Adelaide is South Australia’s cool, cultural, but all too often overlooked capital city. Skip the crowds on the east coast of Australia and head south instead, where boutique luxury hotels await you in this magnificent Aussie city!
We love Adelaide for its laid-back vibes. The city doesn’t try too hard, and it doesn’t try to outpace its larger neighbors. Instead, Adelaide offers travelers a taste of Aussie culture away from the overly-quirky coffee shops of Melbourne or the stereotypical beach lifestyle of Sydney.
If you’re planning a trip to South Australia, then keep reading as we explain where to stay in Adelaide!
Short on time and don’t want to read the entire article? Here are our top picks:
Don’t forget to check out our web story: The 12 Cool Boutique Hotels in Adelaide
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The 12 Best Boutique Hotels in Adelaide
1. The Playford
The Playford is one of the best hotels in Adelaide, and we know you’re going to love staying in this five-star extravaganza in the heart of the CBD.
The Playford is a South Australian classic, although, despite the old-world charm and heritage-inspired decor, you’ll be surprised to know that the hotel only dates back to the late 1990s. This boutique was inspired by the Art Nouveau movement of old when the hotel transformed the old premises of the News newspaper building (owned by the infamous Rupert Murdoch) after it was closed down in 1997.
You’ll be awed by the Art Nouveau style as soon as you walk into the lobby. Parisian style and elegance float effortlessly in the air, sending you back to 1920s Europe as you leave the streets of Adelaide behind.
But while you’ll love the high, vaulted ceilings in the luxury rooms and the opulent marble bathrooms that are filled with luxury toiletries, you’re also going to appreciate the robust South Australian ethos that marries luxury with practicality. Rooms are equipped with 55-inch smart televisions, a personal minibar, boutique tea sets, and a sublime pillow menu full of fluffy offerings!
At the hotel’s Health Club, you can unwind by swimming laps in the heated indoor swimming pool, work up a sweat in the fully equipped gym, relax with a treatment in the spa, or turn up the heat in the sauna.
After your rejuvenating Health Club session, why not head for a cheeky pre-dinner cocktail at the Lounge Bar? You can follow it up with a sumptuous wine pairing as you enjoy a gourmet dinner in the Art Nouveau surroundings of the hotel’s Luma Restaurant.
On the menu, you’ll find an eclectic range of dishes showcasing the best South Australian ingredients with the flair of a Parisian-style bistro.
2. Mount Lofty House
If you’re looking for one of the best places to stay in Adelaide, then you’ll find it high up on the picturesque slopes of Mount Lofty. Overlooking Adelaide from the city’s most famous viewpoint, there’s no better way to escape it than with a stay at Mount Lofty House.
Mount Lofty House seamlessly merges heritage and history with modern decor and effortless design. This is one of Adelaide’s most historic venues, yet it’s also one of the most luxurious.
Mount Lofty House was built to be the summer house of local South Australian statesman Arthur Hardy in the 1850s, who became known for throwing outlandish parties at his lofty holiday home. Now, Mount Lofty House is a five-star hotel, and we know you’re going to love it!
These rooms are made for romantics, and you’ll have glorious views of the valleys as you sip champagne on the veranda. There’s a four-poster bed creating a superb old-world atmosphere, alongside velvet chairs and wooden furnishings. Rooms also feature local artwork by Stephen Trebilcock, while guests can enjoy daily history tours, a complimentary bottle of wine, and some home-baked cookies.
You can take leisurely walks on the grounds, or why not book a relaxing massage at the Gatekeeper’s Spa Day, which you’ll find inside the old gatekeeper’s cottage? In the evening, you’ll have a sumptuous four to seven-course degustation menu to enjoy at Hardy’s Verandah Restaurant, a 3 Hat restaurant championing a unique “valley-to-verandah” concept.
3. Oval Hotel at Adelaide Oval
If you’re a huge sports fan, then you’ll love the fact that in Adelaide, you can stay at the iconic Oval Cricket Ground, where sporting history has been made since 1871.
The Oval Hotel at Adelaide Oval is no tacky sports hotel either. Far from it, because this five-star hotel is one of the coolest boutique hotels in Adelaide!
The hotel was added to this historic sporting venue during a massive refurb that updated the ground and brought it into the 20th century. If you’re in Adelaide for a cricket game or for a concert at the stadium, then there’s no better place to stay. After all, the hotel is in the stadium itself!
As well as enjoying sporting convenience, you’ll find yourself staying in a plush, modern hotel that doesn’t skimp on the luxuries. Rooms feature comfy king beds (beds are named “The Moment”), luxury toiletries, and contemporary bathrooms that include walk-in rain showers.
Sit back on your bed, and through the floor-to-ceiling windows, you’ll have exquisite views of the surrounding parklands while you control your room’s techy features using the intuitive in-room control system.
