Cafe Spa Suite North Adelaide review | SA’s Great Travel Planner

Step back in time with a night in the Cafe Spa Suite at the Melbourne Street Mews.

I’m sitting in a chair that once belonged to the late Sir Donald Bradman. The maroon and cream retro 1930s den chair is one of two in the sitting room of the Café Suite at the Melbourne Street Mews. On the wall is a cricket bat signed by the great Australian cricketer, there are books about him, and a jigsaw puzzle featuring him in action is on the desk overlooking Melbourne Street, North Adelaide. For a cricket fan like me, it’s heaven.

The phone on the desk rings and it’s Amanda from the North Adelaide Heritage Group, checking I have arrived safely. It’s just one of many personalised touches that make a stay here so memorable.

On the chest, which serves as a coffee table, is a vase of fresh carnations and a bowl of plump, ripe strawberries. The strawberries will be devoured later with chocolates, left on the bed, and a complimentary bottle of Currency Creek Estate Reserve Brut 2015 pinot noir chardonnay that is chilling with champagne flutes in the bar fridge in the kitchenette. A voucher for VIP table service and a free glass of wine at Zapata’s Mexican Restaurant next door is included in a welcome letter.

Cafe Suite, Melbourne St Mews, North Adelaide

I caught a bus after work to my accommodation for the night — there is no off-street parking — and walked the short distance from stop 4 to the Café Suite, one of two accommodation options at the Mews. The Champagne Suite is located at the rear of the property.

A large, old-fashioned key opens the big, heavy door, which I learn is originally from the old North Adelaide jail, complete with peep hole and bolt. It swings open to reveal a cosy sitting room with a gas log fire and a selection of reading material on a shelf including the Jack Reacher thriller Night School, plus various cricket titles. There is a flat screen TV but no Wi-Fi. Classic FM is playing in the background and I feel instantly at home.

A doorway leads into the bedroom and on to a well-equipped galley kitchenette with microwave, hotplate, coffee plunger, teapot, a selection of tea from T-Bar, and espresso coffee in the fridge. A wall of glass blocks separates the kitchenette from the large ensuite.

Cafe Suite, Melbourne St Mews, North Adelaide

The bedroom is dominated by an original nickel-plated queen size bed, which faces french doors opening to the side entrance of the property. A small square of unrendered wall reveals original brickwork. Fresh carnations have been left on the bed with Ferrero Rocher chocolates and a guest book. Flipping through it reveals the reviews of dozens of happy customers who have stayed at various properties owned by the North Adelaide Heritage Group (there are 16 accommodation options to choose from).

A wardrobe contains two fluffy bathrobes, an iron, ironing board and demineralised water. Plenty of fluffy towels are also provided in the large, light-filled bathroom. This is no original feature, with underfloor heating (already preset to come on in the evening), large marble tiles on the floor and walls, corner toilet and showerhead over the two-person spa bath.

After a few late nights out due to Mad March festivities, my partner and I decide to eat in and get an early night. There are plenty of eateries nearby if you do choose to eat out and you can combine it with a heritage walk around the neighbourhood. A walking map has been provided.

After dinner and a spa, we settle into the comfy bed only to be woken by an early morning street sweeper, which sounds like it’s coming into the room. It’s the only downside of our stay.

Reviews are unannounced and paid for by SAWeekend.

This review was first published in May 2017 and details updated in March 2021

• 38 Melbourne Street, North Adelaide
• [phone]
• adelaideheritage.com
• LOCATION Near bus stop 4, Melbourne St, North Adelaide.
• ACCOMMODATION A one-bedroom cottage suite.
• FACILITIES Queen size bed, ensuite with spa and underfloor heating, well-equipped galley kitchen with hotplates, microwave and bar fridge, coffee plunger, gas log fire, evaporative airconditioner, CD player, radio, iron and board, TV, DVD player.
• PRICE $265 (I paid $245 through hotels.com)