Darwin in wet season - accommodation

[Justinf]

OK, I've always wanted to go to Darwin to experience the wet season. Just to see for myself how horrible everyone says the weather is. I love rain and humidity so I reckon I might enjoy it.
I took advantage of DJ's tropical sale yesterday and booked a flight for $198 return.
Leaves MEL at 1.45am Wednesday Jan 12 and arrives 4.35am.
Departs Darwin 6.15pm Thursday Jan 13.
So a very, very quick trip and will only have hand luggage.
What I want to know is, when I arrive in Darwin so early in the morning, do certain hotels reduce their rates for the first night? In other words, I don't want to hang around until 2pm to check in to a hotel, but at the same time do not want to pay full price for a room that, technically I will only be sleeping in for a couple of hours before going out to explore.
Should I even book a room for the Tuesday night (Wednesday morning) in the first place and just try to stay awake until 2pm and do stuff?

 

[markis10]

I normally book a room for early AM arrivals, especially during wet season in DRW, for your dates you are looking at $135 a night at the Crowne Plaza, $110 at the HIs using the entertainment rate, for that sort of money I would not stay up! Now if it was $400 during the dry like it often is, different story.

 

[Justinf]

Thanks Markis10.
I was thinking of booking a flophouse for the few hours in the morning. I don't think I will be getting much sleep on the 4-hour DJ flight and even just a cheapo motel from 5am to 10am and then check-in to something better for the Wednesday night before going home on the Thursday night.
I guess hotels will charge for the whole night even if you're only checking in for 5 hours?

 

[JohnK]

Sometimes it does not hurt to turn to the hotel earlier and see if they will check you in for your stay. It has worked for me at a number of places on 1 night stays.

They can only say no....

 

[Princess Fiona]

IMHO I would book a room at the Airport Resort, hire a car and drive.