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Mount Lofty House
Photograph: Supplied

The best hotels in Adelaide

Take your pick of inner city digs or boutique vineyard hotels with our guide to the best hotels in Adelaide

Written by
Petra Starke
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What makes a great hotel? In coming up with this list of the best hotels in Adelaide we considered a mix of factors. Good location? Comfy beds? A sweet as rooftop pool? Within convenient distance to the best things to do? Maybe it's a combo of the three. Luckily Adelaide's practically swimming in great hotels. Whether you're a visitor wanting to stay bang in the centre of town, or a local in search of a cheeky staycation under an hour from the city.

From the reliable and affordable to the truly luxurious, these are our picks. We've based our selection on an alchemical mix of value for money, a focus on service and access to amenities.

Take a peek of the best hotels in Adelaide below.

Best hotels in Adelaide

  • Hotels
  • Adelaide Central
  • price 3 of 4

This swish, five-star boutique hotel has become the preferred choice of visiting rock stars and celebrities since opening in 2015, and it's not hard to see why: the place just oozes bespoke luxury. The 170 stylish rooms feature custom made “Mayfair Signature” mattresses (which you can buy, natch) and Apelles Apothecary toiletries, while the much lauded Mayflower restaurant and two bars serve up Wedgwood crockery and Riedel and Waterford marque crystal glassware. The hotel even smells luxurious - it has a custom made “signature scent” inspired by Chanel perfume. Located in the centre of the CBD where shopping strip Rundle Mall meets bar and dining strip Hindley Street, and just a short walk from Adelaide's cultural boulevard North Terrace, it's perfectly situated for exploring the city on foot. That's if you ever want to leave.

Time Out tip: Head to the Hennessy rooftop bar (named for the original architect of the 1930s heritage listed building, not the cognac beloved by hip-hop stars) and try a Honey Trap Cocktail – it's made with honey collected from the hotel's own rooftop hives of Ligurian bees.

  • Hotels
  • Walkerville
  • price 1 of 4

The leafy, village-like suburb of Walkerville isn't exactly a hotspot for Adelaide holidaymakers – it's too far to comfortably walk into the city, and it's not really near anything one would call a tourist attraction. But what this quirky boutique motel may lack in location it makes up for in style and handy features, especially for longer stays. Part of the Art Series Hotel chain, its design is inspired by Pitjantjatjara artist Tommy Watson, whose colourful dreaming artworks brighten the hallways and rooms with vibrant pinks, blues and oranges. The 140 light and airy open-plan suites range from studio to two bedroom, and all feature a kitchenette, Foxtel and free wifi. There's also free parking, but if you don't have a ride don't worry – the hotel has a fleet of Smart Cars, scooters and Lekker bicycles for hire, the latter perfect for riding along the stunning River Torrens Linear Park that's just metres from the doorstep.

Time Out tip: Ask for a room on the southern side of the building for sweeping views of the Adelaide Hills, city and North Adelaide. The other side has views of the 25m lap pool which, although designed by Olympian Michael Klim, isn't quite as impressive.

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  • Hotels
  • Adelaide Central
  • price 2 of 4

The grand-daddy of Adelaide luxury hotels for more than 30 years, the Hilton was starting to show its age in recent years until some seriously stylish upgrades brought it back to the attention of trendy travellers. Foodies flock to the newly opened Coal Cellar and Grill restaurant which focuses on South Australian produce and features a 3000 bottle glass-encased cellar, while the ground floor Collins Bar has become a local favourite for after work cocktails. The largest hotel in South Australia, it incorporates an outdoor heated swimming pool, full-size tennis court and ballroom, with a new gym set to open in November 2017.

Time Out tip: Opt for a room on the eastern side of the building for great views over Victoria Square and the city, and across the pretty Adelaide Hills.

  • Hotels
  • Resorts
  • Greater Adelaide
  • price 4 of 4

Sitting in the pretty Adelaide Hills village of Stirling, just 20 minutes out of the city and surrounded by lush forests and vineyards is a little slice of east Asia that is as luxurious as it is unexpected. Choose from three individually designed villas – Yoko (modern Japanese), Zen (minimalist Thai) or Bali Villa (take a guess) – each is a spacious 110 square metres complete with deluxe touches like designer Jag kitchens, solar underfloor heating and private outdoor courtyards and gardens.

Time Out tip: Forget going out to eat – book a class in the lauded on-site cooking school and whip up your own gourmet fare, or for a bit extra have a chef come to your villa and show you how to use that top-of-the-range kitchen in a private cooking lesson.

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  • Hotels
  • Resorts
  • Glenelg South
  • price 2 of 4

Don't be fooled by the somewhat plain exterior of this historic building on the Glenelg beachfront – the 22 self-contained apartments inside range from charming vintage chic to drop-dead luxurious modernity. Couples and solo travellers can start in a one bedroom studio, or make a party of it and book a large four bedroom apartment.  No two are designed the same, but all feature a kitchen or kitchenette, and most have spa baths, plus there's free parking and wifi and communal laundry and BBQ facilities. Best of all it's just 20 minutes on the tram from Adelaide CBD.

