If watching an Uluru sunrise is high on your bucket list (which it should be), you’ll want to stay somewhere that guarantees beauty sleep before the big show. Enter Sails in the Desert. Named after the striking white, sail-shaped awnings that shade the property, Sails is the only five-star hotel at Ayers Rock Resort – the major complex housing all the accommodation, shops and restaurants, just a ten-minute drive from Uluru.
Sails made a fantastic first impression with its complimentary airport transfers, but that initial impression only got better as I stepped inside the lobby. The first thing guests encounter here is Mulgara Gallery, the hotel’s stunning Aboriginal art space and gift shop. Vibrant dot paintings and glassworks shimmer in the sun, beautifully contrasting with the earthy tones and Indigenous patterns woven into the hotel’s carpet, dotted on its cushions and splashed across its walls.
As the most premium offering at Ayers Rock Resort, Sails in the Desert houses 228 stylish rooms and suites, blending modern comforts with outback charm. We stayed in a spacious and accessible superior room, complete with twin queen beds, an ensuite bathroom, a dining table and a peaceful patio. The room’s natural tones are a nod to the desert landscape just beyond the floor-to-ceiling windows, and are complemented by colourful Indigenous artwork and textures inspired by local Anangu creation stories. These design elements flow into the neighbouring deluxe suites, which boast a separate living area, spa bath and multiple balconies.
After an early sunrise start and a full day of exploring Uluru-Kata Tjulu National Park, we craved the cool comfort of our air-conditioned room. But relaxation also came easily by the pool, lounging under the shade of gum trees. The onsite Red Ochre Spa was another tempting escape, as was a round of cocktails at the sun-kissed Pira Pool Bar or the brasserie-style Ilkari Restaurant. Instead of dinner, we opted for Ilkari’s impressive buffet breakfast, featuring native-infused omelettes, housemade muesli, fresh pastries, fruit smoothies and so much more – the perfect fuel for another adventure-filled day in the national park.
One of the standout perks of staying at Sails in the Desert is the full suite of free activities available to all Ayers Rock Resort guests. From bush food and didgeridoo demonstrations to garden tours and ‘bush yarn’ storytelling sessions, these experiences offer a deeper connection to Indigenous culture. We also appreciated the free shuttle bus, which loops around the resort daily, running at 20-minute intervals from 10.30am to 12.30am. You can hop on and off at any of the resort’s properties, including the 4.5-star Desert Gardens Hotel (which boasts the only rooms with views of Uluru), the one-or-two-bedroom Emu Walk Apartments, the boutique-style Lost Camel Hotel, the budget-friendly Outback Hotel and Lodge, and the laid-back Ayers Rock Campground. That said, Sails in the Desert remains our top pick for any adventures in the heart of Australia’s Red Centre.