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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Do the rates include all the applicable taxes, electricity, gas, and water usages?
Yes, the rates quoted do include all the applicable taxes, electricity, gas, and
water usages - for 2 people. Each additional person is $50 per week to cover
additional towels, linen, gas, water & electricity charges.
Do the apartments include all required bed linen and towels?
Yes, the apartments are fully equipped with all sheets, towels (1 per person) & blankets. We
also provide extra blankets. Each unit also has a hand towel and bathroom floor mat.
Do the apartments have laundry facilities?
Most apartments
have their own washing machines and clothes drying racks/ airers.
ShortStays 3,
4, 5, 6 & 7 also have dryers. ShortStays 8 & 9 have access to communal
laundries.
How do we collect the keys to the apartment on our arrival?
We will arrange with you a suitable time to meet you and show you through the
unit on arrival. ShortStays 1 & 2 keys are also able to be left inside a secure
padlock attached to the front door with the combination provided to you before
arrival.
When do we pay for accommodation, and do you accept credit cards on arrival?
The payment for the apartment is due on arrival, and we only accept cash. We do
not accept credit cards on arrival.
If you wish to pay via travellers cheques
please let us know in advance so we note to give you a few days to arrange your
banking and exchange your travellers cheques for Australian currency.
You may decide to pay the entire balance owing via credit
card using PayPal (an eBay company) prior to your arrival. You will need to
make this payment via the internet (additional fees apply). Please note that
depending on your country of origin you may need to verify yourself to PayPal
before you can make transactions over $1,000. PayPal may need to call your home
phone land line and verify your details over the phone. This must be done before
you arrive.
How do we pay the security bond?
Your security bond in the form of a signed credit card authority is required on
arrival. A hold will be placed on your credit card funds to the value of
AUD$500 to AUD$700 depending on the size of your unit. This will reduce your available credit limit by AUD$500
to AUD$700 for the
duration of your stay.
We only accept VISA & MasterCard.
Please review your credit card limit prior to arrival to ensure you have
sufficient funds. You also need to provide identification from either an
Australian driver's licence or a current passport.
Your credit card will only be debited in the event that there are outstanding charges, damages or loss caused to the
property during your stay. This amount may be over $500 or $700. That is, you are liable for any outstanding charges and/ or the repair or
replacement value of damage or loss to the property regardless of the amount.
How long does it take to get through customs?
It can vary from 1 to 1.5 hours depending on how many people are on your flight, how many
flights arrive at the same time, and if you have anything to declare. Australian
Customs & Immigrations are very strict and all food stuffs must be declared.
Seeds, feathers, woods and the like are usually kept by customs as well as
unprocessed foods.
Do the rates include airport transfers to the apartment?
No, the rates do no include airport transfers.
A taxi to our
Sydney units in Surry
Hills should cost $20-35 from either the international or domestic
airport terminals. A taxi from either airport will take 20 to 25 minutes
to any of the units.
A taxi to our Melbourne unit should cost $45 - $50 from Melbourne Airport and will take approximately 30 minutes.
Can I catch a train to the Sydney units?
If staying in one of our Sydney apartments yes you can, as all our units are in Surry Hills which is
also the location of the main train station of Sydney, Central Train Station. There is a train link under both
the domestic & international airport terminals (http://www.airportlink.com.au) that takes you Central Train Station in 10 minutes and costs $14
per person, you can then either walk to the units or catch a taxi for about $5. If only 1 person is travelling
then the train option is the cheapest way to get to the units. If there are 2 or more people then
catching a taxi from either airport will usually work out cheaper.
However, if staying in our Melbourne apartment please note that there is no train link from Melbourne airport
to the City, however the Skybus bus link (http://www.skybus.com.au) operates every 10-15 minutes and costs $15
per person (one-way). The Skybus terminates at Melbourne's main train station, Southern Cross Station, which is
located only 800 metres from our Melbourne apartment. You can then either walk to the unit or catch a taxi for
about $5.
Internet Hot Spots
Although our units do not have an internet connection there are some hotspots around Surry Hills & Darlinghurst - some are free and some require payment. Below are some links we've found that may help you connect. You can probably find more by doing a search online.
