Name: Mantra on The Esplanade
Address: 88 The Esplanade, Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia, Darwin, Darwin Municipality, AU
Price range: $102–$202 per night
Rating: 7.73

What guests think

At Mantra on The Esplanade, travellers consistently praise the central location and harbour views from many balconies, while feedback often notes spacious apartment-style layouts alongside dated finishes, variable cleanliness, and operational quirks like hard-to-control air conditioning.

Staff are frequently described as friendly and helpful, though several reviews report slow or limited reception and inconsistent responses to issues. There is no on-site restaurant or regular housekeeping, but dining options are nearby and rooms with kitchens support self-catering. City-facing rooms can be noisy, some windows are dirty, and Wi-Fi reliability varies. Overall, expect roomy apartments in a top location with trade-offs in upkeep and amenities.

Facilities

Cleanliness

Rooms

Service

Location

Dining

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AI-generated summary based on recent guest reviews

Facilities

Facilities are limited: there is no on-site restaurant, and several guests mention paid or limited parking. The pool is handy but has few loungers or shade, and some stays were disrupted by repeated fire alarms.

Related guest reviews

8

Neil

Sep 9, 2023

·

Stayed 5 nights

Hotel was in a good location, easy access to everything. Very late check-in was smooth We were able to leave cases in secure room for the day due to a very late flight home Pool area was average and very few sun loungers provided

4

Karen

Apr 5, 2025

·

Stayed 3 nights

Separate room & lift key was a pain. Reception also limited hours & in room cleaning is once per week. Air conditioning was noisy. Fire alarm tripped in the middle of the night.

6

Janet

Nov 3, 2023

·

Stayed 6 nights

Booked through wotif and told our reservation was complete and we needed to pay on check-in. At check-in we were told our booking had been cancelled because we didn’t pay a reservation fee through wotif and there were now only 5 non-oceanview hotel rooms available in the whole complex for $400 more for the 6 nights, and no parking included. We were shocked at the extra cost so checked online at accom options and found we were able to book through wotif an oceanview hotel room in the same hotel for $60 more than our original booking. We went to check in again 30 mins later and managed to book our exact same oceanview hotel room we originally reserved. We were relieved we now had accomodation after our initial shock, and paid the extra $19 per day for parking. The a/c broke in the complex and our room was a sauna for one day/night/day but we were grateful to be provided a 1 bedroom oceanview apartment for our last 2 nights.

6

Zane

Jun 28, 2024

·

Stayed 4 nights

Overall it’s nice ,, No parking ,, had to park on the street ,, they to interested in charging you extra for parking ?? Free parking should be included in hotel price ,,, car park under building was half full ,, hard to get a car park near by ,, backpackings out the back of hotel very noisy

6

Sean

Jun 4, 2025

·

Stayed 5 nights

There are no guest services or facilities. It is purely accommodation only. No restaurants, no room service, etc. The rooms are not serviced during your stay. Staff a polite and friendly but cant help you with anything.

8

Damian

Sep 22, 2025

·

Stayed 3 nights

Rooms were a bit tired and need a good paint. Moisture has got in and a bit musty. Biggest challenge was no breakfast/restaurant. All recommendations for breakfast have shut

10

Darren

Apr 24, 2025

·

Stayed 3 nights

Lovely one bedroom apartment with plenty of space & large balcony. Nice pool, limited deck chairs, no shade, King bed was 2 king singles pushed together.

8

Kerri

Apr 14, 2025

·

Stayed 8 nights

We got fire alarmed 3 times, which was annoying, obviously a fault somewhere. The pool needs more lounges, there was only 6, so often there was nowhere to sit. Staff were lovely, & very helpful.

