The Crafers Hotel review | SA’s Great Travel Planner

We’re here to stay in one of the upstairs guest rooms, which have been refurbished as part of a multi-award winning renovation of this 1839 Adelaide Hills institution.

It’s just after five on a sunny Friday afternoon and The Crafers Hotel is humming with the convivial buzz of thirsty people who’ve finally got a drink in their hands after a busy week.

We’d like to join them – if we can find a spot.

Inside the front bar there’s not a seat to be had.

But then in the neighbouring lounge a couple offer up two well-padded leather chairs in front of the roaring log fire, and we gratefully plonk ourselves down.

We’re here to stay the night in one of the upstairs guest rooms, which have been refurbished as part of a multi-award winning renovation of this 1839 Adelaide Hills institution by local business people Ed Peter and his wife Julie.

The winner of the 2018 Australian Hotels Association’s best hotel in the country is clearly a popular spot – and it’s easy to see why. The front bar and the lounge are in the old colonial part of the building, with exposed sandstone walls contrasting with the smooth polished timbers of the bar. It’s cosy, tasteful, and very comfortable.

Bistro at Crafers Hotel.

A luxurious bathroom at the Crafers Hotel. Picture: Supplied

Towards the rear on the ground floor are areas set aside for food and wine – more than 2000 varieties, in fact. There’s a huge dining room, and two wine rooms filled with such an extraordinary selection that the pub has won the best pub wine list in Australia (and best wine list in SA). Even better, many of these wines are available by the glass in front of the aforementioned roaring fireplace.

But of course, they’re all better with a meal, and come dinner time the place is packed again. The menu is mainly pub fare with the addition of a more up-market selection of French-style dishes. It’s fair to say, though, that the menu (while excellent for a pub) is outmatched by a selection of wines – there’s an $8000 Chateau Mouton Rothschild, for example – that would suit a very fancy restaurant indeed.

The refurbishment hasn’t stopped downstairs. The attention to detail and quality is also apparent in the upstairs guest rooms. Ours, the Summit Room, has soaring ceilings and a large casement window looking out to a massive street tree.

Inside a guest room at the Crafers Hotel. Picture: Supplied

One feature wall has silvery grey paper with framed pictures of moody landscapes. The bed is enormous, very comfortable, and conveniently located in front of a wall- mounted flat screen TV which, as far as I can tell, only comes with local channels.

Airconditioning is controlled through a glass panel on the wall, and a large wardrobe houses some quality teas and coffee, as well as a safe, a small fridge and ironing board.

The bathroom is marvellous: big, tastefully tiled, with top-end porcelain and tapware. There’s a combined rain shower and handheld shower, with Aesop toiletries.

I have to admit I expected it to be noisier than it was. After all, the freeway is just behind the hotel, and downstairs tends to get louder in a pub the longer the night goes on.

But the Crafers has no pokies, and closes at midnight. I couldn’t hear the traffic at all.

In the morning, you can pop down the thickly carpeted stairs and breakfast near the fire in a light and bright dining room, or you can head out to nearby Stirling and find a café on the main street. Or linger a little longer: make a cup of tea in your room, pop back into the big bed and open The Advertiser that’s been left just outside your door.

Reviews are unannounced and paid for by SAWeekend

This review was first published in September 2019 and had details updated in March 2021.

• 8 Main St, Crafers
• 8339 2050
• [e-mail]

• LOCATION About 18km southeast of Adelaide in the Hills.
• ACCOMMODATION Seven rooms, three with balconies.
• FACILITIES Kingsize bed, airconditioning, internet, tea/coffeemaking, safe, iron, ironing board, bar fridge, TV, Aesop toiletries, T2 Teas, Sheridan robes and towels, complimentary chocolates and newspaper. Antique chandeliers, wool carpets and underfloor heating in bathrooms. Guest access to communal kitchenette with Nespresso coffee machine, washing machine, dryer, toaster, refrigerator and microwave.
• PRICE $270 a night, $320 with balcony.