Travel brand Escape has unveiled its definitive list of the ’14 best hotels in Australia’s capital cities,’ and South Australia has made the cut! CBD hotels Hotel Alba and Adelaide Marriott have both scored a spot in the travel brand’s write-up, positioning them among the very best hotels from Australia’s eight capital cities.
Hotel Alba made the ‘wallet friendly’ category, with its fantastic balance between quiet luxury and affordability. With Art Deco-inspired decorating and spacious poolside lounges, it’s easy to see why the hotel made the list.
In late 2024, Hotel Alba Adelaide was named Best Redeveloped Hotel at the National Hotel Awards, highlighting its blend of luxury and innovative design. Formerly The Chifley, Hotel Alba was fully revamped in 2023 for a refreshing poolside experience in CBD’s south.
Located on South Terrace, the original building was constructed in the 1960s and is already noted for distinct architecture worth conserving.
Hotel Alba’s transformation was not merely cosmetic but aimed to reinvigorate the southern end of the city, giving guests easy access to the lush parklands that frame the area. The hotel features an alluring Mediterranean-style outdoor pool area as one of its major draw-cards. Last year, the poolside space was used as the centrepiece for a key Adelaide Fashion Week event, showcasing the space beautifully.
The hotel also features Mediterranean restaurant ‘ela,’ which offers everything from shared plates to individual mains, and even light poolside snacks.
The Adelaide Marriott was included as a ‘luxe’ listing, emphasising the elevated luxury the new hotel brings to Australia’s hotel landscape. Housed in the former 153-year-old General Post Office on King William Street, the hotel gives a beautiful nod to its history, while presenting a sophisticated air of elegance.
Opening mid-2024, the Adelaide Marriott is the first and only hotel from the company in South Australia. It quickly became known for its inspiring architecture as a result of a $200 million development. Baukultur, a renowned Adelaide firm, led the building’s architectural overhaul, transforming it into a hotel that blends contemporary luxury with a refined nod to the past.
The development features 285 spacious guest rooms and suites, including an opulent Presidential Suite, a Club Lounge, top-tier restaurants and bars, a swimming pool, fitness centre, and multiple function and conference spaces.
In the way of dining, the Adelaide Marriott offers two upmarket venues, Penny Blue and Exchange Lane. Penny Blue matches the building’s motif, blending Modern Australian food with a nod to nostalgia in a sophisticated dining area. Exchange Lane functions as both a cafe and a bar depending on time of day. It’s the perfect spot to wake up slowly with a relaxed morning coffee before it transforms into a lively bar with outdoor seating during the night.
The list included 12 other hotels from across the country and, not in a particular order, included the following establishments.
- The Eve Hotel Sydney
- Song Hotel – Sydney
- 1Hotel Melbourne
- Mercure Doncaster – Melbourne
- Adelaide Marriott
- Hotel Alba – Adelaide
- Islington Hotel – Hobart
- Vibe Hotel Hobart
- Garde – Perth
- Courtyard by Marriott Perth
- Mindil Beach Casino Resort – Darwin
- The Leea – Darwin
- The Calile Hotel – Brisbane
- LyLo Brisbane
You can find Hotel Alba at 226 South Tce, Adelaide, and you can find out more here.
The Adelaide Marriott Hotel resides at 141 King William Street, Adelaide. You can find out more about the hotel here.
For the full list of ’14 best hotels in Australia’s capital cities’ by Escape, click here.
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