10

Jacqueline

Oct 19, 2025

·

Stayed 6 nights

No in house breakfast available

6

STEVEN EDWARD

Sep 13, 2025

·

Stayed 4 nights

Pros We chose Mantra solely because of the balcony and views which were fantastic. Bed was comfortable and had a choice of pillows, one being a contour foam type which I prefer, so I was happy. Good curtains blocked the light and the aircon worked very well, in fact it was a little too cold for me, but the missus was happy. The location is also a bonus, being close to the shops, restaurants and the local bus service. Staff were very polite and helpful. The room, while dated, was reasonably clean and had the usual amenities, eg tea coffee sugar, along with a mini kitchen which we found very useful. Pool was reasonably clean but the deck area is far from inviting. Cons There is no daily room servicing, so it's up to you to get top ups for the amenities and also empty the bins as required. Outdoor furniture for the balconies and in the pool area should really be replaced as it is mostly old mismatched stuff. No on site restraunt/kitchen, room service food is brought in from another venue, but there are plenty of options outside. If you want to relax, book a room at the ocean side of the hotel. There's a noisy backpacker's behind, along with the many pubs and eateries.

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Cleanliness

Cleanliness is inconsistent: while many rooms are clean, recurring reports cite mould or grime in bathrooms and very dirty exterior windows; in-stay housekeeping is limited or not provided unless requested.

Related guest reviews

6

Glenda

Sep 15, 2024

·

Stayed 4 nights

Windows overlooking the waterfront were so dirty I couldn't enjoy the view.

8

Ruth

Mar 16, 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

The position of the property was excellent right on the ocean. Sadly although our room had an ocean view it did not have a balcony. It was close to all facilities & walks. The room itself was probably in need of improvement as the bathroom was dated, the bathroom mirror was badly marked & woodwork was in need of painting. However, the linen was clean & the bed comfortable.

6

Trevor

Nov 11, 2024

·

Stayed 3 nights

Property is showing its age, outside room windows were dirty and mouldy. Evacuation alarm activated three times in a 24hr period (last one at 4.20am) causing the evacuation via stairwell from the 8th floor which is not good for the elderly with medical problems. No assistance offered by management, nor apology. The location is convenient with excellent harbour views.

2

Dorothy

May 10, 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

The Mantra on the Esplanade Darwin is totally overpriced for the quality of the establishment. It is in extreme need of maintenance in many areas , and don't bother paying extra for a view. You can't see out the windows for the dirt and mould. The fridge was frozen up and dirty. The walls were grubby with scuff marks. In need of painting. The mirror in the bathroom was pitted with rust. The bath had no anti slip. A panel in the lift fell away.

10

Jason

Oct 5, 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

Room was clean and bathroom was also clean

6

Sarah

May 28, 2024

·

Stayed 2 nights

Good location. The property is a bit tired. Although the room was clean they didnt service it, which was a surprise to us.

10

Jadwiga

May 1, 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

For me, uninterrupted harbour views were the highlights of my stay, I watched some unforgettable sunsets from their balcony. The apartment itself was very pleasant, spacious, nicely furnished, the bed was very comfortable; kitchen amenities great. The staff at the reception was super nice and helpful, I found them to be a genuinely nice people. I must mention Samir, but everyone was great. Thank you, guys, you were amazing. The thing this hotel could improve on is cleanliness. The shower wasn’t cleaned properly and there was a large stain on the sofa that could probably be easily removed. But in overall, I had an amazing stay and I would definitely recommend this hotel and I would be happy to stay there again.

10

Lonnie

Feb 1, 2026

·

Stayed 3 nights

Room was clean and staff very helpful

4

Tanya

May 21, 2024

·

Stayed 2 nights

The rooms had a mouldy smell, the window didn’t unlock to let fresh air in. The room was clean however the windows and window tracks were filthy. The service on arrival at checkin was cold, we had booked as a party of 3 with 3 rooms and were placed all over the motel. When asked if we could be placed together we were told rudely that we didn’t request room together at time of booking. The motel had an alarm go off yet no one informed us if anything was wrong, we went downstairs and stood around with nothing apparent happening. Parking at the motel was terrible. There was a huge crane taking up one part of the entrance and workers vehicles taking up parks. When asked if we could park underneath the building we were told that costs extra. There was no consideration for the lack of parking or the inconvenience to guests for the work that was being carried out. Someone finally said it’s nothing to worry about. Do better Mantra

8

Patricia

Sep 15, 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

Nice spacious hotel . Could not turn off aircon unit way too cold . Bathroom was quite mouldy .

