Adelaide's BEST Hotel? Holiday Inn Express City Centre Review!
Okay, buckle up Buttercups, because we're about to dive HEADFIRST into the Holiday Inn Express City Centre in Adelaide. I've got my notepad, my slightly-too-tight jeans (hey, I'm a journalist), and a whole lotta opinions ready to spill. This isn't your cookie-cutter hotel review; this is a human review. Let's do this, shall we?
SEO-tastic Title: Holiday Inn Express City Centre Adelaide: A Brutally Honest Review (Plus, Is it REALLY Adelaide's Best?)
First Impressions (And a Little Panic Attack)
Adelaide. The City of Churches. Sounds…peaceful. Maybe too peaceful for a caffeine-deprived travel hack like myself. Finding the Holiday Inn Express was easy – smack-bang in the middle of the action, which already earns it brownie points. (Though, note to self: Adelaide's "action" is a different beast than, say, New York's. More…charming? Less…threatening? I digress.)
The exterior, frankly, is a bit…meh. It's a modern building, a bit boxy. Nothing to write home about, visually. But hey, I'm not here to look at a building. I'm here to live in it, right? Right-o.
Accessibility – Bravo! (Seriously, A Big Thumbs Up)
Alright, I have to give a massive shout-out here. The Holiday Inn Express City Centre nails accessibility. The ramp, the elevator, the wide doors…it's all there. My imaginary friend (who uses a wheelchair) would have loved it. Serious points. And it's worth emphasizing because it sets a certain tone. Thoughtfulness always makes the whole experience smoother.
Checking In & The Great Wi-Fi Revelation
Contactless check-in is a godsend, especially after a long flight. The staff were friendly, the process was efficient, and I was in my room faster than I could say "flat white, please!" (Which, by the way, I did a little later. More on that). Internet access is where my heart truly smiles. Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! That’s right, it’s free, and it’s actually speedy! This is one of those things you don’t realize how important it is until you don’t have it. And the Internet access – LAN option is a nice touch, especially if you're a serious business type person.
My Room: A Haven (Mostly…and the Minor Annoyance)
The room? Clean. Spotlessly clean. Let's talk about the essentials:
- Air conditioning: Essential. And yes, it worked beautifully.
- Blackout curtains: Hallelujah! I slept like a baby, or at least, as baby-like as a person who just ate a entire pizza can sleep.
- Coffee/tea maker: Essential for the aforementioned caffeine addiction. They even provided complimentary tea. Win!
- Desk: Perfect for hammering out my brilliant prose (ahem).
- In-room safe box: Peace of mind.
- Wi-Fi [free]: The gift that keeps on giving.
- Window that opens: This is a big plus! Fresh air! The ability to feel like a human being, not just a machine of productivity! I needed it!
Now, I did have a small, petty complaint (hence the "mostly"). The mirror in the bathroom could have been a bit…brighter. It was like looking into a gentle haze. I'm all about a natural beauty look, but sometimes, a little light is helpful, just for checking if I've become a vampire during the night? Okay, maybe that was a little much. But, truly, it's the only fault I could find.
Cleanliness and Safety: Peace of Mind (and a Slight Paranoia Check)
Listen, I'm slightly neurotic about germs. Aren't we all these days? The Holiday Inn Express gets top marks here. Anti-viral cleaning products? Check. Daily disinfection in common areas? Check. Rooms sanitized between stays? Check. They even have hand sanitizer dispensers everywhere. (This is important, truly, for a germaphobe). Staff trained in safety protocol? They seemed to be. I even looked for the telltale signs of a hidden camera. Just kidding..mostly.
I felt safe and protected. I mean, the smoke alarms and fire extinguisher are nice, but it's the little things that matter to me.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: Breakfast Bliss (and a Tiny Complaint)
The breakfast. Oh, the breakfast. This is where the Holiday Inn Express truly shines. I'm a sucker for a good breakfast [buffet]. They had everything you could want. The Asian breakfast options were interesting to me, and the Western breakfast was good. And of course, it had to have a coffee/tea in restaurant, yes, finally! The coffee was decent, which is basically praise from me. The buffet was well-stocked, well-presented. The breakfast takeaway service is a nice touch if you're in a rush.
Now, I'm not going to lie, I am a complete breakfast person, and I did feel like I could have added a tiny bit more to the offerings. (Can I have a breakfast burrito?). The food was fantastic (though, be warned: I didn't find a vegetarian restaurant) But, overall, it was a great breakfast and a nice beginning of the day.
The Amenities: Gym? I’m Sure It’s Fine!
