6 Adelaide Stays for 6 Types of Traveller

Adelaide is a city that shape-shifts to match the people walking its streets. Come with whatever motivation you like; somehow, it always serves up exactly what you ordered. Timetabled or totally spontaneous, curious or calm, there’s a stay here for every kind of traveller, and a corner of the city that feels made for you.

Finding Your Adelaide

For some visitors to Adelaide, the day begins with the scent of roasted coffee, maybe a meander through the markets, or the first breath of sea air at Glenelg.

For others, it begins with a long lunch and glass of shiraz in the Hills, perhaps the chaos of festival energy, or the quiet browsing of laneways and boutiques.

Some come looking for movement, others for stillness. The good news for all of you is, Adelaide has room for both and space for everyone.

Here are six Adelaide stays for six types of traveller.

Adelaide Stays for Every Traveller

1. Port Adelaide – For the Creatives and the Curious. 

If you like places with a bit of edge, Port Adelaide might be your place to stay. It’s got a whole lot of character including murals, markets, and breweries, plus it’s just far enough from the tourist trail to feel like a discovery.

Spend the morning wandering the wharf, grabbing a pint at Pirate Life, or browsing vintage finds at the Fishermen’s Wharf Market. Then hop on a dolphin cruise, check out the street art trails, or explore the Maritime Museum before finishing the day with fish and chips by the river.

It’s a little grittier over this way, a little more creative, and completely its own destination. And that’s why you’ll love it.

Stay

Soon to reopen after an extensive refurbishment, the Globe Hotel will pair Port Adelaide’s rich history with a modern sense of creativity, making it one to watch for future stays in the area.

2. Kent Town – For the Slow Traveller.

Some of us love the energy of the city, but prefer to sleep somewhere that moves at an easier pace. Kent Town has that quiet, village-like feel with leafy streets, friendly cafés, and a slower rhythm that invites you to explore.

Just a short stroll from Norwood’s boutique shops and restaurants, it’s the kind of place where you can spend your mornings at a local bakery, your afternoons shopping boutiques, and your evenings unwinding with a glass of wine at one of the CBD’s rooftop bars.

The city’s endless choices are just moments away, while the hills wait quietly in the other direction (in case a hike is on the cards).

Stay

At KT Apartments, mornings begin with sunlight through tall windows and the quiet hum of local life outside. It’s a comfortable, unhurried base for exploring Adelaide just how you like to.

3. Adelaide CBD- For the Urban Explorer.

Hello city people, we see you. For those who thrive on atmosphere, the CBD is Adelaide at full volume. Step outside and the city instantly greets you.

This is where boutique-lined Rundle Mall awaits with its selection of international stores. It’s where laneway bars are hidden in secret corners and restaurants turn dinner into a whole event. Plus, during summer, festivals spill into the streets in the east end, just a short walk away.

In Adelaide CBD, you’ve also got prime access to the main cultural attractions, such as Art Gallery, the Botanic Gardens, Adelaide Central Markets or range of rooftop bars with a view.

Right in the middle of Adelaide, you’re never far from your next meal, exhibition, or dance; everything you need is right at your doorstep.

Stay

Quality Apartments Adelaide Central is your downtown base; all polished edges, plush beds, and that sweet spot between luxury and laid-back.

4. Goodwood – For the ‘Live Like a Local’ Travellers. 

A few minutes from the city, Goodwood has that rare balance of ease and character. It’s the kind of neighbourhood where people greet baristas by name, and weekend markets are never far away.

From here, you can wander through the parklands to the city and explore the CBD on foot. But you also don’t have to. You could just catch a show at the Capri Theatre or browse the shelves of independent shops right here.

Goodwood feels genuinely lived in, the perfect choice for travellers who like to slip into local life, not just watch it.

Stay

Grow at Goodwood brings fresh, modern apartment living to the heart of Goodwood. Enjoy spacious living areas, full kitchens and mobile key access, just minutes from local cafés, the showgrounds, and Adelaide’s city fringe.

5. North Adelaide – For Family Adventures.

A day in North Adelaide might start with lions and end with sunset views from the Oval, with plenty of playground pit stops in between.

Start with a morning at the Adelaide Zoo or a stroll through the Botanic Gardens where you’ll get lost amongst the trees, right in the heart of the city. Next, you could climb the roof of Adelaide Oval for the views, then grab ice cream in the park.

Base yourself in North Adelaide and the city suddenly feels like your backyard. Cafés are always singing with chatter and the atmosphere of the CBD is just over the bridge when you want a piece.

It’s a pocket of sophisticated calm that keeps you close to everything worth doing.

Stay: Comfort Hotel Meridien is proof that you don’t need to leave the city to find a little breathing room. It’s got super spacious rooms and a prime location from which to head out and explore.

6. The Quiet Side of the CBD – For the Culture Seeker.  

There’s a quiet side of the Adelaide CBD; one which knows how to balance spirit with breathing space.

Down in the east of the CBD, things can feel a little more suburb than city. And that’s ideal for the kind of people who want to experience it all, but go to sleep somewhere quiet.

Mornings might start at the Central Market with coffee and chatter and spill into an afternoon at the art gallery or a wander through Chinatown. Pack yourself a picnic, and you could finish with wine under the trees in the city’s parklands, or a round of frisbee golf. You could also catch a show while you’re in town; Adelaide’s theatres know how to put on a night worth dressing up for.

Here, the cultural heart of Adelaide is all around you, but somehow, the noise never follows you home.

Stay

With its grand façade, high ceilings, and calm, considered style, Adabco Boutique Hotel feels like the kind of place the city built for slow mornings and quiet nights.

Explore Adelaide in More Depth

Adelaide works its magic quietly, and each neighbourhood tells a different version of the city. Stay anywhere, and you’ll see what locals already know: Adelaide doesn’t need to try hard to win you over.

Thinking about an Adelaide escape? Start with our ultimate guide and see where the weekend takes you.

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