Winnellie Hotel Motel

The bathroom door is broken. Instructions are not clear. Ex: laundry room, reception..etc.

It's in a industrial suburb

Tidy enough accommodation, close to the airport. No confirmation email, no advice that there would be no staff to receive us late that night even though advised. No staff in the morning to check out. Room bookings incorrect. Close to our camper an hire place and a cafe.

This review is largely for those interested in staying with their family. As their website mentions the hotel may not be suitable for families, and other reviews mention adult shows in the pub downstairs, I wanted to check the place out before my girlfriend and kids got back from overseas. Google maps directed me to the parking out the back, which then required me to traverse through the pub itself, and the entertainment that was just getting started. Don't let that put you off though. The actual parking for the hotel is out the front and unless you're actively seeking it out, there's nothing unsavory you'll come across from (front) carpark to your room. The music wasn't too loud, and the rooms were about what you'd expect for what we paid. The main selling point for me is the location - Right on the Stuart Highway, close enough to some Takeway places for dinner (Etna's Pizza is pretty decent), close enough to Darwin City that you don't have to drive for ages to get into it, but far enough that you don't have to navigate traffic if you want to spend a day out at Litchfield. The main disadvantage, from the perspective of someone with family, is that for just a little more you can stay at nearby places that are more focused towards families and have pools and the like.

For the price I paid I wasn't really sure what I was walking into, but I was prepared for the worst. My dad was an alcoholic, I grew up in country pubs. I'm quite comfortable with the smell of beer and cigarettes... Winnellie surprised me. Well the Sports Bar entry to check in didn't, that is straight out of the 70s/80s and is full of old men complaining about the animal they just lost a bet on. Ignore all that and check into your room, it's way better than you think! Freshly painted and refurbished. Amazing air-conditioning. Great amenities. Secure. As a woman travelling alone I felt very safe here. The bathroom is dated but who cares, clean and hot water. This room is kinda a diamond in the rough and you hotta hand it to the owners. It's tough taking on a building like this and making it attractive to modern expectations. It even has a fancy new coffee machine... that is a strong selling point. If you are sensitive to sounds bring earplugs. You will be in an industrial area and next door to an airport. No sound concerns within the building, its a reasonably quiet pub scene here. 100% recommend and would come back if I'm ever up this way again.