Kaydes and I stayed at Oval Hotel twice in 2023. The first time was in February, when she was sixteen months old and we were travelling from Alice Springs to New Zealand via Adelaide. The second was later that year, when we returned for a short city break.
For a hotel built into one of Australia’s most famous sporting venues, Oval Hotel feels surprisingly calm. Whether you’re visiting Adelaide for a cricket match, an AFL game, a concert, or simply exploring the city, it manages to combine a genuinely unique location with the kind of comfort that makes travelling easier.
And when you’re travelling with a toddler, easier is worth a lot.
Staying at Adelaide Oval
The biggest selling point of Oval Hotel is obvious from the moment you arrive: it’s built directly into Adelaide Oval.
For sports fans, that alone is reason enough to stay here. Adelaide Oval is considered one of Australia’s most iconic sporting grounds and has hosted cricket since the nineteenth century. The original oval dates back to 1871, while the modern redevelopment transformed it into one of the country’s premier venues for AFL, international cricket, concerts, and major events.
What surprised me was how little the hotel feels like a stadium hotel.
You aren’t constantly reminded that tens of thousands of people might be sitting just beyond the walls. Instead, the hotel feels separate from the event atmosphere while still giving guests the convenience of being right there.
Even if you have no interest in sport, there’s something special about waking up overlooking the oval or walking through a venue that occupies such a significant place in Australian sporting history.
The location also works exceptionally well for exploring Adelaide itself.
North Adelaide has a greener, more spacious feel than the CBD, and the River Torrens runs directly alongside the precinct. We found ourselves walking more than expected, whether it was along the river, across the footbridge into the city, or towards the nearby Botanic Gardens.
Our Room
For both visits, I booked a king bed room and an additional cot.
The design is contemporary without feeling cold. Neutral tones, quality furnishings, and thoughtful touches give the space a polished feel without becoming overly styled.
One detail I particularly appreciated was how functional everything was. The bedside controls allow you to adjust the lighting, curtains, and temperature without leaving the bed. There’s also an in-room iPad that controls hotel services and entertainment.
These are small things, but they make a difference, especially once a toddler is asleep and you’re trying not to disturb them.
Despite being attached to a major stadium, the room remained remarkably quiet. During both stays, it felt removed from the outside world in the best possible way.
The bathroom was equally practical, with a spacious walk-in shower, good lighting, and enough bench space for all the things that inevitably accumulate when travelling with a child.
Dining and Facilities
Oval Hotel isn’t trying to be a resort, and that’s part of its appeal.
Everything feels streamlined and well managed. Check-in was efficient, housekeeping was reliable, and staff interactions felt professional without becoming overly formal.
We spent most of our dining time at Bespoke Wine Bar & Kitchen, located within the hotel precinct. It offers a relaxed atmosphere and a menu focused on South Australian produce, making it an easy option when you don’t feel like venturing further afield.
For visitors attending events at Adelaide Oval, the convenience is hard to overstate. Being able to enjoy dinner, walk to your event, and return to your room within minutes is a genuine advantage.
At the same time, the hotel works perfectly well when no event is taking place. During our stays, it felt equally suited to families, couples, business travellers, and visitors simply wanting a comfortable base in Adelaide.
Would I Stay Again?
Absolutely.
I’ve now stayed at Oval Hotel twice, and both experiences were consistently positive. The location is excellent, the rooms are comfortable, and the connection to Adelaide Oval gives it a sense of place that many city hotels lack.
Most importantly, it made travel feel uncomplicated.
Whether we were passing through Adelaide for appointments or returning later for a short getaway, it provided exactly what we needed: somewhere comfortable, reliable, and easy to settle into.
Lore & Tempo is where motherhood meets adventure. I’m Ren – storyteller, explorer, and single mum in Wellington, New Zealand. I’ve been lucky enough to wander through 45 countries. 15 of them with my +1, Kaydes, either strapped to my front, on my hip, or running ahead on her own adventures. I created this space to share single parent life, travel tips, and the joy of exploring the world.