Also, our main Telecom company Telstra offers a wireless service for a fee and you can find these details at:As another alternative a company called Fat Free - http://www.fatfree.com.au/wirelessbroadbandrentals.html has Wireless BroadBand available at $60 per week that may suit your needs.
Are babies and children regarded as people for calculation of apartment rates?
Yes, babies and children of all ages are regarded as people, and the additional
charge for additional persons apply irrespective of age. All units have sofa
beds which are adequate for children; additional linen and towels will be
provided. We charge an additional $50 per week per person regardless of age.
Children's DVDs are available on request. Unfortunately we do not have additional items such as cots for babies.
Are we allowed to smoke inside the apartment?
All our apartments are non-smoking, this means smoking is not permitted inside any of
our apartments. Smoking is only permitted on the balcony or courtyard where
available. As our Terms & Conditions state a cleaning and
deodorising fee of $150 applies if you smoke inside the unit.
Do the apartments contain cooking facilities?
All apartments are self-catering and contain kitchens with cooking facilities, including; kettle,
toaster, cook top, fridge/freezer, microwave, pots, pans, cutlery (flatware),
crockery, glassware, etc. All units contain an oven, except ShortStays 2 (which
has hot plates only), and some contain a dishwasher also.
Do the apartments include tea, coffee and milk?
All our units are self-catering. We supply you with a few days supply of soap,
toilet paper & washing detergent, you must then buy your own. We provide you with the location of local
supermarkets and delis (corner stores/ 7-11s), where you can purchase additional
items. All units are within 300m of local convenience stores or large
supermarkets.
Is parking included with the apartments?
The cost of parking is not included in the price of the apartments. We have 1
car space that's available for rental at $12 per day. All units
have access to rent this car space (except ShortStays 5 as it's about 1Km away).
The car space is in the same apartment block as
ShortStays 3,4 & 7. It is only 300m from ShortStays 1,2 & 6, and
400m from ShortStays 8 & 9. Please
enquire about this well in advance as it gets booked quickly.
On street parking is available in all areas but is subject to local council
regulations. There are some unrestricted parking spaces available on the
street within a few blocks of most units but these are not guaranteed.
Our flight arrives early in the morning, can we
arrive at
the unit early also?
Normal arrival time on weekdays is 12PM (noon), and 2PM on weekends. An early arrival is subject to availability,
i.e. if the apartment is booked out the night before arrival, an early arrival
will not be possible. Otherwise guests can arrive before 8am for an additional
cost of $40. Please contact us a few days before you arrive to enquire if an
early arrival is possible.
Our flight departs late in the evening, can we
leave the unit
late also?
Normal departure time is 10AM. Late departure is subject to availability, i.e.
if the apartment is booked out on the night you leave, then a late departure
will not possible.
Otherwise guests can depart after 10AM for an additional $40. Please contact us
a few days before you leave to enquire if a late departure is possible.
I have an allergy and have special requirements. Can I make special requests?
Unfortunately we do not have facilities available to ensure an allergy free
environment.
Are breakfasts included in the rates?
No, the apartment rates do not include breakfasts. All apartments contain
kitchens so you can prepare your own meals, and most apartments are well located
near a variety of restaurants and coffee shops if required.
What do I do
with the keys when I check out?
Lock all doors and windows (in case of rain) and leave the keys inside the unit
on departure. Ensure the door closes and locks behind you when you leave.
Who is www.ShortStays.net?
www.ShortStays.net the website is owned and managed by Paul & David. We also own all of the Sydney units,
reply to all emails, take each booking, update our calendar, send booking confirmation & arrival emails
all the way through to meeting you on the day you arrive. We will also answer all questions you have
during your stay, and we'll also inspect each of our units on your departure. We take a great deal of
pride in what we have built up over the last few years, and that's why we are very hands on with every
aspect of the day-to-day running of the website and all our units. We also hope, and expect, that you
take pride in the unit you stay in and look after the unit, which is your new home in Sydney.
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