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Rooms

Large, apartment-style rooms with balconies and harbour views are a highlight, with kitchens and comfortable beds. Downsides include dated fittings, hard-to-control or noisy air conditioning, city-side noise, and unreliable Wi-Fi.

Related guest reviews

10

Lucinda

Oct 15, 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

Love the balcony view

10

Damien

Jul 25, 2025

·

Stayed 4 nights

Spacious apartment for a family of 4 with the convenience of a washing machine and dryer. Coles and chemist was nearby. Our apartment faced the backpacker accommodation so it was fairy noisy till late, better to get the beach facing apartments. The nearby restaurants are mostly bars, the waterfront which is a short drive away had a big selection of cuisines.

8

Joanna

Nov 13, 2024

·

Stayed 2 nights

The window in the bedroom was very dirty, and wifi didn’t work at all.

8

Richard

Aug 3, 2025

·

Stayed 10 nights

Great location. A plethora of eating options very very close by. Walking distance to free bus, supermarkets, shops, galleries, stop for the hop on hop off bus. Very comfortable bed and loved the size and layout of our room, which was more like an apartment, with washer, dryer, cookware dinnerware and dishwasher.

6

Brian

Jul 9, 2025

·

Stayed 5 nights

internet dropped out more than in useless

8

Susan

Nov 24, 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

Nice big apartment style room with separate bedroom. Great location. Main restaurant strip close by. Walkable distance to the waterfront development. Only problem was the aircon was a bit too efficient. Could only set fan speed. Was uncomfortably cold.

8

Robert

Jul 11, 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

Liked the convenient location of hotel Didn't like that we paid for a harbour view and got trees, no view

8

Chiho

Jul 23, 2023

·

Stayed 5 nights

it's worth getting a water view room as the city view room was so noisy from pubs and backpackers from the street below.

6

Karen

May 17, 2025

·

Stayed 4 nights

Old style bathroom, exhaust fan in bathroom would not turn off when light turned off. Air conditioning was very cold and could not be altered. Location good, however paid for room with ocean view and were on the 3rd floor and waterview very limited due to trees.

6

STEVEN EDWARD

Sep 13, 2025

·

Stayed 4 nights

Pros We chose Mantra solely because of the balcony and views which were fantastic. Bed was comfortable and had a choice of pillows, one being a contour foam type which I prefer, so I was happy. Good curtains blocked the light and the aircon worked very well, in fact it was a little too cold for me, but the missus was happy. The location is also a bonus, being close to the shops, restaurants and the local bus service. Staff were very polite and helpful. The room, while dated, was reasonably clean and had the usual amenities, eg tea coffee sugar, along with a mini kitchen which we found very useful. Pool was reasonably clean but the deck area is far from inviting. Cons There is no daily room servicing, so it's up to you to get top ups for the amenities and also empty the bins as required. Outdoor furniture for the balconies and in the pool area should really be replaced as it is mostly old mismatched stuff. No on site restraunt/kitchen, room service food is brought in from another venue, but there are plenty of options outside. If you want to relax, book a room at the ocean side of the hotel. There's a noisy backpacker's behind, along with the many pubs and eateries.

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Service

Many guests praise friendly, helpful staff and smooth late check-ins, but others report slow or limited reception, rude interactions, and unresolved requests.

Related guest reviews

4

Karen

Apr 5, 2025

·

Stayed 3 nights

Separate room & lift key was a pain. Reception also limited hours & in room cleaning is once per week. Air conditioning was noisy. Fire alarm tripped in the middle of the night.

