I stayed here on my very first trip to Melbourne for 5 nights. I love the great location of the hotel and could navigate to transport, shopping and tourist destinations easily. The staff were quick to answer my telephone inquiries at 1am in the morning. They are also quite attentive with the parking. I had the classic room and found it to be clean and spacious. I found it to be good value for the price and when I needed fresh towels they were happy to supply them to me at no extra cost.

Approximate cost: $120

I went here for my friends pre-wedding night with the other bridesmaid and the bride. The rooms are very spacious and the kitchen was fully equipped with utensils and cutery which really came in handy especially in the stress of the big wedding day. It also provided a really homely feeling for all of us. The deco was used in some of her wedding photos as well. It is situated in parramatta near the CBD and parramatta river, which provided beautiful river views for us to enjoy at dinner the night before. The staff were helpful with our demands and a great resource in the stress of moment. We all really enjoyed our 2 nights stay here. It also provided a good focal meeting place for the wedding, easy to get to and find. What's best about it is that there was a lot of space to allow us to move and prepare without obstruction.

Approximate cost: $200

The deco is fantastic, really comfortable sitting and chic atmosphere. I planned my shopping trip and strolled down to the beach then visit the restaurant to complete the experience. The food is good quality, I love the salmon main and a great selection of wines and cocktails. The close proximity to shops and the waterfront is what attracted me to this place, the great food, wine and service is the cherry on the cake.

Approximate cost: $36

They have a very I Interesting deco and I love what they do with the sitting, couches that look out onto the street. Love the comfy atmosphere and Cuban 70% dark chocolate drink. They have a great selection of dark chocolate drinks and cocktails that also come in mocktails which make them a very unique cafe! Plus breakfast, lunch and tapas. I tried it once and would definitely come back again.

Approximate cost: $9-15

I recently joined my survey on my own after surfing the internet and discovered it. Its great to be heard and your opinion is valued. Once you qualify for the survey they reward you promptly after completion. The loyalty program rewards bonus points the more points you accumulate and you can choose to donate to charity too or a Coles/Myer gift card or JB hifi store cards, you can choose. It's free to join and they pay you, how good is that. I get surveys a couple times a month.

Approximate cost: $Free

Hanging out at Parramatta, then this is the place I like to go. I recommend the pizzas they have, gourmet style. What's great about them is that they have 1/2 meter pizzas where you an mix 2 flavours and I'm a smallish sized girl but I can surely finish half of it. At the end of it, I don't fill heavy and bloated but satisfied. Great range of drinks to wash it down, the Italian beer is a nice compliment to the pizzas.

Approximate cost: $35-45

After visiting the museum I decided to go to the cafe at MCA. I was very impressed by the view. It was the perfect complement to the art field day trip. Really got my creative juices flowing that day. The food fits into the fine dining category but does fill you up and makes me content. I had the platters and it really gave me a new taste sensation.

Approximate cost: $25-$35

I went to Port Stephens and stayed at Nelson Bay on a family trip. What made this a positive experience for me is location that the hotel is situated in very close proximity to the supermarket, shops, restaurants, bays, fishing areas, public transport and ferries. We were originally considering a holiday home but discovered this nice little hotel situated at the heart of Nelson Bay and because this was only a weekend holiday, a hotel was more convinent. There is a heated pool and the hotel rooms have basic kitchenette supplies which I found really handy. There was an information centre 5 mins for local advice and touring information. We splurged on the food and activities in Port Stephen because we saved on accommodation.

Approximate cost: $140

A very urban dance school, the different dance styles are current and trendy, the teachers are world class especially Pania, who was in the hit TV show so you think you can dance. There is a lot of variety and in a really convinent location near central station. It is a more laid back atmosphere here at dance central. You take away what you make of it. I did the workshop to Beyonce's single ladies dance routine and felt I can really encouraged to tap into my creative and confident side without the intimidation. It was all really positive and help me with a self esteem boost as well.

Approximate cost: $15

At first I was really intimated and had stage freight about going, but I took a leap of faith into beginners jazz, hip hop and ballet, laughed at myself and danced my shoes off. This dance studio really helped my own personal goal to learn dance, and amongst the best too. The routines are at your level and range from open, absolute beginners to professionals. The teachers are world class and many from the entertainment industry and hit TV show so you think you can dance. I've danced with them for 3 years and loved it, sweat and all. Expect only the best!

Approximate cost: $15-20