I briefly considered the fitness center. Briefly. Then I remembered I packed my "exercise clothes" somewhere in the abyss of my suitcase. (They're probably still there. Maybe.) But I peeked in – it looked clean, with modern equipment. I'd give it a solid "probably good" from anecdotal evidence.
The swimming pool [outdoor]? I did actually enjoy it. And it has a pool with view. I saw it and wanted to take a dip, it was the perfect size, not too big but not too small.
Services and Conveniences: The Little Things Matter (and Laundry!)
The Holiday Inn Express really thinks of everything. Daily housekeeping (bless them!), laundry service (thank you, because I live in a suitcase), luggage storage, concierge…it's all there. The convenience store came in handy for a late-night snack run. I especially appreciated the cashless payment service. And the elevator! (I would have died without it).
Getting Around: Easy Peasy
Car park [free of charge]. That's right; free parking. (Insert happy dance here!). They also had a taxi service and airport transfer.
Things to Do, Ways to Relax: Adelaide, You Surprise Me
Okay, so Adelaide isn't exactly known for its wild nightlife. But there are things to do! The hotel is perfectly positioned to explore the city. The Adelaide Central Market is a must-see. The Shrine. The beautiful Terrace. The gift shop if you need souvenirs.
For the Kids: Family Friendly, but I Didn't Bring Any!
Couple’s Room – I’m here alone!
The Verdict: Is the Holiday Inn Express City Centre Adelaide Truly the Best? (And Do I Recommend It?)
Okay, so after all this rambling, what's the verdict?
YES.
For the price, the location, the cleanliness, the accessibility, and especially the breakfast, the Holiday Inn Express City Centre Adelaide is a winner. It's not perfect. Nothing is. But it's a comfortable, convenient, and incredibly well-run hotel that provides a genuinely pleasant experience.
Would I stay there again? Absolutely. I'm already planning my return.
Who should stay here? Anyone who appreciates a solid, reliable hotel experience with a fantastic breakfast and a prime location. Business travelers, couples, families (especially if they appreciate thoughtful accessibility) – you'll all find something to love.
The Imperfections? The slightly dim bathroom mirror and the, dare I say, uninspired exterior. (Also, maybe a breakfast burrito option?)
The Quirks? The fact that I'm still humming the hotel's theme song (just kidding…I think?).
The Emotional Reaction? Pure, unadulterated, "I'd recommend this to my grandma" happiness.
My brutally honest rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars.
Book Now! (The Persuasive Offer)
Tired of boring hotel stays? Craving a clean, convenient, and delightfully delicious experience in the heart of Adelaide?
Then look no further than the Holiday Inn Express City Centre!
Here's what awaits you:
- Wake up to a breakfast buffet that'll make your taste buds sing! (Seriously, that breakfast is worth the price of admission alone.)
- Enjoy the peace of mind of a hotel that's sparkling clean and committed to your safety.
- **Explore Adelaide with ease – you're in the
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because this ain't your grandma's meticulously planned travelogue. This is a chronicle of me, a slightly-caffeine-addled human, attempting to navigate the glorious, confusing, and occasionally overwhelming experience of a few days at the Holiday Inn Express Adelaide City Centre. (Side note: why is "By IHG" always tacked on? Like they're afraid we'll forget who's holding the keys to the mini-fridge of civilization?)
Adelaide Adventure: An Unofficial Itinerary (aka, My Brain Dump)
Day 1: Arrival and Awkward Greetings (aka, The Jet Lag Tango)
- 4:00 AM (Adelaide Time – or, as my body knows it, Tuesday): Wake up in a cold sweat at the Melbourne Airport hotel. Realize I’ve booked an Adelaide flight. Panic. Drink lukewarm coffee. Curse whoever invented time zones.
- 7:00 AM (Adelaide Time): Arrive in Adelaide. The airport feels… beige. Like someone designed it after a particularly boring beige paint swatch. Grab a cab. The driver's accent is thicker than a bowl of Vegemite, and I only catch every third word. "Welcome… Adelaide… beautiful… city… you… stay… enjoy." Nailed it.
- 8:00 AM: Check into the Holiday Inn Express. The front desk person seems genuinely thrilled to see me. Maybe too thrilled? Am I smelling? Did I leave a trail of suitcase-shaped dust bunnies from the cab? The room? Standard, nothing spectacular. Clean-ish? (I give it the "squint and hope" test.)
- 8:30 AM: Collapse on the bed. Consider becoming a professional horizontal person for the day. But no. Gotta be productive. (Said in a voice that clearly disbelieves itself.)
- 9:00 AM: Attempt breakfast. The "complimentary" buffet is… well, complimentary. The scrambled eggs look suspiciously like they were sculpted out of a sentient rubber. The coffee tastes like slightly warm dishwater. I load up on toast and jam. (I'm getting real classy, real fast.)
