How would you like a holiday at the airport?

Airport hotels are generally somewhere you spend one night before or after you’re about to catch a plane.

But a new resort concept at Darwin Airport is hoping to entice holidaymakers to spend a few days, or more, at Darwin Airport.

Twin hotels at Darwin Airport will launch the new concept next week, saying the Novotel & Mercure Darwin Airport Resort "is set to become the perfect tropical oasis for touring the Northern Territory’s Top End following a $30 million reimagination and dramatic integration of the adjoining hotels".

The hotels are owned by the Airport Development Group (ADG), which also owns Darwin Airport.

The resort is located on the lands of the Larrakia Nation, the traditional custodians of the greater Darwin area. Indigenous engagement is an integral component of the hotels’ redesign.

ADG’s $30 million has seen the refurbishment of existing rooms and the creation of new pool villas, suites and bungalows.

The two hotels previously had separate receptions, but now a combined reception area has been opened, along with a new Olympic-plus sized swimming pool, poolside cabanas, children’s aquatic playground, and new poolside dining.

There are 423 rooms in all including family suites, free-standing bungalows, and the new 5-star tropical villas with their own plunge pools.

Capturing their connection to Larrakia country, each of the villas is named after a leading Territorian, whose story is outlined for guests to read.

The resort now offers two poolside dining options with new Splash café and bar joining Cossies Poolside Bar & Bistro (terrible name), which showcases the Territory’s famous barramundi as well as grills, salads, pizzas and burgers.

The hotels are planning to introduce the Gurambai Cultural Experience to give guests an immediate appreciation of Larrakia culture.

Gurambai is the Larrakia name for the area known as the Rapid Creek Conservation Reserve which features Darwin’s only natural freshwater creek, just a short walk from the airport hotels. 

The experience will be curated by Larrakia guides who will deliver a one-hour guided walking tour that will include information about the area’s cultural and historical significance, their connection to the land and freshwater, and information about some of the seasonal bush tucker.

A range of packages is available at https://www.darwinairporthotels.com.au/.