Liz,
No, the Merchant Court is not connected with the Grace Hotel - just built above Grace Bros the Department Store part of the Myer group.

Nice name, Daisyho! :) I'm from Brisbane and here are my thoughts on the hotels you mentioned. Of the 3, I'd choose Stamford cos it's a very nice good standard hotel in a nice location. It's a few blocks easy walk to the main shopping district, but is actually on the river, with lots of restaurants close by, across a range of styles and prices.

Dear all:

After reviewing all of your comments and my further search on the net, Iyyve narrowed down my options as follows:

Sydney:
Sheraton on the Park, Rydges Jamison (The former le Meridien, can anybody pls give further comments?)

The Westin (only if I am prepared to pay more for this top quality!)

Iyyve dropped Merchant Court as I suspected that this hotel is very much of a tourist type and hence crowded!

Melbourne:
The Westin, The Sofitel Melbourne (Can somebody tell me should I opt for Sofitel or Le Meridien?)

Sheraton Towers and Crown Towers are very expensive, I will re-consider them only if I could find some good prices.

Brisbane / Gold Coast:
I am inclined to stay a consecutive 3 nights at Gold Coastyys Phoenician or Sheraton Mirage (if I could find a good price).

Daisy2, please let me know what I could do in Brisbane such that I should stay in Brisbane.

AnnaG, please let me know if I stay in Noosa, how long would it take to get to the major attractions around Gold Coast, e.g. the theme parks.

Many thanks for all of your comments,
Daisy

Hi Daisy
You probably won't get a good price for the Sheraton Mirage on the Gold Coast as they don't seem to discount very much at all. The Phoenician is much better situated and within walking distance to most of the things you will need, including the beach - although not as close as the Sheraton but at the Sheraton the beach does not have a patrol, which is essential even if you are the best swimmer in the world.
Do you have a reason for wanting to stay in Brisbane? If there is no burning desire to find relatives then give Brissie a miss as it does not have that much for the tourist as its really an overgrown country town.
If you are staying in Noosa then that is about 2 hours drive north of Brisbane and Brisbane is one hour drive north of the Gold Coast so you would not be checking out attractions in and around the Gold Coast from Noosa and also you would be wanting to see some of the northern part of New South Wales which is again even further from Noosa.
By the way the Sheraton Towers in Melbourne is in a terrific position and is a lovely hotel but perhaps my choice is the Windsor Hotel which is a lovely old hotel with the grace and charm of a bygone era and certainly with some atmosphere.

Hi,
Can anyone give me some feedback on Westend Central Apartments in Brisbane. We are looking for apartment accommodation for 6 people in the Brisbane area for early Oct. 2005.
Thanks.
Cheryl

The Mariot in Brisbane is by far the best hotel in the city. A room will cost somwhere in the vicinity of AUD$200/night. Brilliant views great service and excellent proximity to the cbd.