The 10 best hotels in Darwin

The Hilton Darwin is (like Hiltons everywhere) a bougie white space full of luxe hotel finishes that will work for you if you like high-end living. In primo location smack-bang in the middle of Darwin city, the Hilton offers an open-air pool (a necessity when holidaying in the tropical locale), 233 spacious rooms and suites, silky robes and stretching ocean views across Darwin's azure harbour. For all those who like the bougie side, this one's for you. And it doesn’t stop there, Hilton Darwin is home to one of the best restaurants in the city, PepperBerry. The award-winning eatery brings native ingredients to the forefront of its mod-Oz offerings, thus attracting holiday-makers and locals alike to flashy hotel. Follow it up with a fine wine at the very plush Palm Court Bar and Lounge – you never know who you might run into. But if escaping your hotel’s confines is a high priority – Hilton Darwin’s location couldn't be more central to the town’s buzz, with Smith Street Mall a mere two-minute walk from the lobby.

Time Out tip: Whether you’re settling for a guest room or executive suite, radiating oceanic vistas will delight. Book a west-facing room if you want to catch one of the best sunsets in Australia.

Address: 32 Mitchell Street, Darwin
Price: Starting at $167 per night
Closest Transport: Bus at Mitchell Street Hilton Hotel (Stop ID: 179)

If it’s action you’re after, Darwin’s Waterfront Precinct is the place to be. The Vibe Hotel is located right in the heart of it, giving you a front-row seat to the wave and recreation lagoons, giant inflatable aqua park, harbour cruises and fishing charters. The hotel itself has a pretty mean wave pool, and if you feel like treating yourself, you can book one of the guest or twin rooms overlooking the waterfront. The hotel’s Curve Café and Bar comes in hot with some of the most enticing menus in Darwin, and serves up breakfast, lunch and dinner – think ribs, sandwiches, burgers and steak if you’re a big fan of the heftier things in life. But if taste bud exploration is your driving factor of travel, Vibe Hotel is also only a couple of paces away from some relaxed pubs and waterfront eateries that hit the spot too.

Back upstairs, 121 guest rooms eagerly await your snooze. There’s no clutter, offensively bright wallpaper, or peculiar decor that might aid in nightmare material. Just monochrome, minimalist rooms that are contemporary in style, which get the job done.

Time Out tip: You may as well make the most of the waterfront locale. Make sure to book a room with those sweet expansive vistas.

Address: 7 Kitchener Drive, Darwin
Price: Starting at $162 per night
Closest Transport: Bus at Kitchener Drive Outbound (Stop ID: 951)

For your home away from home, you can look to Argus Apartments. The specialists in luxury serviced apartments have a massive range of king, double king, double queen and deluxe family rooms to fit all shapes and sizes. All the Argus’ rooms have balconies for that little bit of extra breathing room, along with a kitchenette and a complimentary continental buffet breakfast for all guests. You can cool off in the plunge and spa pools and take a short stroll over to Darwin’s city centre for eateries, groceries and shopping.

Our favourite dining haunt that’s in the closest range to Argus has got to be Ella by Minoli – a fine Sri Lankan that’s helmed by a former MasterChef contestant. Further, you’re on the right side of town to witness harbourside sunrises that pop out to say good morning from behind the distant Charles Darwin National Park. What a way to start the day. As for the rooms, they’re fitted with all the modcons, but keep it cool with a more home-away-from-home ambiance with room enough for lazing about.

Time Out tip: The poolside barbecue facilities are a welcome touch that solidifies Argus Apartments as a second home, rather than a glitzy ‘look, don’t touch’ resort.

Address: 6 Cardona Court, Darwin
Price: Starting at $174 per night
Closest Transport: Bus at Woolworths Cavenagh Street (Stop ID: 70)

Located quite conveniently in the CBD, the Mantra Pandanas Darwin is only a stone’s throw from Smith Street Mall and the Mitchell Street Restaurant Precinct. It’s the tallest hotel in Darwin’s CBD which means one thing and one thing only – vast views of the city and harbour alike. Meanwhile, on the bottom floor, Table Forty Three dishes up a little bit of a mix of everything for breakfast, lunch and dinner to keep you nice and full during your Darwin stay. But our nearby café-restaurant recommendation would have to be Moorish, where diners can traverse from Marrakech's vibrant markets to Mediterranean shores – a jug of sangria to suit the tropical Darwin climate wouldn’t hurt either.