8

Zita

Dec 9, 2024

·

Stayed 3 nights

Stay at the Mantra on the Esplanade in Darwin was excellent ! Perfect location Quiet with a lovely view and close to the supermarket and eateries Foyer a bit dated Our 1 bedroom apartment fully equipped with many appliances Anything we asked for was acted on promptly Staff extremely helpful and obliging Would definitely stay again

6

Helen Louise

Jun 13, 2024

·

Stayed 7 nights

The property was clean and convenient. The reception staff were very helpful. However, I would say the cleaning staff were not mindful. The first night, we arrived in the middle of the night. There were no blankets, and our first night was freezing, not a good impression or a good start to our week stay. (I also know we were not the only customers who didn't have blankets on a freezing night. Yes the reception staff were very helpful the next day

10

Irina

May 18, 2025

·

Stayed 7 nights

Great location and within easy walking distance to Darwin waterfront. Lovely water views from balcony. Carparking was easy in the basement. Staff were very friendly and helpful. One bedroom apartment was very roomy and perfect for our one week stay in Darwin. Liked that we could walk next door to the Novatel for a delicious buffet breakfast or a dinner at nighttime.

10

Adrian

Oct 13, 2025

·

Stayed 3 nights

Great spot, great view. Fantastic staff member at the service counter 13/10/2025 1(12pm).

2

Munib

Feb 23, 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

The staff member who checked me in was extremely ill mannered, his first question to me was how did you get in. I explained to him that the hotel guests were coming in and since I have a booking I came in. Then he said show me your booking and I’d I provided him then he said there is no room available and I need to call wotif and sort it out with them I told him that I have already payed for it and I don’t have anywhere else to go. He said can’t you see I am trying to help you here “it’s your fault u made booking late night mind you it was between 8:30 to 9 pm. Finally he gave me a room took 200$ bond money and told me that the hotel might kick me out tomorrow because that’s not the room I am supposed to stay in, and told me that it might cost me extra 50$ per night. Since I was in a bad situation that night I just took the key and proceeded to my room. The staff member did not have a name batch, it looked like he was from an Indian descent and had short curly hair. I have stayed in many hotels around the world from 3 stars to 7 stars but this was the most pathetic and terrible experience I’ve had so far. I checked out after 2 days and stayed for in another hotel for the rest of my trip. Please pay attention to your staff training and their communication skills.

4

LD

Jan 8, 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

Great location but the reception staff were not professional and borderline rude. We checked-in on New Year’s Day, understandably no one would like to work on a public holiday but the receptionist on duty was just agitated and unpleasant to deal with. We didn’t feel welcomed and this set the tone for the rest of our stay. In the evening, I noticed one of the towels were ripped so I asked room service / reception to replace and they promised to bring it up. I fell asleep waiting for someone to come to the room and in the morning I had to call again to remind them to bring up the towel. On checkout, the reception staff also seemed u professional. She was on the phone and gestured with her hands to just leave the key cards with her. No exchange of words or general courtesy. Management please invest in the customer service of staff as their behaviour takes away from the guest experience. Thanks

8

Liz

Apr 10, 2025

·

Stayed 3 nights

Reception was inadequately staffed at 2pm for booking in - 30 plus minutes waiting. No cloth to wipe the bench in our apartment.

10

Lonnie

Feb 1, 2026

·

Stayed 3 nights

Room was clean and staff very helpful

6

STEVEN EDWARD

Sep 13, 2025

·

Stayed 4 nights

Pros We chose Mantra solely because of the balcony and views which were fantastic. Bed was comfortable and had a choice of pillows, one being a contour foam type which I prefer, so I was happy. Good curtains blocked the light and the aircon worked very well, in fact it was a little too cold for me, but the missus was happy. The location is also a bonus, being close to the shops, restaurants and the local bus service. Staff were very polite and helpful. The room, while dated, was reasonably clean and had the usual amenities, eg tea coffee sugar, along with a mini kitchen which we found very useful. Pool was reasonably clean but the deck area is far from inviting. Cons There is no daily room servicing, so it's up to you to get top ups for the amenities and also empty the bins as required. Outdoor furniture for the balconies and in the pool area should really be replaced as it is mostly old mismatched stuff. No on site restraunt/kitchen, room service food is brought in from another venue, but there are plenty of options outside. If you want to relax, book a room at the ocean side of the hotel. There's a noisy backpacker's behind, along with the many pubs and eateries.

