Largs Pier Hotel Adelaide review | SA’s Great Travel Planner

A stay at the award-winning Largs Pier Hotel, built in 1882, is a trip back to a delightful bygone era – and a touch of luxury at a reasonable price.

A stay at the award-winning Largs Pier Hotel, built in 1882, is a trip back to a delightful bygone era – and a touch of luxury at a reasonable price.

Size isn’t everything but there is something excitingly decadent parading around in our deluxe heritage corner room suite like we are lord and lady of a mighty fine manor.

A kingsize four-poster bed, chaise longue, marble fireplace and lofty ceilings enhance the experience that this is somewhere special for a quick retreat, even for a single night, which isn’t always available at some accommodation.

The three-storey hotel has arguably the most impressive and beautiful facade in South Australia, with Roman arches reminiscent of a colosseum providing wide expansive balconies from which to view the coastline. A chilled glass of chardy while seated in a wicker chair on our own private outdoor setting to watch the sun set over the glittering sea was a glorious treat.

Despite a thorough renovation around seven years ago that added the appreciated modern comforts, the Pier Hotel maintains the elegance and integrity of yesteryear.

The sweeping central wooden staircase exemplifies the grandeur – but lugging your bags up is obligatory as there is no lift.

Not everything is spacious though and there is a mini-fridge and mini-soaps and also a mini-bathroom.

Making it any bigger would have compromised the proportions and style of our suite but many would wish for a bit more wash room. Other rooms have spas, which would likely detract from the ambience of this predominantly colonial establishment.

Not all the appealing history is 19th century though as the place was a rocking music venue in the ’70s and ’80s and Jimmy Barnes regards the Largs Pier gigs as a significant factor in the rise to fame of Cold Chisel.

AC/DC, the Little River Band and The Angels also all played regular shows here.

There is plenty of other accommodation on offer at Largs Pier but for a special occasion the Deluxe room was worth the extra dollars.

A kingsize four-poster bed in a corner suite of the Largs Pier hotel.

Other attractions in the area include shopping and dining on Semaphore Road, the marvellous museums of Port Adelaide – including the Maritime, SA Aviation and National Railway – and the City of Adelaide clipper ship.

We chose to check out Fort Glanville down the coast, but still in Semaphore.

Constructed from 1878, amid fears of an invasion by the Russians, the fort is a crescent shaped earthwork reinforced by concrete and houses a variety of large guns including two 10 inch guns with the formidable fire power to launch a shell more than 6km out to sea.

The fort is open between September and May on the third Sunday in the month between 1pm and 4.30pm.

Volunteers from the Fort Glanville Historical Association conduct tours.

Other staff dress in the uniforms of the era and perform drills, but the highlight is the firing of rifles and some of the large cannons.

A small entry fee is charged.

Fort Glanville is an extraordinary place with many original features. It would be a major tourist attraction in another part of the world – and could be here with a decent investment – but is unlikely to survive on volunteer energy alone. See it while you can.

Reviews are unannounced and paid for by SAWeekend.

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

• 198 Esplanade, Corner of Esplanade and Jetty Rd, Largs Bay
• [phone]
• largspierhotel.com.au
• LOCATION Largs Bay, 25 minutes west of the CBD.
• ACCOMMODATION Heritage rooms, motel rooms and apartments.
• FACILITIES King bed, elegant decor, access to balcony and outdoor setting, sea views, free high speed Wi-Fi, flat screen TV, small fridge, tea/coffee making facilities.
• PRICE Heritage Room 1 starting from $260 per night; Deluxe Heritage Rooms starting from $199 per night; Modern Motel rooms from $164 per night; Two bed apartments from $125 per night.