There are no less than four dining experiences to enjoy at the Oval Hotel at Adelaide Oval. With menus curated by Head Chef Daniel Simpson, you can start your day with a fresh brew and a view of the River Torrens at Coffee Ink Cafe. The Malt Shovel Taphouse provides excellent local craft beers on tap, while the Bespoke Wine Bar and Kitchen is all about, you guessed it, the wine.
The best restaurant in the ground is, without a doubt, the Five Regions Restaurant, which offers a fine dining menu of wine and local dishes sourced from South Australia’s five distinct wine regions.
4. Adabco Boutique
The Adabco Boutique is (as the name suggests!) one of the best boutique hotels in Adelaide! This four-star favorite offers a sublime mix of heritage and style, with the premises dating back to 1897 and the decor and amenities being superbly modern.
Rooms and suites offer views of the surrounding CBD, with authentic Victorian windows adding a touch of history to proceedings. You’ll love the quirky artwork hanging on the walls, while the 55-inch television screens bring the rooms firmly into the 21st century.
Adabco Boutique is unique in the fact that every floor of the hotel has a communal area for guests. There are communal lounge areas featuring plush leather sofas and even larger televisions than you’ll find in the bedrooms, while guests all have access to a communal kitchen and dining area, too!
5. Sofitel Adelaide
The Sofitel Adelaide is one of our favorite luxury hotels in the South Australian capital. We love how the French brand brings European flair to Australia. Although rest assured, the no-nonsense Aussie practicalities we also love will always remain!
The Sofitel Adelaide is centrally located in the CBD, and you’ll enjoy sweeping views of the city’s skyline and rooftops from the magnificent floor-to-ceiling windows that every room is equipped with as standard. You’ll also enjoy the stylish carpets, the bespoke bathroom designs, and the elegant in-room decor that draws endless inspiration from the Parisian hotels of old.
But while the inspiration is historic, the amenities are certainly not. Everything about your room is modern, from the backlit bathroom mirrors to the signature My Sofitel bed systems. The fully equipped gym is state of the art, too, while the indoor swimming pool offers exceptional views and contemporary swimming facilities like no other five-star hotel in Adelaide.
The French inspiration continues in Sofitel Adelaide’s restaurants and bars, where you’ll be drinking and dining like the Parisian you’ve always wanted to be.
At Deja Vu, you can indulge in the bubbliest of champagnes at the hotel’s dedicated champagne bar, while at Garçon Bleu Bar, you can enjoy an eclectic selection of wine sourced from both France and South Australia. The culinary pièce de résistance awaits you at the Garçon Blue Restaurant, where French classics are prepared with South Australian ingredients and an Aussie flair.
6. Peppers Waymouth Hotel
The first thing you’ll want to do once you’ve checked into your luxury room at Peppers Waymouth Hotel is put on your swimming suit and head straight to the swimming pool. This five-star boutique hotel doesn’t try to sell itself as a spa hotel, but the indoor swimming pool and spa facilities are some of the best in Adelaide.
Start with a few laps in the pool, where you’ll enjoy brilliant views of the cityscape through the tall glass panels that surround the water. There’s a gym, a sauna, and, best of all, a hydrotherapy spa pool that guests are free to use at their leisure!
If that’s not enough relaxation for one day, then head back to your suite, where you can run a deep bath in your marbled bathroom before admiring the view of Adelaide’s CBD as you relax on the plush bed in equally plush bathrobes. All rooms offer excellent vistas from floor-to-ceiling windows, but the best rooms are also equipped with a private balcony.
Suitably refreshed, you can enjoy a gourmet selection of dinners and drinks at the hotel’s two excellent restaurants. Barketta cooks up platters that are best shared in company, while Essay Kitchen describes itself as taking diners on a “food journey.” Book a table to find out more!
7. Adina Apartment Hotel Adelaide Treasury
If you love your hotels to have a history behind them, then one of the best Adelaide hotels is the Adina Apartment Hotel Adelaide Treasury. This unique collection of high-end apartments is located in central Adelaide and occupies none other than the former Adelaide Treasury Building.
Adelaide’s Treasury Building is heritage listed, so the refurbishment went to great lengths to ensure that its history was preserved. Construction of the building began in 1839, and work continued until 1860, with a further phase adding more extensions in 1907.
The apartments are fully self-contained, offering modern kitchens or open-plan kitchenettes, depending on their size. Many of the features inside each apartment are originals, and you’ll love the Victorian-style windows found throughout. Furnishings are ultra-luxe, with Italian furniture complementing the plush bedding and drapes.
