Courtyard by Marriott has landed in Darwin, ticking the final box in its national rollout. With this opening, Marriott cements its status as one of the few global hotel groups with branded properties in every major Australian capital, a move that deepens its loyalty footprint and signals growing confidence in the Northern Territory’s visitor economy.
The 186-key hotel sits in the heart of Darwin’s CBD, surrounded by the city’s key cultural, convention and nightlife precincts. It’s Marriott International’s first step into the Northern Territory and brings Courtyard’s Australian count to four, joining Melbourne, Perth and Brisbane.
The property marks a strategic foothold in a region with limited international brand representation. For Marriott, it completes a long-standing objective: a branded hotel in every Australian state and territory capital.
What can guests expect right now?
Originally operating as The Smith Hotel, the hotel has undergone phase one of a multi-stage conversion to join the Courtyard by Marriott portfolio. Current offerings include:
- A redesigned lobby with self-check-in kiosks and communal workspaces
- A modernised fitness centre with skyline views
- New furnishings and refreshed interiors
Rooms are next in line for renovation, with the final stage, including a pool upgrade, scheduled for completion by 2027.
A new restaurant is also on the horizon. Opening early 2026, the 100-seat venue will offer modern Australian dishes with Asian influences and a local twist. A bar menu spotlighting Territory-sourced beers, wines and botanicals is also planned.
Why now, and why here?
Darwin is also positioning itself for greater international connectivity. Vietnamese low-cost carrier VietJet Air has flagged intentions to launch direct flights between the northern city and Vietnam, while Vietnam Airlines is reportedly exploring expansion into the Top End. Though no launch dates have been confirmed, the interest signals growing recognition of the city ’s strategic role in connecting Southeast Asia and Australia.
Jason Nuell, Regional Vice President for Australia, New Zealand and Pacific at Marriott International, said Darwin’s blend of business and leisure demand made it a natural next step.
“The opening of Courtyard by Marriott Darwin represents a milestone for Marriott International, marking our presence in every state and territory in Australia,” Nuell said.
“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.”
What’s nearby for travellers?
Positioned as both a basecamp and a bridge to the Territory’s bigger adventures, the hotel places travellers within walking distance of:
- The Darwin Entertainment Centre
- The Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory
- The Esplanade and waterfront precinct
- The Darwin Convention Centre
- Mitchell Street’s dining and nightlife strip
And further afield, it provides easy access to major drawcards like Kakadu and Litchfield National Parks.
KARRYON UNPACKS: The Darwin opening fills a longstanding gap in Marriott’s domestic portfolio, adding a loyalty-aligned option in a region traditionally dominated by independent and boutique properties. For the trade, it offers national brand consistency and new client value in a destination where international brands have historically had a limited footprint.
