My front
row seat to Uluru or the Ayers Rock in the red heart of Australia was the ultra
stylish luxury tented property Longitude 131, with palatial tents named after
famous Australian pioneers or explorer
in muted shades of beige and brown.
Voyages
which owns the hotel claims to have the best environmental practice in the
Australian tourist industry. I hear that there was great care taken
during construction- most of the work was done by hand without
using heavy earth moving equipment and care was taken to see that there were no
sacred sites in this area.
The tents
are actually steel structures on stilts, with polyester roofs to reflect heat
and rain. The ceiling dome supported by a tall pole has white flowing material
billowing in graceful folds to give that illusion of camping.
I loved the
contemporary colonial decor inspired by the luxury tented camps of Africa with each room themed on a Outback Explorer with
hand drawn maps, paintings, photographs and memorabilia dotting the walls.
The Dune
House in the middle of the resort is the ‘living room’ of the resort a communal
space where you can meet other guests or relax. Where you can lounge in comfy
leather couches the cosy library stocked
with maps, books and games and have a few drinks or chat with friends.
All 15
rooms of the hotel look out into Uluru. The rooms have rustic stone floors,
solar water heating and floor to ceiling glass doors that can be opened to let
in the desert air with a mesh to keep out the creepy crawlies.
The room
combines old world charm with the joys of technology with a I pad in every room
loaded with Australian movies, books and games like monopoly as well as Bose
speakers. The wardrobe
and mini-bar have metal mesh-work doors which attempt to replicate early
settlers meat chests.
In keeping
with the eco friendly motif of the resort. I find branded stainless steel
bottles for carrying water with a Royal Doulton pottery urn for refills. The
resort makes the maximum use of the contrast between the wildernesses outside
the creature comforts inside. The bathroom has a large sink inspired by the
watering troughs for horses of early Australians.
The resort has no gym or spa- only a petite
pool where you can soak with views of the red beauty. But the hotel offers
myriad activities around the red centre ranging from walks and treks with a
guide to explain the unique eco systems to a swish Table 131- a a candlelit
five-course feast held in the desert under the stars.
