About The Playford Hotel
The Playford invites you to experience a world where every stay is an exploration of emotion, discovery and timeless elegance. Inspired by the lavish spirit of the Art Nouveau era, the hotel reinterprets this fabulously indulgent period with a contemporary twist. Every detail is carefully curated to offer you a taste of a bygone era while delivering an unparalleled level of service to make your visit truly unforgettable.
Accor’s MGallery Hotel Collection
Outstanding stories, not just hotels.
As part of Accor’s distinguished MGallery Hotel Collection, The Playford joins a constellation of boutique hotels, each with its own unique narrative and character. This curated collection celebrates a blend of cultural, artistic and gastronomic heritage infused with modern elegance. Whether in Bangkok, Biarritz, Naples or Adelaide, each property is not merely a hotel but a revelation that sparks the heart and mind with its captivating story.
Unique 5-star accommodation with a story
The Playford romanticises the Art Nouveau period to recreate a sense of place within this iconic hotel.
The maestro, his muse and their mansion.
The Art Nouveau period was a time of great prosperity. The well-to-do built grand manors with large rooms to entertain and sequestered spaces to unwind. The mansion’s den and library were home to the maestro’s artefacts, sculptures and books, collected from his travels to exotic realms. For the lady of the manor, the luxurious and decorative boudoir provided an avenue for escape and restoration.
Together, the maestro and his muse hosted extravagant parties, where glamorous guests were received in the art-filled salon, drank enthusiastically in the winter garden and enjoyed lavish banquets in the formal dining room. On such occasions, the mansion hummed to the notes of ragtime jazz, amused laughter and intellectual conversation.
Today, this legacy of artistic indulgence and refined celebration lives on at The Playford.
A contemporary rendition of Art Nouveau flows through each of our 182 beautifully appointed rooms and from the sweeping grand staircase to the handcrafted chandeliers, our first floor function space is perfect for every occasion from day conferencing though to fairytale weddings.
The Playford history
The story of The Playford begins on hallowed ground once home to Rupert Murdoch’s Adelaide newspaper, The News. Although the original building was demolished in 1997, a bold vision to create Australia’s first genuine Arts hotel was born.
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When the doors opened in 1998, the Sparr family honored Adelaide’s forward-thinking spirit by naming the hotel after Sir Thomas Playford, the illustrious former premier whose progressive policies helped shape the modern city. This spirit continues to be reflected in every detail from curated local artworks to menus that celebrate South Australia’s finest culinary treasures.
Positioned along one of Adelaide’s most captivating, tree-lined boulevards, today The Playford is ideally situated to immerse you in all the city has to offer. A leisurely stroll brings you to the revitalized Adelaide Oval, vibrant shopping precincts, an array of gourmet restaurants, the Adelaide Convention Centre, the new Royal Adelaide Hospital and leading educational institutions. Our central location makes The Playford the ultimate gateway for those ready to explore and savor the essence of this iconic city.
Step into The Playford Hotel and let a harmonious blend of art, history and modern luxury define your stay in Adelaide.
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Awards and recognition
We are proud to be recognised as a leading luxury hotel in South Australia. Our recent awards include:
- Gold accreditation in PLANET21 sustainable development program
- 2025 Tripadvisor “Travellers’ Choice” Award
- 2024 and 2025 “One Chef Hat” awarded to Luma Restaurant by the Australian Good Food Guide
- 2024 Awarded Tripadvisor Travellers’ Choice “Best of the Best” Award
- 2024 “Best Heritage Interior Design” and “Best Hotel Interior Design” Asia Property Awards
- 2024 “Hotel Chef of the Year” HM Awards for Hotel and Accommodation Excellence
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Indulge in the luxury of our elegant rooms and suites while you explore all that the Adelaide’s arts, cultural and entertainment precinct has to offer. The Playford offers the perfect blend of old world charm and modern day creature comforts, exuding a warm Art Nouveau feel with beautifully appointed guest rooms and suites, luxurious amenities and quality services.
Experience the ultimate in elite accommodation with a stay in our unique, New York style loft suites, offering luxurious split-level living. If you’re seeking a relaxing and romantic weekend away, our junior spa suite complete with a walk-in shower and spa bath is the ultimate location. Wishing to stay a little longer than the weekend?
Enjoy the enhanced amenities, furnishings and a generous living area in one of our Deluxe Guest Rooms. Whenever you choose to stay with us at the best luxury hotel in Adelaide, you are guaranteed to experience the exceptional service that is synonymous with the MGallery Hotel Collection reputation.
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Art Nouveau movement
It was the city of love itself that gave the Art Nouveau movement its name. Paris boasts some of the most enduring examples of Art Nouveau architecture ever displayed. The curving balconies, vine-etched facades and deep, striking colour schemes, which we associate with Paris’ 16th arrondissement, are the work of Art Nouveau designers. One in particular, Hector Guimard, was especially prominent in the movement. He was responsible for Castel Béranger, the Hôtel Mezzara and the gorgeous Metro stations that continue to be heralded as Parisian treasures.
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This beautiful style of art is what makes The Playford so beautifully unique. The aesthetic ‘whiplash’ lines and beautiful metalwork incorporate saturated colours and detail inspired by nature. Its all here at The Playford — from the moment you pass through the grand doors and enter the lobby; when you‘re relaxing with a quiet drink at The Playford Lounge Bar; or enjoying an exquisite dinner at highly awarded Playford Restaurant.
What would an arts hotel be without the celebration of painted works? The Playford has have been expertly adorned with the unique and wonderful works of talented South Australian artists such as Jeremy Herbert, David Bromley, Gray Hawke, Ashley Manley, Julie Strawinsky and Chris O’Brien to name but a few. As with each MGallery by Sofitel hotel which is inspired by an ancient or contemporary story, all visitors are invited to experience this story through their stay. We look forward to sharing some of our unique touches with you.
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Our Environmental commitment
The Playford Hotel follows Charter 21, Accor Hotels’ Environment Charter introduced in 2005. Charter 21 recognises that a hotel’s daily operations have an impact on the environment and recommends 65 specific actions aimed at better sustainability in the areas of management, energy, water, waste and products. At The Playford, we aim to eliminate or at least minimise the potentially harmful effects of our activities and operations wherever and whenever possible. As a luxury MGallery by Sofitel property, we fully understand our responsibility to be eco-friendly at all levels of the business.
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We aim to protect the health and safety of our staff and customers by balancing water, energy, and product use, while maintaining a safe and hygienic environment for all. All hotel waste must be disposed of in accordance with relevant legislation. We continually ensure the regular maintenance and repair of the building fabric and guarantee the routine operation and maintenance of building services.
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Accor Live Limitless
Discover a world of limitless experiences. ALL Members can enjoy and use membership benefits when visiting The Playford, a member of Accor’s MGallery Hotel Collection.
ALL allows you preview access to private sales, to enjoy exclusive rates 48 hours before everyone else, twice a year you can prepare your fast check-in the day before you arrive at The Playford, then simply drop off your key for a speedy departure, and receive your invoice by email. From Gold status, subject to availability on arrival, you can enjoy an upgrade to best room in the next category up. You can also use your points to enjoy a free night’s stay at any time of the year.
We look forward to welcoming you to The Playford with a luxurious and memorable accommodation experience.
The main entrance of The News Limited Building located at 113-114 North Terrace.
Bill Sparr, founder of the Sparr Group.
The hotel first opened as The Radisson Playford in 1998.
