Where to stay in Adelaide – A Guide to the Capital of South Australia
Adelaide is the capital and largest city of the state of South Australia and the fifth most populated city in the country. It is located north of the Fleurieu Peninsula, on the Adelaide plains, between the St. Vincent Gulf and the Lofty Ranges hills that surround the city. Adelaide is famous for its many festivals and sporting events, its food and wine, its long beaches and its industrial heritage. Today, we’ll have a look at the best areas to stay in Adelaide.
Adelaide’s top cultural attractions include its Central Market, the South Australian Museum, the Art Gallery of South Australia and the National Wine Centre. For nature lovers, the Adelaide area offers lovely hiking and biking paths in Cleland and Morialta Conservation Parks and Mount Lofty. If you’re interested in local flora and fauna, do not miss the Adelaide Botanic Garden, the Zoo, Cleland Wildlife Park or the Japanese-inspired Himeji Garden. Finally, for rugby fans, the Adelaide Oval offers guided tours.
Adelaide has a Mediterranean climate, with warm summers and mild winters. Most rainfall occurs in the winter months (June – September).
The city has a public transportation system covering most of its metropolitan area. Known as the Adelaide Metro, it consists of an exclusive-lane bus system, metropolitan railways and the Adelaide-Glenelg tram.
Adelaide City Centre or Central Business District is the best area to stay in Adelaide thanks to its proximity to most tourist attractions and excellent public transport options. See accommodation in Adelaide’s CBD.
Here’s a guide with the best areas to stay in Adelaide, Australia.
The award-winning 5-star hotel, The Playford Mgallery by Sofitel, is a boutique hotel in the heart of Adelaide on vibrant North Terrace. The hotel features a 24-hour fitness centre with a heated pool and sauna. The restaurant offers an award-winning breakfast.
Best Location in Adelaide, South Australia: A Quick Guide
Below, you’ll find a list of the best areas to stay in Adelaide according to your preferred travel style. Keep reading this article to find out more about each different suburb.
- Best location in Adelaide for sightseeing: Adelaide CBD
- Best location in Adelaide for first-time visitors: Adelaide CBD
- Best location in Adelaide for nightlife: North Adelaide| Adelaide CBD
- Best location in Adelaide for nature lovers: West Beach
- Best location in Adelaide for business travellers: Adelaide CBD
- Best location in Adelaide for families: Glenelg
- Best location in Adelaide for hipsters: Adelaide CBD
- Best location in Adelaide for beach lovers: Glenelg | West Beach
Best Hotels in Adelaide, SA by Theme
If you have something more specific in mind, here’s a list of some of the best hotels in Adelaide. No matter your reason for visiting this South Australian city, we’re here to help you out!
- Most unique hotel: Marion Hotel
- Best historic hotel: The Playford Adelaide – MGallery by Sofitel
- Best mid-priced hotel: Holiday Inn Express Adelaide City Centre
- Best budget hotel: Comfort Inn Regal Park, North Adelaide
- Best luxury hotel: Mayfair Hotel
- Best boutique hotel: The Franklin Boutique Hotel
- Best hotel with a pool: Stamford Grand Adelaide
- Best Inn / B&B: Buxton Manor
- Best backpackers hostel: Adelaide Central YHA
- Best resort: Mount Lofty House – MGallery by Sofitel
- Best aparthotel: Seawall Apartments
The Best Areas to Stay in Adelaide, South Australia
1. Recommended area: CBD (Central Business District)
Adelaide’s City Centre is the heart of the city. It is known by locals simply as “The City” or CBD, a common connotation of all Oceanian cities to define their Central Business District.
This district hosts the Parliament of South Australia and many state government offices.
The CBD is separated from its metropolitan area by a ring of public parks on all sides. The so-called Square Mile within the park is defined by a small area of high-rise office buildings and apartments.
Around this Central Business District, there are a large number of apartments, townhouses and low-density single-family houses that make up the residential part of the city centre.
The heart of Adelaide connects with the rest of the city through its line of trams that runs from north to south.
The Adelaide train station is located north of the CBD, next to the city’s convention centre.
