Adelaide Royal Coach Hotel review | SA’s Great Travel Planner

The Adelaide Royal Coach Hotel sits just at the edge of the city but offers free on-site carparking for guests, which makes it ideal for visitors who don’t want to navigate the CBD by car.

Adelaide’s city centre has come alive in the past few years, playing host to an enviable sports stadium, quirky laneways and enticing small bars.

But the CBD remains a congested place to navigate if you’re a visitor with a car.

The Adelaide Royal Coach Hotel sits just at the edge of the city but offers free on-site carparking for guests – an advantage for interstate visitors driving over the border.

This suited the groups of football fans who descended on the Royal Coach over the weekend I stayed, many having driven into town to attend an AFL match at Adelaide Oval.

(They also appeared to appreciate the Happy Hour at the hotel’s unassuming ground floor bar.)

Down the road are the National Wine Centre and Botanic Gardens, while a leisurely 15-minute walk will bring you to the heart of the city centre.

The Adelaide Royal Coach.

The stroll takes visitors past Adelaide’s grassy parklands and Rymill Park’s lake – great places for a morning run if you’re feeling energetic.

There are endless options for dining nearby at the restaurants, cafes and takeaway joints of Rundle Street, Hutt Street or, in the other direction, Norwood Parade.

But if you can’t be bothered leaving your bed the hotel offers 24-hour room service.

The mini-fridge was well stocked (and later filled by me with nibbles from a nearby gourmet supermarket), while the on-site Terrace Restaurant is open seven days a week for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

On the other side of the hotel is an indoor pool – although I didn’t find the time to make use of it.

Upstairs in my room, there was no shortage of extra pillows, blankets and towels. All the necessary items were there – from a hairdryer and toiletries to an iron and ironing board. The shower temperature was unfortunately touchy on the first morning but more reliable later.

The television channels were similarly sporadic – some available one day and seemingly gone the next. Although, free Wi-Fi is provided for those who bring devices on which to stream their own choice of entertainment.

The Adelaide Royal Coach’s spa room.

Some aspects of the hotel are a bit dated – such as the solitary, small elevator – but a refurbishment updated a series of superior and family spa rooms in 2014.

There are definitely more glamorous hotel options in the city centre, but if you’re bringing the car or don’t mind a short stroll, the Royal Coach is a convenient, value for money choice.

Reviews are unannounced and paid for by SAWeekend.

This review was first published in October 2016 and details updated in March 2021.

• 24 Dequetteville Tce, Kent Town
• [phone]
• royalcoach.com.au
• LOCATION CBD fringe.
• ACCOMMODATION Standard, Twin, Superior Queen and family spa rooms refurbished in 2014, Superior King Refurbished 2018
• FACILITIES Limited free carparking and Wi-Fi internet, indoor swimming pool, Angus and Co Bar and Grill Restaurant open Sunday-Thursday for dinners only (closed Friday and Saturdays), guest laundry, reception hours 8am-9pm daily, conference facilities.
• PRICE Rooms from $103 a night.