Back to the crux of it, though – Mantra Pandanas offer up studio and hotel rooms, plus one and two-bedroom apartments that deliver on both comfort and style. Clean-cut rooms with contemporary decor and up-to-date amenities mean you won’t even need to leave the building – there’s even an onsite hairdresser at the ready. The curvaceous, lagoon-style pool up on level six turns the city bustle into a distant memory. And although wedged between two highrises, the deck still manages to capture the sun’s rays in an unobstructed manner for all your bathing needs.

Time Out tip: The friendly reception staff are at the ready to answer your queries 24/7.

Address: 43 Knuckey Street, Darwin
Price: Starting at $117 per night
Closest Transport: Darwin Bus Interchange

Just 300 metres from Darwin Airport, the Mercure is an ideal start- or endpoint for your Northern Territory adventure. Set in lush tropical surroundings, the hotel’s 414 rooms offer a cool and comfortable abode with air conditioning, breezy windows and all the amenities required for a short stay. Thanks to the 24-hour airport shuttle service, you could find yourself swimming in the lagoon-style pool or relaxing on a sun lounger within just half an hour of stepping off the plane. Even then, Mercure Darwin Airport Resort is located just a 15-minute drive from the CBD – so you could easily stay here if you like what you see, without missing out on all of the urban action.

You can also benefit from the newly refurbished gym, a tropical garden for exploring, a casual café and Cossie’s Poolside Bar and Bistro, where Asian flavours meet the finest NT produce. They don’t call it a resort for nothing, and it’s postcard perfect – or Instagram worthy – whatever the kids are saying nowadays. 

Time Out tip: The 65-metre pool is pretty mega – complete with cabanas for the ultimate relaxation and an aquatic playground for the kids. Choose your end wisely.

Address: 2 Henry Wrigley Drive, Eaton
Price: Starting at $129 per night
Closest Transport: Bus at Henry Wrigley Drive Airport Precinct (Stop ID: 816)

The H on Smith is in a less scenic part of Darwin, but it gets the job done. It’s a great place for those who care more about a convenient location than a luxe hotel room. Across the road from Woolies, and just a few minutes walk from pretty much everywhere in Darwin's city centre, The H on Smith is good for the budget-conscious Darwin explorer. Equipped with a Darwin essential amenity (a swimming pool), a rooftop gym, as well as the ground-level D Bar and Restaurant, The H hits all the right notes. The grayscale rooms are modern, but we wouldn’t go as far as saying luxurious, no. But there really is nothing wrong with that, especially when you’re just 450 metres from one of Darwin’s main attractions, Bicentennial Park – a lengthy hive right on the coastline that’s big with picnic-goers and sport enthusiasts alike. A spot of people-watching wouldn’t go astray here. If you’re planning on staying indoors, though, opt for The H Spa Room, rigged out with a king bed, a full-on spa, and garden or city views to boot.

Time Out tip: Working remotely? The H on Smith’s rooms are set with full-size desks, awaiting your full concentration.

Address: 81 Smith Street, Darwin
Price: Starting at $135 per night
Closest Transport: Bus at Mitchell Street Corner Brigg Street (Stop ID: 178)

In our experience, the Adina Apartment Hotel smack-bang on the waterfront is probably the best value hotel-esque accommodation in Darwin. The 114 rooms are clean and classically hotel-y, plus, the location is excellent  – it's right on the water (hence the name) and a 15-minute scenic walk into the centre of town if you take to the Sky Bridge, which runs directly into the main drag that is Smith Street. And in a town where it's so hot, and where the ocean is so very unswimmable (crocs, etc), the Adina Apartment Hotel’s private mini beach is a big incentive to stay. But the rooms, studios and apartments are reason enough, too – relatively barebones and stock standard monochrome, but fixed with contemporary decor that doesn't distract from picturesque harbour views. Request a balcony to take it all in at altitude.

