Darwin

[turtlemichael]

Question for those who know the hotels. Which one is best of the IHG properties for a 2 or 3 night point stay ? Not planning much - just see friends and family.

 

[markis10]

Crowne Plaza
Then HI
Then HI the Esplanade

The CP has a better location but limited views, while the HI is in the traditional Travelodge style but was recently updated, while my old favourite the HI Esplanade does have a nice pool the rooms are sadly in need of a reno, the new GM does not seem to care about bottles and mess around the pool and mobile reception is poor.

The CP is also the old Sheraton, a nice touch is the ice machines on most floors.

Both HIs are subject to some noise in the small hours of the morning form the tall grassers that can be found in the esplanade park at times.

 

[here2go]

Crowne Plaza
Then HI
Then HI the Esplanade

I conferred with my wife, who has travelled up here before we moved, and has a lot of out of town guests.

Crowne Plaza
then Holiday Inn Esplanade (122 Esplanade)
Holiday Inn Darwin (116 Esplanade)

If you are a bit more flexible with where you stay, the perception of quality in rank order is, Crowne, Mantra Esplanade, Vibe, Mantra Pandanus, HI Esplanade and HI Darwin.

Both HIs are subject to some noise in the small hours of the morning form the tall grassers that can be found in the esplanade park at times.

Be careful using the term "Long Grass" when up here. It is a mildly derogatory term for the indigenous population up here that come into town to party, get drunk (most communities are dry courtesy of the intervention), etc. The term refers to the fact that they've emerged from the "Long Grass" to come into

 

[markis10]

Be careful using the term "Long Grass" when up here. It is a mildly derogatory term for the indigenous population up here that come into town to party, get drunk (most communities are dry courtesy of the intervention), etc. The term refers to the fact that they've emerged from the "Long Grass" to come into

Its not a derogatory name but a legal status, and contrary to popular belief they are not coming into town to party (http://www.theaustralian.com.au/nat...en-in-long-grass/story-fn9hm1pm-1226327260844), they actually live there already, (or in the camp on the other side of the CBD - Railway Dam and Sixteen Mile).

Healthy Engagement and Assistance in the Long Grass (H.E.A.L.) program | Larrakia Nation

The term actually refers to them living in the grass, which they have done since the 70s, they just tend to be noisy as that long grass is often outside the Holiday Inns.

 

[here2go]

Its not a derogatory name but a legal status, and contrary to popular belief they are not coming into town to party, they actually live there already, (or in the camp on the other side of the CBD - Railway Dam and Sixteen Mile).


Healthy Engagement and Assistance in the Long Grass (H.E.A.L.) program | Larrakia Nation

The term actually refers to them living in the grass, which they have done since the 70s, they just tend to be noisy as that long grass is often outside the Holiday Inns.

The it was explained to me when I moved up here is that there Larrakia may use that term, and non-indigenous would use it in private conversation. I know this is zealous political correctness, but it is better to be prim and proper than to make a mistake.

What annoys me when white fellas talk in a negative way regarding the long grassers, yet they don't acknowledge that white fellas often drink as much and cause far many more problems for society, but because us white fellas do it on private property or in National Parks, and not in suburban parkland, drunkeness is not perceived to be a white fella problem. Hence there is resentment of initiatives such as the Banned Drinker Register, where your ID is cross-referenced before you can buy takeaway.
Colleagues at Department of Justice have said to me that this is a drawback of the current system, and in a fair world, a lot more of the population would be on the BDR.

 

[markis10]

What annoys me when white fellas talk in a negative way regarding the long grassers, yet they don't acknowledge that white fellas often drink as much and cause far many more problems for society, but because us white fellas do it on private property or in National Parks, and not in suburban parkland, drunkeness is not perceived to be a white fella problem. Hence there is resentment of initiatives such as the Banned Drinker Register, where your ID is cross-referenced before you can buy takeaway.
Colleagues at Department of Justice have said to me that this is a drawback of the current system, and in a fair world, a lot more of the population would be on the BDR.

My comments were not meant to be derogatory, just an observation from numerous occasions when I have been woken up by the folks across the road that live there. I have also taken the time to talk to them during the day and like any community, they have some wonderful people who are victims of circumstance, and I dont mind them being there at all, just wished they were a bit quieter on the odd occasion in the early morning.

Now if I was to go to the other side of the HI in the early hours of the morning I would probably not feel anywhere as safe as being in the park, for the same root cause, and I have heard of rental cars being attacked overnight on the street in the CBD by the same folks after a big night on the town. There is a difference between drunk and noisy, and drunk and violent, in the context of the original question, you are more likely to come across both at the HIs than at the CP up the other end of the town.

