I have to be honest, having never ventured to Adelaide before I don’t really know what to expect. I’d been told the usual, that it was a fairly ‘big small city’ and that it’s foodie heaven (yes!). What I didn’t expect was the cool, eclectic and creative vibe.
Enter the five star (self-rated) Clarion Hotel Soho located on the city’s East End and named after London’s colourful Soho district.
Soho’s main entrance
Arriving after a tough day of delicious wine tasting in the Barossa, lastminute lovely Wendy and I check in to a super cool, designer studio suite fitted out with extra comfortable king size beds, cool artwork and colourful accessories.
I slept like baby in this bed. So comfortable!
The onsite ‘Soho Spa’ is a treat if you’re keen to really relax – you don’t even need to leave your room! Although Wendy and I don’t have time on this stay, beauty specialists can deliver a massage, facial or spa pedicure treatment right in the privacy and comfort of your hotel. Sweet!
I love a good hotel pool, so I make sure I pay the Soho’s rooftop pool a visit. Overlooking the Adelaide city skyline, the urban heated jet pool is the ideal spot to chill after a hot Adelaide day.
Soho’s pool.
Finally, if you’re after breakfast, lunch, dinner or a cheeky nightcap, the hotel’s restaurant ‘Decant’ is located on the first floor and features a chic fine dining experience, with a sophisticated Australian menu and wine list.
Decant restaurant
So what else to do in Adelaide? My personal faves are:
Fashion Icons- showing October 2014 – 15 February 2015:
During our stay at Soho we hit up the amazing Fashion Icons exhibition at the Art Gallery Of South Australia (which you can read more about here) as well as some of East Ends’ fun and cool foodie spots, all within walking distance.
The Flinders Street Project:
The latest ‘IT’ café in Adelaide, which is conveniently located a couple of doors down from the Soho. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner it’s the perfect pitstop before a day of wine tasting in McLaren Vale. I highly recommend their cute bircher muesli jars.
Don’t miss the ‘spoon’ artwork on the roof!
The Tasting Room, East End Cellars:
Usually a visit to a bottle shop is just a quick in and out trip. Not at the East End Cellars, which has its own wine bar and tasting room. The Tasting Room is the perfect place to spend an afternoon with a drop of local Adelaide Hills bubbles and a decadent cheese platter. Hot tip – sit at one of the tables out of the street and people watch.
Est Pizzeria
If Italian food is your thing, you MUST visit Est Pizzeria on Rundle Street. This cute little restaurant has a fun vibe and absolutely delicious wine. Try the rosé and awesome traditional pizzas and pasta – I highly recommend the gnocchi with gorgonzola and spinach lawn. Yum!
So if fashion, food, wine and art is your idea of a ideal weekend away, I highly recommend a visit to Adelaide’s East End (staying at the Clarion Hotel Soho, Adelaide)