It all depends on the company you keep. In my late teens / early 20's, the company i kept, my friends, etc were all the hob nobs who loved the 5 star lifestyle, and personally i got into that at the time. But now, with a family, and the real friends i have kept most of my life, not into that high class 5 star lifestyle anymore. Camping, fishing, and i am now learning to surf wi ll bring some great family holidays up and down the coast in the caravan parks i used to visit when i too was a youngster under 15.

When travelling solo I cannot beat the Youth Hostels (especially those that are part of YHI) for price, location, convenience and meeting interesting people as well as getting to know where the best eats and sights (or is it sites?) are. They are open to adults of all ages, in fact I have actually seen some OBE's (over bloody eighty) staying in them.

Where can I register for the say on how his divested wealth could be best put to real use? As for the "dallas" lifestyle you dont have to look far to find the posers that think that is the way life is best led? Hello! - it was a two bit soapy!

I have stayed in Backpackers, Motels, Pubs 5 star, Bed and breakfast, Campers, Caravan Parks, Motor homes. Over seas its been 3 to 5 star but it depends on what you want how much you want to spend. I find doing your own thing and going where you want and having fun does it for me.

With you on this one Nafe, 5 star only happens when one wins it in a raffle or a good year of saving the money to do so ! Nothing will ever beat the good old Caravan parks where one can be ones self, right around Australia at a cheaper costs and not bunking in a room with total strangers who could be serial killers before bunking in the same room as them in a B/packers hostels.. Backpacker hostels might be cheaper, but the fear factor is always there with a total stranger in the same room as ones self. It would be like rooming with Sportipoopoo, just the thought of sportipoopoo in fishnet stockings with his goldfish make me shiver ! It would be my mission to save that poor old Goldfish!

5***** generally means higher prices that in turn is reflected to keep the would/wannabe's seperate from the common masses. It means that for some, feeling the need for superiority over their fellow travellers is reflected how much they/their company can afford to pay to ensure the gap between the mores/lessers remains, but in the mornings both in their respective accomodations get up and use the toilet - a great leveller

I've been in many 5 star establishments and most, despite the pretentiousness have no more than 3 1/2 star service. On a trip to the Sunshine Coast we were supposed to be picked up at the airport by the hotels mini-bus, it didn't arrive, we got a taxi, and when we complained, we got the reply; "so what, your all here now, what do you expect me to do about it". No apology offered. That night, in the dining room, we hear a voice behind us (waitress) "WELL, which one of youz ordered the soup". Looking at the single bowl we chorused, "three of us ordered soup, which soup do you have ?". This place still sends letters, "Dear valued customer", every couple of months. We once stayed at a 3 star motel in Toowoomba. I went to hand the guy my credit card to be swiped (as is usually in the big hotels) he said, "I don't need to mate, you've got an honest face, I trust you". I said, "what do you do with the customers without an honest face" ?, he said, "I don't swipe their card either, but if they give me any trouble I swipe my fist on their face". We had an enjoyable stay. Overseas, we've had similar experiences. We avoid the big hotels; after all, it's really just a place to sleep.

Five star can be nice for a treat occasionally. The wife and I usually only book through secret deals or when there are massive discounts on offer, as normally they are waaayyy overpriced for the services offered, which are generally the same in supposedly lesser establishments. On a previous holiday to Tassie, one of the best places we stayed was a travellers in in Launceston, which trumped the Henry James IXL boutique hotel in Hobart, for both price and room inclusions. However, having said that, the view from the Henry James was to die for and the restaurant served the most delectable duck....mmmmmm

I just got back from a trip to Beihai, which is near the Vietnam/China border. I managed first class airflight as their was no one who was a foreigner, the service was the same, the seats where the same, everything was the same as ecconomy. I also went supposed 5 star as my employer gave me a travel allowance, (so I decided to treat myself). The atmosphere was that of a morgue, I still couldn't get anybody at the front deck that could speak English...I guess that's China for you. I have traveled a bit and have found digs ranging from sleeping by the roadside to 5 star, it is all in the adventure, although I do have to agree with the article ..5 star can be a bit on the sterile side. Wouldn't you know it, when I got back home to Yancheng in Jiangsu province it was snowing, and still is...I should have gone on to Hanoi for another week or so..such is life. By the way it is spring festival over here...imagine 200 million people all going home to their respective home towns via train, bus or in some cases plane, it is a nightmare, a sea of sweaty humanity

I'm quite happy to stay in five star when on business trips - it leaves more time to attend to the purpose of the visit, and I'm not fitting the bill. Generally though I've no qualms about budget accomodation, as long as the beds are confrotable and the facilities are clean. I have stayed in a few dives on cycling holidays, which adds to the adventure somewhat. tit - what is your lingerie clad fish obsession about? I thought your urges were focussed on dogs. After all you did say you were a “mutt man” in one of your idiotic posts. FYI normal hardworking people can afford to stay in 5 star without winning a prize or saving for a year, but as you are neither I can understand why you might think it out of reach. Maybe you should get a job.