A by Adina offers tech-driven city centre living

 

Location is everything when choosing a hotel.

If you are planning meetings in the Sydney CBD then you probably don't want to be staying in Bondi, or Coogee, nice as those beach suburbs are.

If you want to enjoy Chinatown, the historic Rocks district and the Sydney Opera House, then a hotel in Parramatta is not appropriate.

A by Adina in Sydney is ideally located for just about all the city's main business and tourism destinations. 

It is directly opposite Wynyard station - a 15-minute train ride from the airport - within a short stroll of the Opera House, Harbour Bridge, Circular Quay and The Rocks, and there is a light rail stop just 50 metres from the entrance. 

You'll enter via a walkway - with reception located on level 21 of the building. 

The accommodation is apartment style with our cosy, high-tech bedroom adjoining a living area with plenty of space to stretch out and enjoy a movie or a cocktail. We did both. 

The A by Adina brand was launched by TFE Hotels in 2021 aimed at both corporate and lifestyle travellers. It's like having your own city crash pad. 

Team members are, sadly, known as curators, with each adopting a concierge approach. 

Very good most of them are, too, with the exception of the slow-moving and clearly uninterested breakfast room attendants. It's hard to be grumpy, though, after a night in one of the super comfy Dreamcatcher beds - and the a la carte breakfasts are very good.   

Rooms - ours was  a one-bedroom king apartment - are well thought-out with designer amenities, and clever interior design - you've got to love electric blinds and curtains. 

There's unlimited free wifi, a well-stocked mini bar, coffee machines & pods, a tea selection, Smart TV with Chromecast and plenty of power points and USB sockets. 

There is 24-hour reception, so someone is always on hand, in this case right downstairs from the excellent Dean & Nancy on 22 cocktail bar. 

There is also a swimming pool and fully equipped gym. 

In a first for TFE Hotels, A by Adina is using an integrated control system that seamlessly readies any one of its 194 apartments (82 studio, 104 one-bedroom, eight two-bedroom apartments) with air con and blinds the moment guests commence check in. Nice. 

A by Adina Sydney, 2 Hunter St, Sydney 2000. See https://abyadina.com/en/luxury-hotels/sydney

* The writer was a guest of TFE Hotels 

Virgin Australia offers deal on extra legroom

Fancy some extra legroom next time you fly?

Virgin Australia has today launched a domestic sale on its premium extra-legroom Economy X seating, with upgrades from just $15 per person per sector).

The month-long ‘Extra Comfort, Zero Imitation’ Economy X sale is available to add to Virgin Australia domestic flight bookings here until Tuesday, March 3.

First launched in 2017 as part of the airline’s ongoing focus on innovation, Economy X offers up to 40% more legroom, priority boarding and dedicated overhead locker space.

The deal is $15 for shorter routes and $23 for longer sectors.

“We’ve always believed Australians want choice, value and a better experience in the air; Economy X has been delivering exactly that for years so it’s no surprise others are now taking notice,” a Virgin Australia spokesperson, mysteriously anonymous, said in the airline's media release.

“We’re continuing to showcase just how wonderful the Economy X experience is for travellers, from priority check-in and boarding to preferred overhead locker space, while offering the best-value extra-legroom economy seating in the market from just $15 per person.” 

Meet a Toronto hotel with an ideal location

 

Toronto is one of the biggest cities in North America, with an urban population of well over 3 million and a metropolitan area with more than 7 million residents.

So if you want to check out highlights like the CN Tower, St Lawrence Market and [Ice] Hockey Hall of Fame then you will want to stay where the action is: the downtown city core within walking distance of Union Station.

You certainly don't want to find yourself staying in the Toronto equivalent of Blacktown or Werribee and spending half your time commuting.    

Let me introduce the Novotel Downtown Centre, a superbly located medium-sized hotel that delivers on location, facilities and friendliness. There are 232 rooms over nine floors but there is still a boutique feel. 

Unlike some of its bigger, brasher American-brand rivals there is a cosmopolitan/European vibe here, with multicultural staff and a collective smile. There are some funky public areas, too. 

Sports lovers will be able to walk in just a few minutes to watch either the high-flying Toronto Blue Jays baseball team in summer, or the Toronto Maple Leafs ice hockey team in winter. The Raptors basketball team and Toronto FC also call the city home.

Their venues, the Rogers Centre and the Scotiabank Arena, also host regular concerts and events. Over the few days I was in town acts included Neil Young, Oasis, Nine Inch Nails and the Jonas Brothers.

