Where To Stay In Adelaide: The Ultimate Neighborhood Guide
When planning a visit to the capital city of South Australia, you will be wondering which neighborhood is the best one for you to stay in. Well, it depends on what you plan to do! Maybe you are here for the Adelaide Fringe Festival or are here to tour the local pubs. Hoping to tour your favorite South Australian museum? Whether you are hoping to stay in a luxury hotel or seek a quaint boutique hotel, Adelaide accommodation is terrific.
Business travelers will want to stay near the Central Business End. If you are planning on spending time sightseeing, head to Glenelg, where you can lounge on the beach, hit the shops, and dine at some fantastic restaurants. Fashion lovers should look for the best hotel in the Rundle Mall District. Those looking for culture can stay near the River Torrens.
Travelers tip: When you decide where to stay, look for an Adelaide luggage storage service nearby to leave your extra bags. Exploring the city with luggage in tow or shopping bags in hand is not ideal. Stay in a luxury hotel or find a more budget-friendly option; whichever your style, you will find the right Adelaide accommodation after reading this guide.
Where to stay in Central Business District or CBD
The city centre of Adelaide is pretty much the heart of the city and locals affectionately call it The City or the Central Business District. Home to several state government buildings and the Parliament of South Australia, the CBD is a great place to stay when you are visiting Adelaide.
The Central Business District is almost like its own little city with a ring of wonderful public parks that encompass all sides of the CBD. There is an area inside one of the parks called the Square Mile, and it is filled with apartments and office buildings. The residential area of the CBD has everything ranging from townhomes and apartments to single-family homes.
Use the tram to easily make your way to other parts of the city. The tram runs from north to south. The Adelaide train station can be found next to the Convention Centre, just north of the Central Business District. You'll soon see the public transport system of Adelaide is not difficult to figure out, even for first time visitors. Take a look at this guide compiled by Bounce about how to get around Adelaide.
When you only have a few days to spend in the city, you will want to stay in the CBD where there are several amazing hotels ranging from luxury to budget. You will be close to much of the excitement including fabulous shopping and dining. Several major attractions, such as the Adelaide Zoo, are also here or within walking distance.
The Ibis Adelaide is a fantastic option when planning your stay in the Adelaide CBD. This hotel has wonderful amenities including a bar, restaurant, fitness area, smart TVs, and refrigerators in every room. It is also about a minute's walk to the Rundle Shopping Centre.
The hotel is only about a ten-minute walk to the train station, Botanic Gardens, and the hospital. Glenelg Beach and the Adelaide Airport are about a 15-minute drive from the CBD. Adelaide’s Arts Quarter is nearby and is home to the Dunstan Playhouse and Festival Center.
Where to stay in Glenelg
When you want to spend your vacation hanging out on the beach in a suburb of Adelaide, head straight for Glenelg, located to the west of the city centre on the coast of Holdfast Bay. The St. Vincent Gulf and Holdfast Bay area has become a very popular tourist destination with its sandy beaches, calm waters, wonderful restaurants, and entertainment options.
Glenelg was established in 1836 and is the oldest European settlement in South Australia. Stroll down Jetty Road, the main street in Glenelg, and check out the shops, attractions, restaurants, and interesting architecture of the neighborhood. You can hop on the city tram and head right into the CBD from Glenelg.
When you are visiting with your family and have kids in tow, Glenelg is the perfect place to stay that is close enough to the city but far enough away to avoid the large crowds. Plan to spend time at the beach when you stay in Glenelg. There are even several playgrounds in the neighborhood for your kids to enjoy.
The Beachhouse Amusement Centre is located near the shore, where you and the kids will love spending time going down the waterslides, riding the rides, and playing arcade games. To check out some of the popular tourist attractions in the city, hop on the tram for a 25-minute ride.
When you do decide to stay in Glenelg, book a room at the Stamford Grand Adelaide which is only about a one-minute walk to the beach. You can also spend time lounging around the outdoor pool or working off some of the rich food you will be enjoying in their fully-equipped fitness room. The hotel is only 15 minutes from Adelaide Airport.
The Glenelg Tramway is located directly across from the hotel and will quickly take you to the Adelaide Entertainment Centre, the CBD, and the Adelaide Oval. Book your reservations early, the hotel is popular with tourists.
Where to stay in North Adelaide
This residential suburb is located to the north of the Torrens River and is surrounded by wonderful parks and green spaces. The Adelaide Oval is located in this neighborhood. There are several sports fields, horse meadows, and even a golf course available here.
Take a stroll along O’Connell Street, the main shopping street in North Adelaide, and check out the many hamburger bars, pubs, cafes, restaurants, and shops. Aquinas College and Lincoln College are both located off O’Connell Street. You will also want to visit Wellington Square with its shops, attractions, and cafes.
The Queen’s Head Hotel can be found in North Adelaide, this is the oldest pub in Adelaide and a terrific place to visit when you are in town. The well-lit streets, friendly residents, and fantastic attractions make this a good neighborhood to pick when you are staying in Adelaide. There are plenty of cathedrals and historic buildings that are interesting to check out. While here, hike up Montefiore Hill for panoramic views of the city; it is breathtaking day or night.
