'I travel for a living and these 3 affordable Aussie hotels rival the luxury ones.'

There are three things you should know about me when it comes to hotels: I have champagne-on-arrival taste on a beer budget, I love stylish interiors but will karate chop any old decorative pillow that comes into contact with my body and I'm constantly on the hunt for boutique hotels that actually offer boutique prices, because there's nothing more anti-climatic than swiping your room key and discovering you've paid $500 for a dust cupboard. 

Here are three hotels I've recently paid to stay at that meet the impossible requirements of the modern traveller: chic and affordable. 

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HOTEL MORRIS, SYDNEY

From $230 per night, with breakfast included. Members get an extra 5 per cent off.

Like many things in life, I stumbled across this hotel on Instagram during a scrolling frenzy. What caught my eye was a video of an incredibly stylish human, sitting on a hotel bed eating a gigantic slab of tiramisu — immediate follow. 

While the tiramisu was a clever marketing tactic, the thing that actually sold me on the hotel was the price of the room. Hotel Morris offers rooms starting from $230 per night with a hot breakfast included, unheard of in Sydney! I splashed out and booked the very best room, The Grande King with breakfast and paid only $315 (you get an extra 5 per cent off if you enter your email address). 

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When I arrived at the hotel, I was pleased to discover that it's newly renovated and very central (right next to Central Station). It is also very compact; the check-in counter doubles as the bar counter. For a solo traveller like myself, I thought the whole fuss-free, informal vibe was perfect.

Upon entering my room, my eyes went straight to a stunning Art Deco chandelier, then to a single striped bolster pillow on the king-sized bed, which didn't immediately make me recoil (give it time). The bathrooms have been completely refreshed so I didn't feel as though a million bare bottoms had sat on the toilet seat before me and my bathroom even had a hair straightener in addition to a blow dryer.

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In the morning, I enjoyed a coffee from the Nespresso machine which features in every room, before heading down to breakfast. It wasn't an all-you-can-eat hot buffet, but I left for my day of meetings feeling perfectly satisfied, great value in Sydney is hard to find. 

HYDE MELBOURNE PLACE, MELBOURNE

From $285 per night with a FREE mini bar. Members get an extra 5 per cent off.

I booked Hyde Melbourne Place (formerly Melbourne Place Hotel) for my partner and I earlier in the year for the Australian Open. Although I hate to admit it, I was looking forward to taking pictures of my outfits after seeing the hotel's trendy rooftop bar posted all over Instagram. While rooms here start from $249, I paid $355 for a night stay with breakfast included, which seemed like a bargain in Melbourne CBD during one of Melbourne's busiest periods.

On arrival, the lobby felt like the entrance to a museum, not a hotel. I could sense my partner, Steve's confusion as it was pretty cold and uninviting but that feeling quickly disappeared once we got to our room. 

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The room was dark and moody with quality finishes and wait for it…not a decorative pillow in sight! A curved walk-in rain shower was equal parts pretty and practical and the toilet was located as far away from the bed as possible and fully enclosed so I didn't need to have the TV blaring and the faucet running first thing in the morning.

The jewel in Hyde Melbourne's crown is the rooftop. The views, service and drinks menu are all so good that Steve barely batted an eyelid when I asked him after the first sip of his beer to take a photo of me.

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Melbourne Place is a hotel that knows what its audience wants: stylish accommodation at a reasonable price and getting the shot on the first try. 

BASQ HOUSE, BYRON BAY

From $349 per night with welcome drink and small continental breakfast included.

I've just returned from my second visit to this hotel; it truly is a hidden gem. 

Located down a quiet side street in Byron Bay, Basq House is for those seeking peacefulness away from those bloody influencers and their iPhones (that was a subtle dig at myself in case you missed it). 

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Rooms at this brand-new hotel currently start from $349 per night and while it's slightly more expensive than my other two recs, you do get access to extra amenities like a temperature-controlled pool and the most stunning library with a cosy fireplace, perfect for reading, working or getting tipsy off your welcome drink and mouthing with outstretching arms "I live here" like you're Chris Hemsworth's rich neighbour. 

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Rooms are brand spanking new, generously sized and the first time I stayed, they actually made me cry. Beside my bed was the book, Anne of Green Gables which my grandma used to read to me before I went to sleep. 

This level of attention to detail extends to all parts of the customer experience, from the complimentary bikes, beach shades and surfboards to the fresh fruit, pastries, tea and coffee served poolside every morning. 

Another hotel that proves you can have champagne-on-arrival taste on a budget. 

Feature Image: Supplied.

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