Darwin’s Travelodge hotel to get major rebrand

A Darwin CBD hotel is getting a major rebrand with a name that has a strong local flavour. Read what it is.

The Leea Hotel Darwin

The new owner of Travelodge Resort Darwin is preparing to give the old girl a significant makeover and rebrand.

Purchased by Western Australian boutique hospitality specialists Prendiville Group last year, the company is preparing to rebrand the venue Leea, after a tropical plant.

The group has 20 accommodation outlets in WA and Queensland and this is its first foray into the Northern Territory.

Leea is a dedicated brand for the Territory.

While keeping details of the rebrand under wraps until after the property purchase is settled this month, Prendiville is advertising for employees through job search websites.

The company is seeking a rooms division manager to lead the hotel’s front office, housekeeping and guest services teams.

Travelodge Hotel Mirambeena Resort, Darwin

Prendiville is promoting Leea as having 136 modern hotel rooms and 32 townhouses.

“The hotel is undergoing a transformation to become one of Darwin’s most sought-after destinations”.

The advertisement said the successful applicant would be responsible for recruitment and mentorship, delivering seamless guest interactions and manage the hotel’s day-to-day operations.

There was plenty of interest in the Travelodge sale when expressions of interest opened last year.

Interest in the hotel was buoyed by the opening of the Charles Darwin University CBD campus which is expected to generate demand for inner-city accommodation.

Local realtor Peter McVann from Knight Frank Northern Territory teamed with Mark Durran and Paul Savitz from global agency Savills to sell the Cavenagh Street property on behalf of TFE Hotels.

The reported sale price of $23m was less than when it was bought by Toga property group in 2006 for $24.5m.

There were 130 inquiries and 10 bids made for the property.

The NT News understand more than 30 rooms at the hotel had not been part of a $4m facelift Toga undertook in 2020 and will be upgraded by Prendiville after the property’s sale has been settled.

The hotel, with lush tropical gardens, has two swimming pools, the so-called Treetops Restaurant, a conference room and sun deck.

Prendiville was contacted for comment.

Originally published as Darwin’s Travelodge hotel to get major rebrand