Head to the Top End of Australia and you’ll quickly fall for the laid-back tropical lifestyle the locals live in Darwin. Overlooking the Timor Sea, Darwin’s waterfront is lined with palm trees, packed with pubs, and home to saltwater lagoons (and the occasional crocodile!).
Those public swimming lagoons will come in handy given Darwin’s sweltering temperatures and humid climate (it’s only recommended to visit the city in the dry season, between May and October), and they’ll soon help you acclimatize to the extreme weather found in this remote part of Australia.
Visit the Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory to learn more about Darwin’s history and culture, enjoy sunset sailing tours around Darwin Harbour, and hunt for saltwater crocodiles along the Adelaide River. And, of course, Darwin, with its surprisingly impressive range of excellent accommodations, is the perfect base for day trips to Litchfield National Park and Kakadu National Park.
Darwin boasts all kinds of hotels – from family-friendly resorts with private beaches to luxury aparthotels featuring homey amenities. In fact, there are so many wonderful places to stay in Darwin that you may find it impossible to choose just one. To help you out, we’ve put together a list of the top 10 luxury hotels in Darwin.
- Short on time and don’t want to read the whole article? Here are our top 3 picks!
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The 10 Best Hotels in Darwin, Australia
1. Mindil Beach Casino Resort
One of the best luxury hotels in Darwin is the Mindil Beach Casino Resort. Overlooking the white sands of Mindil Beach, this four-star hotel is set around 30 acres of lush gardens that epitomize the Northern Territory’s tropical character.
Spend the day lazing around the outdoor lagoon, make the most of Darwin’s only swim-up pool bar, or head down to the hotel’s private stretch of beach and bask under a parasol. The Lagoon Day Spa offers specialist treatments by iKOU, while the casino is the biggest in Darwin.
The 154 rooms at the Mindil Beach Casino Resort all feature private balconies or verandas with ocean or garden views. Flat-screen televisions and luxury toiletries come as standard, while a Lagoon Room upgrade gives you direct access to the swimming pool.
2. Hilton Darwin
The Hilton Darwin offers the height of contemporary luxury in the Top End. Five-star rated, you’ll love how the modern rooms are decorated with local Aboriginal artwork and kitted out with plush king-size beds and walk-in showers.
The Hilton Darwin is conveniently located on Mitchell Street, just one street back from the Esplanade, and the best rooms offer sweeping views of Darwin Harbour. The outdoor swimming pool is a welcome respite from the tropical humidity, while the air-conditioned fitness center is fully equipped for your workouts.
You’re spoiled for dining choices at the Hilton Darwin. The Palm Court Bar & Lounge serves cocktails and bar snacks, and the PepperBerry Restaurant serves Aussie classics prepared with a bush tucker twist. Most unusual of all, Le Petit Chef offers a fine dining experience that merges French gastronomy with 3D cinema.
3. Palms City Resort
One of the most unique hotels in Darwin is Palms City Resort. With an unbeatable Esplanade location overlooking Darwin Harbour, this beautiful property draws seamlessly on its tropical locale for inspiration.
Palm trees, loungers, and a pool bar made from palm fronds are arrayed around a central lagoon, while tropical paintings adorn the walls of luxury rooms, and local flora line the terraces. Enjoy a sundowner on your private veranda, embrace the sumptuous soft bedding, and upgrade to a Palms Villa for a private outdoor spa pool.
4. H on Smith Hotel
A sleek property run by Darwin locals, the H on Smith Hotel offers a stylish stay in the heart of the city. Located on Smith Street, you’ll love how the contemporary high-rise building shades the outdoor swimming pool below.
One of the most luxurious places to stay in Darwin, the 186 rooms feature queen or king beds, silky smooth linens, and pillow-top mattresses for added comfort. You’ll have sweeping views of the city or the bay from tall, floor-to-ceiling windows, while the rooftop gym offers blistering all-round vistas while you work out.
Back at ground level, the hotel’s restaurant opens out to the palm-lined pool. D Bar & Restaurant serves eggs, waffles, and avocados for breakfast, mojitos and Aperol Spritz in the afternoon, and fish and chips and chicken parmigiana for dinner.
5. Elsey on Parap
If you’re in the market for something a little different, then Elsey on Parap is one of the most unique hotels in Darwin. You’ll find these serviced apartments just off the Stuart Highway in Parap, where you’re set away from Darwin’s CBD, but close to Vestey’s Beach and right opposite Parap Village Markets (which are held every Saturday).
