Ibis Budget: Newcastle, AUSTRALIA

Ah... when I'm doing a job that doesn't cover accommodation or is otherwise described as a "all-in" fee, I will skimp pretty heavily on my own accommodation to reduces the amount that I'm just spending on unnecessary costs. Of course, if there is an accommodation allowance, I tend to do the same anyway and pocket the costs. After all, I'm just after a bed, shower, and electricity... and there is really no point in extra luxury beyond that. That said, it sort of needs to be a little bit clean... I've made the mistake of going too cheap sometimes!

For these sorts of cheaper places, it is best to go back to the hotel chains where you can be at least assured of a minimum level of quality in comparison to the range of AirBNB options... that might or might not be dodgy as all hell... or slug you with extra fees.

Ibis Budget is one of these budget chains... where you can quite comfortably go cheap and spend a couple of nights in adequate luxury. As you walk into the Newcastle version of the Ibis Budget, you find that it is pretty much the same as every other one on the planet. Similar designs, similar colour scheme....

... you do have the option to pay a bit extra for breakfast, but I would tend to avoid that. Although, some of the European ones had really nice breakfasts... mostly, it is just a waste unless you don't feel like walking out the door for breakfast. That said, the Newcastle Ibis Budget isn't really that close to shops... so, I ended up having a very late breakfast when I drove to a rehearsal instead.

... ah the joy of endless non-descript corridors!

... and you get a room that is pretty much like every other! Mine had a weird low-pitched humming sound at all times... not crazily annoying, at least not enough to disturb my sleep, and definitely not enough to kick up a fuss and demand a different room. Actually, I think it would take quite a lot for me to kick up any fuss!

... and this is the beautiful view from my room. The benefit of the motel was the placement on the way out of Newcastle along the motorway... and that made it really easy to get on and off the motorway... but it was its downside as well. That said, it was a motorway intersection that was surprisingly quiet... by this stage of the motorway, the speeds were down to the 60 kph suburban limits and there seemed to be very few heavy vehicles... so, combined with the thick glass... no problems noise wise. Just not a picturesque view!

So, Ibis Budget... definitely better than a cheap AirBNB!