Hidden away inside the old vaults of the Treasury Building, guests also have access to a heated swimming pool, a gym, and a sauna. Despite having all the kitchen equipment you need to cook up a feast, you do also have the option of ordering breakfast or dinner from the hotel’s catering staff, who’ll serve it straight to your apartment.
8. Hotel Richmond on Rundle Mall
Hotel Richmond on Rundle Mall is a cool and quirky boutique hotel that’s conveniently located in the city center. You’ll find this hotel next to Rundle Mall, one of Adelaide’s most popular shopping centers.
Everything about this boutique retreat is effortlessly stylish, from the luxury suites’ designer decor to the bathrooms’ excessive marble. The hotel is undoubtedly modern, but you’ll love how they’ve also preserved the 1920s grandeur of the building in this historic part of the city.
The sense of stylish grandeur continues in the hotel’s swanky bar and restaurant. The centerpiece of the First Restaurant, Bar, and Lounge (which occupies the entire first floor of the hotel) is the extravagant marble bar.
Order a cocktail to kick start the evening, then enjoy classic Aussie dishes with a fine dining twist for dinner before ending the day on the balcony for a nightcap.
9. Jacobs Creek Retreat – Barossa Valley
South Australia’s wineries are world-renowned, so when you’re visiting Adelaide, why not take the chance to spend the night in a vineyard?
Within an hour’s drive of the CBD, you’ll find yourself in the pleasant rural climes of the Barossa Valley, which is home to South Australia’s most productive vineyards. One of the most famous brands is Jacob’s Creek, which is the largest wine producer in the country. Fans of the wine will be happy to know that on the vineyard, you can stay at Jacobs Creek Retreat, where you’ll be within easy walking distance of the Cellar Door!
This luxury boutique stay is incredibly exclusive, purely because there are just seven suites available to book. The suites are all located within restored stone cellars and historic buildings, which generally date back to 1840, when the first vines were planted by German immigrant Johann Gramp.
Each suite features a slightly different design, but all have retained their history and heritage. You’ll love the luxury period furnishings and antiques that contribute to the character, and you’ll love the chauffeur-driven tours around the vineyard that you can book during your stay.
Let’s face it, as lovely as the suites are (and with their free-standing bathtubs and king-sized beds, they are categorically luxurious), the real reason you’re here is for the wine. You’ll be able to take advantage of your prestigious status as an overnight guest and sample vintages and uncover hidden cellars that the general public never gets to see on standard tours!
10. Stamford Grand Adelaide
If you’d like to escape the city for a night by the beach, then you’ll love staying at Stamford Grand Adelaide. From the panoramic windows of your luxury, five-star room, you’ll be able to see the Glenelg Jetty as it extends into the Gulf of St Vincent.
This is Adelaide’s premier beachfront hotel, but despite the luxury, you might still want to do as the locals do and take the tram from Adelaide’s CBD to Glenelg, where the beach awaits you. It’s one of Australia’s most famous tram rides, but of course, we won’t tell if you decide to book a taxi instead.
Rooms at the Stamford Grand Adelaide are comfortable. In fact, they are more than comfortable, and you’ll love sinking back into the plush king-sized bed after a day on the beach (which is literally yards away). Better yet, upgrade to the Grand Terrace Rooms, and you can relax on your private balcony as the sea air sweeps across the deck!
Despite your proximity to the beach, you may find it difficult to leave the hotel’s excellent amenities. On the second floor, you’ll find a heated swimming pool (perfect for when the sea is a little too cold for your liking) as well as a spa, a sauna, and a fully equipped gym. If you’d rather take the day off from working out, then just sit back on a lounger and order cocktails poolside.
The hotel’s dining scene is extensive, to say the least. Enjoy high tea at the Promenade Restaurant, where you’ll look out over Glenelg Beach as you sip on tea and snack on cucumber sandwiches.
Horizon Cocktail Lounge does exactly what its name suggests, while the Grand Bar serves excellent drinks with a view of the bay. Return to the Promenade Restaurant or the Grand Bar for exceptional dinner menus that champion South Australian produce (including some excellent seafood!).
11. The Franklin Boutique Hotel
One of the coolest hotels in Adelaide is The Franklin Boutique Hotel. On the outside, The Franklin Boutique Hotel looks like an old-school Aussie pub. That’s because it used to be, and in fact, the ground floor still is a pub, although you’ll love how it’s chic, boutique, and independently-minded throughout.
The pub kitchen serves up a classic Aussie menu that’s been spiced up to meet the modern tastes of the Adelaide diner. You’ll find hearty plates of fish and chips, huge servings of chicken parmigiana, and more nuanced specials inspired by Adelaide’s multicultural side.
Upstairs, you’ll find the hotel’s boutique rooms offer a unique take on traditional Aussie pub accommodation. This isn’t rustic, and neither is it no-frills. Each room features dark decor that’s brightened by contrastingly colorful furnishings and features, including unique artwork created on commission by local artists.