- 10:00 AM: Embark on a "stroll" (read: stumble) down Rundle Mall. It's… overwhelming. Buskers are belting out covers of 80s power ballads, people are darting every which way, and a bizarre statue of a pig is inexplicably adorned with a hat. I find a coffee shop that makes a decent flat white, and the world rights itself (slightly).
- 12:00 PM: Lunch at a random cafe. Order a "salad." Realize halfway through that it's mostly lettuce. Cry internally.
- 1:00 PM: Visit the South Australian Museum. The Aboriginal artifacts are incredible, moving, and humbling. I spend an hour just standing in awe, feeling a profound sense of connection to something bigger than myself, and then promptly get distracted by a display of giant fossilized insects. (Yes, I'm easily distracted.)
- 4:00 PM: Walk along the Torrens River, desperately trying to look like I'm not jet-lagged. Observe a family of ducks who clearly think they own the place. They're not wrong.
- 6:00 PM: Dinner: I try a restaurant "recommendation". It was overly fancy and I couldn't quite get around the strange meat smell.
- 8:00 PM: Collapse into bed. Sleep. Thank God.
Day 2: Culture, Confusion, and Culinary Catastrophes
- 7:00 AM: Wake up, still jet-lagged. The breakfast buffet is just as tragic as yesterday. I find a packet of instant porridge at the bottom of my suitcase and consider it a victory.
- 8:00 AM: (Attempt) a visit to the Art Gallery of South Australia. I'm not an art connoisseur, mind you, but the gallery makes me feel… something. Usually, that something is slightly overwhelmed. Gorgeous, stunning, incredible… but also, “why did they put that next to that?” I wander aimlessly, occasionally muttering under my breath, "What is this thing?"
- 11:00 AM: Head towards the Adelaide Central Market. The smells! The sights! The sounds! Stalls spilling over with exotic fruits, glistening cheeses, and enough cured meats to feed a small army. I buy a bag of dried mangoes and eat half of them before I even leave the market. Zero regrets.
- 1:00 PM: Decide to be adventurous and try a local food stall. Order something that looked delicious. What arrived? A plate of… well, I'm not even sure what it was. Texture-wise, it was like eating a cloud that had a spicy identity crisis. I ate it anyway. Because… food.
- 3:00 PM: Explore the Botanic Garden; and try to enjoy the peace.
- 5:00 PM: Pre-dinner drinks at a rooftop bar. The view of the city is gorgeous, and the cocktails are strong. Make polite conversation with a couple who are clearly very "into" each other, whilst I am contemplating the existential nature of toast.
- 7:00 PM: Decide to attempt to cook in the hotel room, which, in theory, felt like a good idea. The reality involved a smoking pan, burned toast, and a frantic dash to open the window. I gave up and ordered takeaway.
- 9:00 PM: Attempt to watch TV. The selection is bewildering. Land on a show about competitive cheese-eating. Succumb to a fit of giggles.
Day 3: Winery Wonders and Departure Dread (aka, the Emotional Rollercoaster)
- 7:00 AM: Breakfast: Same as always. I start plotting my escape to a place with better coffee.
- 9:00 AM: Book a tour to the Barossa Valley. This is what I've been waiting for. Wine, glorious wine! The drive out there is beautiful - rolling hills, vineyards stretching to the horizon, and the distant smell of grapes.
- 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM: The Barossa Valley Visit. Winery after winery. Sipping, swirling, and spluttering (mostly from my inability to properly, you know, taste wine). I adore the place, the people, the wine. I buy bottles of wine. I buy more bottles of wine. I consider moving to the Barossa until the next flight arrives and I have to pack.
- 4:00 PM: Head to the hotel for the final time. Pack. Realize I have more bottles of wine than clean underwear.
- 7:00 PM: Farewell dinner at a restaurant. I order a proper meal, a glass of wine. It tastes incredibly, and I reflect on the trip.
- 9:00 PM: I'm lying on the bed in my room, thinking about leaving. Mixed with the relief of ending this trip as well is a sense of sadness for me.
- 10:00 PM: Pack and try to go asleep, but the excitement keeps me awake.
Day 4: Departure
- 6:00 AM: Wake up. I make a cup of coffee and prepare to leave.
- 7:00 AM: Check out from the hotel.
- 8:00 AM: Get your flight.
- End: Hopefully, I'll remember most of it. Adelaide, you weird and wonderful place, you have a place in my heart. See you… probably never. But thanks for the memories (and the excellent wine).
Alright, spill the beans! Why the Holiday Inn Express City Centre? What lured you there, Miss Fancy Pants?
