The Longitudinal lap of luxury – Longitude 131

Arriving at Longitude 131 in the middle of the Australian desert somewhere near to the very centre of Australia, is a pretty surreal experience.

I tried to imagine this hot and dry spiritual location with nothing there, not that it has much immediate visual impact, because Longitude 131 is very well hidden indeed and extremely environmentally and sensitively located amongst the sand dunes facing Uluru.  The first glimpse you receive being rather mystical with the white pinnacles of the roof of the Dune House and some of the “tents” peeping over the dunes.

The brainchild of outgoing Voyages CEO Grant Hunt, but having been destroyed by fire once in its life and rebuilt, Longitude 131 is the flagship, not only of Voyages Ayers Rock operation, but also of all Voyages properties spread throughout Australia and although geographically part of the Voyages Ayers Rock Resort development, in reality it is not.   

It is seriously and solely exclusive to the guests who are staying there, not available at all to any guests from other resorts or accommodation with access positively discouraged – there aren’t even any signs for Longitude 131! 

In fact, there is very little or no reference to Longitude 131 anywhere in the other Voyages Ayers Rock Resort hotels, and who could blame Voyages, as in Longitude 131 they have what is without question, a unique property whose guests pay a premium price to be left alone to enjoy Longitude 131’s luxury, setting, quality, relative isolation and exclusiveness.   If you do not know Longitude 131, or have heard of it but do not know much about it, you must have a look at www.longitude131.com.   

There is no question that if you or anyone else you know want to stay and experience somewhere very, very special then this is it and that has been recognised by visitors from all over the world, who are happy to pay Longitude 131’s premium prices for this exclusive experience.

Described by Voyages as luxurious, eco-sensitive and romantic, Longitude 131° immerses itself in the landscape’s ochre and green colour palate of the wilderness of Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, with every moment of being there a constantly changing scene.   The beginning of each day is stunning in Longitude 131 when you wake up to an amazing dawn and sunrise experience from your own 5*private tent, even from bed if you prefer as every “tent” faces Uluru allowing you to experience its colours changing with the rising sun.

Although Voyages like to call them “tents” and while they do contain canopied tent-like interiors and exteriors, they are not tents at all, as they do not compromise luxury in the slightest, with every comfort and facility one has come to expect from a 5* hotel, and each “tent” themed to a famous Australian pioneer. 

The only thing related to the “tents” they do not offer at Longitude 131 is room service, but it is hard to remember sometimes that you are right in the middle of the desert, were room service would  be challenging!  The staff or “hosts” are extremely attentive though and Michael Ruff, the GM is always around making sure it all ticks over just like clockwork and it does!

The maximum number of guests that can stay at Longitude 131 at any one time is 30, now if that is not exclusive I don’t know what is, but what that does is create an environment in which you can choose to mingle with other guests from all over the world or just be on your own and enjoy the solitude of the location.

While the 15 “tents” are spread along the top of a red sand dune, the centre point of activity is The Dune House, which overlooks the rather incongruous and in a way intrusive but very pleasant sparkling blue pool.  It is in The Dune House that the 24hr open bar, library, reception, internet facilities and the core location for meals are located, although Table 131, dining under the stars in the desert is featured regularly and a spectacular experience.

The selection for breakfast and lunch is excellent and the staff or “hosts” make a point of letting you know that if it is not on the menu, then please ask for it and we will do our very best to provide it.

All food and drinks are included and drinks are available pretty well anytime you please, you just need to ask and if there is no-one around, which is very rare, you just help yourself!

The majority of guests stay in Longitude for two or three nights and the dinner and repeat of the tour programmes is really centred on that length of stay.   Dinners are generally taken in The Dune House on long communal tables, which creates some interesting and stimulating discussions, but depending on the length of stay and the weather, one evening will consist of Table 131, which is a more intimate and exclusive version of the Sails in the Desert outdoor dining option offered at the main Voyages Resorts at Ayers Rock. 

Table 131 is a great must do experience and while cooking in the desert does constrain the chefs to an extent, you have to experience it, not least of all to see a night sky that you never imagine existed.  It is not for everyone though and The Mole believes that an alternative dining option in The Dune House should be offered for those who simply do not want to eat outside or have perhaps have already taken part in the Table 131 experience during their stay. 

The Mole did ask to dine in The Dune House on the third night of our stay and to be fair to the Longitude 131 team, they did come up with dinner for us, but it was a limited salad style affair, delightful, but not a full dinner, which at these premium prices one would expect.  

In addition dinner in either location is a set menu and The Mole believes that again at these premium prices, a choice of dishes should be available.  They do make it clear upon arrival that if you do not like what is on the menu displayed during the day to let them know, but you have to check that out during the day and may not want to think about dinner then or may even change your mind!

All tours to Uluru and Kata Tjuta are included, some departing very early in the morning to catch the amazing dawn light on the rock, but while they are great tours, thought should be given to those less mobile or simply do not want to walk long distances at dawn or any other time, much preferring to sit in the desert with a scrumptious breakfast taking the lazy way out, that is rather like the excellent Odyssey Desert Awakenings programme offered at the main resorts, but not available at Longitude 131.

One tour to be recommended is the Mala sunset evening walk which takes you right into a gorge in the rock, surrounding you with spectacular colours and a well deserved glass of sparking wine a cheese at the end right alongside the rock!

Having said all the above, which are meant to be constructive comments, it is hard to fault Michael and his team Longitude 131, which is unique, fabulous and iconic and if you can afford it, a must stay for you or anyone else you know who want a superlative experience.

It is a life enriching experience, summed up best by Voyages in their description of Longitude 131: – 

“As far from anywhere else as you can be.”  “As close as possible to serenity.”  “Rejuvenation for the body.”  “Stimulation for the mind.”  “Liberation for the spirit.”

The Mole could not have said it better.

Further information on Longitude 131 can be obtained from www.longitude131.com or by calling Voyages Hotels and Resorts on 1300 044 1443.

The Mole stayed at Longitude 131 independently and was not a guest of Voyages Hotels and Resorts.

Report by The Mole