As soon as you enter Adelaide’s The Playford, you’ll be forgiven for thinking you’ve stepped back into a classy bygone era in New York City.
You can picture it — people dressed well, spoke well, ate and drank well and stayed in luxury. New York City might be 17,087 kilometres away but The Playford brings the essence of New York right to our very own bustling North Terrace.
The luxurious lobby, filled with grand fittings and fixtures, will instantly make you feel a world away, as will their supremely appointed accommodation. Take, for example, their top-floor New York loft-style suites. The rooms vary in size and comfort.
You’ll feel deliriously privileged among your own private sitting and dining areas, a kitchenette and the most amazing cloudlike bed atop the mezzanine in the sunsoaked room — I mean, what a treat!
This five-star hotel features an impressive 182 rooms and we love that they have teamed up with local South Australian artists to showcase their artwork in each of them. Guests staying at The Playford also have access to 24-hour pool and gym facilities, so when you’re craving that 2am swim, finally you’ve found a hotel where the pool doesn’t close at 9pm.
We’re not the only ones completely mesmerised and in love with this spectacular hotel. The Playford won Best Restaurant in a Hotel in the 2019 SA Restaurant and Catering Awards, as well as coming runner-up nationwide. Last year saw them score the top gong for Gourmet Traveller’s Australian Wine List of the Year.
It’s abundantly clear The Playford knows good food and drinks. With a strong focus on South Australia, the majority of food in their kitchen is local produce.
The bar follows a similar path, partnering with local distilleries and wineries to present their signature cocktails and other drink specials.
Here’s a hot tip: if you work in the area, swing into The Playford for happy hour — daily from 5pm to 7pm. You can even catch some live jazz on a Friday night. The Playford’s MGallery Restaurant is home to long-time French chef Kevin Martel — you’ll often see him serving his dishes to adoring diners while carefully explaining them in detail. If you’re culinarily curious, the seven-course artisan degustation will be right up your alley. It’s a showcase of the very best of the MGallery menu that’ll have you more than satisfied yet gluttonously wanting more.
Staying at or dining in this marvellous hotel aren’t the only ways to get your mouth around this fabulous food. The Playford can host your next function, event or even your wedding. With the capability to seat and cater for up to 380 guests, they offer a variety of tailor-made function packages to suit your needs throughout seven different function spaces.
In particular, the Ballroom features chandeliers and gold-leafed walls, as well as floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking busy North Terrace. It looks like a set straight out of a scene from The Crown — imagine the royal-style wedding you could have there.
The most difficult thing about your stay at The Playford will be whether you remain in that cloud-like bed for as long as possible, taking advantage of their generous 11am checkout, or if you pull yourself together and make the short trip downstairs for the beautiful breakfast buffet. Let me tell you, that buffet is worth it. Featuring direct kitchen access to the buffet line, I can promise that you’ll never have a fresher buffet breakfast.
Pack your overnight bag and book your babysitter — whether it’s a romance reviver or for rest and relaxation, even just one night will tick all your boxes. The Playford will swiftly become your go-to staycation stalwart so there’s no need for New York.
Ryan xx
Have your own staycation
Use code ADELADY when booking your next staycation at The Playford, and you’ll receive a special rate inclusive of $100 Food and Beverage credit to use during your stay. For new bookings only. Book by 30 June 2020, with stay valid until 31 August 2020, subject to availability. T&Cs apply.
