About The Playford Hotel
The Playford exists to fill every stay with emotion and discovery. We embody a modern day interpretation of the Art Nouveau era which is Distinctive, Energetic and Inspiring, offering guests a taste of life from this fabulously indulgent and stylishly flamboyant period. As a service orientated hotel we aim to provide a truly memorable experience unlike any other in Adelaide.
Accor’s MGallery Hotel Collection
Outstanding stories, not just hotels.
MGallery is an intimate collection of individual boutique hotels, each with its own unique name, personality and story. The Collection plays an important role as purveyors of a cultural, artistic and gastronomic heritage with modern sensitivity and elegance. From Bangkok to Biarritz, Naples, Oran, or Adelaide, Buenos Aires, Carcassonne, each hotel is a revelation that excites the heart and mind of every guest.
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.
The Playford takes its cues from the Art Nouveau abode to offer its guests a taste of life from this stylishly flamboyant era.
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 site of today’s Playford Hotel was once home to Rupert Murdoch and his Adelaide newspaper ‘The News’. The original building was demolished in 1997. Then, with the vision of rebuilding a hotel that would complement the surrounding streetscape and become Australia’s first genuine Arts hotel, The Playford hotel was conceptualised. It immediately took pride of place as a jewel of Adelaide.
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When the hotel opened its doors in 1998, the Sparr family paid tribute to Adelaide’s progressive history by sharing its name with the state’s former premier, Sir Thomas Playford. During his term as premier between 1938 and 1965, Sir Playford oversaw major population and economic gains that contributed to the flourishing city that Adelaide is to this day.
The former premier’s progressive approach is reflected within the walls of The Playford Adelaide, which brings together the best of Adelaide’s assets, such as artworks from local artists and a menu bursting with local produce.
Today, The Playford hotel stands on one of Adelaide’s most beautiful and cultural tree-lined boulevards. It is within walking distance of major tourist attractions including the redeveloped Adelaide Oval, shopping precincts, restaurants, Adelaide Convention Centre, the new Royal Adelaide Hospital and leading educational institutions. Its location cements the hotel as the premier location to sample and explore all that the city has to offer.
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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
- 2023 Winner “World’s Best Bar Design” at the Restaurant & Bar Design Awards
- 2023 Winner “World’s Best Lighting Design” at the Restaurant & Bar Design Awards
- 2023 Winner “Best Hotel Design – Asia and Pacific” at the Restaurant & Bar Design Awards
- 2023 “Best Restaurant – Accommodation Division” AHA|SA Hotel Industry Awards for Excellence
- 2023 and 2024 “One Chef Hat” awarded to Luma Restaurant by the Australian Good Food Guide
- 2024 Awarded the Luxury category in Australia for the Tripadvisor Travelers’ Choice Best of the Best Awards
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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 property first opened as The Radisson Playford in 1998.
