Skycity Darwin

My husband and I stayed three nights at this hotel and loved the whole experience. We think the staff made all the difference in making us feel very welcome, valued and they also displayed a delightful sense of humour. The rooms were very adequate and the edge pool was gorgeous and after a half day of tourist activities in the hot weather, it was divine slipping into that pool thinking about where we would dine that night. The Chinese Restaurant provided a good meal and our breakfasts at $19.50 pp were gave us a very pleasant continental style option.

I booked a flights and hotel discounted package via an on-line travel company. It gave me three nights at Skycity Resort, adjacent to the Darwin Casino. I'm no gambler, so the proximity to the largest gaming facility in the area was not an attraction. Rather, my decision was based largely on the resort's location. Located a short drive from Darwin's CBD, Skycity overlooks the turquoise waters of Mindil Beach, famous for its night market, and is near the Darwin Botanic Gardens. I particularly wanted to visit MAGNT, the Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory, which is within walking distance. On a discount accommodation package, I was not entitled to any upgrades, but I found my room to be more than adequate. It was spacious, with a small balcony looking out to a garden setting. The decor was modern and neutral, quite attractive. Everything you'd expect from a standard hotel room was there, including mini-bar, wi-fi, movies on demand. All the rooms lead off a central, open air atrium with a tiny fountain and tropical blooms. The swimming pool and open air bar are some metres away, between the hotel and the casino. That part of the complex has nice views out to the bay, with a walking track at the bottom of the garden. My one complaint about the complex was that the gaming activities seemed to intrude into the dining areas a bit too much. Every lounging area seemed to be full of machines or screens of some sort. I resented that intrusion, being a non-gambler. At ground floor level I could walk through to the casino complex, which includes several restaurants and cafes, as well as multiple gaming rooms. Although it was my intention to try some of the restaurants, I found myself drawn regularly to The Vue Bistro, which specialises in buffet-style dining. During my stay Skycity was offering handsome discounts on the usual fixed-price dining at the Vue. So I ate there often, not just for the cheap prices, but also for the variety. Buffet dining gives diners such a broad range of choices. Of particular note at The Vue is the refrigerated table piled high with cooked prawns, with a variety of salads and dressings alongside. Yum! Given that buffet style meals are more akin to cafeteria food than haute cuisine, I took my chances - some of the meats were overcooked, or not to my liking, but hey, it's a smorgasbord, so if you don't like something you can always return to the servery for something else!! One thing I was pleasantly surprised about was the responsiveness and courtesy of the front desk staff. The concierge staff members were very helpful with a couple of minor issues, and gave me excellent advice on getting around Darwin on public transport. A benefit of Skycity is that one of the main bus routes runs past the property, into the CBD or to Casuarina. My three night stay at Skycity turned out to be enjoyable, and good value for money, given that it is Darwin. Even on a discount package the accommodation was over $300/night. In general I was shocked at the price of accommodation in the Northern Territory, and the rate at Skycity was favourable compared to some of the CBD hotels.

Spent a couple of nights here pre cruise. Booked an ocean view room in the original part of the hotel. Huge rooms with a view over the sea and lawn area. Very clean with a cold fridge, in room safe, comfortable pillows and mattress and good water pressure in the shower. Good tea and coffee making facilities. Had a few swims in the pool. Nice to be in there watching the sunset over the bay. Fast drinks service to the pool from the inside bar. Friendly service by reception and porter. Walked just next door along the beach path to the night markets which was very handy. Only negative to the property is the breakfast options that are available are quite expensive so BYO. Would recommend.

We thought we'd stay in a King Lagoon Room that is right by the water. I must say this is unreal!! Bit of a drag with the people eating at Cove opposite us making it not so private but otherwise a pleasant stay. Bit pricey but the decor and room sizes are interesting. The water is inviting and relaxing.

Standard room is basic, but all you need is there. Then we moved to an ocean spa room. Much bigger, spa bath and sea view. Really nice. The lagoon pool is absolutely the best pool we ever saw! Breakfast we had at the Vue, excellent price and quality. For dinner we went to il piattio, great food and service. The beach is real close, not the most beautiful but great to walk. Better than being in the city no beach there. Only 15 min walk to town. Lunch at the Vue for only 9.95 Aud. This hotel is perhaps not very new on the outside, but the service and facilities are truly 5 star! Special thanks to Wi at reception, Vijah in il piattio and the lovely waitress in the Vue, sorry I didn't ask her name. The only negative is perhaps the unfriendly welcome you get walking in to the hotel from an very burned - out concierge! Pity!

So often one books a 5-star hotel built in the 70s or 80s only to find it's lost a star or two a decade along the way. This is not the case here. The rooms have been updated and the bathrooms refurbished. Ours had a pleasant balcony (a rarity these days for recalcitrant smokers, such as yours truly) with a garden view and beach glimpses. Prices are reasonable, too, with our room rate being under $300pn. Similarly, room service is very reasonable: $25 for a Caesar salad ($18 from the Vue Restaurant in the complex). We also had a very good meal at the Dragon Court restaurant, another of three restaurants total in the complex. The Sand Bar offers well priced drinks and stunning sea and beach sunset views. Given the quality and value, we'll definitely be back.

Located on the beach of Bondy Beach (market Thursday and Sunday evening). We always enjoy tasting a penfolds on the pool deck while admiring the magical sunset over the Timor Sea. Nevertheless, the overall service is professional but not always very friendly and I consider the proximity of the casino as a disadvantage.

The hotel has a stunning outlook over the ocean where you will see beautiful sunsets. The infinity pool has the same outlook and is great. The walkable distance to Mildil markets was a bonus. The bathroom was looking very tired and in need of renovation. Parking in the general parking area for the casino was not a problem for us. A short walk and saving $.

We stayed in an One Bedroom Suite with an ocean view. The check in process was straightforward and fast, which was appreciated after the red eye flight with a small child. We stayed two nights and then returned a week later to stay for a further 4 nights. Staff remembered us. They gave us the same room which was great. There was always someone to help open doors, bring trolleys for bags and help with the lift. The staff talked to our young son and were unbothered by him running around in the foyer as we checked in and out and in again. The room itself was lovely and spacious with beautiful views of Mindil Beach and lovely sunsets. The bathroom is a highlight with a stunning, large spa. Both pools are wonderful. We swam in each, but prefered the beach pool with the bar! The gardens are beautifully maintained and we enjoyed walking around the resort and playing on the grass area. We got room service one night. It was pricey, as you would expect, but the servings were decently sized. We ate one morning at the buffet breakfast. It is very pricey and is really just a continental breakfast, you couldn't even get a proper coffee which was dissappointing for a $30 breakfast. There is a fridge, toaster, kettle and coffee pod machine in the room, so we had our own stash for breakfast for the second stay. Most of the restaraunts here are expensive. We didn't eat at many. The city offers much better value and is a very reasonable walk or a quick cheap taxi ride. It cost us about $7 to get from the waterfront back to the casino. We walked into town several times to enjoy the parks and attractions and eat. It was a 20 minute stroll with a bit of a hill. Might be a bit harder for those with mobility issues and in the wet you would certainly break a sweat. I did have a massage at the day spa. It was luxurious and the spa is beautifully appointed. Staff were wonderful and the massage was very very good! If you are travelling at peak season, the dry, then book early. We got a good deal and the hotel price matched. It was very expensive when we looked at booking an extra night a few weeks out.