Desert Gardens Hotel is where to stay if you want to wake up with Uluru in view without paying for a private camp. It has 218 guest rooms set among native gardens, and the resort describes it as having the only rooms with views of Uluru at Ayers Rock Resort. Three room types sit side by side. The Standard Room is about twenty-four square metres with a queen or two double beds and the best price. The Desert Deluxe Room is about thirty-three square metres with a king or two double beds and desert views. The Deluxe Rock View Room is about thirty-four square metres with a king or two double beds and the view of the monolith. Each sleeps up to four. There is an unheated swimming pool, a 24-hour reception, free Wi-Fi, complimentary laundry facilities, free parking and the free resort shuttle, and guests can use all resort facilities.
Location and dining
Desert Gardens is a short distance from the town square, and the free shuttle makes it easy to get to shops and restaurants. The hotel has a bistro and bar, and the nearby Arnguli Grill is a premium restaurant open daily, with reservations recommended.
Mangata Bistro and Bar and the Ilkari buffet at Sails in the Desert are close by, so you have a choice of places to eat without leaving the resort. Uluru is about twenty kilometres away, so most guests join tours that pick up at the hotel or hire a car.
Choosing a room
The Deluxe Rock View Room is the reason to stay here, and it is worth booking early because the view is rare in the resort. Standard rooms are the budget choice and are practical rather than lavish, so they suit travellers who will be out from before dawn until after dark. Desert Deluxe rooms sit in between, with a pleasant outlook over the desert landscape. Rooms with two double beds suit families or friends, and children under the room's capacity can share.
Good to know
Accessible rooms are available, but the second floor is reached by stairs only, because there is no lift. Check-in is at three in the afternoon and check-out at ten in the morning, and a porter is available from seven until five. The pool is unheated, so it is best in the warmer months.
The hotel is a strong choice for first-time visitors who want the view, a reasonable price and the resort's shuttle and activities included. Guests at the nearby Emu Walk Apartments use Desert Gardens for after-hours check-in, which tells you how central it is to the resort.
Why stay here
- ✓218 rooms among native gardens
- ✓Only rooms with Uluru views at the resort
- ✓Swimming pool
- ✓Bistro and bar
- ✓Free Wi-Fi
- ✓Complimentary laundry
- ✓Free resort shuttle and parking
- ✓Return airport transfers
Good questions
Which rooms have views of Uluru?+
The Deluxe Rock View Rooms. The resort says Desert Gardens has the only rooms with views of Uluru at Ayers Rock Resort.
Is there a lift?+
No. The second floor is reached by stairs only, so ask for a ground-floor room if stairs are a problem.
Is Desert Gardens good for families?+
Yes. Rooms sleep up to four, there is a pool, and the free shuttle, parking and activities programme help keep costs down.
