The best Adelaide accommodation for every budget

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Whether you’re looking for affordable accommodation or high-end luxury, here’s where to stay in Adelaide.

If you’re heading to Adelaide for work or pleasure, or planning a staycation, there is nothing like staying somewhere where you will find everything you need on your doorstep. From boutique heritage boltholes to newly refurbished hotels, from campsites and caravan parks to luxury accommodation and chic Airbnbs on the city’s fringes, here is a look at eight of the best places to stay in Adelaide.

Sequoia Luxury Lodge

Sequoia Luxury Lodge is nestled in the Adelaide Hills and it’s as exquisite as a glass of the Mount Lofty House Summit sparkling wine produced exclusively for guests from the grapes grown on the grounds where the vineyard sits. The $18 million luxury lodge comprises 14 luxury sustainably designed suites, an infinity pool and a day spa. Guests at Sequoia also have access to the three-hatted Hardy’s Veranda Restaurant at nearby Mount Lofty House, which is also located on the 12-hectare estate.

Sequoia Adelaide Hills
The doors to Sequoia have quietly opened in the Adelaide Hills.

Mayfair Hotel

One for Adelaide architecture fans, the Mayfair Hotel is set inside the old Colonial Mutual Building, which was transformed into a stylish five-star place to stay in 2015. Located on busy King William Street, the city’s main drag, the Mayfair offers 10 different styles of rooms with all the trappings you’d expect of a high-end hotel: espresso machines, Appelles amenities, fluffy bathrobes and slippers and a complimentary mini-bar. Take in the breathtaking views from the hotel’s Hennessy Rooftop Bar, named after the building’s architects: Hennessy, Hennessy & Co. and dine at the stylish The Den downstairs.

The Mayfair hotel
Heritage meets contemporary charm at The Mayfair.

The Playford

The Playford is located opposite the Adelaide Convention Centre and minutes from Adelaide’s major retail and restaurant zone, making it a popular choice for business travellers. From its gold-leaf walls to its sweeping grand staircase and bold curves, the MGallery by Sofitel hotel – once home to Adelaide newspaper, The News – has a warm Art Nouveau ambience. All up, the hotel in the heart of Adelaide’s cultural precinct offers 182 beautifully appointed guest rooms.

The Art Nouveau ambience.
The Art Nouveau ambience.

Adabco Boutique Hotel

Adabco Boutique Hotel was originally opened as Our Boys’ Institution in 1897, an accommodation provider that preceded the YMCA. Housed in a charming, heritage-listed building, there is a distinct playful style on show in the boutique hotel with hand-painted artworks and a palette of warm gold and claret reds tempered with original features that will transport you back to the original 19th-century Venetian Gothic-style building.  The hotel, located on a leafy street in Adelaide’s east, features spacious rooms, a communal kitchen and a relaxing lounge and dining area just a 10-minute walk to the city centre.

Adabco hotel
Adabco is housed in a charming, heritage-listed building.

Holiday Inn Express

The Holiday Inn Express Adelaide City Centre is located in the north-west quarter of Adelaide’s CBD and although it looks rather austere from the outside, the nine-level, 245-room hotel is all warmth and colour and fun inside with colourful rugs, bold artworks and impressive murals livening things up. The new hotel provides easy access to Adelaide Oval, Adelaide Convention Centre and Rundle Mall and offers guests a free Express Start Breakfast or Grab & Go option.

Holiday Inn Express
Warmth, colour and fun inside.

Fire Station Inn

As far as fire engine-obsessed kids are concerned, there’s no other accommodation in Adelaide that holds a candle to the Fire Station Inn. There’s nothing flash or subtle about the North Adelaide property, but that’s the whole point. The 4.5-star inn sleeps a maximum of four in a suite splashed with colour from a bright-red 1942 International Fire Truck, which takes pride of place in the Fire Engine Spa Suite. Housed in Adelaide’s first Fire Station (built circa 1866), the suite also includes fireman lights, a red fireman’s pole and memorabilia.

Fire Station Inn Adelaide
Housed in Adelaide’s first Fire Station (built circa 1866).

Discovery Holiday Parks Adelaide Beachfront

With West Lakes and Glenelg beaches nearby, there’s plenty to do at the Adelaide Beachfront holiday and caravan park . In addition to luxuries such as an en suite, hot showers and laundry facilities, a stay here also offers access to nearby West Lakes, Henley Beach and Glenelg, which are well worth including on your Adelaide itinerary. Suitable for tents, campervans, and caravans, the pet-friendly campground has a swimming pool, bouncing pool, activity room and kiosk.

Discovery Parks Adelaide Beachfront
Location, location, location.

Planning a trip to Adelaide? Read more tips and itineraries in our Adelaide travel guide.

