Darwin Hilton Recommendation

[eric2011]

I'm planning a trip to Darwin after the wet season and wanting to know which hotel is recommended or are they both much of a muchness.

TIA

 

[penegal]

The Hilton branded Hilton is the best of the three HH properties in Darwin.

All 3 properties are dated

 

[Daver6]

I've stayed at two out the three. The Hilton and DoubeTree Esplanade. They all have pros and cons.

The Hilton is the swankiest (by Darwin standards). The EL is pretty nice with good food, drinks and views. The pool area is pretty average. You can get decent views from this hotel too.

DoubeTree Esplanade has the nicest pool area of all three. Don't expect much of a view from most rooms. I booked a suite at a great rate here which for the price, I thought was excellent.

Other DoubleTree is right next door. The higher floor rooms here would have good views.

I have various photos of the two properties Ive stayed in. Let me know if there is anything you'd like to see and I'd be happy to post.

 

[justinbrett]

HD was the Crowne Plaza for many years until recently.
DT (north) was Travelodge
DT (south) was Holiday Inn

Of the two DTs, I'd take the north one and get a harbour view. Rooms are renovated and you can stand on the juliet balcony and enjoy the sunset. DT (south) doesn't have balconies (neither does HD).

DT (south) has a far better pool than the others but you can still access it if you're staying at the other DT. They had Sunday pool parties / BBQs before covid and there's a bar near the pool.

HD is in a better location for pubs and restaurants - the nightlife has migrated south and really ends around Shenanigans (cnr Mitchell & Bull) and flows down to the waterfront. Back in the day when they were not DTs, Mitchell St was lively for its entire length with many good pubs on the northern end as well - but sadly not anymore.

I have stayed in DT (north) for a month for a worktrip and lived across the road from HD back when it was Crowne Plaza (and have since stayed there after it became HD). I've also stayed in many non-Hilton Hotels in Darwin for 3-4 weeks at a time (DO NOT stay at the Novotel!)

In short, I'd go for HD if the price is right and you want to stay in a Hilton property. Otherwise in the wet season I'd probably prefer to stay down at the waterfront itself near Vibe / Adina. If you get a good deal on either of the DTs take them, but I'd go for North over South.

Darwin hotels should be cheap in the wet season - if they're not keep looking.

 

[eric2011]

HD was the Crowne Plaza for many years until recently.
DT (north) was Travelodge
DT (south) was Holiday Inn

Of the two DTs, I'd take the north one and get a harbour view. Rooms are renovated and you can stand on the juliet balcony and enjoy the sunset. DT (south) doesn't have balconies (neither does HD).

DT (south) has a far better pool than the others but you can still access it if you're staying at the other DT. They had Sunday pool parties / BBQs before covid and there's a bar near the pool.

HD is in a better location for pubs and restaurants - the nightlife has migrated south and really ends around Shenanigans (cnr Mitchell & Bull) and flows down to the waterfront. Back in the day when they were not DTs, Mitchell St was lively for its entire length with many good pubs on the northern end as well - but sadly not anymore.

I have stayed in DT (north) for a month for a worktrip and lived across the road from HD back when it was Crowne Plaza (and have since stayed there after it became HD). I've also stayed in many non-Hilton Hotels in Darwin for 3-4 weeks at a time (DO NOT stay at the Novotel!)

In short, I'd go for HD if the price is right and you want to stay in a Hilton property. Otherwise in the wet season I'd probably prefer to stay down at the waterfront itself near Vibe / Adina. If you get a good deal on either of the DTs take them, but I'd go for North over South.

Darwin hotels should be cheap in the wet season - if they're not keep looking.

Thanks, this is the info I was looking for. My trip is planned after the wet (May). Was wanting the HD but it is coming up as no availability for my dated already. I didnt really like the sound of the 2 DT's so I have made a flexible booking at the Rydges which I can cancel if anything eventually comes up at the HD

 

[eric2011]

HD was the Crowne Plaza for many years until recently.
DT (north) was Travelodge
DT (south) was Holiday Inn

Of the two DTs, I'd take the north one and get a harbour view. Rooms are renovated and you can stand on the juliet balcony and enjoy the sunset. DT (south) doesn't have balconies (neither does HD).

DT (south) has a far better pool than the others but you can still access it if you're staying at the other DT. They had Sunday pool parties / BBQs before covid and there's a bar near the pool.

HD is in a better location for pubs and restaurants - the nightlife has migrated south and really ends around Shenanigans (cnr Mitchell & Bull) and flows down to the waterfront. Back in the day when they were not DTs, Mitchell St was lively for its entire length with many good pubs on the northern end as well - but sadly not anymore.

