Stay here: Adelaide Marriott Hotel review

As well as a place to stay, the Adelaide Marriott Hotel is a time machine. Housed within the city’s historic General Post Office (GPO), this grand heritage hotel blends Adelaide’s storied past with its vibrant present – a place where classical architecture meets modern innovation.

What’s the deal?

The hotel pays tribute to Sir Charles Todd, the visionary behind Australia’s Overland Telegraph Line, and breathes new life into the 150-year-old GPO building. Once the city’s social and cultural heartbeat, the GPO has been reimagined as a contemporary hospitality landmark. The design – by Baukultur and Hassell – features a cantilevered 14-storey tower set behind the original façade, allowing the iconic clock tower to remain a focal point of Victoria Square.

Inside, guests are immersed in a multisensory experience – from the signature Marriott scent to a curated collection of artworks that reflects South Australia’s creative spirit and natural landscape. The interiors draw on local materials, such as sandstone and corrugated iron, to create a complex visual narrative. Even the furniture, artwork and custom-designed carpets draw from the colour palette of the grapevines across South Australia’s wine regions, adding warmth and regional character.

The property comprises 285 soundproof guestrooms, including 11 spacious suites and a 1,560sq ft Presidential Suite. Each room is designed for comfort and tranquillity, featuring modern furnishings, wooden floors and sumptuous amenities. Select rooms offer sweeping views of Victoria Square and the GPO Clock Tower, a remnant of the original heritage building.

Why stay?

The hotel’s prime location in Adelaide’s CBD makes it the perfect base for exploring the city – from shopping at Rundle Mall and Central Market to catching a game at the Adelaide Oval or visiting the Art Gallery of South Australia. The tram stops just outside, bringing you to North Terrace’s cultural institutions, as well as the sun-soaked shores of Glenelg Beach, in a heartbeat.

After a busy day out, unwind with a few peaceful laps in the low-lit 18-metre indoor swimming pool or stay active in the 24-hour, Technogym-equipped fitness studio. For Marriott Bonvoy Elite Members and executive floor guests, the M Club Executive Lounge offers a refined space to work and relax – complete with à la carte breakfast, all-day refreshments and evening canapés.

Dining is a standout feature, with three distinct venues that cater to business travellers and hip locals alike. The Greatroom serves as the hotel’s stylish social hub, ideal for relaxed evenings or casual business meetings. Penny Blue offers a modern take on Australian cuisine, served with nostalgic flair, while Exchange Lane transitions from a morning coffee stop to a vibrant evening bar serving wine, cocktails and shared plates.

Cathay editors say…

“Be sure to explore the hotel’s impressive collection of artwork, displayed throughout every floor and corridor. The large sandstone sculptures in the lobby and the photographs in the restaurants and function rooms have been specially commissioned from local creatives, including First Nations artists from the APY Arts Centre Collective. Each piece offers a glimpse into the history of the building and celebrates the region’s diverse art community and natural wonders.”