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Location

Central and walkable to the waterfront, shops, restaurants and attractions, with excellent harbour outlooks. Several note noise from the backpacker/pubs side, so ocean-facing rooms are quieter.

Related guest reviews

10

Damien

Jul 25, 2025

·

Stayed 4 nights

Spacious apartment for a family of 4 with the convenience of a washing machine and dryer. Coles and chemist was nearby. Our apartment faced the backpacker accommodation so it was fairy noisy till late, better to get the beach facing apartments. The nearby restaurants are mostly bars, the waterfront which is a short drive away had a big selection of cuisines.

8

Richard

Aug 3, 2025

·

Stayed 10 nights

Great location. A plethora of eating options very very close by. Walking distance to free bus, supermarkets, shops, galleries, stop for the hop on hop off bus. Very comfortable bed and loved the size and layout of our room, which was more like an apartment, with washer, dryer, cookware dinnerware and dishwasher.

10

Irina

May 18, 2025

·

Stayed 7 nights

Great location and within easy walking distance to Darwin waterfront. Lovely water views from balcony. Carparking was easy in the basement. Staff were very friendly and helpful. One bedroom apartment was very roomy and perfect for our one week stay in Darwin. Liked that we could walk next door to the Novatel for a delicious buffet breakfast or a dinner at nighttime.

8

Charles

Sep 22, 2024

·

Stayed 3 nights

In the backpacker district so a little noisy but other than that all good.

8

Susan

Nov 24, 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

Nice big apartment style room with separate bedroom. Great location. Main restaurant strip close by. Walkable distance to the waterfront development. Only problem was the aircon was a bit too efficient. Could only set fan speed. Was uncomfortably cold.

8

Brett

Aug 17, 2025

·

Stayed 5 nights

Lovely location right on the Esplanade. Close to restaurants and shops.

10

Nicole

Sep 23, 2024

·

Stayed 6 nights

Great location, easy to access everywhere around Darwin.

10

Kristy

Oct 5, 2024

·

Stayed 5 nights

Location was spot on, sunset views and easy walk to restaurants, pubs and shops

10

Annalisa

Jul 18, 2025

·

Stayed 3 nights

Excellent base for family stay in Darwin. Easy walk to main mall, hop on and off bus and waterfront.

8

Chiho

Jul 23, 2023

·

Stayed 5 nights

it's worth getting a water view room as the city view room was so noisy from pubs and backpackers from the street below.

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Dining

There is no on-site restaurant or breakfast, though many dining options are nearby or next door; some note room service comes from another venue and one reported early kitchen closure versus posted hours.

Related guest reviews

8

Kylie

Jan 31, 2023

·

Stayed 1 night

Liked location however missed the old breakfasts buffet

4

Darren

Sep 10, 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Menu stated that kitchen closes at 2100 (9pm). I requested a feed at 2045 (8:45 pm). I was told that "sorry the kitchen is closed". I waited 6 minutes for any staff to come to reception whilst trying to check out. Then I requested to speak with manager regarding meals not being available night before. The manager was the staff member who had come to reception. When being informed of my complaint they have replied with "as the dish you ordered takes 20 mins to cook the kitchen cannot make the dish at that time!" I was absolutely blown away by all concerned and their response, unknown to them all I have been involved in Hospitality since 1979 and am succesfull in my field. It is a sad day when the advertised time is not what the staff are following! Darren C

10

Irina

May 18, 2025

·

Stayed 7 nights

Great location and within easy walking distance to Darwin waterfront. Lovely water views from balcony. Carparking was easy in the basement. Staff were very friendly and helpful. One bedroom apartment was very roomy and perfect for our one week stay in Darwin. Liked that we could walk next door to the Novatel for a delicious buffet breakfast or a dinner at nighttime.

