Ardo

By the Top3Hotels editorial team. Based on Booking.com guest scores and reviews, location data and reference prices. We did not stay at this hotel. Updated 2026-10-24.

Ardo is worth booking if you want the best-reviewed hotel in our Townsville sample, with a spa, a pool and views guests rave about. It costs about twice our other picks, and the rooftop bar has limited hours, so plan around that.

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Who it suits and who should look elsewhere

This is our Luxury pick in Townsville and the only 5-star of our three. It fits couples on a special trip, travellers who want a spa and pool on site, and families, since family rooms are listed. Drivers benefit too, as free parking appears in the facilities.

Look elsewhere if your budget is tight. Our other two picks cost roughly half as much per night. And if a rooftop drink is central to your plans, note that guests say the bar keeps limited hours and often needs booking.

Location and getting around

Ardo is at 67 Sir Leslie Thiess Drive. Guests rate the location 9.4 out of 10 and describe outlooks over the ocean, the city and the islands.

Sacred Heart Cathedral is about 1.7 km away, roughly 21 minutes on foot. Castle Hill is 2.7 km away, about 34 minutes walking, which is a long walk, so many people will prefer a taxi or public transport. These times are straight-line estimates.

Beach appears in the provider facilities, but that does not confirm a beachfront location or a walking distance to the sand. Check a map if beach access matters to you.

What guests say

The score is 9.1 out of 10 from 1,254 reviews, joint first of 5 eligible properties in the provider sample. That is a high score backed by plenty of reviews.

Guests single out the views over the ocean, the city and the islands. They also praise a friendly, attentive team that gives a warm welcome.

The main criticism is the rooftop bar. Guests like the setting and its pool, but the opening hours are limited and booking is often required. Room size, noise and renovation condition have not been assessed.

Price and what you get compared with our other picks

Reference prices seen for a 2-night stay in November 2026 for 2 adults were about €204.68 per night, above the sample median of about €151.20. These are not live quotes, so check today's price for your dates.

Holiday Inn Townsville by IHG, our Budget pick, was about €94.89 per night with 4 stars and an 8.4 score. Rydges Southbank Townsville, our Best Value pick, was about €105.50 per night with 4 stars and an 8.1 score.

For roughly €100 more per night than either, Ardo gives you a fifth star, the highest guest score of the three, and a longer facilities list: spa, gym, pool, restaurant, garden, free parking and a buffet breakfast. Whether that is worth it depends on how much time you plan to spend at the hotel.

Why it made our top 3

We compared 5 eligible hotels in Townsville. Our Luxury slot puts 5-star hotels first, and Ardo has 5 official stars and the top review score in the sample. With more than 1,200 reviews and a 9.4 location rating, it was the clear choice for this slot.

Before you book

If you want the rooftop bar, check its hours and book ahead. Confirm whether breakfast is included in your rate. Check spa and pool access and any fees for your dates. Verify how close the beach really is, since that is not confirmed. Review cancellation terms and today's price.

We may earn a commission if you book. It never changes our pick.

Questions travellers ask

Our other two picks in Townsville

• Holiday Inn Townsville by IHG · Budget · 8.4/10 · €95
• Rydges Southbank Townsville · Best Value · 8.1/10 · €106
• See all three picks in Townsville →