Oval hotels almost booked out but others suffering across Adelaide CBD ahead of Australia v India Test

Luxury hotels near Adelaide Oval are nearly fully booked out for the upcoming test, but the state’s hospitality industry has reported “mass cancellations” elsewhere in the CBD.

Luxury hotels close to Adelaide Oval are nearly at full capacity for the Australia v India Test match, despite “mass cancellations” at other CBD accommodation venues following the SA lockdown.

The Oval Hotel, SkyCity Adelaide’s EOS hotel and the Crowne Plaza on Frome Street all reported strong bookings over the four-day Test, with each nearing full capacity.

Australian Hotels Association SA general manager Ian Horne, however, said hotel occupancy levels were at “25-40 per cent” across the rest of the CBD and North Adelaide.

Australian Hotels Association general manager Ian Horne said there were “mass cancellations” following SA’s three-day lockdown.

“From the accommodation component, you would have to classify the statistics as a disaster compared to last year,” he told The Advertiser.

Mr Horne said international cricket events have “always been fantastic” for accommodation, but no international travel and “mad, frenzied cancellations” from would-be interstate visitors during SA’s recent COVID lockdown saw demand plummet.

He said hotel occupancy would normally be “north of 90 per cent” on Test weekends in previous years.

“The accommodation figures at the moment are simply not reflecting any great demand. In fact, it’s very, very flat.

“People in my industry are saying cancellations became an avalanche after the three-day lockdown.”

But, Oval Hotel general manager Bodelle Francis said the new venue received “strong local support” heading into the summer of cricket.

“Bookings are strong over the Test, particularly across the first three nights, with only a limited number of rooms still available,” she said.

“We will be welcoming interstate guests as well as locals, with a number of guests staying across the entire length of the Test.”

A SkyCity Adelaide spokeswoman said the new EOS hotel at the casino was completely booked out for Friday and Saturday and 70 per cent of rooms were booked for Thursday and Sunday.

The Oval Hotel is close to full capacity for the weekend. Picture: Oval Hotel

Meanwhile, Crowne Plaza general manager Sarah Goldfinch also reported high occupancy levels at the Frome Street hotel.

“We have some good interstate and intrastate visitation and are already looking forward to a strong Ashes series this time next year,” she said.

Further afield in the CBD, however, demand has been low, Mr Horne said.

“While we are delighted the Test is here, it’s very much a domestic Test, unfortunately, and there’s been no lift or no kick up that we can see.”

Mr Horne also noted there were fewer rooms available due to some venues, such as Pepper’s on Waymouth Street and the Pullman Hotel at Hindmarsh Square acting as medi-hotels – but demand was still “very,` very flat”.

“There are more than enough rooms for the Test,” he said.

Follow @G_Polychronis