Choose between a one or two-bedroom luxury apartment, each of which includes a fully equipped kitchen, living and dining areas, and a private balcony. There’s covered parking and washing machines, too, making this the perfect base for anyone road-tripping through the Top End.
6. Oaks Darwin Elan Hotel
The Oaks Darwin Elan Hotel is your new Northern Territory home. Featuring luxury rooms, as well as super spacious one or two-bedroom serviced apartments, this is the sort of homey property that will keep you in the Top End for much longer than you were anticipating!
With a central location on Woods Street, you’ll have views of Darwin Harbour from your high-rise balcony and be just a short stroll away from the Waterfront Precinct. Apartments feature living and dining areas, as well as laundry facilities and fully-equipped kitchens.
You might not find much time for cooking, though, not when you’ve got the O.A.K Restaurant providing pizzas, burgers, and parmigiana for lunch, and pork belly, barramundi, and linguini for dinner. Work off those excess calories in the hotel’s gym or with a swim in the pool.
7. Argus Hotel Darwin
Boutique to its core, the Argus Hotel is one of the coolest Darwin hotels. Offering contemporary style and decor in central Darwin, all four room types – Twin, Double, Family, or King – all feature charming Juliet Balconies and a view of the CBD.
Luxury rooms boast all the modern comforts you’ll need during your stay, including little kitchenettes with fridge space and tea and coffee-making facilities. En-suite bathrooms are packed with Outback Essence toiletries, while Merrepen artwork adorns the walls. Work out in the gym or cool off with a swim in the covered swimming pool.
8. Vibe Hotel Darwin Waterfront
You’ll love the modern style of the Vibe Hotel Darwin Waterfront, where 131 contemporary rooms are found in the city’s most sought-after location. With an awesome position overlooking Darwin’s Waterfront Precinct, this is one of the best luxury hotels in Darwin. Take a stroll out of the hotel, and you’ve got the city’s best bars, pubs, and restaurants all on your doorstep.
The hotel itself is also home to its own outdoor swimming pool, where you can escape the crowds that flock to the public lagoons in search of respite from the tropical sunshine. On-site, you’ll also find the Curve Restaurant and Bar, where steak sandwiches, lamb rump, and fiery curries are served up for lunch and dinner. Order directly to your room, or enjoy the relaxed vibes of the alfresco terrace.
Your luxury room will have a beautiful view of the waterfront district, with king beds, spacious work desks, and spa baths adding to the comforts of this great boutique hotel.
9. H on Mitchell Apartment Hotel
Brought to you by the same local team that runs H on Smith, one of our favorite luxury hotels in Darwin is the H on Mitchell, which offers the same comfort and style but with upscale apartments instead of hotel rooms.
This apartment hotel is located on Mitchell Street, where you’ll have glorious views of the city from the rooftop swimming pool. The serviced apartments cater to a range of budgets and needs. Solo travelers will love the petite studios, which are well-equipped with workspaces and small kitchenettes.
One and two-bedroom apartments have private balconies, fully-equipped kitchens, and separate lounges and dining areas, while executive apartments are available for those looking to splurge.
You’ve got everything you need to prepare your own meals, of course, but you can also treat yourself to drinks and dinner in Lizards Bar and Restaurant, where pub grub, including burgers, salads, and pizzas, is on the menu.
10. Travelodge Resort Darwin
Embrace the Top End lifestyle with a stay at the Travelodge Resort Darwin. Spacious, recently refurbished rooms are set around an outdoor lagoon where the pool bar delivers cocktails straight to your sun lounger.
Luxury rooms feature queen or king beds, with flat-screen televisions, large bathrooms, and work areas. Upgrade to a townhouse if you’re looking for a more homey stay, complete with kitchenettes and lounge areas.
Enjoy the sights and sounds of the hotel’s very own tropical gardens and waterfall, enjoy a cold beer on the veranda, and all-day dining at Treetops Restaurant.
That completes our list of the 10 best Darwin hotels! Did we miss any cool luxury hotels in Darwin? Comment below so we can add them to the list!
Where to Stay in Darwin
Darwin might be the capital and largest city of the Northern Territory, but with a resident population of just 132,000 people, this remote destination still has the feel of a large town.
Darwin is conveniently compact, with a Central Business District (CBD) that extends down to the Waterfront Precinct overlooking Darwin Harbour. This is where you’ll find Darwin’s best luxury hotels, and you’ll love how everything in the CBD is within walking distance.
Away from the city center, tropical resorts and boutique apartments can be booked in Mindil Beach or Parap, while the Stuart Highway leading past the airport is lined with aparthotels that are perfect for road trippers.
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