Where to Stay in Darwin, Australia – An Unbiased Guide to Darwin Accommodation
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Knowing where to stay in Darwin, Australia is tricky. This small, touristic city has a huge range of accommodation to choose from. In this guide, I point out some of the best Darwin accommodation based on price, location, value, and comfort (and my opinion is 100% unbiased!)
Darwin Accommodation Guide
Famous for crocs, waterfalls, pubs, and the good old Australian Outback, Darwin is the perfect place to visit as a traveler.
I know because I once visited Darwin as a traveler and loved it so much that I actually moved there for two years!
During my time in Darwin, I stayed at plenty of different hotels and hostels and have discovered that not all places to stay in Darwin are created equal. In fact, you don’t always get what you pay for and there are some “budget” hotels that offer some incredible rooms and facilities!
In this blog, I will help you decide where to stay in Darwin by recommending specific Darwin accommodation options based on location, price, and comfort.
*Please note, that my choices in this blog are ENTIRELY my own. None of these hotels/hostels have asked me to write this or paid for their mention. Each Darwin hotel recommended in this blog is based on my own personal opinion either from staying there myself or from the extensive research I’ve conducted.
Where to Stay in Darwin City Center
Most people who visit Darwin want to stay in the city center. Not only is the city center the perfect place for accessibility (especially if you don’t have a car) but it is also very beautiful. Darwin city is surrounded by the ocean and beautiful walks that make it the perfect holiday escape.
Why stay in Darwin city center?
Darwin doesn’t have the best public transport. Public buses are the only public transport available and they run infrequently and sparsely. Not to mention taxis are VERY expensive and Uber does not exist in the Northern Territory.
Therefore, if you don’t have a car, staying in the city center is where you need to be in order to access bars, restaurants, shops, attractions, and tour agencies.
But even if you do have a vehicle, most hotels in Darwin city center have free parking available and the city is a very vibrant and fun place to stay.
Plus, there is the most selection of hotels and hostels in the city center. Some of my personal favorites are:
Best Darwin City Center Hotels
Argus Hotel Darwin
Easily the best bang for your buck with a central location, gorgeous pool, and rooms fitted out with refrigerators all for less than $150 a night!
Travelodge Resort Darwin
I love this hotel! It has the most gorgeous outdoor pools set in a tropical garden. It is located on a quiet street offering a peaceful stay only a couple of hundred meters away from the busy Mitchell Street!
Cheap Accommodation in Darwin
Australia isn’t cheap, and Darwin is no exception. Finding somewhere to stay on a budget can be challenge as most of the hotels are well over $200 AUD a night!
But, there are a few gems where you can spend the night for cheap and have a great stay at the same time.
There are a few backpacker hostels that offer dorm beds for cheap. But there are also a couple of great hotels that offer private rooms for a very cheap rate as well.
Best Cheap Accommodation in Darwin
Melaleuca on Mitchell
This backpacker hostel offers both private rooms and dorms. It is famous for being a “party place” with its large rooftop bar and swimming pool. I personally stayed here for a couple of weeks when I first moved to Darwin and I really liked it. I met a ton of awesome people too!
Value Inn
If you want a centrally located cheap double room then the Value Inn is perfect! Rooms go for as little as $70 AUD a night and have air conditioning with an ensuite bathroom! This is perfect for couples traveling on a budget.
Alatai Holiday Apartments
These holiday apartments are located right in the city center. They are affordable and have kitchens in the rooms which means you can save money on food! A studio apartment goes for as little as $70 AUD and a family unit for up to 4 people goes for about $120 AUD!
Iconic Places to Stay in Darwin
What do I mean by iconic? Well, I mean those famous places to stay in Darwin that are so, well…Darwin! What I mean is that Darwin has its own unique personality and with that comes some hotels that have this same “personality.”
If you want a true NT experience then you need to stay at one of these iconic hotels in Darwin:
Humpty Doo Hotel
It isn’t technically in Darwin, but rather one of Darwin’s outer suburbs called “Humpty Doo.” This place is your typical outback Australian pub and hotel. You’re guaranteed to have a few beers and laughs here. It is also located closer to Litchfield National Park than those in Darwin city. Spending a night here is a great experience!
These guys are so old school that they aren’t on any official hotel booking websites, so you’ll have to contact them directly to book!
The Cavenagh
This hotel is attached to a pub locals refer to as “the Cav.” Here, you can get a budget room with a pool right next to one of the most popular pubs in town. Having a drink or a steak at “the Cav” will have you chatting with some Darwin locals in no time!
The Absolute BEST Darwin Hotels
If price isn’t an issue and you want to stay at the absolute BEST hotels in Darwin then you need to choose one of the following:
Mindil Beach Casino and Resort
Formerly known as “Skycity Casino and Resort” this is the most beautiful and luxurious hotel in Darwin. It looks out onto Mindil Beach and promises incredible sunsets every night. There is a selection of fine restaurants on-site as well as bars and huge pools!
Mantra on the Esplanade
The Mantra is known for being a luxury hotel that also offers luxury holiday apartments. This particular location is right in the city center and on the water! Along the esplanade, you can go for a walk and enjoy the views. This hotel also has a beautiful pool!
Doubletree by Hilton
Hilton hotels are known internationally for providing consistently good (and beautiful) hotels with great service. This hotel is no different offering rooms with a view, a pool, central location, and a delicious breakfast!
Enjoy Darwin!
Honestly, Darwin is an amazing place to visit and the truth is that you will have a brilliant time no matter where you stay! Nonetheless, I hope this blog has helped you choose a Darwin hotel and made your planning process that much easier.
If you do stay at any of the above-mentioned places I’d love to hear what you thought – leave a comment at the end of this blog for me!
Be sure to check out some of my other Darwin blogs – they offer tons of more insider information about visiting Darwin!
-Bailey
December 23, 2019
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