Ibis Adelaide Hotel review | SA’s Great Travel Planner

Ibis Adelaide is a city stopover with a touch of class, loads of convenience and a reasonable price tag.

Sometimes a girl’s work-meets-social life calls for a night in the city that’s all about location, location, location. In other words, smack bang in the middle of the CBD. A spot where she can totter to and from an event (in ridiculously high heels), avoid taxi queues, rest her head in comfy surrounds and hotfoot it to the office the next morning.

Ibis Adelaide, which opened in 2014, is within walking distance of Rundle Mall, the bustling East End, North Terrace, Adelaide Oval and even Gouger Street.

From the outside it’s all tall, black, shiny glass and indoors, the foyer boasts an LED lit multi-coloured staircase (there’s a bar up there) and more black (with the odd splash of red). Even the girl at reception desk has lipstick and glasses fitting the colour brief. Staff are a perky bunch and wear Converse on their feet and a smile on their dial.

If you’re driving, you’ll need to park your car at Rundle Place Carpark (90-100 Grenfell Street), which is 30 metres from the hotel. Hotel reception will give you an exit pass (at a cost of $20 per exit).

The hotel itself is clean and efficient. This is economy accommodation but there’s no cattle class vibes to be found. My standard room faces Grenfell Street’s urban sprawl and when I ask to take a peek at the east-facing city rooms (pictured) I vow to book one with sweeping views of Hindmarsh Square next time. Windows are floor to ceiling and the bird’s-eye CBD view is a cracker. Pedestrians hurry about their business like ants, far below. There’s a little window ledge perfect for resting a laptop and working on the high and fly too.

saweekend: Ibis Hotel, Adelaide

Decor is modern, sleek and no frills. Above the bed simple artwork by street artist Ghostpatrol is a nice touch. The bed has an LED backlit bedhead, there’s plenty of USB ports for the workaholics and technology for the digitally inclined to mess about with – if they have a Samsung, that is. If your smartphone is compatible, photos, videos and games can be beamed on to the television screen. Mine isn’t but that’s OK, I’ve got an event to get to.

There’s not even time to use the little gym but a quick stop-off at the communal bar is a hit. Bright, funky seats, huge, round light shades and more LED make me feel like I’m in a scene from The Jetsons but service is good and although there’s not much of a view from the balcony, the fresh air is welcome.

Ibis Adelaide Hotel.

The restaurant is decked out in white Bentwood and Kartell Comback chairs and a wall length black and white “sketch” mural. My friend arrives for a pre-event bite and has to exercise patience with a waitress who is obviously quite new to the role. There’s a multitude of restaurants across Adelaide, so save your pennies for those and make the most of the breakfast spread instead. There’s no room service, instead, a takeaway service called Grab it and Go is available, so be prepared to leave your room if you need to fill your belly.

Later, after a big night out, the crisp white linen is a joy, the pillows comfy enough to get lost in and the night’s sleep a good one. On the way out I notice a chill out zone with free Wi-Fi and more bright, playful seats. I leave feeling seedy but satisfied. When the next big event calls for it, I’ll be back.

Reviews are unannounced and paid for by SAWeekend.

This review was first published in September 2015 and details updated in March 2021

• 122 Grenfell Street, city
• [phone]
• ibisadelaide.com.au
• LOCATION 122 Grenfell Street, city
• ACCOMMODATION 311 rooms ranging from standard rooms to superior rooms with a city view (above fifth floor).
• FACILITIES Queen-size “Sweet Bed” ensures you get a good night’s sleep. All rooms feature the latest Samsung Smarthub TVs as well as full room width desks with a Phillips LED desk lamp with USB ports and an adjustable office chair. The hotel has a guest laundry and an on-site gym.
• PRICE From $129/standard room (queen bed or two singles).