Courtyard by Marriott opens first Northern Territory hotel in Darwin

The world’s leading hotel chain has just opened its first Darwin hotel.

The world’s largest hotel group has opened in Darwin with a lavish opening ceremony at its newly refurbished Smith Street premises.

United States hotel chain Marriott International has formalised the process launched last December when hotel owner DCOH announced it would open Darwin’s first Courtyard by Marriott at the old Smith Hotel at 81 Smith Street.

The new arrangement gives Territorians and international visitors access to Marriott Bonvoy, Marriott International’s loyalty program which allows members to accumulate points at more than 30 different hotel brands.

The 186-key Darwin Courtyard by Marriott is the fourth in the group’s Australian hotel stable and 34th Marriott hotel in the country.

Left to right at the Courtyard by Marriott opening: Alex Murray, Grant Alchin, Jason Nuell, Shane Dignan, Lachlan Michell, Richard Crawford, Scott Boyes

The Marriott group had previously hoped to be part of an unsuccessful hotel development proposal at Darwin’s Waterfront, with regional vice president Jason Nuell saying the group is rapt to finally have a Northern Territory hotel in its portfolio.

“We’re just delighted to be here,” Mr Nuell said.

“The opening of Courtyard by Marriott Darwin represents a milestone for Marriott International, marking our presence in every state and territory in Australia.

“Demand for leisure, corporate, government, Defence and special events is growing and continuing to grow, and it’s a market that we really want to be in.

“We are committed to having a Marriott Bonvoy hotel everywhere that our members want to travel, and the opening of Courtyard by Marriott in Darwin is a direct reflection of that strategy.

“We’re seeing international travellers increase and if you think about the location, it’s in the heart of Darwin’s entertainment and shopping.

“Then if you move out of Darwin, you have the unique experiences that the Northern Territory offers, where you’re surrounded by national parks. On top of that, we’ve also seen the business travel segment increase year-on-year over the past 12 months.”

The revamped foyer at the Courtyard by Marriott Darwin.

DCOH chief executive Shane Dignan said the more than $1 million invested in upgrading the 10th floor gymnasium and ground floor lobby so far would be added to in coming months when the restaurant and rooms are renovated.

“We are thrilled to introduce Courtyard by Marriott to Darwin, marking a new era of modern and sophisticated accommodation in the Top End,” Mr Dignan said.

“This hotel is set to become a key destination for visitors seeking quality, comfort, and a seamless travel experience.”

The refurbs were led by DCOH’s Lachlan Michell, targeting minimal disruption to the hotel’s day-to-day operations.

Hotel manager Alex Murray at the Courtyard by Marriott Darwin.

“Normally in a project like this the hotel would be closed for 12-months while the renovations took place but we’ve been able to work through the low season to get it prepared for the high season.

“In the United States, Courtyard by Marriott is considered a real business and tourism oriented hotel. We want to cater for everyone over the different seasons and want to be able to shoulder-out our high season, and a program like Marriott Bonvoy is going to help us achieve that.”

As a co-owner of the Cinema Collective, Mr Dignan said a covered link between The Courtyard and Mitchell Street venue would be developed over the next 12 months to provide an easy entertainment option for guests.

Courtyard by Marriott Darwin manager Alex Murray said Bonvoy has more than 237 million members worldwide and there had been an influx of American visitors since the hotel first opened.

“This hotel has been prominent in our Bonvoy system, which is the world’s largest hotel chain membership, and this hotel has been prominently featured and since opening more than 4500 Bonvoy members have checked into this hotel who otherwise wouldn’t have.”

Originally published as Courtyard by Marriott opens first Northern Territory hotel in Darwin