The Mercure Darwin Airport Resort is one of three All Accor properties at Darwin Airport. Integrated on the same premises are also a Novotel and an Ibis. Since my last stay here a year ago, they’ve made quite some improvements. And they’re not done yet.

Location

The Mercure Darwin Airport Resort is easily accessible on foot from the passenger terminal. From arrival I walk to departures and then exit the building through the last set of sliding doors. I make a right turn and just follow the signs to the hotel. From the terminal to the lobby it’s about five minutes.

Check-In & Staff

There is a central reception area for all three hotels, which is why it helps, when checking in, to also advise for which of the properties you hold a reservation. Even though I’m still a bit early, the young man at reception checks me in straight away and prepares the room keys for me. He hands me a map of the property with instructions for the quickest access to my room.

Tropical Pool Villa

I’m staying in a Tropical Pool Villa. This is the same room type I had last year. However, I think this room is a tad smaller than the one on my previous stay, but I’m not sure. Each villa is self contained and surrounded by lush vegetation that makes it feel rather private and quiet.

As you enter the room, the bathroom is straight up ahead, with the closet on the left. The room opens up to the right and is dominated by the large king bed, which is a comfortable size and has a nice, firm mattress. The pillows are quite plump, which seems to be the standard is most places I’ve stayed in Australia. The bed looks out towards the glass doors and the pool.

The pool is a good size. Admittedly, it’s from being Olympic length and you’re not going to be doing any laps, but it’s enough to cool down and get away from the blistering mid-day heat up in the Northern Territories.

The bathroom is clean and spacious. It features a walk-in shower that scores well on the Knight of Malta shower test. Pressure and volume are good, temperature regulation is responsive and there’s only minimal spillage.

The Mercure Darwin Airport Resort Amenities

Just a few minutes after I reach the villa, there’s knock at the door. When I open, one of the hotel staff hands me a chilled bottle of wine, a welcome card, and a fruit platter with melon and kiwi which I subsequently enjoy out on the patio by the private pool.

The room features a kettle and a Nespresso machine with plenty of original Nespresso capsules and Dilmah teas. Milk is available in the minibar fridge. In the wardrobe there are also bathrobes and slippers.

Mercure Darwin Airport Resort Dining

Currently, guests have two dining options. There is the Splash Pool Bar by the Novotel’s main pool, which is open and serving food until 17h00 in the evenings. And then there’s the Poolside Bar and Restaurant on the side of the Novotel, where dinner and breakfast are served.

Currently, the Poolside Bar can get quite busy, as it’s the main restaurant for all three hotels. However, they’re currently working on the pool and restaurant area of the Mercure, which should reopen in about a year. When it does, there will be more segregation, allowing the Mercure to operate fully autonomously from the Novotel.

In the meantime, the Poolside Restaurant is already a vast improvement over what they previously had at the Mercure. Everything is nicely presented, and they’ve obviously expanded the buffet offerings with the extra space the new venue affords.

Conclusion – Mercure Darwin Airport Resort

I like staying at the Mercure Darwin Airport Resort. The hotel is laid out in a gorgeous and lush tropical garden. The new Poolside Bar & Restaurant is already a vast improvement, and once the new pool area at the Mercure side of the property is done, it should look even better. Apparently, once they’re done with the Mercure, they’ll be upgrading and remodelling the rooms at the Novotel.