1 bed Suites Crowne Plaza or Skycity Darwin?

[jaffa]

Hi,
Need help in selecting Darwin 5 star.

We need 2x 1 bedroom suites for 3 nights in May.

Both hotels look pretty similar except Sky has ocean views and Crowne does not.

Rates are similar also, $390/$410 per night per suite.

Have no idea re: service, food, ameniteis and bars ect.:?:

Any feedback or advice:?:

This is the back end of a nice little trip up top. I have booked into the Nolan suite at Cable Beach Club for 4 nights, then a 13 night True North Kimberly cruise and finishing for 3 nights in DRW.
As l am hosting some South American business guests for the trip l wanted to end with something nice.

Thanks & Cheers,

 

[markis10]

I would not be rating either of those as realy 5 star, both are very old and while renovated, do show their age at times, the CP was the old Sheraton.

The CP does have Ocean View Suites, well harbour view really, but is poorly located for a CBD hotel in an area that is pretty dead at night, however being Darwin its not too far to walk to find suitable eateries etc, while the Casino is close to nothing much but the Casino, although the night markets are close if they are on during your stay.

For the sort of money you are planning on spending you might want to look at the HI Esplanade which has the views and the location, its also old but its Esplanade Suite is huge, with a lovely outdoor area with SPA overlooking the harbour, if you get Priority privilege membership you can use the buy one get one free vouchers to bring the cost down of the room at either the HI or CP.

If you ignore the ratings some of the newer hotels around the waterfront/wharf area might offer a better experience, such as the Vibe or one of the Mantra's, but I dont think Darwin really offers a 5 star hotel experience. Personally I keep comming back to the HI Esplanade as I find the service is what matters, the locaiton is just a bonus.

 

[russ]

Junior Suites
- Holiday Inn is poor. The shower is tiny and built like a triangle, which is odd.
- Crown Plaza is okay. You get free internet access, two TVs and two bathrooms.
- Both of them interconnect if required

Full Suites
- Holiday Inn Esplanade suite is two-level with an outdoor terrace and spa and I think I recall an indoor spa but I haven't stayed in it lately. It's pretty tired, though: next to the bed is a wooden cabinet with a set of electrical knobs and things that don't work any more. Separate dining/meeting room if I recall too.
- Crown Plaza Arafura has plenty of room, nice office desk, lounge, big bathroom, indoor spa, kitchen, dining area, but not a separate room. It's my favourite in Darwin.

I think both the full suites interconnect with adjoining rooms if required, but haven't really had occasion to look.

If I was taking guests, I'd probably book the Holiday Inn Esplanade because it is better set up for entertaining with the outdoor terrace and spa.

 

[winfred]

Skycity as you can win the cost of the trip at the casino!

 

[markis10]

Junior Suites
- Holiday Inn is poor. The shower is tiny and built like a triangle, which is odd.
- Crown Plaza is okay. You get free internet access, two TVs and two bathrooms.
- Both of them interconnect if required

Full Suites
- Holiday Inn Esplanade suite is two-level with an outdoor terrace and spa and I think I recall an indoor spa but I haven't stayed in it lately. It's pretty tired, though: next to the bed is a wooden cabinet with a set of electrical knobs and things that don't work any more. Separate dining/meeting room if I recall too.
- Crown Plaza Arafura has plenty of room, nice office desk, lounge, big bathroom, indoor spa, kitchen, dining area, but not a separate room. It's my favourite in Darwin.

I think both the full suites interconnect with adjoining rooms if required, but haven't really had occasion to look.

If I was taking guests, I'd probably book the Holiday Inn Esplanade because it is better set up for entertaining with the outdoor terrace and spa.

When was the last time you were at the CP Darwin, not sure the full suites exist any more as they are not bookable online post the renovation, best is the Harbour View:

1 KING BED SUITE HBR VIEW NONSMOKING
STYLISH REBURBISHED HARBOUR VIEW SUITE WITH FREE INTERNET ACCESS IN ROOM MOVIES FREE VALET PARKING ENSUITE WITH SEPERATE BATH AND SHOWER IN ROOM SAFE LARGE LCD TV MAXIMUM 3 ADULTS OR 3AD USING ROLLAWAY BED PRICE INCLUDES FULL BUFFET BREAKFAST FOR ONE


Your description of the suites at HI is also wrong, there are a few different suites, the Loft suites have a normal shower as well as a bath and the shower is a normal shape, well mine was yesterday


The other Holiday Inn does not have suites but is going through renovation at present.

 

[markis10]

Crowne Plaza Darwin seems to be agood location to some, not sure I would have wanted to be the person doing the housekeeping for that room:

5-star drug lab | Northern Territory News | Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia | ntnews.com.au

FOUR people have been accused of operating a clandestine drug laboratory in one of Darwin's poshest hotels.

The two men and a woman are believed to be part of an organised crime syndicate from Melbourne.

Detective Superintendent Peter Bravos said officers allegedly found laboratory equipment, chemicals to manufacture drugs, a trafficable quantity of methamphetamine, a trafficable quantity of heroi_ and cash.
Nhan Bui, 40, Sa Nguyen, 27, and Atila Boris Sarafov, 24, are accused of manufacturing trafficable quantities of crystal methamphetamine, commonly known as ice, in a hotel room at Darwin's Crown Plaza.