Lonely Planet Review

First-rate facilities and cheery rooms are the norm at this four-star hotel thanks to the comprehensive refurbishment that took place a few years ago. Get one of the rooms facing the grand silhouette of the MacDonnell Ranges, preferably on a night when a full moon illuminates this desert ridge.

The Novotel is located on the eastern side of Todd River, sitting all by itself on a large plot of land opposite the Alice Springs Golf Course. Enjoyment of the peaceful locale is embellished by 24-hour room service, a gym and an on-site bar and restaurant. There's also a pool here, though it's disappointingly small. The hotel often gets booked up by large conferences, so it pays to check room availability well in advance of your visit. But even at its busiest this place rarely feels crowded, and you can always just disappear into the well-appointed comfort of your bed chamber. Some rooms have kitchenettes and a buffet breakfast for two doesn't usually put too much of a dent in your hip pocket.