Adelaide’s ‘20-minute-city’ layout means that practically anywhere you stay is convenient for exploring the city, but of course, there are some options that rise above the rest in terms of the experience they provide, and in some examples, their stature!
If you’ve got the budget, the luxury hotels of Adelaide are the perfect self-care or staycation options. Sofitel and the Mayfair Hotel are prestigious, and the level of service and amenities they provide are well-known amongst even locals. Sofitel is French-inspired, 32 stories with a choice of either city, coastal, or Adelaide Hills views. Of the two, we’d prefer the Mayfair, the boutique hotel being genuinely aspirational as it has housed pretty much all important vistiors to Adelaide since its opening. Mayfair’s rooftop bar is a major selling point, also, with the Hennessey Rooftop Bar overlooking Rundle Mall and King William Street. Either choice is fantastic, though, and both are located conveniently in the heart of the CBD for easy access to anything you’re hoping to check out.
More affordable options that retain the luxury vibe and prime location are the Playford and Vibe Hotel. The Playford’s exterior is iconic, and the hotel is art nouveau-inspired to fit in with the arts and cultural hub that is Adelaide’s cultural boulevard of North Terrace. This hotel is a perfect springboard for exploring Adelaide’s premier museums and galleries, which are just a short walk away. Vibe Hotel, on the other hand, was opened recently, and you can tell when you stay there. The interiors are contemporary, with floor to ceiling windows and a floating pool. As opposed to The Playford, foodies would do well to base themselves at Vibe, its location just off the Hutt Street dining precinct placing amazing food and drink options just a stroll away from your room. We’d recommend checking out some of the bars here, like Bar Torino and Latteria, and walking back to Vibe.
For truly unique experiences, luxury hotels Hotel Indigo and Eos by SkyCity take the top spot for classy stays (and again, some of the best rooftop bars in Adelaide). However, if what you’re looking for is something a little unexpected, the Oval Hotel at Adelaide Oval will scratch that itch. The hotel snakes around the eastern side of the Oval, with gorgeous parkland views, and of course, accessing the Oval to catch the game has never been easier. This is the perfect staycation for the sports fan. No more waiting on packed trains, just simply return to your room within minutes. Restaurants, bars, and restaurants are all within convenient distance, as well as St Peter’s Cathedral, and the RoofClimb if you’re up for heights and a picturesque city view.
The wine regions host thousands of people every year, so naturally there are accommodation options around each region for every budget and purpose. The Louise in the Barossa is renowned, where 15 private villas provide a first-rate rest stop for exploring the area's vineyards. If you’re not keen on leaving, you’ll still experience the Barossa’s wine and produce, with the awarded Apellation restaurant serving seasonal dishes and wines straight from the Valley.
In the Adelaide Hills, Mt Lofty House is 20 minutes from the city, but feels like a world away. The manor is heritage-listed, dating back to 1852. It truly feels like a royal retreat, with tennis courts and a day spa within the original stables. The views of the Piccadilly Valley are unmatched, from your suite, or from the free-standing cottages. For something a little different, the Sticky Rice Villas are also found in the Hills, where the villas are inspired by Balinese, Japanese and Thai architecture, for the ultimate staycation that transports you to a different country entirely. They even run cooking classes.
If you’d rather humble over luxury, the CABN accommodations take you back to basics, but still remain sophisticated. A detox from technology, these cabins are off-grid, with eight different locations across South Australia. Exploring the wine regions this way is a return to nature that will have you appreciating our natural environment like never before. The McLaren Vale iteration, CABN X, has a private sauna and outdoor bath, for something a little more elevated.