Hotels in fancy European countries cheaper than Darwin

IT’s cheaper to stay in a 4 star hotel in the middle of Paris in peak season than it is to stay in a Darwin hotel with an identical rating during the same period

IT’s cheaper to stay in a 4-star hotel in the middle of Paris in peak season than it is to stay in a Darwin hotel with an identical rating during the same period.

A special NT News investigation has revealed the prices of rooms in Darwin hotels are often on par or higher than those in major cities around the world, including in Paris and New York, in peak periods.

The European and North American summer (June-­August) coincides with Darwin’s dry season and peak travel periods but while millions more tourists visit the former each year, it can be just as – or more – expensive to stay in the Top End.

Standard rooms in 4-star hotels for the night of June 5 on Thursday advertised on hotels.com showed the Mantra on the Esplanade Darwin would put holiday-makers out of pocket $379 for the night, Rydges Darwin Airport Hotel ($309), Novotel Darwin Atrium ($305) and the Vibe hotel on Darwin Waterfront ($329).

Crowne Plaza Paris Republique, 4 stars

In Paris, tourists had the ­option to book a room at the Hotel Eiffel Trocadero – which offers views of the Eiffel Tower from the guest rooms – for $317 or the Crowne Plaza Paris ­Republique ($307) on the same date.

The 4-star New York Marriott ($316) was advertised during the same period for $1 more than Darwin’s 3.5-star Darwin Central Hotel on Mitchell St ($315). The 4-star Eurostars Hotel on Wall St in New York was advertised for the same price as Darwin Central Hotel.

Tourism Top End general manager Trevor Cox said local accommodation prices were driven by supply and demand.

“It’s Darwin’s high season; comparing the same day rate in Paris or New York or London is not comparing apples with apples,” Mr Cox said. “They’re completely different.

“When people compare holidays they’re going to compare flights, accommodation, the things they like to do and experience while they’re away.”

Hotels.com regional director Katherine Cole said there was “much more to choose from in the bigger cities”.

“They have hundreds of hotels to drive competitive rates and Darwin just doesn’t offer that,” Ms Cole said.

Gold Coast financial adviser Mark Davidson, 29, said he wouldn’t let Darwin hotel prices stop him from visiting the city. “If I want to go to Darwin, I’ll go to Darwin,” he said.