Anyone stay at SkyCity Darwin?

[bambbbam2]

I'm looking at taking a week long break up there in December. I have read very good and very bad reviews so am unsure if it is a good place to stay.

Is Darwin OK in December? I know it is the wet season, but bearable?

 

[Mal]

I've been up in Darwin in Jan/Feb a couple of times, and it's been wet, hot and stormy, but bearable as long as you're not out in the sun for huge amounts.

This year the wet season started late, and Dec was actually quite dry. The rains really started at the end of Jan from my understanding of conversations I had with locals.

I've been to the SkyCity casino, and wasn't impressed. Havn't checked out the hotel, but based on it's location don't really think it's anything special. It's not near the CBD, and really to me is pretty much in the middle of nowhere. (although only about ~$10 via cab to town I think).

Any reason you've chosen Darwin for a week in Dec?

 

[bambbbam2]

Any reason you've chosen Darwin for a week in Dec?

In a few months I will be at the point of lots of time & lots of money, so just wanted to check Darwin out. I'm thinking of doing the AirNorth milk run Per-Kun-Dar

 

[opusman]

The casino itself is tacky but the hotel was nice, especially if you get a balcony room. They have an ok breakfast buffet (but Duck's Nuts is better)

Over all it's probably the best hotel in town.

 

[dajop]

Haven't been to the casino, but like opusman I thought the hotel was quite nice. Rooms clean and modern furnishings, the pool area and the pool itself quite nice, and looks out over the beach. Only catch is that have to get a taxi or drive into town.

A week seems a bit long for Darwin itself, not sure what the conditions are like at that time of the year, but I'd be heading to Kakadu/Katherine and stay in one or both places for a night or two as well.

 

[opusman]

Just watch out for the giant lizards roaming the grounds

 

[Mal]

A week seems a bit long for Darwin itself, not sure what the conditions are like at that time of the year, but I'd be heading to Kakadu/Katherine and stay in one or both places for a night or two as well.

Yeah, that was what I was alluding to when I was wondering what was planned for the week.

a week really is too long just for Darwin alone. Esp in the Wet season. You need to do something. There are day/2 day/3 day etc tours from Darwin to Litchfield/Katherine/Kakadu etc (but not sure how frequently they run during the non-tourist months over Summer). Spending a few days exploring Kakadu/Katherine/Litchfield could be good. You have to watch out for road closures and potential torrential rain though.

And there are tourist hotels available in various places around Kakadu/Litchfield/Katherine areas.

Dec is also in Cyclone season.

Of course websites like the NT Tourism website would be a good place to also check out your options around the place Northern Territory - Australian Outback - Northern Territory Official Travel Site

 

[exchangeis]

Being an ex resident of Darwin (grew up there), the SkyCity Hotel is nice, but no where near the best in Darwin. In my opinion the Crown Plaza on Mitchel st is the best, both in terms of service and home quality.

What SkyCity has going for it is the hotel grounds and swimming pool are quite nice (not an ordinary hotel in the CBD), and the hotel is set right on Mindil beach, which is where the Thursday night Mindil Beach Markets are held during the Dry Season.

Ben Hoffman
Business Travel Guru