Desert Cave Hotel

Had to stop in an emergency after car trouble. The staff were very helpful, and the room was clean and comfortable. We were in the above-ground accommodation. On a 40 degree day, the air conditioner seemed a bit undersized for the heat. Price was $$.

There was a strong smell in the hall, and furry mould covered the walls. I believe management knew about it and were letting guests stay without knowing about the spores. A man was renovating rooms to cover the mould. My wife has severe asthma and reacted to what we believed were spores in the air. Management showed no sympathy and wouldn’t refund us. I don’t feel we received any service. The booking clause shouldn’t just mention that there may be particles. It should make clear that mould is growing on the walls. This is a serious health and safety risk for guests.

We all enjoyed our meals here. The Thai curry tasted authentic and was delicious, and the other dishes were great too. A must-visit in Coober Pedy.

The underground setting at the Desert Cave Hotel was a fun novelty, and we enjoyed our stay overall. We did have a few issues, though. The pool was out of order, which was disappointing in Coober Pedy’s heat, and doors in the underground section echoed loudly, so we could hear guests coming and going at night. Our room also smelled unpleasant when we arrived. We realized the toilet hadn’t been flushed properly, and it wasn’t just a number one. Once we dealt with it and aired out the room, things got better. The bed was spacious but not especially comfortable. A bit more attention to detail and noise control would make the experience much better.