Longitude 131 (Uluru Luxe Accom)

[Orca]

Hi AFF,
Curious to know if anyone has ever stayed at Longitude 131 and whether you think it's worth the money? General advice on visiting Uluru would be welcome as well.
Thanks!

 

[VPS]

Hi AFF,
Curious to know if anyone has ever stayed at Longitude 131 and whether you think it's worth the money? General advice on visiting Uluru would be welcome as well.
Thanks!

didn't stay at Longtitude but did visit Uluru - it was OK but enjoyed Olgas and King's Canyon and Western McDonnell ranges more

 

[amaroo]

My vote - No. Looked into it for a birthday special for later this year ... decided we'd go see Machu Picchu instead.

 

[love_the_life]

We didn't stay at Long 131 when we were there a year or so back - stayed at Sails instead. It was OK, certainly the design is showing its age a bit (eg. there are lifts but they are very small, slow and old) and service is more willing than polished. However, when considering where the hotel is located it's fine. We hired a car and stayed 3 nights (plenty IMO). Visited the rock during the day, then drove to Kata Tjuta the next day and back for sunset. We didn't make sunrise .
If you want something special then Long 131 might be good; we were only visiting for a quick long weekend as I had picked up some very cheap airfares.

 

[love_the_life]

My vote - No. Looked into it for a birthday special for later this year ... decided we'd go see Machu Picchu instead.

But a bit of a price difference :shock:

 

[marki]

Price is for King's and rich without a brain. Over priced yes if this is how you get your kicks ie spending obscene money makes you feel better then you should be ok.

There are way more better things to do with your spend.

The staff like working there as the clientele are shall we say more equal and if you really want one on one experience try a tent instead way cheaper.

 

[Cruiser Elite]

Price is for King's and rich without a brain. Over priced yes if this is how you get your kicks ie spending obscene money makes you feel better then you should be ok.

There are way more better things to do with your spend.

The staff like working there as the clientele are shall we say more equal and if you really want one on one experience try a tent instead way cheaper.

Good grief - with a response like that are you sure you are 'On this World- Mostly'

I would have thought it might be up to the individual to decide how, where and when to spend their dollars. OP asked a legitimate question - I don't think it warrants this type of response.

 

[marki]

Good grief - with a response like that are you sure you are 'On this World- Mostly'

I would have thought it might be up to the individual to decide how, where and when to spend their dollars. OP asked a legitimate question - I don't think it warrants this type of response.

Thanks Cruiser ....... It's an opinion yes but I am definitely not deciding anything for anyone. Just like your response shouldn't do the same

 

[bigd]

Hi Orca,

I haven't stayed there but I did work in the resort 7 years ago so things may have changed.

When I was there if you booked L131 it was all inclusive so included all your meals, drinks and tours. Not sure it is the same now.

It did look quite nice when I was there. It is expensive but if you have the money its really a once in a life time (bucket list trip) so why not. The whole place is expesive so make sure to bring lots of cash.

If you have anymore questions feel free to ask and I will try and help. The info might be a bit dated though.

BigD

 

[NZflygirl]

Stayed at sails in the desert using the Accor plus free night. You MUST sign up for this if going to Uluru as ALL of the accommodation out there comes under Accor (barring 131) so prices in general are ridiculous but the free night + 10% off helps immensely. There is a free breakfast certificate also. You can use the 50% off for dining (that's for 2 people, discount varies with number in party). Otherwise go to town centre for something cheaper. It doesn't matter if you're not going to be loyal to Accor, even just staying 2 nights out here you will get your money's worth with A+.

We did 2 nights at 131 for partners birthday. It is overpriced. We did get I think 10% off as I'd stayed at SOL the previous year and if you avoid the credit card then you save a bit too. Places like these seem to be all encompassing and give you the feeling you're really looked after but I can't say I've ever come away from a place like this and felt I got my money's worth.

Food and service is great. Open bar and mini bar. The view of the rock from your tent is awesome. Table 131 was good. Tours were good but really I'm the sort of person that prefers to get in a car and go at my own pace. I don't feel the need to be fawned over either but we did appreciate certain touches like leaving drinks for a night cap etc in the room after coming back from a tour. I'm not sorry we did this at all but don't expect to feel like its value for money despite everything (F & B and tours) being included in the price.

If you have any specific questions I can try and answer them. They are doing some renovations soon so best to check dates.

 

[Skyring]

I staid at Sails too, quite some time ago now. I won a travel-writing competition run by Qantas (well there were twelve prizes, and I came in at number nine, but it was a win).

Loved Ayers Rock. A very spiritual and moving experience. The landscape has its own beauty.

Sails was great. They gave us a good room and we did the tour, the Desert Silence dinner thing, had a massage. One of the things I liked was the display of Aboriginal art in the foyer. Once I worked out some of the codes and styles the artists used, some of them were thrilling and exciting (and priced well out of my means). I won't say I can pick up the fine points, but I can now look at a piece and have an idea if it's a piece of junk or something worth a fortune, even if they seem pretty similar.

As Australians, the art, the place, the tradition are all part of what makes us who we are. It was a pity that so many of the people I saw were from outside Australia. Even the workers were often from overseas. "Stay here more than a week, they give you a job," said more than one person.

Sails was good for the location and there weren't a real lot of options. Longitude 131 is a bucket list thing for those with plenty of money. My sister took our ageing mother there - on Mum's dime, of course - because Mum wanted to see this and that before being packed off to her current retirement complex. They both enjoyed it immensely, as you'd expect.

With this sort of thing, value for money isn't really a factor. IMHO. There's a segment of the tourist market that will pay the price to have all the hassles smoothed out. It's like space tourism, or climbing Everest. The experience is the thing, not the money. The price guarantees a certain exclusivity, and I think a lot of us here can relate to that as well.

 

[RoMambai]

Agree with Skyring. Uluru should be on the bucket lists of all Australians. I went there for my honeymoon. When we scouted around for options, we couldn't think of a more beautiful, contemplative and spiritual place than the rock. It took my breath away when I first saw it. It was every bit more magnetic and hypnotic than I had hoped for and that didn't change for the duration of our time there. And I didn't need to climb it to appreciate it's majesty! (of course to each their own).

I've never felt more connected to this land than I did when I was there - and I'm a first generation Australian who arrived here by boat. Just proved to me that nature trumps nurture.

Stayed at the Sails too which was okay background to a magnificent foreground. Can't wait to go back one day soon.

 

[samh004]

I recently (august) had the chance to experience Uluru. We stayed at Emu Walk apartments as there were 3 of us and two rooms would have cost far too much. Instead, a sofa bed was perfectly acceptable. Loads of experiences. We opted to cycle around the rock instead of walk, gets you around quicker and lets you see more I reckon.

For dinner there's two fine dining options. We didn't try the one near sounds of silence, but I hear it's okay. If you want to really have a good experience though I can 100% recommend Tali Wiru. Very limited numbers on a dune far from the rock. Champagne to start with canapés, 4-courses chosen from a menu and wine matched, cognac and got chocolate by a fire at the end of the night! Truly spectacular!