Rydges Darwin Central

Darwin Central Hotel is a seven-story urban hotel featuring an atrium design and modern interiors with contemporary stylings that look dated, but pleasant. The hotel is most popular with couples and business guests, but is also frequented by solo travelers and families. The swimming pool isn't long enough for laps, but it does offer some respite from the tropical heat. Surrounding the pool is a terra-cotta tiled patio that is lined with lounge chairs and a few potted palms. Waterhole restaurant features simple modern stylings and is bright and airy, with large windows that overlook the city streets and lets in plenty of natural light. There is a variety of seating options available, and it stays mostly quiet throughout the day after the initial breakfast rush.

Darwin Central Hotel is surrounded by bars, restaurants, and shopping centers along Knuckey Street in downtown Darwin. The hotel is a five-minute walk from the Esplanade and less than 15 minutes on foot from the Darwin Wharf Precinct. Smith and Knuckey Street are lined with some of Darwin's most popular eateries and bars, most of which are less than a five-minute walk from the hotel. The area features many boutique shops and shopping centers, as well as a movie theater and the Crocosaurus Cove reptile park. Darwin Wharf Precinct features oceanfront dining options, a water park, and a convention center. Mindil Beach is a long white-sand beach around a 10-minute drive from the hotel. The beach is lined with restaurants and is a popular place with tourists and locals, especially during sunset hours. A large, open-air bazaar is held bi-weekly at Mindil Beach from April to October. The airport is around a 20-minute drive or an hour on the bus. The bus departs from the bus station at the Woolworths Supermarket on Cavenagh Street, around a five-minute walk from the hotel.

Rooms at the Darwin Central Hotel are simple and pleasant. Interiors have sparsely decorated white walls, gray carpet, and light-wood veneer furniture. Decorations include a small painting or photograph hanging on the wall. Patterned black bed runners and throw pillows add some interest. Rooms offer a decent amount of space and are furnished with comfy beds, tables, upholstered armchairs, and small wardrobes. Upgraded room types feature lounge areas with comfy couches and kitchenettes that are outfitted with sinks, countertop space, and microwaves -- but no stovetop burners. Standard room amenities include air-conditioning, flat-screen TVs, refrigerated minibars, and coffee- and tea-making facilities. Note that Wi-Fi costs extra. 

Bathrooms are tiled in a classic black-and-white color scheme and feature long bathroom vanities with a large mirrors, plus walk-in showers. Toiletries and hairdryers are provided. The rooms are a little dark and have poor airflow, as the windows are small and can't be opened. 

The facilities at Darwin Central Hotel focus on tourists. The swimming pool isn't long enough for laps, but gets good sun and has lounge chairs laid out for guests to relax on; it rarely gets crowded. The Waterhole restaurant is spacious and has a variety of seating options. The restaurant is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, plus rooms service is available 24/7. Breakfast is served in a buffet format and the selection is decent, but it costs extra. The lobby has a long reception desk with multiple check-in counters and there is a spacious lounge area with comfy couches and reading materials. Valet parking services and Wi-Fi are available for a fee. Also, adjoining the hotel lobby is a shopping center with a food court and retail stores.