There are Nespresso machines in every room, as well as a refrigerator to keep your drinks and snacks cool. And in the best rooms, you’ll find a deep bathtub where you can spend hours relaxing. There’s even an outdoor terrace overlooking the street below, where you can watch the crowds coming and going through the pub entrance.
There are just seven individually designed rooms available at The Franklin Boutique Hotel, so get in early to avoid disappointment!
12. Oaks Glenelg Plaza Pier Suites
Take the tram to Glenelg, and you can book an overnight stay at Oaks Glenelg Plaza Pier Suites, one of the best hotels in Adelaide with views of the sea!
You’ll be just a quick stroll away from Glenelg’s popular beach and pier, where you can embrace the Aussie beach lifestyle by surfing, paddleboarding, or just soaking up the sun, sea, and sand. Rooms and suites at this boutique hotel feature wonderful floor-to-ceiling windows and doors leading to balconies and terraces – which are perfect for enjoying the sea views and sea breeze!
You’ll be able to choose from a studio, which comes equipped with an open-plan kitchenette alongside the living and sleeping space, or the larger one, two, or three-bedroom apartments. The apartments are all kitted out with every modern appliance you would need, including full kitchens, large flat-screen televisions, and much more!
That completes our list of the 12 best Adelaide hotels! Did we miss any cool boutique hotels in Adelaide? Comment below so we can add them to the list!
Where to stay in Adelaide
Adelaide’s CBD is the place to stay if it’s your first time in the city. This is Adelaide’s city center, where everything is conveniently laid out on a grid system and well connected by free public transport.
You’ll find the best high-end hotels in the CBD, including Adelaide’s collection of five-star luxury retreats and quirky boutique hotels. To the north of the CBD, you’ll also find an excellent selection of luxury hotels in and around the Adelaide Parklands, including a hotel in the famous Oval Ground!
It’s also incredibly easy to escape the city. The beaches and resorts of Glenelg are just a few miles to the west, while the Barossa Valley is home to lovely rural retreats less than an hour’s drive northeast. To the southeast, you’ll love the views and cool mountain air that come with a stay at a boutique property on Mount Lofty, one of our favorite destinations in Adelaide.
Here’s our list of the 12 best boutique hotels in Adelaide!
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Frequently Asked Questions
If you’re a huge sports fan, then you’ll love the fact that in Adelaide, you can stay at the iconic Oval Cricket Ground, where sporting history has been made since 1871. The Oval Hotel at Adelaide Oval is no tacky sports hotel either. Far from it, because this five-star hotel is one of the coolest boutique hotels in Adelaide! The hotel was added to this historic sporting venue during a massive refurb that updated the ground and brought it into the 20th century. If you’re in Adelaide for a cricket game or for a concert at the stadium, then there’s no better place to stay. After all, the hotel is in the stadium itself!
The first thing you’ll want to do once you’ve checked into your luxury room at Peppers Waymouth Hotel is put on your swimming suit and head straight to the swimming pool. This five-star boutique hotel doesn’t try to sell itself as a spa hotel, but the indoor swimming pool and spa facilities are some of the best in Adelaide. Start with a few laps in the pool, where you’ll enjoy brilliant views of the cityscape through the tall glass panels that surround the water.
If you love your hotels to have a history behind them, then one of the best Adelaide hotels is the Adina Apartment Hotel Adelaide Treasury. This unique collection of high-end apartments is located in central Adelaide and occupies none other than the former Adelaide Treasury Building. Adelaide’s Treasury Building is heritage listed, so the refurbishment went to great lengths to ensure that its history was preserved.
Take the tram to Glenelg, and you can book an overnight stay at Oaks Glenelg Plaza Pier Suites, one of the best hotels in Adelaide with views of the sea! You’ll be just a quick stroll away from Glenelg’s popular beach and pier, where you can embrace the Aussie beach lifestyle by surfing, paddleboarding, or just soaking up the sun, sea, and sand. Rooms and suites at this boutique hotel feature wonderful floor-to-ceiling windows and doors leading to balconies and terraces – which are perfect for enjoying the sea views and sea breeze!
The Playford is one of the best hotels in Adelaide, and we know you’re going to love staying in this five-star extravaganza in the heart of the CBD. You’ll be awed by the Art Nouveau style as soon as you walk into the lobby. Parisian style and elegance float effortlessly in the air, sending you back to 1920s Europe as you leave the streets of Adelaide behind. But while you’ll love the high, vaulted ceilings in the luxury rooms and the opulent marble bathrooms that are filled with luxury toiletries, you’re also going to appreciate the robust South Australian ethos that marries luxury with practicality.
