Discover Australia’s opal-producing capital, half of the country’s wineries and white sandy beaches as you base yourself in this refined and cosmopolitan city. Head to the parkland on the River Torrens for museums including the Art Gallery of South Australia and the South Australian Museum. Adelaide’s grid layout makes it simple to get around; it’s dubbed the “20-minute” city, on the basis you can get anywhere on foot within this time frame. Visit in March if you want to catch the annual Adelaide Festival, a celebration of the arts with stellar international acts.
Eos by SkyCity
Named after the Greek Goddess of Dawn, this 120-bedroom boutique hotel stuns with a mirror-glass frontage that catches the abundant sunlight. It features interiors by local design team Hecker Guthrie and Walter Brooke, with suspended lighting, velvet chairs, marble coffee tables and gilded glass minibars. Some suites have birds’ eye river views through floor-to-ceiling windows and the two-bedroom Grace Villa offers butler service, on-demand mixologists and spa therapists, an office, a sauna and a gym. There’s a pool deck with a hot tub, a spa with products by IKOU, a family-friendly Italian eatery and a sleek restaurant serving plant-based and degustation menus.
Mayfair Hotel Adelaide
This Art Deco-era Heritage Building took on new life welcoming high-end travellers in 2015. It is found in the hub of the city, the central business district, and is a serene, sophisticated and plush oasis. Guests can expect to find L’Occitane toiletries, a minibar stocked with complimentary local treats and media hubs and standard; those staying in the Executive category suites also benefit from Nespresso machines, a daily fruit bowl and local chocolates at turndown. The restaurant, with a menu featuring the likes of steak, seafood and caviar, is located in the basement, while the opulent Hennessy Bar occupies the Mayfair’s 13th floor rooftop.