 

[here2go]

My comments were not meant to be derogatory, just an observation from numerous occasions when I have been woken up by the folks across the road that live there. I have also taken the time to talk to them during the day and like any community, they have some wonderful people who are victims of circumstance, and I dont mind them being there at all, just wished they were a bit quieter on the odd occasion in the early morning.

Not having a go at you - you're from out of town. It's the redneck locals. I agree it would be frustrating at sparrows to have people yelling.
I've heard some stories from an IT Salesman from Sydney doing a walk along the Esplanade before dawn on a February morning that make your skin crawl, which was backed up by other happenings outside the office.

Maybe stay at Vibe/Medina next time for peace and quiet? I've heard the customer service is average, but the surrounds are nice, and the Red Paw Paw Salad for breakfast at Il Lido at the waterfront is devine.

 

[markis10]

Not having a go at you - you're from out of town. It's the redneck locals. I agree it would be frustrating at sparrows to have people yelling.
I've heard some stories from an IT Salesman from Sydney doing a walk along the Esplanade before dawn on a February morning that make your skin crawl, which was backed up by other happenings outside the office.

Maybe stay at Vibe/Medina next time for peace and quiet? I've heard the customer service is average, but the surrounds are nice, and the Red Paw Paw Salad for breakfast at Il Lido at the waterfront is devine.

I have stayed at the Medina before, never again. As I stated the preference for me is now the CP, previously the HI Esplanade was mine as many would know here on AFF, however the lack of refurbishment, poor management, poor phone coverage etc make it a long last behind the other IHG properties (those reasons I place in front of the noise issue), and I note it's sliding down the tripadvisor rankings as well.

I average 50 nights a year in DRW hotels, so I am pretty much across the offerings!

 

[here2go]

I have stayed at the Medina before, never again. As I stated the preference for me is now the CP, previously the HI Esplanade was mine as many would know here on AFF, however the lack of refurbishment, poor management make it a long last behind the other IHG properties, and I note it's sliding down the tripadvisor rankings as well.

I average 50 nights a year in DRW hotels, so I am pretty much across the offerings!

What are Toga doing up here? I've stayed with the Vibe elsewhere and have been pretty happy. However, everybody I speak to gives Toga a bad rap in Darwin.

 

[Must...Fly!]

Another big + for the Crowne Plaza

 

[markis10]

What are Toga doing up here? I've stayed with the Vibe elsewhere and have been pretty happy. However, everybody I speak to gives Toga a bad rap in Darwin.

Really poor service and house keeping, and weird parking arrangements including the fact you cannot park in the car park before checking in and get the hotel rate. The time I was there, people were complaining about no towels, and we're told none were available until the next day.

 

[here2go]

Really poor service and house keeping, and weird parking arrangements including the fact you cannot park in the car park before checking in and get the hotel rate. The time I was there, people were complaining about no towels, and we're told none were available until the next day.

Those comments are consistent with what people are saying to me.

 

[Robmn]

My comments were not meant to be derogatory, just an observation from numerous occasions when I have been woken up by the folks across the road that live there. I have also taken the time to talk to them during the day and like any community, they have some wonderful people who are victims of circumstance, and I dont mind them being there at all, just wished they were a bit quieter on the odd occasion in the early morning.

Now if I was to go to the other side of the HI in the early hours of the morning I would probably not feel anywhere as safe as being in the park, for the same root cause, and I have heard of rental cars being attacked overnight on the street in the CBD by the same folks after a big night on the town. There is a difference between drunk and noisy, and drunk and violent, in the context of the original question, you are more likely to come across both at the HIs than at the CP up the other end of the town.

I have the same experience in the park, agree with you . having spoken to them ended up having a great conversation.

We stayed in the Novatel with mixed opinion as to stay there again.

r

 

[turtlemichael]

Crowne Plaza
Then HI
Then HI the Esplanade

Even for 10K more points assuming there are no PBs? How is the pool at CP?

 

[markis10]

Even for 10K more points assuming there are no PBs? How is the pool at CP?

For points I would go HI then CP the HI ESP, pool at CP does not get much afternoon sun (which might be a bonus at present) and not big, but in better nick than the HI ESP which is 2 x the size but with broken/ missing tiles etc.

 

[2impulsiv]

My favorites would be Crowne Plazza, Mantra (was there last week and had a great room and view) Holiday Inn Esplanade then Holiday Inn.

Outside noises never bother me as I have lived in Kalgoorlie for the last 15 years and you get accustomed to the sounds..

 

[Princess Fiona]

The HI Esplanade is like Fawlty Towers without the laughs, avoid IMHO

 

[markis10]

My favorites would be Crowne Plazza, Mantra (was there last week and had a great room and view) Holiday Inn Esplanade then Holiday Inn.

Outside noises never bother me as I have lived in Kalgoorlie for the last 15 years and you get accustomed to the sounds..

Which Mantra??