Mercure Kakadu Crocodile Hotel
Kakadu National Park, Northern Territory, Australia
Built in the shape of a crocodile and located within Kakadu National Park, the Aboriginal-owned “Croc,” as locals call it, is the ideal base for exploring the park’s many natural and cultural attractions including Ubirr, the Nourlangie rock art site, East Alligator River and Mamukala Wetlands.
At the hotel’s center is a shade-covered outdoor pool surrounded by lounge chairs, palm trees and gardens. Inside, Aboriginal art and digeridoos, a traditional wind instrument, adorn the walls (and are available for purchase in the gift shop). In the marble-accented lobby are a nature diorama with a taxidermized crocodile and a fountain featuring one of the region’s trademark boulders. Complimentary Wi-Fi is available throughout the hotel.
Large guest rooms contain a refrigerator, mini bar, coffee and tea-making facilities, satellite TV, safe, desk and flashlight for evening excursions (there’s no public lighting beyond the immediate premises). Each bathroom has a bathtub with shower and premium toiletry products.
The bar and a restaurant offer indoor/outdoor dining with a menu featuring contemporary “bush tucker,” including bush meat like barramundi, buffalo and kangaroo. Laundry service is also available for a fee.