Darwin...which property???
Mar 9, 2007, 6:06 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Wilmington, DE, USA
Programs: HH Diamond, Hyatt Platinum, United Premier
Posts: 225
Darwin...which property???
Will stay a few nights in Darwin, AU. I see a Crown Plaza, and two HI. What is the best overall to stay in...considering the entire stay/experience? Thanks!
Mar 10, 2007, 5:17 am
#2
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Brisbane (BNE), Australia, QF/VA Forums Meeting Organiser
Programs: VA Plat, QF Gold (97.4% LTG), QP Life, AA (66% LTG). HH Diamond. Amex Plat, Visa Plat
Posts: 6,519
Haven't been to DRW but I did a search and found some info for you:
HI Darwin v HI Esplanade
Personally, if I was going to stay there, I'd be plumping for the CP (if the uplift in cost doesn't bother you). The two HI's sound old.
HI Darwin v HI Esplanade
Personally, if I was going to stay there, I'd be plumping for the CP (if the uplift in cost doesn't bother you). The two HI's sound old.
Mar 12, 2007, 4:16 am
#3
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Sydney
Programs: QF Gold, PC Plat, HH Silver
Posts: 114
I've stayed several times at both HIs. Rooms and restaurant at the HI Esplanade is better than HI Darwin. Have not tried the CP, but I'll be in Darwin at the end of March and will be staying there.
Mar 12, 2007, 7:18 pm
#4
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: BNE
Programs: QF Gold, VA Gold, IHG Spire, Accor Plat, Marriot Plat, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 2,281
I would go for the HI Esplanade, much better. The CP is old and its rooms need some work, it is also not in a great area. THe HI Esp rooms look nice although I have yet to stay there, I stayed at CP twice last year only because their rates were good at the time and cheaper than HI Esp.
Mar 15, 2007, 7:46 am
#5
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: SYD, BNE and BKK
Programs: QF Platinum (OW Emerald), PC Platinum, HH Gold
Posts: 1,029
I stayed at the HI Darwin last week.
I have no status in the PC program and this was my first ever stay. I got upgraded when I checked in. The room was spacious with beautiful water views.
The HI Esplanade is only a few metres away and I feel either of the HIs are a much better location than the CP.
I have no status in the PC program and this was my first ever stay. I got upgraded when I checked in. The room was spacious with beautiful water views.
The HI Esplanade is only a few metres away and I feel either of the HIs are a much better location than the CP.
Mar 15, 2007, 8:05 am
#6
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 1999
Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Programs: OWEmerald; STARGold; BonvoyPlat; IHGPlat/Amb; HiltonGold; A|ClubPat; AirMilesPlat
Posts: 38,186
From the photos, it appears that the HI Esplanade was once the Park Royal that I stayed at back in the mid-80s and at the time was one of the top properties in the city. However, no real experience, but if prices were comparable I would likely try the CP based on upgrade potential as a PC Plat if they indeed have a Club floor.
Mar 15, 2007, 3:46 pm
#7
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: BNE
Programs: QF Gold, VA Gold, IHG Spire, Accor Plat, Marriot Plat, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 2,281
Mar 31, 2007, 8:06 pm
#8
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Sydney
Programs: QF Gold, PC Plat, HH Silver
Posts: 114
Just left the Darwin CP this morning (Sunday). Checked in on Friday, was welcomed by reception and promptly told I've been upgraded. Room was a kind of junior suite - small lounge and separate bedroom.
Rooms and furnishings are getting a bit tired, but the hotel is in a relatively good location, with the mall and food courts just behind the hotel. The Red Salt restaurant in the CP is just adequate, with the usual hotel fare.
When I asked the reception if there was another restaurant in the hotel, they told me the hotel had an arrangement with the two local restaurants next door and you could charge it back to the room.
One of the restaurant, "Hanuman" is a Thai/Nyonya/Indian Restaurant. Had dinner there on Friday, and the food was quite good. My dinner guests were most impressed with the food and service. The restaurant next to it is called Lewinsky's, and it had a relatively wide selection of western meals and seafood.
I've now stayed in all three of the IC hotels in Darwin, and the experience at the CP is the best of the lot so far.
Rooms and furnishings are getting a bit tired, but the hotel is in a relatively good location, with the mall and food courts just behind the hotel. The Red Salt restaurant in the CP is just adequate, with the usual hotel fare.
When I asked the reception if there was another restaurant in the hotel, they told me the hotel had an arrangement with the two local restaurants next door and you could charge it back to the room.
One of the restaurant, "Hanuman" is a Thai/Nyonya/Indian Restaurant. Had dinner there on Friday, and the food was quite good. My dinner guests were most impressed with the food and service. The restaurant next to it is called Lewinsky's, and it had a relatively wide selection of western meals and seafood.
I've now stayed in all three of the IC hotels in Darwin, and the experience at the CP is the best of the lot so far.