Longitude 131 — Attraction in Yulara

The Dune Pavillion at this resort is stunning with beautiful large decorated rooms and killer views. The AC and water are good. You can sleep with sleeping bags they provide under the stars on your back porch. All that's missing inside is a skylight over the bed with a view to the stars. It's the only real accommodation here that is a 2 bedroom setup for a family with kids. The pavillion costs roughly the same as two small tents that don't connect, so it's no contest which setup I'd rather have.|The resort is nicely done with good and sophisticated food (our menus had our names on them) and there are some really good programs they organize for their in-house guests such as sunset visits to Uluru and dinner under the stars. I personally liked the food a bit more at Lizard Island and other guests making the rounds of the resorts at this level agreed. The spa has beautiful treatment rooms and my treatment was an interesting massage by an Italian lady that was very well done. There are e-bikes for you to ride around the resort area but nothing that really works well if you are short. Dinner under the stars was cool and the private tours they organized for us were excellent. I think it's silly to spend all the money to come here and not do activities at your own pace meaning what you want and when you want it, and just pay extra for that. We didn't want to get up at 6am for group tours and have to go to Cultural Centers we didn't want to linger in. ||Another important reason to book private guides is that although the hotel emails you a big brochure prior to arrival to help with planning, it all seems the same from far away and we had a hard time really knowing the differences among the walking activities we were arranging. As a previous reviewer wrote, if you can stand a medium hike, the Valley of the Winds hike is far superior to the group hike on offer at Kata Tjuta which is of a gorge. We wouldn't have known because they don't tell you that. When I asked after hearing from other guests that their hike was lame and that this one was better, i was told that the resort doesn't know the fitness level of its guests prior to arrival and doesn't want people to be disappointed. So the value of the private guide is that you can roll with the punches after you arrive and realize that what you booked in advance may not be what you really want.||We went to Kata Tjuta on the Valley of the Winds hike, and a tour of Uluru during the day. Field of Lights was also great to visit. The Uluru rock gets same-old after half an hour of walking around it. Some of the guides are a bit sanctimonious with the aboriginal stuff and other guides are more chill; it's a luck of the draw. For my son's 16th birthday they organized a private concert and demo with their resident didgeridoo player which worked out really well. If you get tired of long lunches and dinners you can tell the wait staff to speed things up a bit. Our shoes were filthy by the end of the 2 day visit but we cleaned them with towels and the shoe brush they provide in the room. Not a bad thing to do before departure and it would be a great service if they would offer to clean people's shoes before departure (instead several of their staff told me they had no idea how I could clean my shoes).|The resort has a helipad and you can take a chopper from there around the area and then get dropped off at the airport. The hotel made us some snack packs for the onward flight. Food at this airport is surprisingly not bad either.|What this hotel lacks is a gym (even if I am hiking I still want exercise options that makes me feel like I've worked out as I normally do) and a resort at this price could certainly better heat its swimming pool which is pretty small anyway. I was expecting better on both counts and felt exercise deprived after being here for 2 days especially with the big meals. Jogging and biking is tough here if you're used to flat terrain. My only complaint here was that they took people out on a sunset walk and then left the guests alone to take pictures of each other. The staff know the good shots and we had crappy photos because the other guests didn't know the good shots. We complained and then before we left someone took us out to get some better photos. Also, when I complained about the pool temperature, I think someone just figured i was an idiot and ignored me. For a resort housing only about 40 guests at a time, I was hoping for more consideration on that point.|To sum up, this is one of Australia's finest properties and it's worth what you pay for it. But for what you are paying, it could use a few upgrades that 5-star travelers worldwide expect as standard. Because most of their foreign guests only come once, there is no real incentive for them to change so I don't know if these reviews mean anything to them, but at least the reviews are...

