Australian airport hotel – and its gigantic pool – feels like a resort

The hotel

Darwin Airport Resorts

Check-in

This is almost comical (my fault entirely). A late-night arrival into Darwin airport, the hire car is pre-booked and fortunately the desk is still open. So, into the hire car we go. I knew by the name that my accommodation would be close, but this close? We make our way around two roundabouts to come back towards the starting line and there it is, about a 100-metre sprint from where I collected the car. Reception is open and breezy, as it should be in these parts, and I’m given a map and directions to find our digs. Back around the roundabouts, back into the resort – via a different entrance – and after a few wrong turns, we find our villa (note to beginners – there’s a free hotel shuttle for guests, so either use it or walk across and save a day on your car-hire).

The look

This vast complex includes three of Accor’s hotel brands – Novotel, Ibis and Mercure – in the one location and with more than 400 beds, it caters for families, fly-in/fly-out workers, sports teams and people like us who are spending a few days in town before or after a cruise. So the look and the appointments vary from brand to brand, but there’s a tropical vibe all round and the highlight is at the centre of it all – over near reception and the Splash Cafe – a lagoon-style swimming pool, more than 65 metres long.

The room

But as well as the lagoon pool, we’re lucky enough to have a pool of our own. Our secluded Tropical Pool Villa overlooks the bush of the Rapid Creek Conservation Reserve and has a nice-sized deck to admire it – some of it in the shade, some of it in the sun to suit your mood, and the deck also wraps around the surprisingly deep pool. Inside are a king bed, mini-bar fridge (not stocked), TV and pod-coffee machine. A ceiling fan and air-conditioning handle the temperature control. There’s room to move in the bathroom, which also has a walk-in shower.

Food + drink

We ate at Cossies restaurant for some extraordinary dishes with top-end flair, like crocodile bao buns for starters, slow-cooked kangaroo for main and a mango coconut mousse to finish. That said, Cossies has now closed for an upgrade and its replacement is the all-new Poolhouse Bar & Kitchen with a similarly locally influenced menu of snacks, mains and share plates. It is right by the lagoon pool with room for up to 170 diners inside and outside under shelter. Cafe Splash is also available for snacks and drinks service.

Out + about

The lagoon pool is the main attraction here in the resort, but there’s also the Gurumbai Cultural Trail – it’s just under four kilometres there and back and heads into the Rapid Creek Reserve, meandering past mangroves and monsoon forest and offering a connection with Darwin’s Traditional Owners, the Larrakia people. Beyond the resort, the usual airport transport options and connections are available, but if you don’t mind changing buses in nearby Casuarina, the public transport is free between the airport and the city (see nt.gov.au). Should you be self-catering, Casuarina Square has all your shopping needs.

The verdict

If you aren’t staying waterfront in or near central Darwin, why not be beside a massive swimming pool? This venue is also worth considering for a day visit if you have a long stretch between flights – a $30 pass ($25 each for families or groups of four or more) gets you in, they’ll store your luggage, you can have a swim and the price of the pass is redeemable at the cafe. Order lunch and you swim for free.

The essentials

Tropical Pool Villas range from $350 (wet season) to $650 (dry season) a night. There are 17 accessible rooms across all three hotels. Novotel Darwin Airport, 2 Henry Wrigley Drive, Eaton, NT. Phone (08) 8920 3333. See allaccor.com

HIGHLIGHT
Our very own pool, overlooking the reserve. Pool villas might be common in Bali, but they’re a rare treat here.

LOWLIGHT
The villa’s design is generally good, especially the aspect and outdoor spaces, but it’s light on for hanging/storage space.

OUR RATING OUT OF FIVE

Sign up for the Traveller newsletter

The latest travel news, tips and inspiration delivered to your inbox. Sign up now.