Metro Advance Apartments & Hotel, Darwin

For a short work stay, this is an OK budget hotel. The rooms and common areas were tidy and clean, with enough space for one person, extra pillows and cold air-conditioning. Staff were friendly and informative, there’s secure reserved parking with good clearance, and Woolworths next door makes food shopping easy. You get what you pay for, and I’d stay again, but I hope they fix the water pressure. The shower was a trickle, honestly a complete joke. The bed was average, with a sprung mattress and a less-than-great topper. You can hear people banging around in other apartments late into the night, and on the first night some local NT residents had a screaming match in the street. There aren’t many restaurants very close, so expect a decent walk, a drive or delivery. The bathrooms feel old, with old tap fittings and a couple of broken things that could use a facelift.

The room had a useful kitchenette with hot plates and the utensils needed for cooking. The room information says to rinse dishes, but they weren’t washed or replaced the next day, and no detergent was provided so we could clean and reuse them during our long stay. Room service comes around 10am to 1pm. The central location is nice, and the pool is a big help in the heat. I appreciated being able to borrow a separate pool towel. The gym has enough equipment for a basic workout.

A small serviced flat that’s looking a little tired, though the kitchenette was OK. Reception varied from very helpful to disinterested, while the cleaning staff were pleasant and keen to help. The “gym” is just a room with a few pieces of equipment. Best suited to business or trade travellers needing a basic, clean room for a stopover, or to budget travellers.

We could walk easily to the shops and tourist attractions, which was great. The room itself had several problems, though: the shower barely produced any hot water, the bathroom fan wasn’t working, and the sink leaked onto the hairdryer stored underneath. We mentioned the fan at reception, but staff said it was working and just very quiet. We also had to switch off the air conditioner because its whining made it hard to sleep. I wouldn’t stay again.