SA Tourism held a ballot a short time ago for people to register and win a Great State Accommodation Voucher, which the lucky recipients could use towards the cost of accommodation in the city or suburbs.

I was lucky enough to win one of these vouchers, so we used it recently to have a city stay at the SOHO Hotel in the east end of Adelaide.

SOHO Hotel

This boutique hotel is in a great location in Flinders Street, easy walking distance to the art gallery, museum, Botanic Gardens, Tandanya, Rundle Mall and lots of good restaurants and bars in the east end. Our studio room had loads of space, a very comfortable king bed and chaise, a large TV, original artwork, lovely décor and something unusual for a city hotel, bi-folding windows that completely open up the room to the outdoors.

There are only 5 floors and 29 rooms to the hotel and on the rooftop deck there is a heated pool overlooking the city skyline. It is a bit small, so lovely for only a couple of people at a time really. The hotel also has balcony suites and convenient parking across the road for an additional cost.

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We loved the location and the rooms were quiet with the exception of it just being our luck…there happened to be construction work going on right next door on the side of the hotel we were staying in. This was one of those Instagram Vs reality moments, we had to laugh, but it didn’t really bother because the workers finished around 5pm and didn’t start again until 7am the next day.

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Other than that it was a great stay, and Kirsty at reception was a very friendly and helpful person to welcome us and answer any questions we had.

Von Thai

Another good reason to stay at the SOHO is for the Thai restaurant also on the premises, on the ground floor. VON Thai is just a small restaurant, so book to avoid disappointment, but it has authentic, fresh and tasty food and exceptionally friendly service. Lilly was very welcoming and made us feel so well looked after, making sure that any dietary requirements were seen to with absolutely no bother. The menu has all your Thai favourites including vegetarian and plant based meals.

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Roxies

When in the city, a relaxing space I’d recommend for pre-dinner, after work, well actually any reason drinks, is Roxies Garden Bar and Eatery in Grenfell Street in the city. This casual and comfortable beer garden venue has lots of different nooks to sit with a group or as a couple and you are surrounded with lots of rustic, retro, interesting décor and leafy green plant goodness.

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It is next to the Crown and Anchor Hotel, tucked down a laneway, and could almost be missed except for the lush green plants that soften these old brick buildings.

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They have a good list of drinks to select including lots of South Australian wines, and excellent priced food including wood oven pizzas. The background tunes being played added to the comfortable and cruisy atmosphere too. This, along with the SOHO hotel and VON Thai restaurant, are venues we happily look forward to revisiting.

Cheers

Glenys