Design-centric hotel raises the bar in South Australia

A restaurant and cocktail bar on the tenth floor offers panoramic views of the city and the Hills.Credit: Crowne Plaza Adelaide

CHECK-IN

After years of planning and construction, Crowne Plaza Adelaide quietly opened during the pandemic (November 2020), missing out on much of the fanfare it rightly deserves for raising the hospitality bar in South Australia. Centrally located in Adelaide's East End with unrivalled views of the city and surrounds, the design-centric hotel appeals to business, leisure and festival-going guests.

THE LOOK

Koomo's interior design is influenced by art deco and Japanese principles.Credit: Crowne Plaza Adelaide

If you've stayed at one of Crowne Plaza's 13 hotels in Australia lately, you probably noticed the significant brand makeover underway. Certainly at the three new-build locations opened in 2020 - Darling Harbour, Hobart and Adelaide - it's clear the hotels of today and for the future are a world away from the functional-but-bland past.

Tech-connectivity is a priority (access to complimentary high-speed Wi-Fi, of course, plus an abundance of power outlets, USB and wireless chargers in public spaces and in-room, smart TVs), plus a focus on sustainability (bamboo keycards, ethically sourced ingredients on the menu, liberal design use of wood and other natural materials). Crowne Plaza restaurants and bars now hold their own next to the best of non-hotel venues. Catering to the work-from-anywhere crowd, lobbies have been reimagined as stylish places to meet, work, collaborate and socialise. On all of these design points, Crowne Plaza Adelaide is an A+ example of the brand.

THE ROOM

The newly-built hotel features 329 guestrooms, including 20 suites.Credit: Crowne Plaza Adelaide

On levels 3-9 and 11-20 there are 329 guestrooms, including 20 suites. I'm in a 33-square-metre Premium City View room. Aqua soft furnishings pop against the neutral palette, giving the space a fresh and modern appearance.

The room feels very spacious, easily accommodating two double beds and a small round dining/work table and two chairs. Floor-to-ceiling windows flood the room with sunlight and afford beautiful views of the Adelaide Hills. They also give me a bird's-eye view of Fringe Festival buskers on the street below.

White subway tile and wooden accents in the bathroom confirm the contemporary design brief. High-end Antipodes toiletries come in eco-friendly full-size bottles. There are also quality tea and coffee provisions - T2 teabags and Vittoria coffee capsules - and reasonably priced minibar refreshments.

FOOD + DRINK

Billed as Adelaide's highest restaurant, tenth-floor Koomo offers panoramic views of the city and the Hills, with interior design influenced by art deco and Japanese principles. The Asian-fusion menu by Patrick Chung is flavoured by a love of everything Japan, without being confined by it. Yes, there's a terrific chicken katsu sando, served on grilled brioche with gochujang and lime mayo (also available for in-room delivery), but there's also Saskia Beer five-spice chicken, Goolwa pippies in XO sauce and crispy confit duck in laksa broth. The multi-course "Trust the Chef" tasting menu is good value at $85 a person. An excellent buffet breakfast is served at Koomo until 10am weekdays and 11am on weekends.

Also on the tenth floor is Luna10, a cocktail lounge/poolside bar with a fun mix of retro-named cocktails (Coconut Splice, Passionfruit Daiquiri) and select South Australian wines and beers on tap. Satisfying plates include bao buns, burgers and a local cheese plate.

OUT + ABOUT

With a super-central location in Adelaide's East End, key nearby attractions include Rundle Mall shopping, Botanic Gardens and Adelaide Oval. It's the official hotel partner of Adelaide Fringe, the biggest arts festival in Australia and a mere five-minute walk to the festival village.

THE VERDICT

One of Adelaide's newest hotels sets the bar very high for modern luxury, contemporary design, great food and city socialising. It's an ideal stay for business or leisure travellers.

THE ESSENTIALS

Rooms from $250 a night. 27 Frome Street, Adelaide. Phone [phone]. See adelaide.crowneplaza.com; IHG.com

OUR RATING OUT OF FIVE

★★★★½

HIGHLIGHT

Difficult to pick a favourite feature when it's all so good. Don't miss lunch or dinner at Koomo, in the very top tier of Adelaide restaurants.

LOWLIGHT

The windows don't open, so there's no fresh air coming in from outside (good air-con, though). I was a bit disappointed my room didn't have a bathtub.

The writer stayed as a guest of IHG Hotels & Resorts.