Just returned and couldnt fault Crowne Plaza. We booked direct 3 nights for $364. Our room 168, although a bit dated, was clean and overlooked a beautiful palm treed oasis. The extra touches in the room included lovely Red Earth toiletries and six choices of herbal specialty teas as well as coffee and hot chocolate.also travel magasines and reading matter. The included breakfast buffet was one of the freshest and nicest l have had. I liked the eggs benedict, and capuccino machine but most of all the fresh fruit juicer with a choice of fruits and vegetables you could mix yourself.Again the extra touch of a choice of about 10 different loose teas with teapots and the same with teabags. We had dinner at Haumann Asian Restaurant and the food wa s very good and reasonably priced. Make a booking though it's so popular we couldn't get in on the Sunday night. The closed swimming pool area was getting retiled but looked very nice. The young front desk person was very attentive and gave excellent friendly service, even asking if we needed a late check out or taxi booked when we left. I have stayed at hundreds of hotels and this hotel definitely seemed to want to go that extra step to make your stay enjoyable and I would highly recommend it. The only improvement I could mention would be the cable TV was news and two sport channels, it would have been great to have a free movie/lifestyle channel.

My wife, adult daughter and I occupied a Junior Suite at the Crowne Plaza for 3 nights, during the Alice Springs Beanie Festival in June. Our suite was on the third (top) floor of the hotel, serviced by a lift, and in a very quiet environment. Our suite consisted of two rooms. The bedroom contained 2 double beds with an adjoining bathroom and toilet. A separate living room contained a dining table and comfortable seating, with a T.V., fridge, microwave, sink, etc. Adjoining this living room was another small room with basin and toilet. There was a small external balcony, from which there were limited views of the McDonnell Ranges. Each of the two rooms had its own very effective airconditioning unit, with separate controls. The hotel foyer is open and large and there are two restaurants on site, "Balloons" and "Hanuman". Our check-in and check-out were prompt and efficient, but not warm and welcoming. Reception staff adopted a minimalist approach to needs and enquiries of guests. It is a long walk from the hotel to town. Some previous reviewers suggest that it is a 20 minute journey by foot, but I think 30 minutes is more realistic. For guests staying for more than a day, I suggest a hire car. Notwithstanding that the Beanie Festival draws 10,000 visitors to Alice Springs during that week-end, some of the hotel's facilities were not functioning. The pool was closed for repairs, with a notice advising its planned reopening on 28 June. But we were guests on 27, 28, 29 June and the pool remained closed throughout that time. And while "Balloons" restaurant was advertised as "open from 6.00am - 10.00pm daily", it was closed for lunch on the Sunday, without any warning to guests of the planned closure. All of the hotel's facilities should have been open and operating, especially for the Beanie Festival week-end. Breakfast was pleasant enough, but certainly not outstanding. The feature of this hotel is "Hanuman" , an outstanding restaurant with Thai/Indian cuisine. But this restaurant appears to be a lessee at the hotel, so its outstanding qualities can hardly be credited to the hotel. The Crowne Plaza is an above average hotel, operating in a harsh environment and climate, and it does pretty well. But perhaps some more attentive management and better staff training is in order.

This hotel was just OK for us. It didn't seem to live up to the Crowne Plaza name. The hotel looked Ok, food was very expensive for most meals. The Thai restaurant there was good for dinner, but the hotel was a bit remote without a car and breakfast and lunch there were expensive. There was a nice heated pool and area around the pool for relaxing. The rooms were average and had only 2 double beds whereas we are used to Canadian hotels having queen beds.

Stayed in a Mountain View Room with lovely views over the golf course and ranges. The room itself was another matter and quite depressing. Dark green floral linens and wicker furnishings. Very 1980s and not in a good way. Bagged concrete walls were a dull grey. Overall it looked very tired and in need of refurbishment. The bathroom was a good size and clean (no tub) & well lit. Soaps etc were nice, towels nice and fluffy. Hotel is located on outskirts next to Lasseters (much better rooms at equivalent price- see my other review). Excellent restaurant on-site which is very popular so a booking is required and recommended. Would not choose to return to this hotel as there are better options in Alice Springs. Website photos do not match the rooms in reality so lower your expectations if you choose to stay here.