We were looking forward to our stay in Coober Pedy and had booked what was to be the "best" place in Coober Pedy. I didn't have high expectations (my preconceptions) and was surprised by this hotel.

It really has the ambitions to be a 4star hotel. But there are a few shortcomings that keep me from agreeing. The staff is very friendly and welcoming. We had booked an underground room and got #19, smack in the back of the tunnel. It is a very quiet experience, except of course when other guests appear outside your room door, looking for their room in the middle of the night. Then you realize just how well tunnels carry sound!

For the cleaning staff, these rooms must be a nightmare because the walls crumble and there is lots of dust on the floors along the walls every morning.

The bathroom was a bit on the simple side, but everything was in working order.

Breakfast was relatively expensive and the café where it's served is not the place you want to linger. Unfortunately, the restaurant was closed during our stay (Christmas season) so we couldn't dine in.

As modern travelers we enjoy being online and I tried to keep a travel blog. Unfortunately, the wireless broadband only works above ground, so I was stuck sitting in my car updating my blog for my readers into the wee hours of night. That is certainly something the hotel may inform customers of at check-in.

All in all, this is the place to stay in Coober Pedy, if you look for comfort. It doesn't get any better, but it certainly could be with a little effort. Spending our two nights underground was certainly an experience, but in the end, it wasn't worth the price because you can get that feeling in the mines or churches or at the breakfast table without sleeping through it...

As I note in another recent review we also stayed here for two nights as part of a Lake Eyre holiday package. I had previously stayed at the hotel in 1995 and it is exactly as I remembered it. It is, of course, very different being the "world's only underground international hotel" and being located in one of the more remote and hostile areas of outback Australia.

We stayed in an above ground room (our choice) which I would rate as adequate, probably around the three star level. It was over 45C degrees when we arrived and the airconditioning couldn't really cope (at least for the first few hours of our stay). Obviously that's why they have underground rooms!

Apart from the heat we would give all the other aspects of our stay a very good to excellent rating. The staff were excellent, friendy, efficient and willing to go the extra mile. The public facilities, meals and prices all exceeded expectations.

A special mention is due for the New Years Eve dinner. The decoration of the room, quality of food and service was equal to anything we have experience anywhere - no mean feat in this location. How many places do you go where an extensive "single malt buffet" (scotch whiskey) is included in the arrangements and the price?

Recently visited the Desert Cave for a planned 2 night's accommodation as part of a flying adventure to the region incorporating a flight over Lake Eyre but due to an unexpected problem with the aircraft we spent an additional 3 nights in a unique underground four star room.

The room itself was great, supported by excellent quality and choice of food in Umberto's restaurant prepared by European chefs, but the lasting impression that will remain with us is the friendliness and efficiency of the "international" contingent of staff ably lead by Monesh and Shane at the front desk.

The Desert Cave is an oasis..... a must stopover for anyone wanting to see this colourful part of Australia; being the world's opal capital with a charm and uniqueness that has to be experienced to be believed.

Flyingmac Group

We stayed two nights at this hotel as part of a Lake Eyre travel package.I was happy with my accommodation. The staff are mostly sourced from overseas on special work visas so have no real local knowledge or experience, however, I found them all well mannered and helpful. The restaurant, Umbertos, is very good. The prices are higher than city restaurants for mains but worth the cost considering the remote location of Coober Pedy. We felt it was worth paying a few dollars extra to have an excellent, well prepared meal in a remote outback town. The quality of the food and variety of menu was high which is unexpected in small isolated township.
Our room was large and well maintained. We would recommend this hotel to those wishing centrally located comfort and amenities.