The innovative launch of Australia’s first-ever airport resort has produced gold for Darwin Airport Resorts in the Best Marketed Hotel (Accommodation) category of the Australian Hotel Awards for Excellence.
The awards were contested by the best of the best from every state and territory. The national Awards were held on the Gold Coast this week, and Darwin Airport Resorts’ Director of Sales & Marketing, Nadee Wicks, accepted the award at the glamorous ceremony.
The Best Marketed Hotel (Accommodation division) award “recognises venue excellence” and is judged according to a range of measures including planning and implementation of the marketing strategy, the effectiveness of website, media, and social media communications, and the quality of marketing collateral.
Darwin Airport Resorts provides a unique resort experience just a five-minute walk from Darwin Airport’s terminals.
Celebrating the Top End’s rich indigenous and tropical environment, the resort was created from the amalgamation of three hotels – Novotel, Mercure and Ibis – into one entity following a visionary $41 million investment by owners Airport Development Group (ADG).
The massive transformation linked the three hotels around a centralised area that includes a 65-metre lagoon-style pool – one of the largest hotel pools in Australia – a consolidated reception and lounge area, the alfresco Splash Café and the newly opened Poolhouse Bar & Kitchen.
Adding to the resort credentials are luxury Pool Villas and new Rapid Creek Villas, which overlook tropical bushland in the Rapid Creek Conservation Reserve (known as Gurumbai in the Larrakia language). A self-guided walking trail has been established in the reserve, including information on the area’s cultural and historical significance, and on bush tucker and medicinal plants.
A feature of the hotel redevelopment has been the incorporation of extensive Indigenous artwork and theming, along with the creation of an Indigenous Training Academy, to reflect the property’s connection to Larrakia Country.
Darwin Airport Resorts’ popularity with both guests and Darwin locals has led to the creation of the Poolhouse Bar & Kitchen, with Californian ‘boho’ theming and Top End Northern Territory influences to complement the tropical climate.
The restaurant can seat up to 170 diners and features a menu curated by head chef Laurence Lochouarn, a French-born chef who has worked around the world, including in Michelin-starred restaurants and most recently as head chef of Darwin’s legendary Char Restaurant.
Director of Sales & Marketing, Nadee Wicks, said: “We’re incredibly proud to see our resort recognised on the national stage. This award reflects the creativity, consistency, and connection behind every campaign we’ve delivered; all designed to showcase the unique charm of the NT and redefine the airport hotel experience. It’s a win for our entire team and for Territory tourism.”
General Manager of Darwin Airport Resorts, Raymond Bragg, said the national award was recognition of the team’s innovation and passion for the project.
“This is a truly pioneering development,” said Mr Bragg. “There has never been anything like Darwin Airport Resorts in Australia; in fact, there are very few examples of an airport ‘resort’ anywhere in the world – we’ve redefined the concept of airport accommodation.
“We had to educate the corporate, trade, leisure and conference markets because the idea of having a tropical resort just a few minutes from the airport terminal was both new and unusual.
“It gives visitors to the Top End an immediate taste of their destination, the tropical climate and our Indigenous legacy. We are just 20 minutes from the city and for tourists visiting places like Kakadu, Litchfield and Arnhem Land we are in a far more convenient and atmospheric location.
“The creation of an airport ‘resort’ has not only captured the imagination of visitors, but also locals who are utilising the restaurants and leisure facilities because of the resort-style ambience and convenience of our location.
“Our new restaurant is a massive drawcard. With an outstanding chef, an adventurous menu, and warm tropical ambience, we are able to offer something fresh and vibrant that both reflects Darwin’s lifestyle and differentiates ourselves from other restaurants.
