Life in Townsville is very much set on the waterfront. With 180 kilometres of coastline extending out to the heritage-listed Great Barrier Reef, it makes total sense that most of the city’s hotels and resorts offer views of the sparkling Coral Sea. But if you want to match those five-star vistas with five-star service, Ardo is the place to be.
Having welcomed its first guests in December 2023, Ardo is the newest luxury resort to open in Townsville. And when we say luxury, we’re talking about the city's first and only five-star hotel. Staying here was the thing I was most excited about on my first-ever trip to Townsville. Tucked a little away from The Strand – a hub of waterfront shops, restaurants and parks – it almost felt like I was checking into a private island resort. From the eighth-floor rooftop, you can soak in sweeping views of the city skyline and Coral Sea. Plus, you won’t need to leave the hotel, which houses two chef-hatted restaurants, the town’s only rooftop infinity pool, a dazzling day spa and an impressive rooftop bar with views that will stop you in your tracks.
Why stay at Ardo?
If you’re craving private island resort vibes without the thousand-dollar price tag, Ardo is your go-to. Right by the water’s edge and on the cusp of the Great Barrier Reef, this five-star stay brings a new level of luxury to Townsville. Perfectly positioned just a five-minute walk from the Sealink Terminal for ferries to Magnetic Island and the Breakwater Marina, where boats head out to the Great Barrier Reef, it’s hands down the most convenient launchpad for exploring the incredible natural wonders just offshore.
As a bonus, all guests staying at Ardo score access to all facilities at the neighbouring The Ville Resort-Casino. That includes a heated outdoor pool, gym and four fantastic dining venues. You’ve really got everything you could want right here.
What are the rooms like at Ardo?
Waking up to calming views of the Coral Sea from my Ocean King Room at Ardo was seriously special. The hotel houses 132 elegant rooms and suites spread across seven floors, offering views of the sea, yacht-dotted marina, sparkling city lights – or, if you’re staying in one of the premium suites, a combo of all three.
Designed to worship the movement of the sun, the rooms blur the line between inside and out. Floor-to-ceiling glass windows flood the space with natural light, while a minimalist aesthetic keeps the focus where it belongs — on the stunning views beyond.
My Ocean Room featured a private balcony that felt rather spacious compared to your typical hotel. It had two comfy chairs and a coffee table, which was pretty generous considering there was also a dining table inside. I loved how the plush king bed was oriented towards the ocean, and the sliding custom mirror meant I could enjoy those ocean views from the terrazzo bathroom as well.
While my room had a balcony, those who like to stay grounded can opt for a courtyard room with multiple bed configurations to suit your group size. I loved letting the fresh air in, but individually controlled cooling would be a welcome addition during the summer months. Other standout features included a dual rainfall shower, a curated mini-bar with specialty snacks and Bavay Distillery spirits, a Chromecast television, and a tablet control centre for effortless in-room dining or housekeeping requests. Fun fact: the tablet comes preloaded with specially curated soundtracks for different times of the day.
Which are the best restaurants and bars at Ardo?
There are three signature dining venues at Ardo, including two chef-hatted restaurants and a rooftop bar. On the ground floor, Terasu offers a punchy Japanese dining experience inspired by the bright lights of Tokyo. With a mix of alfresco and indoor seating – including spots right at the bar – it’s perfect for anything from casual drinks to special occasions. Start with a market-fresh selection of sashimi, sushi and nigiri, then share a selection of tempura, gyoza, karaage and mains. We recommend the signature pork bolognese with ginger tofu and yuzu sesame, plus the crispy fried duck bao. Don't skip the light and fluffy Japanese cheesecake for dessert.
Ride the elevator up to level eight, turn right and you’ll meet Marmor – Ardo’s sophisticated modern Australian restaurant where land meets the sea. Upon entering the moody dining room, you’ll pass a cabinet showcasing premium cuts featured on the menu, including porterhouse, eye fillet, rump, sirloin and a Japanese Wagyu striploin with an impressive marbling score of 12. Each cut is grilled over woodfire and paired with classic sauces like mushroom, red wine jus, peppercorn cream, béarnaise and black truffle butter. Diversify your dinner with treasures from the sea, including ethically-caught coral trout, spanner crabs, king prawns and rock oysters. Then, complete your meal with signature cocktails, premium Australian wines, French Champagne or spirits from as far as Jamaica and Mexico. The whole dining experience definitely lives up to the hotel's five-star status.
Before dinner at Marmor, consider swinging by Ardo Rooftop for drinks. The balcony here wraps around the hotel, offering stunning views of both the Coral Sea and the city skyline. It’s the ultimate golden hour hangout, where you can kick back with cocktails as the sky turns pink, then settle in for snacks as darkness descends and the city lights begin to sparkle. Snacks include Kilpatrick oysters, fried calamari, tomato pizzette, fish burgers and katso sandos. Mezze, charcuterie and cheese boards are also available to share, with a long list of tropical cocktails, non-alcoholic spritzes, tap beers, wines and more.
What is the service like at Ardo?
Pulling up to Ardo, I was greeted by the concierge, who whisked away my luggage for storage while I waited to check in. The team happily arranged an early check-in and delivered my bags straight to my room, making it too easy to slip into holiday mode.
At check-in, the staff offered to assist with any dining or spa reservations and had a number of curated experiences they could help me book. The handy tablet in my room was my go-to for any housekeeping requests, in-room dining orders or further hotel information.
What is the pool like at Ardo?
The crown jewel of Ardo is its stunning rooftop infinity pool – the first and only in North Queensland, available exclusively to hotel guests. Like the neighbouring rooftop bar, it offers expansive views over the calm Coral Sea. Bright orange sunlounges surround the pool, perfect for soaking up the warm weather all day long, while large umbrellas provide welcome shade when needed. Even in winter, you can still enjoy a dip, with the pool heated to a comfortable 28 degrees.
What is the gym like at Ardo?
Guests staying at Ardo get complimentary access to The Ville Resort’s gym, equipped with basic cardio machines and weights.
What’s the area like around Ardo?
Located in The Ville precinct on Townsville’s waterfront, Ardo is perfectly positioned for easy access to the Resort-Casino’s facilities. It’s also near the Townsville Entertainment and Convention Centre, which hosts North Queensland’s biggest events, including major concerts, stage shows and exhibitions.
A five-minute walk from Ardo will take you to the Sealink Terminal, where ferries to Magnetic Island depart almost hourly. And across the road, the Breakwater Marina is your launchpad for tours to the heritage-listed Great Barrier Reef.
Follow the footpath heading out of Ardo for ten minutes and you’ll reach the start of The Strand – a popular waterfront strip of cafés and shops, with free water parks, manmade beaches and historic forts. If you’re after more dining and shopping options, the CBD is a quick five-minute drive away.
Address: 67 Sir Leslie Thiess Dr, Townsville City, QLD, 4810
Price: From $295 per night
Closest transport link: Pre-book the Airport Shuttle here
Book now: Here
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