Hotel Grand Chancellor Launceston, Tasmania

Advantages: Wonderful, unspoilt wilderness and super friendly people
Disadvantages: A very long way away

...I'm not sure what images the island state of Tasmania conjors in people's imaginations, but I'm willing to bet that the reality surpasses anyones most optimistic expectations. Tasmania is an absolute jewel. A greater percentage of Tasmania is given over to national reserves than any other state in Australia and one visit is enough to convince you that you have indeed found the last unspoilt wilderness on earth (well, geographically it's pretty much the end of the line until you reach Antarctica!) I would recommend just about anywhere in the state for stunning views, a relaxing atmosphere and spectacularly friendly people. If I had to pick a favourite place, I'd suggest Launceston and it's surrounding region. Launceston itself is a charming town with a wonderful gorge that takes a full day to explore. Then, just an hour or two out... Read review

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Advantages: amazing unspoilt natural scenery
Disadvantages: a long way away and not easily accessible

...How often have you seen a picture of a place and thought "I'd love to go there?" How often have you actually acted on that wish? And out of that many times, how many times has the picture paled into insignificance alongside the actual experience? This, for me, was one such place. I saw the picture in October 2006, on the cover of Lonely Planet Tasmania. By late November, I was there. The island of Tasmania is a short hop by plane from mainland Australia. And halfway along the east coast of Tasmania, about three hours' drive from either of the main towns of Hobart or Launceston, is the Freycinet Peninsula, one of several national parks in Tasmania. Driving up from the south, I had a wonderfully dramatic view over the bay of pink-grey mountains that rise up straight out of the sea. Like most of Tasmania, Freycinet is a paradise... Read review

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Advantages: Comfortable, Friendly, Good Facilities
Disadvantages: Parking at the front of the hotel is sometimes difficult

...We stayed at the Chancellor Hotel by accident! We had hotel vouchers for our visit to San Francisco but the hotel we stayed in on our first night was so awful (and in one of the more dangerous areas of the city - we heard that the street on which it was situated had the highest murder rate in San Francisco!) that we decided to ring San Francisco Reservations, a hotel broker mentioned in our guide book. Hotel brokers basically rent out hotel rooms at short notice at lower than advertised prices. That is how we were able to stay in the Chancellor, which is a 3 star hotel, for $50 per night! According to the hotel's website, special room rates start at $125 per night, so we definitely got a good deal by going through San Francisco Reservations! The Chancellor Hotel is right on Union Square in the centre of San Francisco and is convenient... Read review

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