This hotel is the perfect example of why you don’t have to stay in the middle of a city

Location is generally one of the top considerations when choosing which hotel to stay in. A priority is often being in the middle of a city, close to the main attractions, with easy access to public transport.

When it comes to where to stay in Adelaide, most visitors usually choose a hotel somewhere in the CBD, North Adelaide, or even beachside Glenelg for coastal vibes. But I tried a different option

The location

We chose Hotel Alba on the South Terrace in Adelaide. It’s a little further from the central hub of Rundle Mall but turned out to be the perfect base for a few nights away as a family.

South Terrace is a quieter and more budget-friendly choice that puts you right on the edge of the scenic parklands, offering views of the Adelaide Hills instead of heavy city noise.

It is a 15 to 20-minute walk to the heart of the CBD, or you can catch the nearby free city tram.

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Travelling by car, it was also convenient and easy to drive to the Adelaide Hills, McLaren Vale, or Barossa Valley from this side of town.

A huge bonus for families was the massive South Terrace Clover Playground literally across the road and the perfect spot for our toddler after spending most of the morning in the car.

It was so big it felt like three or four different playgrounds in one.

Given that we were further from the cultural spots or the trendy bars and restaurants in the East End and West End, there were fewer late-night restaurants and bars right on our doorstep.

But the city grid is compact and effortless to walk.

Checking in

This might have been one of the most comprehensive hotel check ins I’ve ever experienced.

Not one potential question went unanswered, though I did feel for the guy standing in line behind me having to wait and listen to the whole spiel – and then likely receive the same again.

After being handed the keys with our dinner reservation and in-room cot requirement confirmed, ample parking was easy to find located directly behind the property.

That made unpacking the car and lugging suitcases to the room with a restless almost three-year-old quick and painless.

The room

The first thing I noticed about our room was the sheer size. It was huge with a large kind bed, a daybed, a small table and chairs and another living area complete with a TV, lounge, and two more armchairs.

Add to that a wardrobe, mini bar and bathroom, as well as a long balcony with two doors to exit. It did, in fact, feel so large that it possibly could have done with a wall or some kind of divider to turn it into more of a one-bed studio.

The bed itself was supremely comfortable and the block-out blinds did a banger job of giving me possibly the best sleep I’d had on our entire three-week trip.

The bathroom was large with toilet, sink and shower, though I don’t like not having a proper vanity to put my toiletry bag on.

And can we have proper shower doors again, please?

I don’t know how many towels we went through having to mop the floor up after every use.

I’d also potentially recommend against our particular room. It was 201 actually located outside the main hallway in the stairwell that goes down to the restaurant and bar.

So while I can see this location is what gave the room the size, the noise from people traipsing up and down the stairs wasn’t ideal after our toddler’s bedtime.

The food

Mediterranean-inspired Ela restaurant downstairs was a convenient dinner option for our first night.

Mixing the flavours of Santorini and Sicily, we enjoyed small plates of the fritto misto squid and lamb kofta before our mains arrived.

I had the Gnocchi with pumpkin, pancetta and garlic butter with added chicken, while my husband enjoyed the confit duck leg with cherry glaze.

And yes, there was a kids’ menu with all the best options including pasta and nuggets.

This is also where a buffet breakfast is served for hotel guests. It had all the basics including fruit, pastries, bread, bacon and scrambled eggs, hash browns, beans and cereals.

The verdict

With good food in house, a playground across the road, and a free tram that got us into the city within 15 minutes, Hotel Alba really ticked all the boxes for a family-friendly stay in Adelaide.

And it proved that sometimes being within walking distance of the hustle and bustle isn’t always the best option.

The writer travelled to Adelaide at their own expense but stayed as a guest of Hotel Alba.