Known as the “city of churches” or “the festival state” by most Australians, Adelaide is the destination for anyone seeking a vibrant array of experiences from the arts, food, and wine. Their annual festivals and events celebrate the contemporary arts, music, theatre, gastronomy, and world-famous wine regions like the Barossa Valley. Be sure to see what’s on to best plan for your trip to make the most of your time. The city’s selection of 5-star hotels is all within close proximity to the hub of restaurants and bars in the Chinatown area, the bustling Adelaide Markets, or the shopping delights of Rundle Mall and arcades. Balance the city vibes with relaxation by the beach at Glenelg or perhaps a picturesque wine tour with lunch overlooking the stunning vineyards of the Adelaide Hills. Both options are only within a 15 minutes’ drive from the city centre. For your nightlife needs, your hotel’s concierge will have a recommended list of the best speakeasy bars in secret laneways such as Leigh Street and award-winning restaurants. A local tip is that everywhere is relatively close, therefore staying in any of our recommended luxury hotels will be convenient for discovering Adelaide now!
King William Rd, 5006 Adelaide, Australia
Rating: 9.0 Superb
A must for all cricket and AFL lovers! The Oval Hotel in Adelaide is a luxury hotel located within the frontage of this iconic stadium. Conveniently situated a short walking distance from the Adelaide CBD, the prestigious property also lies in close proximity to the Adelaide Casino and the Convention Centre.
Featuring stylish, modern interiors, this premium boutique hotel offers a range of exquisite accommodation options. All of which have been stunningly appointed with gorgeous artwork, commissioned furniture, natural textures and an impressive collection of guest amenities. Spread over two wings, they showcase breathtaking views of heritage-listed parklands, including beautiful lawns and distinguished Moreton Bay fig trees.
Crafted by Daniel Simpson, the Executive Head Chef, the hotel offers 4 fantastic options for onsite dining. These including the Five Regions Restaurant, whose menu takes inspiration from South Australia’s Wine regions, as well as the Bespoke Wine Bar and Kitchen who champion local flavours. The Malt Shovel Taphouse and Koffee Ink Café are great venues too.
The hotel offers a free welcome drink to guests. In addition, they also receive exclusive access to the gym, pool, spa, tennis and squash courts at the Next Gen Health & Lifestyle Club – which is near the property. The concierge can also arrange for you to enjoy beauty and wellness treatments at one of Adelaide’s best spas.
16 Hindmarsh Square, Adelaide CBD, 5000 Adelaide, Australia
Rating: 8.5 Very Good
Noted for its fabulous location and the excellent standard of its deluxe accommodation, The Pullman Adelaide is one of the newer 5 star hotels to open up in the city. Situated in the CBD it is close to most of the city’s popular attractions, with the Adelaide Oval, Rundle Mall and Convention Centre all being a short distance away.
All of the 308 rooms and suites feature contemporary décor and luxe amenities. These include a high definition LCD TV with satellite channels and movies on demand, as well as tea and coffee making facilities, top quality bedding and a pillow menu. Some of the accommodation has balconies and they all have elegant private bathrooms.
The hotel’s signature Salt Restaurant and Salt Bar and Lounge proudly promote the very best of modern South Australian food and drink. Dishes like Barramundi, Lamb Shanks and Rib Eye Steak will ignite your tastebuds. As will their sensational Hazelnut Ferrero Cake! Likewise a Shiraz, Pinot Noir, Mojito or Espresso Martini is sure to go down a treat too.
For those looking to burn off some steam the Fit Lounge offers the latest Technogym equipment including treadmills with TV and Wi-Fi. If you would prefer, you can rejuvenate your senses at the pool, spa and sauna. For meetings and events the hotel offers a number of adaptable spaces and there is also an Executive Lounge too.
120 North Terrace, Adelaide CBD, 5000 Adelaide, Australia
Rating: 8.7 Fabulous
The Playford Adelaide is a CBD based boutique hotel that provides guests with 5 star luxury accommodation. Situated across from the Adelaide Convention Centre and Adelaide Casino, the property enjoys a central location within easy reach of many of the city’s main attractions. These include the Rundle Mall, Adelaide Oval, the West End and the Adelaide Botanic Gardens.
A member of the exclusive MGallery by Sofitel Collection, rooms and suites at the hotel have a distinct Art Nouveau feel. Chicly decorated, amenities include a 55” smart TV with cable channels, marble en suite bathroom with rainfall shower head, luxury bathrobes and gratuitous Appelles brand toiletries, and tea and coffee making facilities. Some suites also have a spa bath.
