The Playford Adelaide
Art Nouveau grandeur with a contemporary boutique sensibility. Think wingback armchairs, gilded mirrors, deep plum and gold tones in the lobby, black marble pillars in the restaurant, and original artwork by Adelaide artists throughout. The common spaces feel theatrical; the rooms feel more restrained.
Book a North Terrace Loft Suite for the fountain view — guests consistently rate the outlook as the highlight
Why It Matters
Australia's first genuine arts hotel, opened 1998. Luma Restaurant holds 2026 Two Chef Hats from the Australian Good Food Guide and won World's Best Bar Design at the Restaurant & Bar Design Awards. The five North Terrace Loft Suites feature mezzanine king beds and artwork by Adelaide artist Robin Eley — there are no others like them in the city.
The Playford is an Art Nouveau boutique hotel on North Terrace, Adelaide's most culturally loaded boulevard. Built in 1998 on the site of Rupert Murdoch's old newspaper building — which burned down in 1997 — it opened as Australia's first genuine arts hotel and named after SA Premier Sir Thomas Playford. The 182-room property leans hard into local identity: South Australian artists hang on every wall, the restaurant holds two chef hats, and the New York-style loft suites are genuinely unlike anything else in town.
Where You'll Stay
7 room types available
Classic Guest Room
The entry-level room at The Playford and still genuinely five-star. King bed, walk-in rain shower, smart TV, heated towel rail, and a pillow menu. These are the smallest rooms in the property and the main caveat is some overlook the sides of office buildings rather than North Terrace.
King
Deluxe Guest Room
More space than the Classic, with fully opening windows — a genuine luxury in a city-centre hotel. Bathrobes and slippers are included and the bed configuration options (king or twin) make this versatile. The pillow menu is a nice touch for anyone fussy about sleep.
King or Twin (2 Queen)Junior Spa Suite
The main draw here is the two-person spa bath — ideal for a romantic escape. You get a separate lounge area with kitchenette, a 55-inch TV, extended minibar, and Appelles amenities in the bathroom. More space and a noticeably step up in furnishings compared to the standard rooms.
KingNew York Style Loft Suite
The signature room at The Playford. A mezzanine king bed sits on an elevated platform above a downstairs living area with kitchenette and dual rain shower. Light neutrals, generous ceilings, and a genuinely split-level layout make it feel like a small apartment. Nespresso machine and Appelles amenities throughout. Note: some loft suites don't have direct North Terrace views.
KingNorth Terrace Loft Suite
The best room in the house, and the rarest — there are only 5 and each is unique. The 4-poster king bed sits upstairs with original artwork by Adelaide artist Robin Eley. Downstairs is a spacious living area with a 4-person dining table. At 62sqm, it's genuinely large for a city-centre hotel. Request one facing the fountain for the best outlook.
King (4-poster) · 62 sqmNorth Terrace Spa Suite
The view is the headline here — uninterrupted North Terrace outlook. King bedroom with a separate living room, Nespresso, two-person spa bath, and Appelles amenities. A more traditional suite layout compared to the loft rooms, but the aspect facing the tree-lined boulevard is consistently praised by guests.
KingPlayford Guest Room
A step up in flexibility — available as a king or as a twin with two queen beds, making it the go-to for friends or family traveling together. Comes with in-room boutique teas, coffee and hot chocolate. Shower-over-bath in the twin configuration.
King or Twin (2 Queen)The Property
Eat & Drink
1 venue on property
Restaurant
Spa & Wellness
Treatment Menu
On Property
How you'll actually spend your days.
24-hour access to heated indoor pool, hot tub, sauna, and fully equipped gym. Guests only. Personal trainers, masseuses, and beauticians can be arranged on request.
Live music every Friday and Saturday night from 6pm at Luma Bar. Part of the regular programming, not a special event. Good option for guests wanting the hotel bar to have some atmosphere rather than just background jazz.
Afternoon tea at Luma Restaurant — called Le Gouter from the French 'to taste'. Known for its balance of savoury and sweet offerings. Runs every Saturday and Sunday 1pm-4pm. AUD 85pp includes a specialty cocktail on arrival, loose-leaf tea and espresso throughout. Upgrade to any listed cocktail for an extra AUD 10.
The MGallery-branded M Moment experience traces Adelaide's North Terrace sandstone facades into the West End precinct, taking in Light Square, the Queen's Theatre, Town Hall backstage, and the laneways of Peel and Leigh Streets. Finishes at Luma Bar with a signature cocktail and curated canapés. Added as an extra at time of booking.
Amenities & Practical Info
The details that matter for planning.
Internet access, printing facilities, and secretarial services available by arrangement (chargeable).
Wi-Fi at 25+ Mbps across all rooms.
Dedicated function floor on Level 1 with multiple spaces accommodating 2-300 guests. Grand Ballroom has balcony access to North Terrace. AV equipment throughout.
Fully equipped gym with free weights, open 24 hours, guests only.
Playford Car Park in Victoria Street, directly opposite the main entrance. Fee applies — approximately AUD 30 per day. Self-park and valet options available.
24-hour indoor pool with a hot tub at one end and a Michelangelo's Creation of Adam mural on the wall. Overlooks the gymnasium. Guests only.
Self-service public laundry on the lower ground floor.
Staff available around the clock for tours, tickets, transfers, and general assistance.
BUILD YOUR THE PLAYFORD ADELAIDE - MGALLERY PLAN
Rooms, dining, spa, and resort experiences — organized into one trip plan.
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