There are several choices when it comes to accommodations such as the Comfort Inn Regal Park, which is just a 5-minute drive to the CBD and is close to the cinemas, cafes, shopping, and restaurants. It is also only a 15-minute walk to the Adelaide Zoo and the Adelaide Oval.
The Adelaide International Airport is only about 20 minutes from the hotel. Head over to O’Connell Street, about a one-minute walk from the hotel, and find public transportation that will whisk you throughout the city to any attraction you want to see.
The Comfort Inn Regal Park offers free wifi, barbecue areas, a swimming pool, laundry services, and luggage storage. Each room has air conditioning, a fridge, and a tea and coffee maker. Enjoy free toiletries in the bathroom.
Where to stay in West Beach
Located to the north of Glenelg and to the west of the city centre, this coastal suburb is a fantastic tourist area with sandy beaches, shopping malls, an amusement park called Mega Adventure Australia, and golf courses. West Beach can get rather crowded and it is a favorite with tourists.
Being close to the Adelaide International Airport, West Beach is one of the favored neighborhoods to stay in when you are visiting Adelaide. There are several Adelaide accommodation options to choose from as well as bars, restaurants, and pubs. It is a good alternative to staying in the very crowded Central Business District.
Book your room at The Retreat West Beach Parks has direct access to the beach so you can soak up the sun and lounge in the sand. The Adelaide CBD is only a short distance away from the hotel making it easy to check out several of the great attractions located there. Enjoy the well-manicured grounds and choose between a villa, self-contained unit, or bungalow.
This locale is full of things to do with kids. There are barbecue facilities, free wifi, a tennis court, jumping pillow and playground for the kids, go karts, and the AquaCove which has two water slides, several sun loungers, and five poolside cabanas. You won’t need to spend much time at the beach when AquaCove is open.
Where to stay in McLaren Vale
When you plan to explore Adelaide and the surrounding countryside in search of South Australia’s iconic wines, you will want to stay in McLaren Vale located on the outskirts of Adelaide. This small town has fewer than 4,000 residents and is only about 25 miles from the Adelaide CBD.
The quietness of the town is perfect when you are looking for a nice place to kick back and relax. You will find some of the oldest grapevines in the world. These vines are still producing amazing grapes that make some of the best red wines in Australia.
Take a stroll along the Shiraz Trail and check out the local flora and fauna. Explore the local farmer’s market held each Saturday morning and enjoy being out and about with the locals; most are super friendly and love chatting with visitors.
With Adelaide being so close, you can easily stay in McLaren Vale but still plan several day trips into the city to check out the major attractions and do some shopping. McLaren Vale is also not far from the airport making it an ideal choice to stay. As for Adelaide hotels? There are several mid-range hotels, luxury hotels, and even some hostels and budget-friendly hotel choices.
Where to stay in Barossa Valley
Looking for a must-try local wine? This small town is located only about 45 miles to the northeast of Adelaide and is the perfect place for wine lovers to spend a weekend. It is famous for its Shiraz grapes used to create earthy, delicate wines. While staying here you can check out several wonderful small towns including Tanunda, Nuriootpa, and Angaston which also have fantastic wineries.
With it being so close to Adelaide, you can plan a few day trips into the city to do some sightseeing. Spend the day in the Central Business District visiting shops, cathedrals, restaurants, and museums, and checking out the fantastic architecture throughout the city.
Barossa Valley is home to several great accommodations including luxury hotels, mid-range and budget hotels, and even tourist parks and caravan parks. The Vine Inn Barossa and Country Pleasures B&B are great options when you are on a budget. Or go all out and stay at the Novotel Barossa Valley Resort.
Where to stay in Adelaide Hills
Located about an hour to the east of Adelaide, the tranquility of Adelaide Hills beckons. With several other quaint towns within minutes of Adelaide Hills, you can spend your entire vacation exploring just outside the big city. Forests and bush filled with local flora and fauna are waiting to be explored.
Restaurants here are fabulous, taking the farm-to-table concept to heart and creating traditional fare bursting with flavors. Plan a day trip to Adelaide when staying in Adelaide Hills and explore what the city has to offer, then return to small town living and enjoy a quiet night. The Crafers Hotel or The Stables Boutique Motel are great options when staying here.
Adelaide Hotels
When searching for where to stay in Adelaide, many want to stay in Adelaide's city centre whereas others will want to be in a more relaxing setting but still be close to downtown Adelaide. Others have places like Victoria Square, Peace Park, or Adelaide Botanical Garden on their itinerary and want to stay in an area with famous attractions nearby.
Glenelg accommodation is always popular, as is a place with modern amenities in Port Adelaide. Some visitors look for highlights like a rooftop bar, beach area, award winning breakfast, free parking or extra spacious rooms. No matter your preference, affordable accommodation is right at your fingertips in this lovely city!