Toronto is a big city with big city attractions. It currently boasts 109 skyscrapers (with another 30 planned).

Fortunately for tourists there is a well-connected transport system with underground railway, bus and streetcar systems well linked to take you to destinations like Chinatown, the massive Eaton Centre shopping complex and the waterfront.

The Novotel is in a great location for foodies - with the renowned St Lawrence Market just a two-minute stroll away. From maple syrup and Canadian bacon to cheeses from around the world, to fresh fruit and vegetables, this is one of the great gourmet destinations. Take away, or dine in, or al fresco,

I popped by for lunch one day and enjoyed a delicious clam chowder followed by a freshly made spicy calamari po' boy sandwich.

Around the corner is a legal cannabis shop, should that be your bag.  

The hotel itself offers very comfortable rooms with fridges, fast wifi and excellent showers.

The bar has a happy hour from 4-8pm with local beers and wines for $5 and reduced price cocktails (think an $8 Aperol Spritz), while on-site restaurant, Cafe Nicole Bar & Bistro, serves copious buffet breakfasts, lunches and dinners and also has an ice cream parlour on the streetside patio for an afternoon treat.



From soups and salads to fish and chips, burgers and chimichurri striploin steak, and sun-dried pesto fettuccine, the menu showcases popular favourites.

Next to the reception desk there is a 24-hour mini market selling everything from toiletries and travel adaptors to sandwiches, crisps and ice cream, as well as a wide range of drinks, should you need a canned cocktail at 3am.

There is a well-equipped fitness centre (which I studiously avoided) and an indoor swimming pool and sauna; and you are in a safe area to go for a run or jog.

Rooms have huge TVs, wireless charging clock radios, pillow top mattress, fridge, coffee maker and  kettle, in-room safe and complimentary water.

Across the road from the Novotel you'll find a number of eating and drinking options, including The Old Spaghetti Factory, Scotland Yard, a  busy and friendly English-style pub, an Indian restaurant and a craft brewery. All well within staggering distance to your room.

A fun place to stay. Room prices vary seasonally. See https://novoteltorontocentre.com/ 

# The writer was a guest of Novotel Toronto Centre.

He flew with Qatar Airways from Melbourne to Toronto with one stop in Doha. Qatar Airways won the ‘World’s Best Airline’ for the ninth time at the 2025 World Airline Awards. Qatar flies from Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth to Doha, with global onward connections. Starlink wifi is free on Starlink-equipped aircraft), gate-to-gate. See https://www.qatarairways.com/en-au/homepage.html? 

When is it worth bidding for a flight upgrade?

You know those emails you get when you have booked an economy class seat?

If you are like me you just delete them. Who needs to pay heaps more to enjoy a bigger seat for a one- or two-hour domestic flight?

But a Virgin Australia UpgradeMe offer dropped just before a recent trip from Sydney to Hobart.

"Make an offer to sit in Business Class and you could be experiencing second-to-none space and comfort. Benefits include:
#Pre-departure access to the Virgin Australia Lounge. Available at selected domestic airports
#Priority check-in and boarding, where available
#Food and drinks from our Business Class menu"

OK, I was just a little bit tempted. We were checking out of our hotel too early for breakfast. And early morning flights are often delayed.

Sitting in a comfortable lounge with barista coffee, food and fast free wifi sounded appealing.

Obviously, the higher your bid the better your chances of winning an upgrade. The lowest bid available was $65 per person. The highest, I think, $300+.

There was a kicker: Remember, if your bid isn’t successful, you don’t pay anything.

Why not risk a $65 bid? Particularly given the cost of food and drinks at Australian airports.

A coffee and breakfast can easily cost you $30, a newspaper (free in the lounge) a few bucks more.

Then there is that priority check-in, rather than wrangling your suitcase, printing your baggage tag and then taking it to the conveyer belt.

There's the welcome drink when you sit down on the plane, a full hot breakfast if you want it, and those bigger, more comfortable seats.

Nobody felt like splashing out $300+ plus, it seems, because our $65 bids were successful.

"Congratulations, your UpgradeMe Premium Bid offer has been successful!. We look forward to welcoming you onboard in our Business Class cabin."

A bit of a snooze in those comfy seats, a free orange juice, breakfast and first off the plane in Hobart with bags first to arrive because the Priority tags.

That's a win. I reckon it is worth putting in a minimum bid sometimes. 

