After an excellent Lonely Planet review we were expecting good things from our week-long stay in a one bedroom apartment at $159 a night (50% off the usual price as it was low season). The apartment itself was fine though the bedroom was small and dark. The spacious balcony was probably the highlight. However, all the appliances were very old and desperately need replacing. Old electric coil stove, ineffective (and dirty) dishwasher, very old fridge with perished seals (so ineffective in the hot weather that our milk curdled after two days), DVD player didn't work and the much-needed bedroom air conditioner was extremely old, loud and rattly. Very limited crockery and cutlery was provided (only enough for one meal for two people) and no serving dishes. None of the 3 BBQs in the grounds worked during our stay. There are no recycling facilities and we were told to put all glass and plastic bottles in the regular rubbish bins. The apartments are only cleaned once a week. Tiled stairs up to the apartments are dangerously slippery during the wet season. Reception service was generally helpful but very disappointing when it came to advising us about the cyclone warning present for Darwin during our stay.
- Botanic Gardens Apartments Darwin
