We were on a 'mission' to fly two light aircraft to Ayers Rock (and back!) and the William Creek Hotel was a must on our route!

If you don't understand why I've given the place five stars when there's no pool, no room service, no fitness centre, no mini bar no ... then you perhaps don't understand the beauty of NOT having those things. The delight is in having these trappings replaced by a welcome of such genuine warmth that within 5 mins of sitting at the bar it felt like we were 'regulars' (and there aren't many of those!).

Did I mention the food? The Parma ham and pickled artichoke platter was worthy of the Manoir aux Quat' Saisons!! The Chicken 'Parmy' needed a little more work :-)

You will not get any frills, and you shouldn't expect any. You do get a stubby holder with every beer, and a smile to melt the most jaded traveller. Thanks Mim and Edwina - loved every minute!

We stayed for one night here while travelling along the Oodnadatta track and enjoyed the outback experience. Everyone - staff and other customers - very friendly. Food service was quite slow, but then you're not going anywhere - there's nowhere to go. The accommodation is fairly basic as you would probably expect. We had one of the 3 motel rooms at the back. It had a double and 2 single beds and a bathroom with shower and bath, and a rather stained toilet. The water has a funny smell - I presume it is from a bore-hole, so take or buy bottled water for drinking. It was the only hotel we stayed on that holiday with neither fridge nor tea-making tray. There are also rooms inside the hotel building, I believe, but don't know what they are like.

There is quite an interesting collection of bits and pieces in an enclosure in front of the hotel - old rockets, remains from the Ghan railway etc. Worth a wander round before you leave.