Hilton Adelaide review | SA’s Great Travel Planner

The Hilton Adelaide has been around for a long time. A fixture on Victoria Square, it’s a go-to for visiting celebs and the home of elite cyclists during the Tour Down Under.

It doesn’t take long for a city hotel to become tired and dated.

And the Hilton Adelaide has been around for a long time. A fixture on Victoria Square, it’s a go-to for visiting celebs and the home of elite cyclists during our annual Tour Down Under.

But what are the standard rooms like for everyday folk that don’t have several hundreds of dollars to spend?

A flashy ground floor makes a great first impression, having been revamped over the past five years with a new lobby bar and lounge, restaurant and corner Collins cocktail bar.

Hop into the lift and the Collins’ drink specials will flash up on a screen … tempting.

But to the room.

Upon opening the door to the King Hilton Deluxe there comes a sense of relief and relaxation. Filled with natural light, thanks to a window overlooking Victoria Square, the furnishings are simple but contemporary with light timbers, a kingsize bed with white linen, roomy “kitchenette” and large desk with a seat so comfortable it puts my work chair to shame.

Hilton Adelaide pool deck. Picture: Adam Bruzzone.

We were here for one night only, during the Tasting Australia food festival, and so we wanted our space to feel nice without blowing the budget. So far, tick, tick.

While it’s not an apartment, the room is still spacious enough to get dressed for a night out – my husband was able to pull out the ironing board easily, while I made the most of a floor-to-ceiling mirror.

Speaking of mirrors, there’s also a make-up mirror in the bathroom that you can pull out from the wall, which makes that side of preparation a breeze (I want one for home).

The bathroom is compact – you wouldn’t want two people in there at once – and there isn’t an exhaust fan which can make things a little steamy. But it doesn’t take long for the main, large mirror to clear after a shower.

But while the bathroom is compact, it’s space savvy with a partial glass shower screen and rain shower head, with the option of using a handheld.

While the door handle is probably due for a tightening, everything else still looks new and contemporary, with a dark grey and white colour scheme, and there’s a robe hanging behind the door.

Other welcome features include a large wardrobe with plenty of coat hangers, a flat- screen television and a pillow menu.

The window behind the desk opens if you want fresh air, or the airconditioning works a treat.

The bed is comfortable – I may have snuck in a nap before dinner, too – and no roadworks could be heard in the morning despite a racket a couple streets down. Nothing tired here – except me, the next morning, after our late night.

While you can order room service for breakfast, anyone in their right mind would be tempted to wander down to Crack Kitchen on Franklin Street – open daily – for a killer coffee and eggs.

With a standard noon check out, you’ve got time to have your sleep in and eat brunch out, too.

Reviews are unannounced and paid for by SAWeekend.

This review was first published in August 2018 and details updated in March 2021.

• 233 Victoria Square, Adelaide
• [phone]
• adelaide.hilton.com
• LOCATION 250m south of the Adelaide GPO, on Victoria Square
• ACCOMMODATION A range of guest rooms, executive rooms and suites
• FACILITIES The King Hilton Deluxe has a kingsize bed, mini bar, tea and coffee making facilities, television, airconditioning, Wi-Fi, chromecast, pillow menu, safe, ironing board, opening window, desk with chair.
• PRICE Varies. Prices start at $189.