Frommer's Australia from $50 a Day 13th Edition - To Parent Directory

380
CHAPTER 7 . THE RED CENTRE
ACCOMMODATIONS YOU CAN AFFORD
You may pay lower rates than those listed in the summer off season, December
through March, and even as late as June. Peak season typically runs July through
October or November.
As well as the more upmarket properties below, there are several backpacker
resorts offering dorm rooms and doubles. Among the best is Annie’s Place, 4
Traegar Ave., Alice Springs, NT 0870. (& 1800/359 089 in Australia, or 08/
8952 1545). Dorm beds cost A$17 (US$11) here, and doubles A$58 (US$38).
Another good one is Elkes Alice Springs, 39 Gap Rd., Alice Springs, NT 0870
(& 08/8952 8134; www.elkesbackpackers.com.au/alice). Dorm beds cost
A$18 (US$12), simple doubles A$60 (US$39), and doubles in motel room
A$75 (US$49).
Aurora Alice Springs This pleasant hotel (formally The Territory Inn) is in
the center of town. Rooms in the newer wing are your standard quality motelstyle
variety, all clean, large, and decorated nicely. Those in the original wing are
small and a little dark; they have a pretty heritage theme with floral bedcovers
and lace curtains. The courtyard has a barbecue, and the front desk loans hair
dryers. The tiny pool and Jacuzzi are tucked away in a utilitarian corner, so this
is not the place for chilling out poolside; stay here to be within walking distance
of shops and restaurants. Room service is from the Red Ochre Grill (p. 382).
Leichhardt Terrace (backing on to Todd Mall), Alice Springs, NT 0870. & 1800/089 644 in Australia, or 08/
8950 6666. Fax 08/8952 7829. www.aurora-resorts.com.au. 108 units (all with shower only, one suite with
Jacuzzi). A$150–A$170 (US$98–US$110) double. Extra person A$20 (US$13). Children under 14 stay free in
parent’s room using existing bedding. AE, DC, MC, V. Free parking. Hotel provides transfers from airport A$10
(US$6.50) per person, round-trip. Airport shuttle. Amenities: Restaurant; small heated outdoor pool; Jacuzzi;
tour desk; limited room service; babysitting; same-day laundry/dry-cleaning service; barbecue area. In room:
A/C, TV w/pay movies, fridge, minibar, iron, hair dryer (available on request).
Desert Palms Resort Value Next to Lasseter’s Casino (where the food can
be awful) and the Alice Springs Golf Club (to which guests enjoy honorary
membership), these cheery cabins set behind manicured palms and pink
bougainvillea are one of the nicest places to stay in Alice. Don’t be deterred by
their poky prefab appearance; inside they are surprisingly large, well kept, and
inviting, with a pine-pitched ceiling, a mini kitchen, a sliver of bathroom sporting
white tiles and fittings, and a pert furnished front deck. Four rooms are suitable
for travelers with disabilities. A sun deck and pool with its own little island
is out front, and there’s also a tennis court. The pleasant staff at the front desk
loans hair dryers, processes your film, does laundry service, sells basic grocery
and liquor supplies, and books your tours.
74 Barrett Dr. (1km/ 1 ⁄2 mile from town), Alice Springs, NT 0870. & 1800/678 037 in Australia, or 08/8952
5977. Fax 08/8953 4176. www.desertpalms.com.au. 80 units (all with shower only). A$99 (US$64) double.
Extra person A$10 (US$6.50). AE, DC, MC, V. Parking in front of units. Airport shuttle. Free coach station/train
station/airport shuttle twice daily; free resort-to-town shuttle 4 times daily. Amenities: Large outdoor pool;
golf course nearby; 1 ⁄2-size tennis court; access to nearby health club; tour desk; car-rental desk; massage
available by appointment; laundry; same-day laundry/dry-cleaning service; nonsmoking rooms. In room: A/C,
TV, kitchenette, dataport, fridge, coffeemaker.
Elkira Motel The cheapest rooms in the heart of town—that are still decent,
that is—are at this unpretentious, clean Best Western motel. Standard rooms are
dated, with lots of wood and tile floors, and a fridge and shower. Two standard
family rooms come with a double bed and three singles. The 42 deluxe rooms
have a little more space, and nine have microwaves and some have queen-size
beds. Nine family rooms are nicer still, and come with a kitchenette—and as