Forum Fest 2015 Melbourne

[obbie]

yes ACW the Quest.

[Wonder]

Sorry with Melbourne's horrible weather and ending up needing to do some work yesterday I wasn't able to have the nice walk around the city I had planned. I'll try for next Sunday to go and scope out the two already mentioned.

[gertbysea]

I agree Jen and chookie that a place to meet and greet for breakfast or pre dinner drinks where we can mingle is important. I would not like to be in a place where we are all in separate accomodation. If that is the case then it would mean almost be every man for himself. We should have at least one excursion together as a group as well as free time.

The point of the Forum Fest is to get to know one another and have the pleasure of laughing and dining together. Melbourne is a great place for looking, shopping and doing so some may want an extra day or two apart from the designated Fest time.  That could be me. If there is a cooking class on or about include me in. Also the market guided tour would be a hit. A gorgeous restaurant meal where we an be a bit rowdy and have fun is on the cards. Perhaps not a fine dining venue. We could be too much for them. We don't want the fun police onto us.

Gert

[cookie1]

I agree with everyone that the most important thing for a Forumfest is to have the central meeting area where we can have a drink, be noisy and move the furniture around a bit. That was what made Hobart for me.

[Mama Fergie]

Totally agree we need a central hub where we can all meet, chat, laugh and maybe the occasional  glass of bubbles  LOL
That is exactly what made it so special in Hobart cookie.
Not sure if the hotel staff loved our group of furniture removalists as much as we did

I have stayed a few times in the Crown Promenade hotel which is linked to  the Crown entertainment area with  many cafes and restaurants by an air bridge. It has a bar/ lounge area just off the lobby which is perfect for socialising but not sure if they do discounts for groups or seniors.. I think the brekkie restaurant is adjacent  to this bar area too. It also has a few outside tables for smokers but not naming our smoking dancing girl 

[CreamPuff63]

I'm ruling out the Flinders Lane apartments based on the meeting point criteria. Aside from dining or drinking, I second that we need an organised tour/class altogether to have the time to mingle and get to know one another.

[Thermesa]

I'm keen to join in next yet but really have no idea on family scheduling yet.

[judydawn]

We need a big glass window for her, she entertains us constantly LOL.

[Mama Fergie]

Yep it has that Judy as that is a must have for our lovely lady 

[fundj&e]

 

[Bootobethin]

Can't see it fundj!

[Wonder]

MF, we have stayed at Crown Metropol quite a few times and while we've loved it found that after staying back in the city the last few times realised how little of the city you see while being consumed by the Crown complex, there are some great restaurants etc. but I find it all a bit "manufactured". We also found that with just a short time we ended up spending a lot of it either walking or traming back into the city area for all the great shops, cafes and the market. Another one that is worth a look is Rydges on Exhibition St, while it's not 5 start, we found the rooms lovely, they have a big bar/meeting area downstairs and in a relatively good location on the corner of Exhibition and Little Bourke.

[achookwoman]

The girls at Hobart talked me out of doing a lunch at Cherokee.  I very much want to be part of the fun at Melb Fest and can't do both.  Also  it would mean a day out of a very short holiday when there are so many good things to see around Melb.

[gertbysea]

So happy you have opted out of that one chookie. Too far from the fun. We want you and Ral in town and there will no doubt be far too many to accommodate for lunch. I ain't hauling a chair from Cairns .

Gert

[gertbysea]

Wonder Rydges sound a good bet. They are always reasonable and deals can be made. Good location .Any thoughts?

Gert