Discovery Resorts - Kings Canyon — Hotel in Petermann

I attempted to make my booking over the phone, but didn’t know my Discovery membership number. The booking lady refused to search my number, which I found unusual as other Discovery parks we’ve stayed at in WA had no problem doing this and were really helpful.||As this lady sounded disinterested in helping me, I decided to use the Alice Springs Visitors Centre to make my booking, unfortunately forgoing my membership discount. ||there was a mistake made with the dates through the visitors centre and KC Resort called and advised me they would sort it out the day before we were scheduled to arrive.||On our arrival nothing had been done to rectify mistake, and was advised nobody even knew of the mistake even though they had called me. Took them 45 minutes to rectify.||Went to our room only to discover it is about a 90m walk from car park to room. It was 45 degrees and wasn’t keen to carry all our gear, over multiple trips, so went back to reception to ask to change rooms to one closer to car park. ||Didn’t think it would be a problem as we are the only ones in the resort that we have seen, and it’s now 10pm and only one other car in car park, but obviously the bloke at reception thought it a problem as his response was curt and disinterested, advising that we got the room we booked and that’s that.||After unloading our car, went to have a swim but the pool water was more than warm so didn’t stay. A bit of shade cloth over the pool, like other motels in the NT do, would help stop the water heating up, at $430 a night, a cool swim isn’t too much to ask I don’t think.||Back at the room, the aircon is struggling to keep the room much below outside temperature, there is no wifi, the fridge hardly works, the tv has no signal so is nothing more than an expensive wall mounted paperweight.||The Guest Information page in the brochure they give you reads like a police enforcement notice with $500 fines for each infraction.||For $430 per night I also wouldn’t expect one of the beds to be a fold out sofa.||The double bed has a hollow on one side.||They didn’t inform us prior to booking that the restaurant is closed during this time of year so the only food option, they advised, is the general store/roadhouse up the road , which they also advised at checkin, is only open 5pm-8pm, and there is zero facilities or utensils in the room to prepare anything other than a cup of coffee.. ||The pool closes at 7pm, the sun hadn’t even gone down and it still felt like it was in the high 30’s.||It’s now 1044pm, the aircon has been on 16 degrees for 6 hours and it’s now cooler outside than in.||When I went to write this review, two things became apparent, our experience has been common for a number of years, and KC Resort appear disinterested in rectifying people’s negative experiences.||Businesses don’t get to explain high prices away on remoteness of resort when the issue is poor service. That’s a culture and professionalism issue, not a logistics issue, and this resort appears to lack both.||I suspect the only reason they are still solvent is because of the lack of options and no...

It is easy to see that Kings Canyon Resort enjoys a monopoly when it comes to providing accommodation in the local area. The location is what sells the property, definitely not the service.

The rooms are quite nice, I would rate them around a 3-4 star which comfortable beds and good ac. When we visited the restaurant was closed as off season and only the bar and grill was open serving standard but unimaginative food.

Our main disappointment was with reception. The service was appalling and the Little Robot on the front desk was well programmed but missing the mark in delivering any form of customer service.

We arrived around midday and went to reception to check when our rooms would be ready. Little Robot told us that "check in was guaranteed for 3pm". A line he would continue to repeat forever more. When asked if he wouldn't mind checking with housekeeping as to when our rooms would be ready, he refused and continued to repeat the line that "rooms are guaranteed at 3pm".

Now you and I know that housekeeping is not staffed by magic fairies and rooms are not magically cleaned at 2.59pm. Some are available hours earlier and others are cleaned after the magical 3pm. Having an idea on when our rooms would be ready would have given us a handy idea on when to come back and allowed for much clearer planning of the day.

We went for lunch and called Little Robot after we had eaten at only to be told that "check in is guaranteed at 3pm" again and again. Little Robot continued to refuse to do the most simple thing which was to pick up the phone and contact housekeeping and ask when a room would be available.

We went for a walk into the canyon and came back and again called Little Robot. By this time I was amazed at how the robot was creating work for himself dealing with us again and again and again. He hadn't quite worked out time management and dealing with a customer once to ensure they are happy and on their way, he was creating added burden for himself with us coming back to him again and again.

Eventually got into our rooms and they were quite nice but nothing special. Kids enjoyed the pool which was freezing cold but clean. Needs a little more shade to make it safe from the sun.

Had dinner at the bar and grill which was nice but an unimaginative menu. Food was served quick and came well cooked with fresh ingredients.

Used the petrol station for snacks and had a great conversation with the attendant there who mentioned it was off season and very quiet.

I would say avoid this place but the sad reality is their is nowhere else to stay in...

There are several grades of accommodation to choose from. We stayed at the lodge.

Plenty of beds to choose from in the room. As it was just the 2 of us staying for 3 nights there was plenty of clean towels.

Air cond worked well in one but was slightly temperamental in the other.

Many things in the room have seen much much better days eg furniture, mattress, fridge and even the lights which only give out half its light. Chairs are the exception in that they were in good condition.

The queen bed was lovely in lodge 25 but dreadful in lodge 20 where I could feel the springs. Lots of insects in one but the other was fine.

There's a thin fine layer of red dust on all the furniture except the bed and bedding. I had to wipe everything down with some damp tissue. They did provide a small box of tissues.

There's no sink in the room so you have to walk to the kitchen to get water.

The kitchen has no crockery or utensils. There is dishwashing detergent but the sponge has not been changed in a very long time. Or perhaps it's been left by previous visitors?

There is a kettle in the room and tea and coffee and paper cups and wooden spoons are provided.

Parking is not right next to the lodge you are in.

There are the occasional wild dingoes wandering on the property.

Communal bathroom area was kept relatively clean. But there's lots of bugs everywhere and if there's water on the sink you can be sure to find them there. Hot water availability can fluctuate depending on who else is showering at the same time.

Wi-Fi is only available at reception and the dining areas.

Proximity to Kings Canyon makes this the resort of choice.

Jason was a memorable staff member who went to lengths to try to resolve a light issue in our lodge. Some other staff were much less so and I'll leave it at that.

I did enjoy the beautiful sunsets and the lovely viewing platform area with live entertainment.

I loved the lit up ridge boardwalk in the evenings. We were here in...