Time Out tip: The neighbouring Stokes Hill Road leads right into Stokes Hill Wharf – one of Darwin’s major tourist attractions. Here, you’ll find seaside alfresco eateries and restaurants that put local marine food at the forefront of their offerings. Bask in the melodies of free live entertainment right amidst the wharf action on Wednesdays and Sundays during April to September.

Address: 7 Kitchener Drive, Darwin
Price: Starting at $227 per night
Closest Transport: Bus at Kitchener Drive Outbound (Stop ID: 951)

Okay, so it's part of a casino, which isn't everyone's thing – but Mindil Beach makes up for it in other ways. This five-star, award-winning resort comes with its own turquoise infinity pool that’s decked out with a swim-up bar where frozen passion fruit Piña Coladas and zingy Bloody Marys are the word. Dine waterside and snack on tasty morsels with the likes of Szechuan-seasoned squid, ginger-prawn dumplings, and a healthy dose of fish and chips for good measure. Post-that, get to the private white-sand beach for a stress-free dip (and we don’t mean hummus). Back inside, 152 spacious rooms, private balconies and a secluded, tropical feel are the modus operandi at Mindil. Soft beige tones and timber touches adorn the fresh, no-nonsense rooms, and our hot recommendation is the Superior Lagoon Room, where you can slip right into the pool directly from your private deck – ooh la la. Treat yourself at the resort’s very own day spa where truly soul-soothing treatments are up for grabs – how about the organic luxury facial or 90-minute revival ritual? Yes please.

Time Out tip: Mindil Beach Casino Resort is just a stone's throw from the famed Mindil Sunset Markets – home to more than 150 stalls that are heavy on the South-East Asian fare. It’s the real deal. As is the sunset locale – one of the best in Australia.

Address: Mindil Beach, Gilruth Avenue, Darwin
Price: Starting at $174 per night
Closest Transport: Bus stop Gilruth Avenue at Casino (Stop ID: 076)

A whole big tower of apartments means you can expect pretty phenomenal views from the Ramada Suites by Wyndham Zen Quarter Darwin. The cafè-bar at the top of the building dishes up complimentary hot breakfasts for all guests and hosts some of the most impressive views of all, but the pool follows close behind. The 28-meter temperature-controlled splash spot overlooks Darwin Harbour from level three, and poolside snacking thanks to the adjoining café is more than welcome. However, the watering hole sitting pretty atop the 16th floor takes the cake as one of the best rooftop bars in Darwin, dishing out 360-degree views of the great northern town.

If it’s a nice cooked meal that you’re homesick for, the Ramada’s rooms all have fully equipped kitchens, plus sitting areas for that little bit of extra moving space. They’re modern enough and give beachy vibes. There’s also free parking on site for cars and larger vehicles if you’re using Darwin as a pitstop on your great outback road trip.

Time Out tip: Here, you’re close enough to the town’s main strip, but far enough that nightlife noise isn’t an issue.

Address: 6 Carey Street, Darwin
Price: Starting at $154 per night
Closest Transport: Cullen Bay 806 Bus Station

Right in the thick of Darwin’s CBD, this modern hotel offers both regular hotel rooms and self-contained one and two-bedroom apartments. Comfort is a big factor at Oaks Darwin Elan Hotel, and their spaces start at 36 square metres, ranging to 86 for that sweet, sweet leg room. There are no marble benchtops or golden embellishments in sight, but the abodes are modern, white and bright. If you’re heading to the Top End with your gang-gang, it’s hard to go past the two-bedroom, Dual Harbour View Room which sleeps four of your nearest and dearest, plus yourself. All rooms have tea and coffee-making facilities, while the larger apartments include fully equipped kitchenettes and balconies with awesome views of Darwin Harbour and the city.

The on-site O.A.K. Restaurant serves hearty feeds to satisfy all travellers, like pork belly, beef cheeks and barramundi. There’s also an extensive breakfast menu to fuel you up for a big day of travel ahead. The sixth-floor outdoor swimming pool and gym works wonders too for those lazy, hazy days of summer – pretty well year-round up here in tropical Darwin.

Time Out tip: From the hotel’s locale, walk everywhere – it’s the best way to see the city.

Address: Unit 31/33 Woods Street, Darwin
Price: Starting at $143 per night
Closest Transport: Cullen Bay 806 Bus Station