For breakfast the multi award winning Playford Restaurant serves up a delicious selection of local and exotic fruits, as well as breads and other hot foods. Whilst for dinner their menu showcases fabulous international inspired dishes made with local produce. The Playford Lounge Bar is a refined venue to spend the evening drinking cocktails or wine.
Fully focused on championing the health and vitality of their guests the hotel has a 24 hour leisure centre that includes a heated indoor swimming pool, a spa, sauna and a fully equipped gym. The hotel also has secure parking, a full business centre and a number of function rooms for weddings and other events.
55 Waymouth Street, Adelaide CBD, 5000 Adelaide, Australia
Rating: 8.6 Fabulous
For a memorable and deluxe Adelaide hotel experience it is hard to beat the Peppers Waymouth Hotel. Enjoying a terrific CBD location right in the heart of the action, it is close to all the city’s main attractions. Including the Rundle Mall, Adelaide Oval, Adelaide Casino and the Convention Centre.
Heavily influenced by a strong European design vibe, rooms and suites at the Peppers Waymouth boast floor-to-ceiling windows which perfectly present the city skyline. Replete with plush furnishings and finishes, all rooms feature king beds, flat screen TV with Foxtel, and marble bathrooms with separate bath and shower. While all suites also come with a spa bath.
Providing 2 restaurant options, guests can eat onsite at the Essay Kitchen which serves a delicious variety of cuisine on the first level of the hotel. At Barketta, you can indulge in an a la carte breakfast, a charcuterie board, or European inspired lunch and dinner menus, throughout the day.
Guest facilities at the hotel include a stunning indoor heated swimming pool, a hydrotherapy spa pool and sauna, a fully equipped fitness centre, a dedicated business centre and function space for weddings and events. There is also a tour desk onsite that can book local trips and experiences for you.
North Terrace, Adelaide CBD, 5000 Adelaide, Australia
Rating: 6.9 Pleasant
The Stamford Plaza Adelaide is another excellent option in the CBD. A luxury 5 star hotel, it stands almost directly opposite Parliament House, the Adelaide Convention Centre and the Adelaide Casino. While the River Torrens, Adelaide Oval and the Festival Centre are all a short distance away. So it serves as a great base to explore the city.
Presenting absorbing views of either the city, Adelaide Oval or the park, the hotel offers 335 rooms and suites that have been styled with the guests complete comfort in mind. Decorate with panache, they feature king size beds, a flat screen TV, a dedicated work desk and marble bathrooms. Their Parliament Spa Suite also has its own private spa.
The hotel offers 5 excellent gastronomic experiences. La Boca Bar and Grill serves authentic Argentinian cuisine. While TG’s Restaurant has an awesome 5-star buffet breakfast. The Adelaide Chocolate High Tea experience is not to be missed and for take-away options Catering 2 Go is a must. For drinks, the Cascades Cocktail Lounge comes highly recommended.
One of the best features at Stamford Plaza is the heated rooftop swimming pool. It also has an excellent spa, as well as a sauna and gymnasium. For weddings and business events the hotel has 10 function rooms available. While there is also a concierge service and a tour desk which can help you can book excursions.
Festival Drive, Adelaide CBD, 5000 Adelaide, Australia
Rating: 9.3 Superb
Looking for luxury Adelaide accommodation? Then look no further than the Eos by SkyCity. Nestled in the heart of the CBD, just 200 metres from the Adelaide Convention Centre, this classy hotel enjoys a brilliant location. With the Adelaide Oval, Rundle Mall, Art Gallery of South Australia, and Beehive Corner Building all just a few minutes away.
Offering debonair rooms, villas and suites that convey stunning views of the city, river or Adelaide hills, guests can enjoy a flat-screen TV with cable channels and unlimited free movies. They also can use an in-room tablet, a complimentary mini bar with produce from local artisans and a private bathroom with bathrobes and a shower.
The hotel offers 9 dining and drinking options on its premises. Perched on Level 9, Sôl is a wonderful rooftop bar and restaurant with spectacular views. While iTL Italian Kitchen, Lucky Noodle and the French-Vietnamese offerings at Madame Hanoi are also magnificent venues. Between them the Chandelier Bar and The Guardsman offer a quality assortment of beers, wines, cocktails and spirits.
A veritable art gallery in itself, the hotel showcases over 900 pieces of art by highly talented South Australian artists. It also houses three ballrooms for weddings and events, as well as three boardrooms for business meetings. The hotel also offers a casino, warm swimming pool and spa and beauty treatments at the Eos Spa + Wellness centre.
