The cutting of a ribbon marks the opening of a supermarket; for a hotel, it must surely be the first to sleep in a brand-new bed? Happy to oblige, I stayed in the brand-spanking new bed in room 213 at the Discovery Kings Canyon Resort only three days after opening their newly renovated Deluxe Rooms.
Check-in & beyond
Much like that supermarket ribbon cut takes seconds to complete, check-in at Discovery Kings Canyon Resort was quick, efficient, and over in seconds. Just how guests like their check-in experience. Check-out was a similarly speedy affair.
The staff at the resort went above and beyond. A quick trip back to my room at sunset soon became a Where’s Wally kind of conquest, only instead of looking for a thin dude in a striped beanie, I was seeking room 213. The resort is spread out: great for privacy, not so much for lost travellers at dusk.
The friendly Dutch guy working reception got me where I needed to be (and back) in his golf cart. His caring nature was not the exception at Discovery Kings Canyon but the norm. Staff were genuinely attentive, a rare feat for rural outback locations, especially ones experiencing staff shortages (see here).
The rooms
The freshly renovated Deluxe Rooms have the wow factor, thanks to the huge free-standing bathtub, vast picture window, and outback view. The first thing I did upon entering the room was get that bathtub flowing. Happiness is a hot bath with a view, after all.
Besides the signature bathtub, Deluxe Rooms also have a comfy eucalyptus-hued sofa, muted outback tones, and comfy beds ready to rebalance your spine after a half-day driving.
While we ran out of time to experience the little outdoor area, I had pegged it as the perfect reading spot (besides the bath) when taking a break between Kings Canyon sightseeing.
If a bathtub, private deck, and comfy lounge aren’t your thing (huh), the Superior Glamping Tents afford a closer connection to nature without losing home comforts.
For more budget-conscious travellers, the tastefully renovated Standard Rooms are the go.
Food & drinks
Discovery Kings Canyon put on a show when it came to our evening meal. We were meant to be Dining Under a Desert Moon, however, a torrential downpour put paid to that, moving us inside to Carmichael’s Restaurant for our 4-course meal.
While the stars were lacking overhead, the stars on our plates were the native ingredients infused into every course. Like the melt-in-the-mouth first course, featuring pan-seared barramundi with samphire, native herb tomato purée, burnt butter, and finger lime sauce. All paired with an appropriate wine, of course.
In case you’re wondering if Outback Australia is ready for your gluten intolerance, veganism, low FODMAP diet or complete loathing of mushrooms, they are. All dietary requirements were catered for with care.
Facilities
While I chose extra time in the gorge bathtub over the pool, it looked perfectly inviting for a hot desert day. There are also tennis courts for the type of people that like to exercise on vacay (not me), plus a petrol station and store.
The extras
Besides the $22-million-dollar investment in renovating Discovery Kings Canyon Resort, the other hot news was the opening of Bruce Munro’s Light Towers immersive art installation.
While not as awe-inspiring as Munros’ Field of Light at Uluru, the Light Towers is a fab precursor to dinner under the stars or to catch the first light of day before heading into the canyon.
Featuring 69 optic-fibre-lit towers with 216 glass bottles per tower, they change colours in time with music designed to take visitors on a journey from sunrise to sunset.
The verdict
Discovery Kings Canyon Resort had me at that bathtub. The lush beds, connection to the canyon, and top-notch customer service were giant glacé cherries on top.
I’d recommend a 2-night stay to fully enjoy the resort facilities and nearby attractions, including a chopper ride over the canyon with PHS Helicopters, an Aboriginal cultural experience at Karrke, and the awe-inspiring Kings Canyon Rim Walk.
The deets
Reach Discovery Kings Canyon Resort by road from Uluru (3 hours) or Alice Springs (3.5 hours). Room rates start from $380 per night for Standard Rooms to $480 per night for Deluxe Rooms and Superior Glamping Tents. Book early; accommodation is limited at Kings Canyon.
