This airport resort is rewriting the rules of 'engagement'

Check into one of the rooms, suites, apartments or bungalows.

Darwin Airport Resort.

By Akash Arora

Updated April 1, 2025, first published December 13, 2023

Discover the newly launched Darwin Airport Resort and its range of accommodation options.

A clean, quiet place where you can rest your head after a flight, before a flight or between flights. Isn't that the only role of an airport hotel? The newly launched Darwin Airport Resort, however, is about to challenge that. A confluence of two just-refurbed hotels - Novotel and Mercure - the resort may be located right next to the Darwin Airport, but thanks to its onsite facilities and an exhaustive range of accommodation, it's about to become a destination in its own right.

Check into one of the rooms, suites, apartments, bungalows or - if you really want to splash out - tropical villas with their own plunge pools, then make the most of the resort's top attractions that range from a massive swimming pool and a children's aquatic playground to a range of poolside eateries. Just don't forget to explore some of Darwin's top sights - the city's Waterfront Precinct, Parap Village Markets and Mindil Beach Sunset Markets are all within 15 minutes' drive of the resort. darwinairporthotels.com.au

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Words byAkash Arora

Akash is the Deputy Travel Editor for Australian Community Media. He has lived and worked in four cities around the world – Sydney, London, New Delhi and New York – and, at last count, travelled to 42 countries.

My all-time favourite destination is ... New York. You can drop a pin anywhere in Manhattan and start walking in any direction, and the sights and sounds of the city that never stops will begin to stimulate all your senses in an instant.

Next on my bucket list is … Scandinavia - at the peak of summer, when the sun almost never sets.

My top travel tip is … If you’re flying to Sydney from anywhere in the world, pick a window seat far from the wing on the left-hand-side of the aeroplane. If the weather gods and flight path align, you’ll have the most incredible views of the Sydney Harbour and Opera House.