North Terrace, Adelaide CBD, 5000 Adelaide, Australia
Rating: 7.9 Good
The InterContinental Adelaide is a 5 star luxury hotel which enjoys a beautiful location on the banks of the River Torrens. Adjacent to the Adelaide Festival Centre, Casino and Convention Centre, it is a great base to explore the city. With the Adelaide Oval, Rundle Mall, Adelaide Botanic Gardens and South Australian Museum all within easy walking distance.
Defined by a great mix of elegance and style, the hotel offers 367 comfortable suites which showcase fabulous views across the city. Well appointed, they feature deluxe beds, spacious living areas, a designated and ergonomically designed workspace with complimentary Wi-Fi, and marble bathrooms that feature walk-in showers and separate bathtubs.
Guests have the opportunity to dine at Riverside, the hotel’s flagship restaurant, or visit Shiki for award-winning Japanese dishes. Both serve impressive wine lists that champion award-winning local wines. The Riverside also offers a delicious high tea and high coffee experience at weekends. While the Atrium Lounge is a lovely setting for afternoon tea, or evening cocktails.
Part of the IHG hotel group, the InterContinental Fitness Centre boasts a well-equipped and state-of-the-art gym. The property also has a heated outdoor swimming pool, sauna, massage services, a dedicated space for weddings, school formals and other business events, private parking and a concierge who can book activities and events for guests.
108 Currie Street, Adelaide CBD, 5000 Adelaide, Australia
Rating: 8.6 Fabulous
Sofitel Adelaide offers a luxurious yet modern escape in the heart of the Adelaide CBD. It is close to Karrawirra Parri (Torrens River) and only a few minutes’ walk from the Adelaide Convention and Exhibition Centre, Adelaide Oval and South Australian Museum.
The luxury hotel rooms are a sophisticated merging of modern furnishings and vintage décor. In each room there are comfortable beds which feature premium linens and a choice of pillow. The luxe styling continues into the private ensuite bathrooms. Guests also have access to complimentary high-speed internet, beverage facilities, room service and a smart TV.
The hotel has premium facilities designed to promote guest wellness. There is a well-equipped fitness centre which overlooks the city and an opulent indoor pool area with heated water. Qualified therapists are available for a relaxing massage to rejuvenate the body and soul. Staff can also assist in organising water sports and babysitting services.
At Garcon Bleu, diners can sample locally sourced produce in a menu that is inspired by French flavours. They can then enjoy a selection of French champagnes and top shelf beverages at the Garcon Bleu Bar. For a lighter meal, guests can visit Déjà Vu, the hotels’ elegant lobby bar.
233 Victoria Square, Adelaide CBD, 5000 Adelaide, Australia
Rating: 7.5 Good
Nestled in the heart of the city, the Hilton Adelaide is within walking distance of buzzing entertainment venues, premium retailers and many dining establishments. This modern, luxury hotel is less than five-minutes’ drive from some of the city’s highlights, including the Art Gallery of South Australia, China Town and Adelaide Oval.
The luxurious rooms feature large windows, contemporary styling, and comfortable beds. The modern bathrooms have a large, glass shower and fixed beauty and styling mirror. Each room also features an ergonomic workspace, catering for the needs of business travellers. Guests have access to housekeeping and room service, which can be organised through the in-room phone.
The well-equipped gym has gorgeous views that look out over the city. Guests can access an outdoor seating area adjacent to the gym, as well as an outdoor tennis court. The hotel also features a stunning balcony pool which is the perfect place to relax in the Adelaide sun.
At the Coal Cellar + Grill, diners can enjoy a sophisticated menu inspired by premium South Australian produce. The gourmet meals are complimented with an extensive wine list, including some from the nearby Barossa Valley. The Hilton Adelaide is also home to Collins Bar, a modern yet elegant bar with bespoke cocktails and premium spirits.
45 King William Street, Adelaide CBD, 5000 Adelaide, Australia
Rating: 8.8 Fabulous
Housed within a gorgeous heritage-listed building, The Mayfair Hotel is an elegant, 5-star luxury hotel. It is in the centre of Adelaide, close to the Karrawirra Parri (Torrens River). Less than 10 minutes away are the Adelaide Convention Centre, Art Gallery of South Australia, and Victoria Square.
The well-appointed rooms have a warm and inviting colour palate with an elegant design. They are furnished with hand-crafted South Australian pieces and are equipped with a flat screen smart TV and writing desk. Guests have access to complimentary Wi-Fi, 24-hour room service, a fitness centre and a L’Occitane skincare range.
The dining establishments at The Mayfair Hotel support local South Australian produce and creatively utilise honey from the hotels two beehives. At the Mayflower Restaurant and Bar, diners can enjoy a menu that celebrates classic hotel cuisine. On the weekend a delectable High Tea is available.
