Airport hotels these days aren’t forgettable like they used to be, with properties like the revitalised Darwin Airport Resort boasting luxurious amenities and artwork highlighting the Top End’s rich Aboriginal heritage.

From the Olympic-sized swimming pool lined with chic cabanas to the Indigenous training academy, Darwin Airport Resort offers so much more than a convenient crash pad en route to Dili or Denpasar. This tropical oasis, like many of the new airport hotels popping up around the globe, puts not only convenience, but hospitality and local culture at the forefront too.

History

Owned by one of Darwin’s largest private landowners, the Airport Development Group (ADG), the resort has been created out of the $30 million integration and facelift of the Novotel and Mercure airport hotels.

Starting with a vision by ADG in 2021, the massive project has resulted in one sprawling 423-room resort with a single reception area. The centrepiece is the huge new pool (think slick Bali resort), which at 61 metres in length and holding one million litres of water it is one of the largest hotel swimming pools in any Australian State or Territory capital city.

The location

Located on the traditional lands of the Larrakia people (the traditional owners of the Darwin region) the resort is smack bang on the doorstep of Darwin airport – just follow the directional signage for 300 metres or call the 24-hour shuttle service.

And don’t forget – at just 15-minutes’ drive from the Darwin CBD, the resort also offers visitors a luxury and spacious base for city-based sightseeing. It also serves as a convenient jumping off point for day drives to those Top End bucket list destinations, such as Litchfield National Park (100 kilometres south) and Kakadu National Park (150 kilometres southeast). It’s also very convenient for flights to the Tiwi Islands. 

First impressions

Local stories unfold from the moment I enter the grand open-air reception, where I spot Aboriginal art everywhere I look. I am awed by the 41-metre water tower, featuring an elaborate mural by Larrakia artist Tony Lee. Officially called Mamilima, the soaring mural tells three distinct local Dreaming stories, including the Rainbow Serpent and the creation of the stars.

Next, I spot a beautiful mural on the hotel building by Joanne Nasir called Journey of Travellers, depicting travellers from the Dreamtime. Nasir writes in her description: “Like the Nygabaya we travel on our journeys where we meet others, make new friends, experience, share and encourage others to visit. Sometimes, there is a deeper feeling, and we are inspired to stay".

A strong focus on connection to Larrakia Country continues throughout, with each villa named after a leading Aboriginal Territorian, such as: Billiamook, one of the first Larrakia to interact with white people; Robert Shepherd, a member of the 11th Light Horse Regiment (who served in the First World War); and Dr Miriam-Rose Ungunmerr Baumann AM, who has been honoured for her many contributions to education and to the general community.

A priority of the hotel operation is to employ as many Indigenous staff as possible, and to achieve that goal ADG has set up an Indigenous Training Academy to deliver nationally recognised qualifications.

The Darwin Airport Resort will also launch the Gurambai Cultural Experience – a one-hour guided walk curated by Larrakia guides. Gurambai is the Larrakia name for the area known as Rapid Creek, just a short walk from the resort.

The rooms

The resort’s 423 rooms come in 12 types, from standard to two-bedroom apartments and 14 luxury tropical villas with their own plunge pools – like the one I am lucky to occupy for the night.

Up in my private pool villa surrounded by tropical bushland, it’s impossible not to relax amongst the Scandinavian-inspired furniture featuring muted tones creating a serene canvas.

Kicking back on the plush king-sized bed, captivated by the view of the plunge pool outside and visiting tropical birds, I pop the champagne and settle in for the afternoon.

Food and beverage

The new poolside dining option Splash Café joins the existing Cossies restaurant, which offers tropical cocktails, local barramundi and grills, salads, pizzas and burgers.

During the day Splash Café serves up gourmet sandwiches, such as the bush tacker sandwich with lemon myrtle spiced grilled chicken and quandong mango chutney. Come nightfall the menu focuses on indulgent grazing boards and Australian seafood, including banana prawns and South Australian oysters.

Breakfast options are a la carte or the full buffet experience with barista-made coffee or if you’re in a rush there’s a grab-and-go breakfast assortment at Splash Cafe.

Amenities available

The hub of the resort is the enormous new pool, where you can grab a cabana and chill out for the day. If you’re travelling with kids, next door there’s an aquatic play area with fountains, slides and other features where children can safely cool off in the tropical heat.

The laundry and barbeques are perfect for big families and travellers looking to save.

Price of the room and packages

Guest rooms start from around $274 per night in a Deluxe Queen room including breakfast. Tropical Pool Villas, featuring a king bed, start from around $564 per night including breakfast.

The verdict

Darwin Airport Resort  has elevated Darwin’s luxury hotel scene. Its strong emphasis on Indigenous art, culture and history reverberates throughout the property, highlighting the rich Larrakia culture that might be unknown to the first-time visitor to the Northern Territory.

Score: 4/5

We rated: The friendly service, the mesmerising swimming pool and the strong sense of place.

We’d change: Speed up the refurbishment of all the rooms (scheduled to be complete by early 2025).

Address: 1 Sir Norman Brearly Drive, Darwin