The Gang had Sunday morning yum cha there yesterday. The dishes mightn't have come out of the kitchen quite as steaming hot as at my other yum cha fave Me Wah, but the selection was more varied and I don't mind typically Aussie friendly, jokey service even if it wasn't as briskly efficient as at Me Wah. My one complaint is, as so often, noise! With a big barn of a place like the Pumphouse you're going to get a good deal of ambient noise from other diners. Fine, but you could compensate by having a) the right type of music - nothing with high-pitched trumpet please! and b) at a volume that doesn't make conversation difficult. They lost a whole star for not acting on our request to turn the music down a decibel or two when we asked and they said they would!

Approximate cost: $30

I had to change a flight booking to return to Hobart from Melbourne on an earlier flight than I had booked online months earlier. This can only be done by phone. The Jetstar 'consultant' found me a new flight, which cost more than the original and would also attract a change fee. As he tapped away at his screen, sorting all this out, he asked 'how's your day been'? I snorted a bit and he politely sort of queried why. I explained that the only reason I was changing the flight was that I had to come home for urgent medical treatment. He apologised for asking the question and I assured him I wasn't offended; he wasn't to know. We finished the transaction, then ten minutes later he rang back to apologise for not drawing my attention to Jetstar's 'compassionate request' policy whereby the change fee might be waived in such circumstances. I was grateful and touched that he'd taken the trouble to let me know about it. The fee was duly waived. Thank you Jetstar.

Approximate cost: $300

A friend flew from Perth to Hobart for a big professional awards event recently. Somehow her luggage got left behind or sent to the wrong place, with her special outfit in it. Virgin undertook to retrieve it and get it to her in time for the event the next evening. But guests were meeting at 5pm to be taken to the venue, 2 hours away by ferry. 'If we miss you at the hotel we'll send it to the venue by taxi', said Virgin. And they did! My friend was able to change into her gladrags at the venue. I was mightily impressed by this handling of a mistake.

Staying overnight in remote spot, doing associated river cruise next day. Absence of Wi-Fi and TV no problem, but you would expect bedside reading lights instead. A big failing, not just because it rules out reading, but it forces guests to turn off the light at the wall and walk to the bed in darkness.

Approximate cost: $450 (inc meals and cruise)