Time Out tip: For the full experience make sure you get one of the apartments facing the beach – our pick is “1 Olive Court”, which features a totally deluxe circular spa bath with ocean views.

  • Hotels
  • Luxury hotels
  • Greater Adelaide
  • price 3 of 4

The Adelaide Hills are all about good food, wine and tranquility amongst the trees - the third often discovered after indulging in the first two - and you'll find all three at this working winery set in some of the most stunning vineyards in South Australia. Located an hour out of the city in the tiny village of Macclesfield, surrounded by rolling, gum-studded countryside, Longview offers 12 elegant self-contained suites overlooking the winery's 22-year-old Pinot Noir vines, each with kitchenette and outside deck. More deluxe is the stylishly renovated historic homestead, which can be rented as a three bedroom residence sleeping up to 12, or split into two separate “apartments”.

Time Out tip: Don't be in a rush to leave your weekend getaway – stick around and enjoy Longview's famous Sunday tapas lunch. Tuck into share platters overloaded with house smoked meats, cheese with riesling jam and wood fired bread, and, of course, wine.

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  • Hotels
  • Boutique hotels
  • Greater Adelaide
  • price 3 of 4

Every weekend scores of eager Adelaide locals head to the base of Mt Lofty to attempt the heart-pumping 2km hike to the summit. But an easier way to get an enviable Instagram selfie is to check yourself into historic Mt Lofty House, just 20 minutes from the city, where the breathtaking views from your luxuriously appointed suite will have your followers green with envy without you even breaking a sweat. Set amongst 22 acres of immaculately manicured gardens, this 1852 heritage-listed manor house offers a range of modern rooms and suites with king beds and fantastic views across the Piccadilly Valley, an outdoor swimming pool, billiards room, tennis court and day spa set in the home's original 19th century stables. For a more intimate stay, four free standing self-contained cottages offer total privacy for a perfect Hills retreat.

Time Out tip: Don't miss a chance to dine at Hardy's Verandah, opened in 2017 it’s one of Adelaide's best restaurants with one of the best views.

  • Hotels
  • Rundle Mall
  • price 2 of 4

Situated just metres from the trendy dining, bar-hopping and boutique shopping of Rundle Street, and overlooking tree-filled Hindmarsh Square, this sleek 308 room hotel opened in 2010 is a perfect base for city explorers or business travellers. The contemporary rooms range from standard to suite, some with balcony, and feature plush bedding, luxurious bathrooms with full sized baths and walk-in showers, and iPod docks, while the hotel also boasts a health centre with gym, pool, spa and sauna and a 24-hour self-service laundry for guests.

Time Out tip: Have a main meal at the hotel's Redsalt Restaurant and get a discounted movie ticket for nearby Palace Nova Cinema, which boasts Adelaide's largest cinema screen. There's date night sorted!

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  • Hotels
  • Luxury hotels
  • price 4 of 4

Just an hour's drive north of Adelaide is one of the world's top culinary destinations - the Barossa Valley, bursting with internationally renowned wineries and restaurants and boasting stunning vineyard-studded landscapes in every direction. Surrounded by lavender and vines, the Louise is the accommodation to match; Travel + Leisure named it in the top 100 hotels in the world for 2017, one of only two Australian properties to make the list. Step inside your private suite and it's not hard to see why: the 15 rooms at this elegant stone lodge feature king beds with luxury linens, walk-in robes, marbled ensuite bathrooms with two-person spa baths, gas log fireplaces and private terraces with their own outdoor rain showers, while the top tier suites even have their own private water feature and sun lounges.

Time Out tip: Definitely book a table at the Louise's award winning Appellation restaurant, but don't just settle for the regular wine list. For the ultimate culinary experience, staff can arrange a private wine blending session with a local winemaker, and have the chef prepare a dinner to match your new creation.

  • Hotels
  • Boutique hotels
  • Greater Adelaide
  • price 3 of 4

One of Adelaide's first pubs, this historic hotel located just 20 minutes from the CBD has undergone some stylish renovations in recent years, transforming it from a gritty-schnitty-and-pint local into a sophisticated boutique establishment. A rustic mix of old and new, the four deluxe and three standard rooms are all individually decorated with high ceilings and traditional features like flocked wallpaper, chandeliers and leather Chesterfield bedheads, accented by natural materials such as reclaimed wood, iron, copper and exposed stone to create a cosy atmosphere with a modern twist.

Time Out tip: Wine buffs will find their spiritual home in the hotel's dedicated wine room, run by top international sommelier Liinaa Berry, featuring a huge collection of rare and classic drops from estates such as Petrus, Mouton Rothschild and Lafite.

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