Hotel Alba, Adelaide

Pros

• You won't have to go far to catch the city's free tram to access other parts of the city and its attractions, plus you're in a very walkable neighborhood.
• The gym and outdoor pool are great options for staying active during your visit and relaxing post a day of sightseeing.
• In-house ela restaurant serves a Mediterranean-inspired menu with buffet breakfast, dinner, and bar service available daily (there's lunch, too, though from Friday to Sunday).
• Rooms are classically appointed and stylish, with small balconies that overlook the neighboring parklands or city.
• If flying domestic, Hotel Alba is only a 15-minute drive away.

Cons

• While there's a sunrise buffet breakfast available, it comes at an additional cost, as does self-parking.

Authenticity

Alba is a newly renovated hotel that, while not steeped in history, follows Adelaide's laid-back vibe with its elevated, though not stuffy, resort-like aesthetic, reflected in its open-air, light-filled design. The ela Restaurant channels Mediterranean cuisine from Portugal and Morocco to Spain, France, and Italy with locally sourced selections. This connection to the region is reflected in its open-air, light-filled design that invites you to experience the sunnier side of life. 

Location

Sitting on Adelaide's South Terrace at the southern edge of the Central Business District, Hotel Alba is primely placed for exploring the city's cultural and natural attractions—on foot or via the free tram (free within the CBD). It's a short walk across the street to Blue Gum Park and pretty Himeji Garden. Restaurants, bars, and grocery stores are also nearby, while a 20-minute walk can get you to Chinatown, Central Market, and historic Victoria Square (Tarntanyangga in the Indigenous Kaurna language). 

Rooms & Bathrooms

Rooms are contemporary and classic, designed with clean lines, each featuring wall-to-wall carpeting, velvet mid-century modern furnishings (pale gray chairs and burnt orange poufs and accent pillows), brushed gold fixtures, and accent walls in the hotel's signature blue. Large windows with single glass doors open to small balconies that offer city or park views, and sleek tiled bathrooms are equipped with rainfall showers and designer toiletries. There are seven room types, from classic options to studios and one-bedroom apartments with kitchenettes. For a little more room, upgrade to the Alba Urban King Studio.

Amenities

This classic 4-star hotel offers a fitness center and outdoor swimming pool with umbrellas and sun loungers, providing opportunities for relaxation and exercise. Then there's the in-house ela Restaurant that overlooks the pool through a wall of windows (as well as has four-seater table and hightops spilling outside and separated from the pool area via a glass partition), serving a range of breakfast options, from continental to full English/Irish (with plenty of veg options), and offers a sophisticated dining experience with Mediterranean-inspired dishes, including Moroccan fare. The bar, open from 4 pm daily with all-day hours on the weekend, provides blue velvet booths to unwind in and a drink and casual eats menu.

Family-Friendliness

Hotel Alba Adelaide doesn't specifically cater to families, though it certainly welcomes them. Parents with kids in tow can book the Cityside Twin, which sleeps four guests, and request a cot for a fifth little one. The pool, too, is a fun feature for young swimmers, and the location across from the park, complete with playground and TreeClimb Adelaide, is another boon for active families.