A bank-turned-art deco luxury hotel in the centre of Adelaide – considered by many as the best wine and dine city in the world – The Mayfair hotel has a lot going for it. And so does Adelaide for that matter.
One of Australia’s largest cities, the centre of Adelaide is known for producing some of the finest wines that can be found. The city is an epicurean’s mecca, a celebration of fine dining and good wines and also boasts a cornucopia of exciting things to do and see. In the heart of the city next to the top attractions, nightlife and shopping is the renowned Mayfair Hotel, the grand dame of Adelaide’s finest hotels.
The 5 star establishment sits on the corner of King William and Hindley Streets and in the centre of Adelaide’s bustling business and tourist area. Hindley Street is best known as the city’s place to go for nightlife and active pursuits with chic bars and cool clubs and lounges as well as some of the area’s top restaurants.
The Rundle Mall shopping strip is next to the hotel as well as the newly transformed Riverbank entertainment precinct. There’s so much to do and see in the area, and the hotel just happens to be near all the action.
With 170 rooms and suites, The Mayfair Hotel has had a rich history since it was constructed as the Colonial Mutual Life building in the 1930’s. The grandeur and character of the period are honoured today and found in the neo-Romanesque detailed facades and art deco style of the interiors.
The iconic city landmark had fallen on hard times and was derelict until several years ago. In 2015, after a $55 million investment, it was brought back to its former glory as one of the region’s most outstanding heritage buildings when it reopened its doors to the delight of Adelaide’s citizenry and international visitors.
The hotel itself is a respite for the well-to-do who visit to enjoy all that this lively area has to offer as well as having easy access to the nearby regional business centres. There are 170 rooms that range from quaint to sprawling – the floor plans vary widely as this is a heritage building converted from a 1930’s era bank so each stay in a different room yields a different experience.
The executive luxury king room is a plush room with all the amenities needed to have an enjoyable stay from a large flat screen television and modern appliances to bespoke bathroom amenities and a selection of complementary minibar items.
For more space to spread out, the hotel offers three executive Mayfair king suites that hold a separate lounge area with a large television, writing desk and couch – the bedrooms are quite spacious as well with a commodious bathroom and deep soaking tub. Executive guests also enjoy additional benefits such as a nightly turn down service, daily newspaper, free shirt press and more.
Adelaide is an area in this part of the world known for the excellence of its culinary experience. Restaurants and patrons focus on eating healthily, sourcing from local suppliers and care for the environment.
The Mayfair is no different and, in fact, the hotel has become renowned for its rooftop bee hives. These Ligurian honey bees support the beautiful flowers and other plants in the area by pollination and are a part of any fruit producing area’s ecosystem. They also produce wonderful honey that has found its way into the recipes featured in the hotel from the kitchen to the bar.
For those who wish to stay close, the Mayfair Restaurant offers an exceptional breakfast and a la carte lunch and dinner featuring a menu of classic international dishes.
Guests will also partake in an exceptional wine list featuring the region’s top wine choices and can expect to savour an exquisite glass of local wine during each meal.
The lounge is a chic retreat for the Adelaide smart set and hotel guests, who come to mix and mingle in the movie set-like surroundings and the lovely outdoor terrace which has sweeping views of the city.
One of the highlights of the wine and dine experience at the Mayfair is the Hennessy Bar on the rooftop. Named after the designers of the hotel, it is a great place to chill out and offers a sexy scene as the beau monde congregate to great lounge music and some serious cocktail culture.
One of the bar’s favourite cocktails is the Honey Trap Cocktail which is a honey-gingered caprioska, with honey infused vodka, lime, ginger, mint, and a drizzling with honey collected from the rooftop bee hives.
For a day time culinary treat on weekends, the hotel features a high tea served on Wedgwood crockery and Riedel and Waterford marque crystal glassware. Expect a few hours of indulgent nibbling and perhaps a side dish of gossip and people watching.
Yummy finger sandwiches, scones, tartlets, profiteroles, other tasty morsels, coffee, tea and sparkling wine make for a wonderful way to spend the afternoon.
South Australia and the Adelaide area are well worth a visit during a holiday to Australia. This is a foodie heaven with some of the best wine and dine experiences in the world.
Adelaide is also a city on the move and an ideal place to stay and play for the urban explorer. When coming to this part of the world, the Mayfair Hotel offers an excellent option for a luxurious stay in this fascinating city.
Address: 45 King William St, Adelaide SA 5000, Australia
Phone: +61 8 8210 8888