Adelaide City Centre has the largest range of hotels in the city, from backpacker options to luxury-type hotels.
Why is this a recommended area to stay in Adelaide, SA:
- Central location
- Surrounded by parks
- Best area for sightseeing
- Great public transport connections
- Best area for business travellers
- All kinds of hotels
Accommodation in this area
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Top Choice
Ibis Adelaide
The ibis Adelaide offers a restaurant, a bar and a fitness centre. All rooms have a smart flat-screen TV and a refrigerator. It is just a 1-minute walk from the Rundle shopping centre.
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Budget
Hotel Metropolitan
Hotel Metropolitan is located in a historic building, just 3 minutes’ walk from Adelaide city centre. It offers accommodation with free Wi-Fi and a private balcony. There is a restaurant and a bar.
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Luxury
The Playford Adelaide – MGallery by Sofitel
This award-winning 5-star hotel, The Playford Mgallery by Sofitel, is a boutique hotel in the heart of Adelaide, on the vibrant North Terrace. The hotel has a 24-hour gym with a heated pool and sauna.
2. Glenelg
Glenelg is a suburb of Adelaide located next to the beach, west of the city centre.
Located on the coast of Holdfast Bay in the St Vincent Gulf, Glenelg has become a tourist destination due to its urban beach and a variety of attractions.
Glenelg hosts several hotels and dozens of restaurants.
Established in 1836, Glenelg is the oldest European settlement in the continental part of South Australia.
Its main street is Jetty Road, a long avenue with shops, entertainment and other commercial activities.
Glenelg is connected to the CBD by the city tram.
Glenelg is the best area to stay in Adelaide for lovers of the beach and the Australian coastal spirit.
Why is this a recommended area to stay:
- Beach area
- Connected by tram
- Great area for sightseeing
- Touristic attractions
- Nightlife
- Wide variety of hotels
3. North Adelaide
North Adelaide is a predominantly residential suburb of the city of Adelaide in southern Australia, located north of the Torrens River.
North Adelaide is surrounded by parks with gardens, many sports fields (including the Adelaide Oval), a golf course and horse meadows.
North Adelaide has Wellington Square at its centre, and O’Connell Street as its main shopping street.
O’Connell Street has many cafes, restaurants, hamburger bars, shops and pubs. Lincoln College and Aquinas College are also located in this block.
North Adelaide also hosts the famous Queen’s Head hotel (the oldest pub in the city).
Its location near the centre and its green environment make North Adelaide one of the best areas to stay in Adelaide.
Why is this a recommended area to stay in Adelaide, SA:
- Central location
- Green area
- Nightlife
Accommodation in this area
-
Top Choice
Comfort Inn Regal Park, North Adelaide
Just 5 minutes’ drive from downtown Adelaide, Comfort Inn Regal Park offers an outdoor pool, restaurant and barbecue area. All rooms have free Wi-Fi and satellite TV. There is free parking.
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Budget
The Adelaide Meridien Hotel & Apartments
The Adelaide Meridien Hotel & Apartments is located in North Adelaide and features an outdoor pool and hot tub. A laundry service, 24-hour reception and a business centre with free internet are also available.
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Luxury
Majestic Minima Hotel
Majestic Minima Hotel offers free WiFi access and is located on cosmopolitan Melbourne Street, in the heart of North Adelaide. Our compact study rooms have been designed and themed exclusively by a selection of artists from South Australia.
4. West Beach
West Beach is a coastal suburb of Adelaide.
It is located, as the name suggests, to the west of the city and north of Glenelg.
It is a beach and tourist area, with golf courses, shopping centre and the amusement park Mega Adventure Australia.
West Beach is very close to Adelaide Airport, making it a recommended area to stay in Adelaide for travelers in transit.
It is one of the best surf areas of Adelaide and the beach area has many bars, pubs and restaurants.
This area has several resort-type hotels and is a quiet area to stay in Adelaide, away from the hustle and bustle of the CBD.
It is an area suitable for families and lovers of the beach and the sun.
Why is this a recommended area to stay:
- Beach area
- Resort-type hotels
- Close to the airport
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