The Lost Camel is the resort's contemporary, boutique-style option, a compact hotel aimed at travellers who want a central base and a bit of personality without paying for a larger property. The rooms are studio-style, finished in bright colours and crisp whites with Aboriginal and urban design themes. There are two main types: a Standard Room of about twenty-two square metres with a king bed or a queen bed for up to two guests, and a Standard King Room with a sofa bed for up to three. Each has a private bathroom. One detail to know before you book is that the rooms are designed without external windows, which keeps them cool and dark but means you will not wake to a view. Outside there is an unheated swimming pool and a pool bar. There is no restaurant on site, so you eat elsewhere in the resort, where Mangata Bistro and Bar, Pira Pool Bar and the Outback BBQ and Bar are all nearby. As with all of Ayers Rock Resort, guests get free Wi-Fi, a free resort-wide shuttle bus, free parking, return airport transfers, complimentary laundry facilities and access to the free guest activities programme.
Who it suits
Because the days at Uluru are spent outdoors, a compact room works well for people who plan to be out from before sunrise until after dark and want a clean, comfortable place to sleep rather than a place to linger. It is a good fit for couples, solo travellers and friends sharing the sofa-bed room, and for guests who like a design-led, slightly quirky atmosphere. It is less suitable for travellers who want a room with a view, a balcony or a restaurant on the doorstep, and for anyone who finds a windowless room uncomfortable.
Location and getting around
The hotel sits within the resort, a short distance from the town square with its supermarket, shops and cafes, and the free shuttle connects it to the other hotels. Uluru is about twenty kilometres away, so you will use tours that collect from the hotel or a hire car, using the free car parking.
Reception is open from early morning until the evening and after-hours check-in is at Sails in the Desert, so late arrivals are easily handled. Check-in is from three in the afternoon and check-out by ten in the morning.
Good to know
Porter service runs only part of the day, so plan your arrival accordingly. The pool is unheated, so it is most pleasant in the warmer months. Members of the Accor loyalty programme earn points here, which is a minor perk for frequent travellers. Rates are lower than at Sails in the Desert, so if you want the resort experience at a moderate price, this and the Outback Hotel are the two obvious comparisons: the Lost Camel is the stylish choice, the Outback Hotel the casual one.
Book early for April to September, when the resort is busiest.
Why stay here
- ✓Studio-style boutique rooms
- ✓Rooms without external windows
- ✓Unheated swimming pool
- ✓Pool bar
- ✓Free resort shuttle and parking
- ✓Free Wi-Fi
- ✓Complimentary laundry
- ✓Return airport transfers
Good questions
Do the rooms at The Lost Camel have windows?+
The rooms are designed without external windows. They are compact studio-style rooms, so consider whether that suits you before booking.
Is there a restaurant at the hotel?+
No. There is a pool bar on site, and Mangata Bistro and Bar, Pira Pool Bar and the Outback BBQ and Bar are nearby within the resort.
What is included in the stay?+
Free Wi-Fi, the free resort shuttle, free parking, return airport transfers, complimentary laundry facilities, access to resort facilities and the free guest activities programme.