Carla Grossetti
Carla Grossetti avoided accruing a HECS debt by accepting a cadetship with News Corp. at the age of 18. After completing her cadetship at The Cairns Post Carla moved south to accept a position at The Canberra Times before heading off on a jaunt around Canada, the US, Mexico and Central America. During her career as a journalist, Carla has successfully combined her two loves – of writing and travel – and has more than two decades experience switch-footing between digital and print media. Carla’s CV also includes stints at delicious., The Sydney Morning Herald, and The Australian, where she specialises in food and travel. Carla also based herself in the UK where she worked at Conde Nast Traveller, and The Sunday Times’ Travel section before accepting a fulltime role as part of the pioneering digital team at The Guardian UK. Carla and has been freelancing for Australian Traveller for more than a decade, where she works as both a writer and a sub editor.
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A must-visit list of Victoria’s most iconic spots

From natural wonders to historical sites, we’ve rounded up Victoria’s most epic icons that deserve a place on your itinerary.

Grampians (Gariwerd) National Park

Mount William peak in Grampians (Gariwerd) National Park
Mount William is the highest peak in the Grampians (Gariwerd) National Park. (Image: Matt Donovan)

From towering mountains to crystal cascades and ancient rock art sites, the Grampians (Gariwerd) National Park is a playground for both outdoor adventurers and nature lovers. Don’t miss the views from the highest peak Mount William or the iconic Pinnacle.

Murray River

A paddle steamer down the Murray in Echuca
The wonders of the Murray are best experienced on board a paddle steamer. (Image: Visit Victoria)

A natural icon of majestic proportions, the Murray River flows for a staggering 2700 kilometres, making it one of the world’s longest navigable rivers. Meandering through Victoria before flowing out to sea at Goolwa in South Australia, the river is home to diverse wildlife, picturesque towns and secluded creeks and beaches.

Twelve Apostles, Port Campbell

the Twelve Apostles, Great Ocean Road
The Twelve Apostles are a star attraction on the Great Ocean Road. (Image: Tourism Australia/Two Palms/Harry Pope)

These limestone sea stacks are arguably Victoria’s most famous icon . After an $8-million upgrade to its lookout, The Blowhole near Loch Ard Gorge/Poombeeyt Kontapool (meaning breath of the whale) has recently reopened. A brand-new Twelve Apostles Visitor Experience Centre, complete with rooftop lookout, will open in 2026.

You Yangs, Geelong

kangaroos in You Yangs
Kangaroos enjoy dusk in the You Yangs. (Image: Tourism Australia)

Rising 300-plus metres from the flat volcanic plains between Melbourne/Naarm and Geelong, the You Yangs are massive granite boulders named for the local Wadawurrung word ‘Youang’, meaning ‘big hills’. Hiking, biking, rock climbing and horse-riding are popular within this regional park.

Redwood Forest, Yarra Valley

Redwood Forest, Yarra Valley
Yarra Valley’s soaring Redwood Forest. (Image: Tourism Australia)

Near the town of Warburton, an extraordinary forest of some 1500 Californian Redwoods stands among native orchids, eucalypt trees and rich birdlife. Planted in the 1930s, these 55-metre-plus trees can live for 2000 years and will grow to be some of the world’s tallest.

Wilsons Promontory, Gippsland

the Wilsons Promontory
Wilsons Promontory is home to the incredible Skull Rock formation. (Image: Tourism Australia)

The Prom, as it’s known locally, is the southernmost tip of mainland Australia. This 50,000-hectare reserve comprises granite mountains and forest, fringed by sandy beaches and surrounded by a marine park rich in marine biodiversity. It’s also home to the incredible and imposing Skull Rock formation.

Hanging Rock Reserve, Macedon Ranges

the Hanging Rock Reserve, Macedon Ranges
Enigmatic Hanging Rock. (Image: Visit Victoria/ Rob Blackburn)

This six-million-year-old volcanic rock  was thrown into the national spotlight thanks to the 1967 novel and consequent 1975 film based on the fictional disappearance of schoolgirls in 1901. Mystery aside, visitors can walk the steep 105-metre summit, fish for trout and go twitching.

Sovereign Hill, Ballarat

exploring Sovereign Hill
Step back in time at Sovereign Hill. (Image: Tourism Australia)

Cry ‘eureka!’ at Sovereign Hill , a living museum to the prosperous Gold Rush era of the 1850s, during which Ballarat produced the most gold in the world. Visitors to this much-loved attraction can walk historic  streets, enter a gold mine and try panning for the good stuff, too.

The Great Stupa, Bendigo

Great Stupa, Bendigo
The Great Stupa in Bendigo. (Image: Tourism Australia)

Who’d have thought the largest Buddhist temple in the Western world would be tucked away in Bendigo’s bushland? Welcoming visitors to explore, this sacred Buddhist pagoda is an epicentre for Tibetan culture, architecture, art and interfaith harmony.

Cape Schanck Lighthouse, Mornington Peninsula

the Cape Schanck Lighthouse from above
Heritage-listed Cape Schanck Lighthouse. (Image: Tourism Australia/Two Palms/Harry Pope)

Ensuring the safe passage of ships in the notoriously treacherous Bass Strait since 1859, this heritage-listed lighthouse overlooks dramatic volcanic coast and wild beaches. The surrounding reserve is home to a plethora of wildlife including little penguins, seals and echidnas.