Australians quarantined in five-star hotels complaining of being treated “worse than prisoners”

Australians forced to isolate themselves in luxury five-star hotels continue to complain about their living conditions despite enjoying three meals and a bottle of wine each day, free internet and laundry service.

Thousands of people returning from overseas in recent days have been quarantined for 14 days at some of Australia’s best hotels in a bid to slow the spread of the coronavirus.

While some enjoy city views from their hotel room windows, the isolation and lack of fresh air has taken its toll on others, including Australian food presenter Lyndey Milan.

The food show personality, who spent two days in isolation at the five-star Sydney Hilton hotel, took to Instagram on Monday night to complain that dinner still hadn’t arrived by 8:30 p.m.

“Starving people with jet lag are not fed yet at 8:30 p.m.,” she captioned the video.

“They don’t answer the phone. No one was fed, ” she told staff guarding the rooms outside.

A traveler complained about the timing of the dinner service, sharing a photo of his dinner to eat at 9:51 p.m. and comparing it to the food on the plane

Among the first to be isolated were passengers on the Norwegian Jewel cruise ship, which arrived in Sydney last Thursday.

Buses transported the arrivals to the five-star Swissotel, where they were stuck in their lavish rooms for the last three nights.

The guests set up a closed Facebook group to complain about the conditions and say they were treated worse than the prisoners.

Among them was Di Minter, who took the page on Monday after his breakfast arrived only at 10 a.m.

“Coco pops with milk, yogurt, no spoon, no bowl to eat, no juice, a cold slice of toast, butter and a choice of vegemite or peanut butter,” she said. writing.

‘Hmmm. I think I was the forgotten one. Thank goodness I’m avant-garde, I also kept juice from yesterday’s pastries because they gave me a double portion. Detained 1605. ‘

But this same traveler also gave a more optimistic view of her 40s, sharing how she befriended her neighbors next door and formed a WhatsApp group to wait for the two-week period with them.

Di Minter (left) and Australian food presenter Lyndey Milan (right) have both taken to social media to complain about the quality of their food

Robert Wong got his breakfast around the same time.

“Although my meal is diabetic, it seems the portion is incomplete,” he wrote.

“A jar of yogurt, a jar of fruit, a packet of vegemite, peanut butter, butter and two Weetbix cakes.

“Where are the sandwiches (if any)?” What is the point of providing butter, vegemites, etc. without going there. ‘

A letter from Swissotel uploaded to the page insists it tries to put customers at ease during their two-week quarantine.

Customers can order toiletries, fresh fruit, jars of coffee, snacks, medical supplies, and alcohol, which is limited to one bottle of wine or three beers per day per room.

They also benefit from free internet access and a free laundry service if they leave their laundry outside before 7 p.m. each evening.

Lyndey Milan and other guests on her floor at the Sydney Hilton were still waiting for dinner to arrive at 8:30 p.m. Monday night.

A traveler who returned from Singapore gave a more optimistic view of her 40s, sharing how she befriended her neighbors next door and formed a WhatsApp group to wait for the two-week period with them.

But she also complained about the timing of the dinner service, sharing a photo of her dinner to eat at 9:51 p.m. and comparing it to the food on the plane.

“Tonight’s dinner is finally here,” she wrote.

“Does that remind you of airplane food?” If it’s prepared in advance by a catering company, why is it arriving so late? I miss making my own food.

One woman said she was treated “worse than refugees or prisoners”, while another said her five-star hotel was “miserable hell”.

No complaints: Two Australians quarantined on Crown Promenade waved to media on Monday from their high-rise hotel room

Quarantine and relaxation: Woman sent to the Sydney Hilton hotel took to Instagram to show off her lavish suite

In Sydney, travelers are directed to the InterContinental, Hilton, Swissotel and Novotel on Darling Harbor.

All three hotels are upscale with starting prices over $ 200 a night for standard rooms.

In Melbourne, people are accommodated on the Crown Promenade where customers typically pay a minimum price of $ 233 per night.

A woman who was sent to the Hilton Sydney for her 40s shared images of her spacious hotel room. She was particularly impressed with a television screen installed in the bathroom.

Another decided to dress in a white robe to pose for a photo in his Hilton hotel room, sharing the photo online with the caption: “Did anyone say ‘quarantine’?”

A man who was sent to the Crown Promenade in Melbourne thanked taxpayers for his free food and accommodation in a series of Instagram stories.

“To everyone who has paid taxes over the past year, thank you very much,” he said, showing his supporters the meal that was left at his doorstep.

Returning travelers update their Instagram followers on life during 14-day quarantine

In Melbourne, people are accommodated on the Crown Promenade, where guests pay at least $ 233 per night

Police Commissioner Mick Fuller, who has been tasked with managing the NSW coronavirus response, said those who need to self-isolate should stop complaining.

“I understand that the sheets may not be changed every day, but you come back to… five star hotels.” They are not doing that bad. There are people after the bushfires who are still living in tents and caravans. People are doing well, ”he said.

“The reality is that they are in a hotel room, and yes, they will be isolated for 14 days. This is for their own protection, the protection of their family members and the protection of the NSW community.

Travelers returning to Australia are quarantined under surveillance at luxury hotels amid coronavirus pandemic