Lots of people won't bother and the benefits can be well worth it - particularly if your departure is delayed an hour or two.

# Availability of Business Class seats is subject to change, which may impact upon your chance of a successful upgrade.

Qantas unveils improved economy class seats for international flights

Qantas has unveiled new economy class seats with larger entertainment screens that will feature across the airline’s Airbus A330s - which operate international flights to Hong Kong, Singapore and Tokyo.

The mult-imillion dollar investment in cabin upgrades will be rolled out across 10 A330-200 aircraft as part of what Qantas says is a "major refurbishment program".

The upgrades include:

# Installing the brand-new economy seats that have been designed with extra customer comfort for Qantas’ Project Sunrise ultra-long haul flights.

# 4K OLED 13.3” entertainment touchscreens for economy with the latest generation user interface (20% larger than the existing screen).

# USB-C fast charging and Bluetooth audio connectivity for economy which allow users to use their own headphones.

Other key elements of the A330 cabin upgrade program include new mood lighting and the replacement of all curtains and carpets.

The existing business suites with fully-flat beds will remain on the aircraft.

Work on the first A330 is expected to start in mid-2025 in Qantas’ Brisbane maintenance facility with the first refurbished aircraft entering service by the end of the calendar year. The refurbishment program is expected to be completed by the end of 2026.

Qantas International CEO Cam Wallace said the multi-million dollar investment in existing A330s cabins would upgrade the experience for both passengers and crew as more new international aircraft progressively join the fleet over the coming years.

“We’ve used our fleet renewal program to completely rethink the inflight experience and these cabin upgrades mean we can bring next-generation features and designs to our existing aircraft,” Wallace said.

“Customers can look forward to brand new economy seats that have been specially created to maximise comfort and provide features that our customers want for international travel. They’re the same seats that will feature on our ultra long haul A350-1000ULR aircraft, so it will be a preview of the Project Sunrise flying experience.”

Qantas has also started its international wifi roll out across the A330 fleet. Fast and free wifi is expected to be available for Qantas flights some routes in Asia on wifi enabled A330 aircraft from December this year.

Qantas penny pinching becoming more obvious

We just took two Qantas flights: from Melbourne to Tokyo Narita return. They were very much a mixed bag, as you expect from the airline nowadays. 

First the positives. 

Both Airbus A330 flights were on time, boarding was well organised (no silly groups) and the cabin crew were smart and efficient despite both 10-hour-plus flights being pretty full. 

With Qantas being a full-service airline, you get a pillow, a blanket and headphones in your seat. And a bottle of water is delivered soon after take off.

So far so good, But unfortunately, there are several other elements that reflect the Australian national carrier's relentless commitment to cost cutting. 

That bottle of water is all you get. If you want it re-filled, you can head to the back of the plane and use a tap. 

The wine selection, in 187ml plastic mini bottles, contains several options that are not only not very good, but barely fit for purpose. 

Budget is clearly the defining factor here, not quality. Sad when Australia has so much good wine sitting in tanks. [A very good Seppeltsfield Vermentino was an exception].   

The food ex Melbourne was tasty and warm, with three choices (including one vegetarian option). 

Decent enough, but on the return flight the food, again three choices but two that sounded decidedly unappealing) was less than average (and I'm being kind). 

It is clear Qantas consultant chef Neil Perry has zero say in what is served in the economy cabin. And that's a fail. 

The seats are cramped and uncomfortable, but that is almost a given nowadays. Amenity kits: forget it.  

Then there is the entertainment. Qantas has once again placed the almighty dollar ahead of customer comfort. Whatever you want to watch you'll need to sit through some turgid advertising first. It's like Channel 9 on steroids. 

There has also been a lack of attention to the compilations. Not even a moron in a hurry could think that Cold Chisel should be listed under "Country Music". But they've probably made whoever did that job redundant. 

Even though we paid for our own fares, I wanted to list a factbox with the stories I wrote, giving details of all Qantas flights to Japan, prices and timings etc. 

I emailed the Qantas media team three times asking for those details, but did not even get the courtesy of a reply. Maybe they are too busy addressing complaints, or just don't give a damn. 

Strange when there so many competitors on the route. 

But so much about Qantas is strange nowadays. 

Factbox: Qantas failed to supply details of its flights to Japan despite repeated requests. But the Qantas website tells me return flights from Melbourne to Narita start from $1,202 return until June 2025 and operate four times a week. I hope that info is still current. Maybe Qantas will let know. 