From the moment we stepped off the plane, we were warmly welcomed by the Longitude staff, setting a positive tone for our stay. Check-in was seamless, with a refreshing beverage offered right away, a thorough review of our itinerary, and a smooth escort to our room. One highlight was the massage, which was truly exceptional and much needed after a long flight and early start to the day. The tours were another standout, with guides who were both knowledgeable and respectful of cultural protocols, ensuring a deep and authentic understanding of the area's history and heritage.| |In terms of dining, the atmosphere was wonderful, and we always felt well taken care of. The team’s welcoming and energetic approach added to the overall experience, making each meal a pleasure after a day of exploration. Every part of our stay, from the activities to the hospitality, was delivered with such a high standard that my partner and I couldn’t pick a favourite. Whether it was seeing Uluru and Kata Tjuta from the sky or learning about the culture at the local centre, each experience was a 10/10. We've been sharing our memories with friends and family ever since and can't wait to visit again in the future.||We would like to extend special commendation to a few team members who went above and beyond during our stay. Renee, in particular, stood out with her genuine approach, passion, and humour, making the group feel comfortable and engaged throughout the experience. Her knowledge and respect for the cultural context added a special touch to the tours. Additionally, a member of the dining staff (we regret not catching his name) who mentioned he was heading to Bali for a month’s leave, provided outstanding service with his bubbly and energetic demeanour, making each dining experience a highlight after a long day. Both individuals exemplified the high standard of hospitality we experienced throughout our stay, and their warmth and attentiveness truly enhanced our visit.||While the Longitude tour guides were outstanding and provided a high-quality experience, we believe that incorporating Aboriginal tour guides could further enhance the cultural authenticity of the tours. Given that many of the discussions focused on Aboriginal culture and history, having Traditional Owners or Aboriginal guides share these stories firsthand would create a deeper connection for guests.| |Additionally, offering a Welcome to Country ceremony performed by a Traditional Owner, either upon guest arrival or during the first-night dinner under the stars, would elevate the cultural experience. This not only strengthens the connection to the Aboriginal culture you are promoting but also provides meaningful employment opportunities for the local Aboriginal community.||Overall, our experience at Longitude was exceptional, and we truly appreciated the care and attention that went into every aspect of our stay. The staff were welcoming, knowledgeable, and made us feel right at home. ||We left with wonderful memories and have been sharing our experience with friends and family. We look forward to the opportunity to return in the future and see how this incredible destination continues to evolve. Thank you again for creating such a special and unforgettable...

From the moment we stepped off the plane, we were warmly welcomed by the Longitude staff, setting a positive tone for our stay. Check-in was seamless, with a refreshing beverage offered right away, a thorough review of our itinerary, and a smooth escort to our room. One highlight was the massage, which was truly exceptional and much needed after a long flight and early start to the day. The tours were another standout, with guides who were both knowledgeable and respectful of cultural protocols, ensuring a deep and authentic understanding of the area's history and heritage.

In terms of dining, the atmosphere was wonderful, and we always felt well taken care of. The team’s welcoming and energetic approach added to the overall experience, making each meal a pleasure after a day of exploration. Every part of our stay, from the activities to the hospitality, was delivered with such a high standard that my partner and I couldn’t pick a favourite. Whether it was seeing Uluru and Kata Tjuta from the sky or learning about the culture at the local centre, each experience was a 10/10. We've been sharing our memories with friends and family ever since and can't wait to visit again in the future.

We would like to extend special commendation to a few team members who went above and beyond during our stay. Renee, in particular, stood out with her genuine approach, passion, and humour, making the group feel comfortable and engaged throughout the experience. Her knowledge and respect for the cultural context added a special touch to the tours. Additionally, a member of the dining staff (we regret not catching his name) who mentioned he was heading to Bali for a month’s leave, provided outstanding service with his bubbly and energetic demeanour, making each dining experience a highlight after a long day. Both individuals exemplified the high standard of hospitality we experienced throughout our stay, and their warmth and attentiveness truly enhanced our visit.

While the Longitude tour guides were outstanding and provided a high-quality experience, we believe that incorporating Aboriginal tour guides could further enhance the cultural authenticity of the tours. Given that many of the discussions focused on Aboriginal culture and history, having Traditional Owners or Aboriginal guides share these stories firsthand would create a deeper connection for guests.

Additionally, offering a Welcome to Country ceremony performed by a Traditional Owner, either upon guest arrival or during the first-night dinner under the stars, would elevate the cultural experience. This not only strengthens the connection to the Aboriginal culture you are promoting but also provides meaningful employment opportunities for the local Aboriginal community.

Overall, our experience at Longitude was exceptional, and we truly appreciated the care and attention that went into every aspect of our stay. The staff were welcoming, knowledgeable, and made us feel right at home.

We left with wonderful memories and have been sharing our experience with friends and family. We look forward to the opportunity to return in the future and see how this incredible destination continues to evolve. Thank you again for creating such a special and unforgettable...