Iconic Adelaide Oval makes history once again as home to Australia’s first ever stadium hotel

There’s a unique style hotel in Adelaide that you won’t find anywhere else in Australia – and sporting and music fans will love it.

There’s a unique style hotel in Adelaide that you won’t find anywhere else in Australia.

The city may be home to the historic Adelaide Oval, but did you know that built into the eastern side of the famous sporting ground is a hotel so seamlessly incorporated you forget it’s there.

The Oval Hotel is Australia’s only stadium hotel that was purposely built in 2019 so it sits flush into the structure of Adelaide Oval.

Oval Hotel is built on the eastern side of Adelaide Oval.

The hotel was seamlessly incorporated into Adelaide Oval’s stadium structure.

There are 138 contemporary rooms at Oval Hotel.

Despite its proximity to the sporting ground that sees cricket and AFL played there all year round, and hosts concerts from Adele to Pink, the 138 ultra-modern guest rooms are as quiet and serene as they come – thanks, in part, to the blackout blinds and curtains you can control via a switch from your bed.

Sporting and music fans need look no further when wanting to make a night or weekend away out of watching their favourite team or musicians play.

Surrounded by parklands, Oval Hotel is a place like no other – and it’s just a short few minutes stroll away from the vibrant city centre.

A tub with a view.

While there, you can also book a Stadium Tour that takes you behind closed doors to discover hidden secrets and revisit celebrated moments among the sporting greats who have competed on the famous turf.

Or do what Pink did. Before she played to a sellout crowd at Adelaide Oval back in February, she did the popular Adelaide Oval RoofClimb with her husband, motocross champ Carey Hart and their two children, Willow and Jameson.

Book a sunset RoofClimb at Adelaide Oval.

Pink will attest that the view from the stadium’s rooftop is worth the climb as the city skyline dazzles in the distance. You can even book your tour during game day and watch a half, quarter, or few overs from the highest seats in the stadium.

Adrenaline junkies can also dare themselves to do the 50m lean-out over the turf from the highest point on the stadium roof. Not for the faint hearted, but worth every heart-stopping moment.

Foodies will be impressed with the Oval Hotel, too. Its Bespoke Wine Bar & Kitchen restaurant relaunched recently and is now one of Adelaide’s premiere dining destinations.

Bespoke Wine Bar & Kitchen Restaurant at the Oval Hotel is a leading dining destination.

Bespoke Wine Bar & Kitchen Restaurant has views of the iconic Adelaide Oval.

Offering some of the best views in the city, Bespoke boasts a gourmet menus that showcases the best local and seasonal produce that complements its extensive wine list.

Each season, Bespoke’s wine bar will also feature a prominent South Australian winery – such as Skillogalee of the Clare Valley Region – that will curate tasting boards sure to please your palate.

There is also a very fancy wine and spirits wall that sits from floor to ceiling, where the beverages are housed in individual box shelves and kept under lock and key. Basically, you buy your liquor, staff store unfinished bottles on the shelves for you, and you access the bottles each time you return to the venue.

Bespoke’s very fancy lockers house patrons’ liquor bottles for when they return.

You may just see a famous face walk the corridors of Adelaide Oval, too.

AFL legend and South Australia icon Gavin Wanganeen not only has a stand there named in honour, but the sports star-turned-entrepreneur also supplies the Oval Hotel with his newly launched coffee brand, JooJu.

Each guest room is stocked with a complimentary selection of Wanganeen’s JooJu pods that are sustainably and ethically sourced from the best coffee producers around the world and roasted here in Australia. It’s the perfect way to start your day.

But your Adelaide adventure begins the moment you get off the plane – Virgin Australia offers up to 250 direct flights to Adelaide per week.

Just like the Oval Hotel, the Atura Hotel has a point of difference in that it sits right on the tarmac of Adelaide Airport.

Atura Hotel in Adelaide sits by the airport tarmac.

The hotel is located just steps from the terminal and provides comfort and convenience for travellers looking to relax before their departure or freshen up upon their arrival.

Hangar Bar and Grill at the Atura is both fresh with its decor and its menu. The eatery features a full-service bar with an array of local wines, as well as an appetising cocktail menu and selection of local and international beers.

Relax and reset at Hangar Bar and Grill at Atura Hotel.

Looking to get out of the city? The best thing about Adelaide is that it is a wine lover’s paradise.

Drive one hour from the CBD and you’re already at one of the best wineries, from the Adelaide Hills to the Barossa Valley and McLaren Vale – each region is easily accessible.

McLaren Vale, a 45-minute drive down south of the CBD, is a must-stop.

Hit up town favourite the McLaren Vale Hotel in the heart of the internationally-acclaimed wine region where you can taste award-winning drops while lunching on delicious local produce.

McLaren Vale Hotel is a fave among the locals.

Fresh producee meant delicious flavours.

Visit the Silent Noise Winery next and enjoy expansive views from the hills right through to the ocean. Sip some wine while overlooking the vineyards, or grab a seat on the tasting bench where you can try the full range.

McLaren Vale in Adelaide is a must-visit.

Young winemaker Charlie O’Brien took over his parents’ family winery, Kangarilla Road vineyard to launch Silent Noise in 2015 – and despite being only 25, Charlie has won countless awards.

Over the years at the McLaren Vale Wine Show, Silent Noise Wines has cleaned up the competition, winning Best Single Vineyard Red Wine, Best Grenache and Best Small Producer of Show in 2021 alone.

If you’re ready to book your trip to Adelaide, Virgin Australia offers up to 250 direct flights to Adelaide per week, with up to 10 flights per day from Melbourne to Adelaide and multiple flights per day from Sydney to Adelaide, Brisbane to Adelaide, and Perth to Adelaide with additional services during peak periods.

The writer was a guest of Oval Hotel Adelaide