Launchpad for a 'Top End' adventure, The Leea is Darwin's newly renovated boutique hotel.
The renovated Leea Darwin hotel has family lofts and two pools. Photo / Jillian McHugh
Darwin offers a very different experience from the usual Australian holiday. Whether you’re heading into the Outback or enjoying a Top End escape, stay at The Leea for a lush hideaway in the heart of the city.
The Leea is an easy 15-minute drive from Darwin Airport, situated on a main but quiet road in Darwin’s CBD.
Darwin is your launchpad for various Northern Territory must-dos and offers a relaxed city stay before (or after) the adventure. For Kiwis, The Leea is perfect for holidaymakers mixing an urban stay with the Outback and surrounding national parks: families, couples and solo travellers alike.
Previously a Travel Lodge, The Leea has undergone an 18-month transformation into a slick boutique hotel. At first, I sensed an undercurrent of formality – enhanced by the hotel’s high fencing – and later discovered the location served as the original Darwin Police Training Barracks in 1969, a novelty that adds to the ambience.
Reception is bright and airy – a theme that runs throughout – and check-in was seamless, quick and most importantly, air-conditioned.
Wheeling my suitcase through the hotel grounds, I startled various lizards scuttling about the rainforest garden, which was lush with foliage and palm fronds.
Rooms vary from standard Queen Rooms through to Premier King Rooms and Loft Apartments (where I stayed). The lofts are split over two levels and feature a kitchen, lounge, private terrace and mezzanine. Upstairs there is an ensuite bathroom and TV, while downstairs there’s a sofa bed and a second TV. Sleeping up to five guests, this is a great option for families.
The palette is clean and fresh, with wooden flooring and carpeted stairs. The simple decor sits somewhere between boutique and family-friendly, which will satisfy many guest types.
The bathroom does the job, with a shower, single vanity, and a comically low toilet (reasons unknown). Toiletries are by Peter Morrissey, with scents such as orange and oak moss.
After a full day of flying, it was nice to quickly and easily connect to Wi-Fi and Chromecast from my bed.
The kitchen is fully equipped for self-catering and includes a washing machine (four sachets of laundry powder provided), tumble dryer, microwave and Breville grill oven. There’s a decent espresso machine with various Vittoria pods, as well as plentiful organic teabags.
On-site facilities include a gym, basketball court and the piece de resistance – a brand new pool area with two exceptionally inviting pools, a smaller kids’ pool and two spa baths – all enveloped by verdant greenery.
Lido is The Leea’s fully renovated, open-air poolside dining hub comprising The Garden, Poolside Deck and Indoor Caffè.
The food is Sicilian-inspired, and although it opened the week after my stay, I did get to sample the menu at Treetops Restaurant, a separate dining establishment that also acts as the hotel’s breakfast venue.
I started with a cocktail prepared by Cynthia. Originally from Vanuatu, Cynthia has an easygoing warmth that instantly puts you at ease.
Sitting outside and bathed in early-evening heat, I was pleased to meet the executive chef and discover that the award-winning Sam Bennett is a woman (having recently attended NZ’s Michelin Awards and applauding one female chef in 14 one-star winners, this revelation was a joy).
Also joyful are Sam’s inspiring dishes, which perfectly complement the balmy weather. Refreshing snapper is served with local, in-season mango; plump burrata on a bed of fresh figs sourced from nearby Humpty Doo (a serious place 30 minutes south of Darwin); bruschetta laden with every colour – and flavour – of tomato imaginable; and pork ragout. All polished off with a decent-sized pottle of tiramisu.
The flavours perfectly complement the lush, tropical surroundings, and I don’t say this lightly, but it was the best meal I’ve eaten this year.
After breakfast, which is served buffet-style and includes both continental and fully-cooked options alongside self-serve coffee, I walked 20 minutes to the Darwin Waterfront Precinct, complete with a man-made beach, daybeds, and a separate wave lagoon/pool, which costs a very reasonable $10 for adult entry (children under 15; $8 and under 3s are free).
There’s also a Woolworths opposite the hotel for snacks and necessities.
Prices (see below) are incredibly reasonable for the space, facilities and incredible food, and little extras such as complimentary laundry powder and a fridge stocked with milk (not two useless single-serve pots) make guests feel looked after.
The grounds, pool and rooms have been impeccably renovated, but the bathroom feels a little ignored. Budgets don’t stretch forever, and with so much pool to use and city to explore, anyone prioritising the toilet should probably assess their life choices.
The Leea has recycling bins across the grounds, implements property-wide recycling programmes and harnesses solar power. Eco-conscious choices are encouraged, such as opting out of a daily linen change as part of the hotel’s Eco Stay programme.
The hotel has wheelchair-accessible pathways through the main public areas, reception, restaurant and gardens. My own apartment was ground level, albeit with stairs to the mezzanine. A lift is available between the other five floors, but I suggest requesting a ground-floor or lift-accessible room at the time of booking.
Rooms start from $217p/n. A Loft Apartment starts from $341p/n.