Okay, okay, truth time. Adelaide wasn't exactly on my 'must-see' list. It was more of a "huh, a conference in Adelaide...guess I'll go" situation. And the Holiday Inn Express? Purely a budget-driven decision. My inner cheapskate rejoiced at the word 'Express.' Free breakfast? Sold. Free Wi-Fi (mostly…we’ll get to that)? SOLD. Plus, the photos looked…well, decent. Clean, modern-ish. Basically, it was the least likely to give me the heebie-jeebies, which, believe me, is a high bar.
First Impressions! Were you charmed or did you immediately want to run screaming back to your hotel room?
Alright, so the lobby. Okay, it wasn't *hideous*. It was…functional. Think clean lines, a few strategically placed (and slightly bland) modern art pieces. The staff? Surprisingly friendly! Seriously, I was expecting some weary-eyed clerk who'd seen it all, but nope! Pleasant, helpful, even *smiled*. Adelaide, you are off to a good start! ...Now, the room? Eh...it's a little like opening a present and finding a gift card. Functional, not exciting. Clean, but not sparkling. The view? Let's just say I had a lovely view of the fire escape. Romantic, right?
That Breakfast! Tell me EVERYTHING. Did the words 'free' and 'breakfast' live up to the hype?
Okay. Breakfast. This is where things get…interesting. "Free breakfast" conjures images of fluffy omelets and plates of bacon, right? Nope. We're talking the continental buffet champion of the world. Cereal that’s been sitting on the shelf, looking at all the other cereals since the dawn of time. Think soggy, tasteless pastries. Think rubbery scrambled eggs that probably haven't seen a chicken in years. Think a coffee machine that occasionally spits out lukewarm water masquerading as coffee. But… I gotta be honest, after a few days, and a metric ton of black coffee, I was kinda attached to it. It was the perfect fuel for a day of meetings, if you like your fuel bland, and lacking flavor! The *one* redeeming factor? The little individual yogurts. Those things were GOLD. I may or may not have snuck a few in my bag for later...
What about the Wi-Fi? You mentioned…issues? Spill, darling.
Oh, the Wi-Fi. My nemesis. It's like the hotel's mischievous gremlin. Sometimes it worked, sometimes it didn't. Sometimes it was blazing fast, sometimes it crawled at the speed of a sleepy tortoise. I swear, there were moments I considered sacrificing a perfectly good biscuit to appease the Wi-Fi gods. I needed to get my emails, you know? I had emails to respond to, deadlines to – UGH! I ended up tethering to my phone for most of the time. More out of frustration than anything.
The Room Itself: Comfy bed? Enough space? Were you able to, you know, *live* there?
The room was... fine. The bed was actually surprisingly comfortable. Like, I slept *hard*. Which was a HUGE win because, well, Adelaide, you know? Conference, early mornings, long days. Bless that bed. The space? Yeah, it was a bit on the snug side. Not exactly palace-like, but I've definitely stayed in smaller. I managed to navigate the space (mostly), and the air conditioning worked like a dream. I also appreciated the little desk, enough space to work on my laptop. It's a hotel room, not my permanent home. And it has a working air conditioning, which is a good start in a city famous for the summer heat.
Location, Location, Location! Was it easy to get around from the hotel? Was it a good base for your Adelaide adventures?
Okay, this is where the Holiday Inn Express really shines! The location was *fantastic*. Right in the city centre, easy walking distance to everything. Restaurants, shops, the conference venue (thank the heavens!). I could practically roll out of bed and be there. And the public transport? Super easy to navigate. I did catch the tram a few times, which was a breeze. Honestly, the location alone makes it a winner, especially if you're wanting to explore the city.
Any dealbreakers? Anything that *really* bugged you?
Ummm… well, the noise. It's in a central location, so you get the usual city sounds. Sirens, traffic, the occasional loud group of people returning from a night out. It wasn't *horrendous*, but if you're a light sleeper, definitely pack earplugs! I'm a relatively heavy sleeper and it still woke me up a few times. And, of course, there's the Wi-Fi situation, still stings. One other thing… I’m not sure if they had any other issues with the towels, but I swear I was missing a towel every day! And the soap dispensers. The walls were almost always covered in soap residue.
Okay, the big question: Would you go back? Is it worth the price?
Okay, drumroll, please... Look, for the price, and the location, yes, I totally would! It's not a luxury palace, but it's clean, comfortable (the bed!), and the staff are lovely. I'd go back. I'd bring my own coffee, and maybe a small Wi-Fi router. But hey, sometimes you just need a decent, convenient hotel in the middle of your conference-induced madness! And it's fine, really, and you know what? The city is pretty amazing, and just for that... I would recommend it. Just don't expect a Michelin-star breakfast or a private butler *laughing*.