For a less formal meal, THE DEN offers a contemporary Bistro experience with high quality dishes, house made sweets and premium coffee. In the evenings, guests can enjoy the HENNESSY Rooftop Bar. With indoor and outdoor spaces, it can be enjoyed regardless of the weather and the premium beverage selection suits the sophisticated setting.
South Australia’s capital has been described as a “boutique city.” Situated within an amphitheatre of rolling hills, and bordered by the southern ocean, Adelaide has the feel of a country town rather than a big city. With a rich human and natural history, Adelaide is close enough to the Outback to have a laid-back rural attitude, yet retain all the bustle and sophistication of a modern, high-tech, high culture, art-loving city. So pull on your RM Williams boots (made right here in Adelaide), don your Akubra, and step out of your luxury hotel to explore this quintessential Australian city.
Adelaide has some incredible west-facing beaches perfect for watching the sunset. If you jump on the Glenelg Tram (free in Adelaide’s downtown), it will take just 20 minutes to whisk you from the centre of town out to Glenelg Beach, where you can walk along the for shore, kick off your shoes and paddle in the warm ocean, or just relax at a bar while you watch the sunset at the end of another perfect South Australia Day.
Adelaide is a low-rise city and for the best view in town, the top of the Adelaide Oval can’t be beaten. Harnessed up, and led by a skilled and knowledgeable guide, you ascend to the apex of the oval for a 360° view of the city and its encircling hills. See if you can spot your luxury hotel room from up here.
This inner-city oasis of cool shady forests spreads over 50 hectares and features majestic avenues of trees contained within some stunning modernist architecture. There is a multi-award winning restaurant in the gardens where you can stop for lunch overlooking cool ponds and lush greenery. This is a great place for you and your travelling companion to come and escape the heat of an Adelaide summer day for a while.
Coffee is king in Adelaide. While other Australian cities might boast of their Coffee Culture, if you really want to sample some great extractions, Adelaide is the place to go. Check out The Big Table in the Adelaide Market, where you can sit with a bunch of locals discussing the news of the day and sampling some of the best coffee you’re ever going to taste in Australia. For a more exciting and busy experience, try Cibo Espresso in Rundle Mall where you can sit outside and watch the action on the street including the Rundle Street Ringers (city cowboys) is mooching past in their Drizabones and Stetsons.
This was Australia’s first pedestrian-only mall, with a large section of the street being closed to traffic in 1976. You’ll find all the big retailers here, and all sorts of cool little arcades leading off the main thoroughfare. Check out the iconic sculptures which include a bunch of life-sized bronze pigs (called Oliver, Truffles, Horatio and Augusta), and a giant reflective sphere. You’ll get a great cross-section of Adelaide life on Rundle Mall, and you’ll find a great coffee or two as well. BTW…the mall is a great place after dark, when the city’s lights will dazzle you with their colour and variety as you stroll, arm in arm, back to your hotel.
This formal Japanese garden contains features that bring to the forefront the beauty of nature, and the solitude and attention to form that epitomise Japanese gardens. The gardens blend two classic styles of Japanese garden architecture. In the Lake and Mountain Garden (senzui), water is used to create images of grandeur. In the Dry Garden (kare senzui), rocks and sand evoke the presence of the sea. This is a great place to come and find tranquillity away from the bustle of the Adelaide Streets.
Adelaide’s small but impressive Chinatown is a great place to go and sample the cuisines of Asia. This is not just a place to go for Chinese food: although you’ll be spoilt for choice for that as well. But you will also find Japanese, Vietnamese, Thai, Malaysian Indian and Korean cuisine represented in amongst the impressive red lanterns and pagoda-style houses. Try the Chinatown Café where you can sit at a sidewalk table and eat a meal of spicy noodles and bok choi, with a pot of fragrant jasmine tea, while you watch the world go by.
Every stockman, shepherd, farmer and Jilleroo in Australasia know the address of RM Williams’ store in Adelaide: 5 Percy Street, Prospect, South Australia. The RM Williams legend is part of Australian Outback lore and you can relive his incredible story (from bushman to saddle-maker) at this small museum attached to his original bush outfitters store.
The South Australian Museum has a world-class collection of natural history and cultural items. The museum features the world’s largest collection of Australian Aboriginal cultural material, with over 3,000 artefacts displayed within its walls. Fans of geology will be fascinated to see the Ediacaran fossils, from the Flinders Ranges in the northern part of South Australia, which are over half a billion years old.
South Australians love their schnitzels and if you feel like a good feed, then just pick a pub and go in for a beer and a snitty. You can join in with the endless debate in Adelaide about whether or not your snitty should be put on the chips, or beside the chips. It’s one of the great questions of the age!