Darwin’s TraveLodge Resort beats COVID-19 with a $3.7m facelift

DARWIN’S TraveLodge Resort has turned the decline in visitor numbers due to COVID-19 into an opportunity for a massive facelift

The resort-style TraveLodge Darwin's $3.7M Wet Season refurbishment saw each of the hotel’s 168 rooms and 32 self-contained townhouses stripped to the bones. Picture: SUPPLIED

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DARWIN’S TraveLodge Resort has turned bad into good by making the most of the drop-in visitor numbers caused by coronavirus border restrictions.

It has just unveiled a multimillion-dollar makeover.

The resort-style TraveLodge Darwin's $3.7M Wet Season refurbishment saw each of the hotel’s 168 rooms and 32 self-contained townhouses stripped to the bone. SUPPLIED

Operator TFE Hotels has spent nearly $4m on the refurbishment, which has given the Cavanagh Street resort a fresh, slick tropical look.

TFE Hotels cluster general manager for Darwin Sid Bhatia said the completion of the refurbishment could not have been better timed with Darwin the only Australian city to make the cut in Tripadvisor’s Top 25 emerging destinations for 2020.

“This refurbishment program provided the opportunity to support the local business community locally sourcing goods and equipment, and by using local trades and labour,” Mr Bhatia said.

The resort-style TraveLodge Darwin's $3.7M Wet Season refurbishment saw each of the hotel’s 168 rooms and 32 self-contained townhouses stripped to the bones. SUPPLIED

“Importantly, we also donated furnishings, fixtures, whitegoods and TVs to help benefit local community groups, and recycled where possible.”

Mr Bhatia said the Travelodge’s new-look rooms captured the essence of the Top End, while delivering a scheme that was both modern and relaxed in line with the tropical resort experience that TraveLodge Darwin was renowned for.

As part of the $3.7m wet season refurbishment program, each of the hotel’s 168 accommodation rooms and 32 self-contained townhouses were stripped to the bones with new TFE Dreamcatcher beds and bedding and smart TVs introduced alongside upgraded guest Wi-Fi and a fresh new design scheme.