Im not a fussy man regarding staying in hotels in Australia. I've stayed in very cheap to expensive spots and have never been disappointed....except for yesterday. I stayed at a hotel in Brisbane City called the Turbot Hotel. Deadset, spend a few extra dollars and avoid this joint altogether. The only time in my life where a motel room stay has been purely unsatisfactory.
As for overseas, I took it upon myself to travel on the outskirts (non-tourism areas) of Kiev in Ukraine. There is some pure poverty out there.