I have stayed in DT (north) for a month for a worktrip and lived across the road from HD back when it was Crowne Plaza (and have since stayed there after it became HD). I've also stayed in many non-Hilton Hotels in Darwin for 3-4 weeks at a time (DO NOT stay at the Novotel!)

In short, I'd go for HD if the price is right and you want to stay in a Hilton property. Otherwise in the wet season I'd probably prefer to stay down at the waterfront itself near Vibe / Adina. If you get a good deal on either of the DTs take them, but I'd go for North over South.

Darwin hotels should be cheap in the wet season - if they're not keep looking.

By DT (north) do you mean the one listed as Double Tree by Hilton Hotel Darwin. I think in the photo I can see a small balcony

 

[justinbrett]

By DT (north) do you mean the one listed as Double Tree by Hilton Hotel Darwin. I think in the photo I can see a small balcony

Yep. I find their names really confusing so just call them north and south. But you are correct.

 

[justinbrett]

Thanks, this is the info I was looking for. My trip is planned after the wet (May). Was wanting the HD but it is coming up as no availability for my dated already. I didnt really like the sound of the 2 DT's so I have made a flexible booking at the Rydges which I can cancel if anything eventually comes up at the HD

Oh, you confused me. After the wet is just called dry season. May is dry season.

Prices will be expensive.

 

[eric2011]

Prices will be expensive.

Yes, got 5 nights for $1259.00 at Hilton Honors rate. fully flexible so if anything better comes along I can cancel. Cancelled the Rydges as I only use them in emergencies. At least with the DT I will get my diamond perks albeit breakfast and maybe an upgrade

 

[Daver6]

One thing I'd add about the DT south (this is a great naming convention!). There are two main wings, a north and south one. The hotel floors are open (a bit like the Hilton Brisbane). The north side has the lobby and restaurant entrance at the bottom and can be noisier. It's not excessive, but if you want quiet, then request a room in the south wing. It's a bit more of a walk from the elevators but not a big deal.

 

[Blackadder]

Will be at the HD in February, for a Harbour View incl breakfast $224 with HH

 

[http_x92]

Pretty much high season for Darwin in June-August as people go there for a winter getaway. Prices can be 500 per night at HD but I found a Stay Longer and Save with breakfast deal in August with the Doubletree.

Anyone stayed at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Darwin (not the Esplanade)? How was the experience?

 

[eric2011]

Anyone stayed at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Darwin (not the Esplanade)? How was the experience?

I stayed there 2 weeks ago for 5 nights as a HH Diamond. Its an older property but reasonably maintained but does show a little wear and tear. Very understaffed atm but then every hospitality place is up north. As diamond received warm welcome plus a couple of the cookies plus 2 bottles of water. (not replenished). Great breakfast buffet but charged coffee tax. The only thing I complained about was the housekeeping. Beds were not remade, only pulled up and no new linen on the beds for the full time. Towels are so thin and worn you can see through them and coffee cups and glasses were not washed at all for the 5 days. The hotel is about a 15 minute walk down to the main part of town for drinks and restaurants.

 

[kangarooflyer88]

I stayed at the Doubletree North last year as a Hilton Gold. There was complimentary buffet breakfast (unlike the current Doubletree I'm staying at in Honolulu). As others have pointed if you can get a harbour view, it's easily one of the nicer Hilton hotels with its million dollar sun sets:



My room:




CO Breakfast:


Pool view:


These were all taken early April 2021 on my visit there, when the hotel was priced competitively at $114/night using my CAA card . I haven't been to the other Hiltons in the area and indeed this year settled to stay at the Argus Hotel for $90/night which is a no frills hotel as I couldn't fathom spending $150/night at a hotel (I'm that cheap).

-RooFlyer88

 

[jb747]

Every time I've gone to Darwin, I've found an apartment at either Cullen Bay or the waterfront. I preferred Cullen.

 

[Daver6]

Pretty much high season for Darwin in June-August as people go there for a winter getaway. Prices can be 500 per night at HD but I found a Stay Longer and Save with breakfast deal in August with the Doubletree.

Anyone stayed at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Darwin (not the Esplanade)? How was the experience?

Keep in mind that you can also use the pool of the DT next door. There are reports that you can even charge to your room from the pool there.

 

[kangarooflyer88]

There are reports that you can even charge to your room from the pool there.

I reckon you'd need quite the large USB cable to pull that one off to say nothing of the electrocution risk!

-RooFlyer88