taking vacation combined with company trips is strongly discouraged by U.S. tax law. Large corporations strictly follow the rules because of the financial liability they open themselves to. At smaller companies or places where your boss will cover for you, you can easily take a few days off on a company trip. According to the rules, travel expenses have to be proportioned to the percent of time that was spent on business versus vacation and it is a taxable benefit.

When I was young and single it was a fantastic fringe benefit to be able to take a little time off during various business trips around the world.

 

[patprimmer]

When I am on a business trip I was allowed some recuperation time when travelling. Maybe that is because virtually any overseas trip from Aus is long haul.

Typically fly out Fri night, arrive at destination Mon morning. Sat night was rest time or in transit time as we are not expected to work weekends and Fri and Sun nights spent on the plane so no argument.

Also I always found a business research or customer relationship reason to be where I wanted to be for at least one or two days. To bad if the research lead to nothing. Travelling with your local host can be very good for building relationships. Most people just love to show of some local sights.

Regards
Pat
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[SomptingGuy]

jte,

When I started with my current employer as a new graduate, I got 25 basic days, plus 8 or 9 public holidays. Our flexible working system allowed a day off a month too, based on hours accrued elsewhere. 20 years later I get 27 basic days. Days can be carried over from one year to the next under certain circumstances.

I had a colleague who would often take his entire allotment in one chunk, disappearing for most of the summer.

I don't think this is unusual in the UK. Unless of course you are a teacher!

- Steve

 

[jte]

Technically, I'm allowed a recuperation day as well for long haul travel, in accordance with company policy. So I suppose I wouldn't be burning a vacation day. Just used to getting home as soon as I can. Probably not as big a deal now as the kids get older - maybe just a habit I should break...

On the vacation front, seems that Steve has a bit better allotment than I - but not that much. Roughly equal holidays, he gets 27 days after 20 years while beginning with the 20th year I would get 25 days. In my specific case, I got credit for 10 years when I started with my current company and so have to work 10 to get to 20 years credit, regardless of past experience. The price I paid for switching jobs. Now, for the new hire thing - 25 days for a new grad is very good. Here we'd expect 10 days for the first 5 years or so, then rising progressively.

jt

 

[hokie66]

That's why Americans can't travel as much as most other folks. Australians generally get 4 weeks from the start.

 

[csd72]

jte,

Thats personal vacation days, public holidays and sick leave are on top of that. Also when public holidays fall on a weekend we get a day off in lieau.

This is one of a number of reasons why I chose not to stay in the US despite having an almost guaranteed route to a greencard.

I think that ruling on business flights absolutely stinks, what business is it of the IRS what you do on your trip overseas as long as you can justify that you would not do that trip otherwise!