The newly reimagined building that now houses Hotel Alba is a bright spot on South Terrace, a shining row of pointed white roofs across from the peaceful expanse of Kurangga / Blue Gum Park. Just a quick 15-minute drive from Adelaide airport, the hotel sits conveniently at the edge of the city centre, and combines the feeling of a beach resort with a luxury hotel. Alba manages to capture the casual vibes Adelaide is so well-known for while maintaining a level of sophistication.
Checking in
Walking into Hotel Alba was a serene experience, with the bright, open lobby flowing into ela Restaurant and out to the pool. The colour scheme is chic gold and white, elevated by the signature colour of the hotel—a deep blue that pops out from the velvety restaurant seating and perfectly pressed suits of the reception staff. In this space, I felt an instant sense of relief; it was a place to truly settle into relaxation.
The room
My room was on the third floor, and as I made my way there, I soaked in that quintessential new-hotel feeling—pristine carpets, fresh paint, and a brushed gold lift that moved with satisfying smoothness.
The Cityside King room was all soft grey and blue tones, with pops of vibrancy in dark orange cushions and metallic accents. As always, my first step was to lay out my suitcase, and I appreciated the generous space and the simple practicality that had gone into arranging the closet. The bathroom was to the left as I walked in, a tranquil grey-tiled space with Miami Blue toiletries and the type of ceiling-mounted shower head that creates an all-encompassing downpour.
There was a straight walk through to the balcony, which had views across the pristinely still pool below, and then over suburban roofs, treetops, and glass and brick high-rises—one particularly prominent building featuring an enormous mural of David Bowie. For an inner-city hotel, the lack of surrounding tall buildings created a degree of separation, with more privacy and peace.
It was a room with all the extras, a combination of modern and classic hotel items, like the reception request tablet paired with a traditional landline phone, and the essential pod coffee machine and T2 tea selection. The mini fridge was stocked full of the usual alluring items, while a collection of Australian artisan treats were laid out on the counter—such as Kangaroo Island honey-coated popcorn.
And the most important part of a hotel—as literally, it’s what you’re there for—the bed. It was the kind you would invest in just for a staycation. Smooth, crisp sheets, and a mattress that envelopes you, so comfortable that if you’re as sleep deprived as I was, you could accidentally fall asleep there, fully clothed, in the middle of the afternoon.
ela Restaurant
Alba’s restaurant isn’t tucked away, attempting to be exclusive or overly fancy. ela is a subtle continuation of the lobby, staying connected to the dappled aquamarine pool through a wall of windows and an outdoor seating area. The bar is a centrepiece that stands out from across the lobby, with a wall of bottles glowing in front of a mirrored backdrop, only separated from the sit-down dining space by a line of blue velvet booths.
ela’s menu is Mediterranean-inspired, taking diners for a journey from Italy to Morocco, with the continual theme of simple, generous, fresh food that all of these countries share. The restaurant serves an a la carte breakfast (for guests it’s one dish, coffee, and juice included), and a casual daytime menu of bar snacks like crispy potatoes and flatbread with dip—but it’s the a la carte dinner menu that includes the real stand-out dishes.
For the launch of ela, we were seated in ‘little ela’, the separate function dining room and the location for three hours of complete decadence. As our glasses were continually topped up with sparkling wine or the local Seppeltsfield Barossa Grenache, the plates began to arrive. For me, a vegetarian, they provided inventive alternatives for dishes like the fried oyster amuse-bouche, but I was pleased to note that most of the courses already had a vegetarian option.
There was a rich baked potato and ricotta gnocchi with truffle cream, octopus carpaccio with pickled fennel, chargrilled rib eye with vine tomatoes, and chermoula prawn tagine—every course laid out sharing-style, activating conversation and dissolving any professional exteriors. For me, the desserts were a highlight, a luxurious tiramisu that perfectly balanced sweetness with bold Tia Maria liqueur and dark chocolate, and a crème brûlée that was elevated above the basic version with Manuka honey and a generous dose of vanilla bean. And just like we were in the Mediterranean, we finished up with a limoncello.
Final verdict
Staying at Hotel Alba was like entering a beachside resort in the centre of a city, the blue and white colour scheme, views of the pool from the lobby, and relaxed feeling mirroring the tranquility people visit islands to find. The hotel manages to capture this sought-after environment, without seeming out of place in the city—creating an unpretentious oasis that acts as a peaceful base for Adelaide adventures.
FOUR STARS (OUT OF FIVE)
To book your next Adelaide getaway at Hotel Alba, head to their website.
Address: 226 South Tce, Adelaide SA 5000
Phone: (08) 8223 2800
The author visited Adelaide and stayed as a guest at the hotel thanks to EVT Hotels and Resorts. All photos supplied by EVT.