8

Jennifer

Sep 23, 2023

·

Stayed 1 night

All was good. A restaurant would have been great

8

Damian

Sep 22, 2025

·

Stayed 3 nights

Rooms were a bit tired and need a good paint. Moisture has got in and a bit musty. Biggest challenge was no breakfast/restaurant. All recommendations for breakfast have shut

6

robert

Oct 10, 2023

·

Stayed 3 nights

Lacks basic Breakfast on site.

10

Brett

Aug 26, 2025

·

Stayed 3 nights

It was a great stay. Just a shame that they had no restaurant on the property

8

Anne

Oct 15, 2023

·

Stayed 7 nights

Despite the fact that there was no restaurant the room was not equipped with facilities to make breakfast. No toaster, cutting board, bowls, sharp knives or spoons other that teaspoons. The pool was not accessible for aged or disabled. No rails, very high steps, main entry into deep water. Very disappointing and in Perth would be breaking the law.

10

Jacqueline

Oct 19, 2025

·

Stayed 6 nights

No in house breakfast available

6

STEVEN EDWARD

Sep 13, 2025

·

Stayed 4 nights

Pros We chose Mantra solely because of the balcony and views which were fantastic. Bed was comfortable and had a choice of pillows, one being a contour foam type which I prefer, so I was happy. Good curtains blocked the light and the aircon worked very well, in fact it was a little too cold for me, but the missus was happy. The location is also a bonus, being close to the shops, restaurants and the local bus service. Staff were very polite and helpful. The room, while dated, was reasonably clean and had the usual amenities, eg tea coffee sugar, along with a mini kitchen which we found very useful. Pool was reasonably clean but the deck area is far from inviting. Cons There is no daily room servicing, so it's up to you to get top ups for the amenities and also empty the bins as required. Outdoor furniture for the balconies and in the pool area should really be replaced as it is mostly old mismatched stuff. No on site restraunt/kitchen, room service food is brought in from another venue, but there are plenty of options outside. If you want to relax, book a room at the ocean side of the hotel. There's a noisy backpacker's behind, along with the many pubs and eateries.

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AI-generated summary based on recent guest reviews

Month	Average price
January	$102
February	$107
March	$111
April	$135
May	$172
June	$226
July	$260
August	$261
September	$186
October	$117
November	$110
December	$104

Su	Mo	Tu	We	Th	Fr	Sa
				1 $130	2 $130	3 $119
4 $119	5 $130	6 $130	7 $130	8 $113	9 $102	10 $119
11 $102	12 $164	13 $174	14 $198	15 $158	16 $147	17 $158
18 $130	19 $136	20 $158	21 $158	22 $147	23 $119	24 $130
25 $119	26 $136	27 $159	28 $187	29 $165	30 $147	31 $159

Mantra on The Esplanade

Prices for Mantra on The Esplanade

Monthly average prices

About this property

Location

Room options

Two-Bedroom Apartment

Two-Bedroom Dual Key with Harbour View

One-Bedroom Apartment with Harbour View

Hotel Room with City View

Hotel Room with Harbour View

Penthouse Apartment

Two-Bedroom Dual Key with City View

Three-Bedroom Apartment

One-Bedroom Apartment with City View

Guest reviews of Mantra on The Esplanade

Who stays here?

What guests think

Property Policies

Check-in instructions

Good to know

FAQs about Mantra on The Esplanade

Considering this hotel for your Darwin trip?

Prices for upcoming dates

Su	Mo	Tu	We	Th	Fr	Sa
		1	2	3	4	5
6	7	8	9	10	11	12
13	14	15	16	17	18	19
20	21 $163	22 $202	23 $174	24 $197	25 $158	26 $147
27 $147	28 $158	29 $170	30 $158