Airline takes extra charges to new heights of idiocy

Airlines are masters at subtly gouging their customers.

Extra charges for baggage, seat selection, wifi, priority boarding, meals etc. 

The list goes on and on.

Airline executives, of course, will claim that the extra charges result in reduced fares and "more choice". We just haven't seen many of those low fares recently.

Now Finnish carrier Finnair is taking the "light" flight option one step farther - by not allowing passengers to fly hand luggage without an additional payment.

Well boo to Finnair.

The airline announced this week that itis introducing a new "superlight" ticket for short haul journeys within Europe.

As of June 1, the superlight ticket will replace economy light tickets.

These fares include only, presumably, a seat, and a small bag, which must go under the seat.

So no other carry-baggage included; including anything that you would normally stow in overhead lockers.

Even duty free purchases made at the airport are not allowed - unless they fit under the seat.

“Punctuality is very important for our customers, and the target of the changes we are now making is to ensure smooth boarding,” says Ole Orvér, chief commercial officer of the tight-arse airline.

“Excess carry-on baggage is a known issue, impacting both punctuality as well as travel comfort.”

Finnair will crack down on excess carry-on bags in the cabin.

Light tickets, which do include a regular carry-on bag, will continue to be available for long-haul journeys and for business class on European flights.

Classic tickets are still available for customers with both checked and carry-on baggage. But you'll pay a lot more.

As of June 1, Finnair will also decrease the baggage allowance for business class flyers - which sounds like a naked cash grab.

All special baggage allowances, including golf bags and ski equipment, will be excluded from the new ticket classifications and only be available for an additional charge.

    

The key area in which Tasmania is sadly second rate

It is time, as comedian Shaun Micallef would say, for some "plain speakin". 

Tasmania is gobsmackingly gorgeous, a destination that draws in visitors from around the world for its natural beauty, great food and wine and delightful accommodation. 

Unfortunately, however, while Tasmania has a "world class" tourism industry, it has a main airport that is embarrassingly second rate. 

Hobart Airport has spent much of the past decade as a building site as work has been done on its terminal, its car parks and its access roads. 

But it remains a bit of a joke because it has never had the foresight to install air bridges (also known as jet bridges). 

In one of the coldest cities in Australia, passengers have to walk to and from their planes across the tarmac. Often in biting winds and sleet. When it rains in Hobart passengers get soaking wet boarding or disembarking. 

First impressions etc. 

This week, Hobart Airport unveiled a 20-year draft (I said draft, not daft) "masterplan" to expand the airport's capacity - with construction due to start over the next two to four years. 

Only one problem. While $60 million has been budgeted to expand the airport's runway, there is no cash to build to a few air bridges, which apparently cost around $1 million each. 

This in a state where they want to spend upwards of $750 million for a new stadium that would host around a dozen AFL games each year. 

The rationale, according to airport chief executive Norris Carter, is that air bridges would be "too expensive" and would add to the cost of air tickets in the long run. 

I call bulldust. Four air bridges would cost $4 million. Throw in a couple more million for a small second-storey extension, if needed, and some escalators. 

I would have thought $6 million was a fair price to pay for a proper facility for the gateway for most tourists coming in and out of the state. 

Yes, those very people who waited up to 90 minutes in the freezing cold when the airport couldn't get its procedures right during Covid testing.

If $6 million extra is beyond the state's "majority Liberal-National Government" then maybe some initiative could be shown. 

How about a one-off lottery with a million-dollar first prize with the aim of raising the funds needed? It worked for the Sydney Opera House. 

Or how about finding a sponsor willing to tip in a major sum in exchange for having their brand name plastered all over the air bridges? Not even considered, apparently. 

This for an airport that will handle an estimated 5.5 million passengers a year in 25 years time. 

Currently, Hobart handles around 2.8 million passengers a year. A $1 per passenger levy over three years would pay for the air bridges and building extension. Too hard, apparently. 

Norris Carter and Tourism Industry Council of Tasmania CEO Luke Martin are in lockstep that "an air bridge would lead to steeper fares, as well as flight delays". 

Yep. Those pesky air bridges at Heathrow, Atlanta, Sydney and other major airports around the world are such a failure. Even Pyongyang Airport in North Korea has air bridges. 

Carter says the the plans to upgrade the airport will cost in "the hundreds of millions of dollars". But no one has the nous to include a few "expensive" air bridges. 

It would be funny if it wasn't so sad and lacking in foresight.