A Complete Review of the Mayfair Hotel, Adelaide

Updated 10th March 2023

The Mayfair is a jewel in the crown of Adelaide’s revitalised hotel scene. It’s been open for a little while now, but it’s still much-hyped.

Each year for our wedding anniversary, Mr. Winter and I have a grown-ups weekend just for the two of us. Most years, we do a local stay somewhere in South Australia; sometimes we do an interstate weekender (like this one in Sydney).

This time, with travel restrictions being as they are, a local weekend was an easy decision. So we checked in to the Mayfair for a night of solitude.

For a little walkthrough, check my Instagram reels.

Note: this post contains affiliate links. If you click through and make a booking, I earn a small commission at no cost to you.

Rooms at the Mayfair Hotel

There are several room types at the Mayfair. We stayed in the Deluxe King Room. The lead-in room, a Superior Queen or Twin, is smaller in size and with smaller beds than the next rooms, the Deluxe King. These rooms are extremely comfy and have everything you need. We stayed in the Deluxe King room, which obviously has a bigger bed, and the room itself was quite a bit bigger. Bathrooms in these categories feature a shower but no bathtub.

The Mayfair also has 12 King Suites, which are bigger again and feature a bath and lounge area, as well as a Nespresso machine.

We loved the art deco design of the rooms, and because the Mayfair sits inside a heritage building, each room is slightly unique in terms of floor plan.

One thing I will say about all the rooms – the beds are divine. Friends of ours love the beds so much, in fact, that they bought the same bed for their home.

Dining at the Mayfair Hotel

There are several options to try at the Mayfair, whether you want something glamorous or a bit more casual.

Breakfast

Usually, the Mayfair offers a buffet breakfast option as well as an a la carte option. However, COVID-19 restrictions meant the buffet wasn’t an option during our stay. However, the Buffet option is now back. The Mayfair Adelaide hotel breakfast is absolutely divine, regardless of whether its a la carte or buffet.

We can confirm – our breakfast was absolutely delicious. Mr. Winter ordered while I had scrambled eggs, streaky bacon, and avocado on the most perfect turkish bread. I love places that take a simple order and make it incredible.

The DEN and the Mayflower

The Mayflower is the Mayfair’s signature dining experience. Seafood lovers rejoice – you’ll find plenty of options on the menu, including lobster bisque, blue swimmer crab linguine, and other fresh options sourced locally in South Australia (which always seals the deal for me). Additionally, the Mayflower features a superb wine list (including a Reserve collection). You’ll need to book in advance, and there’s a two course minimum per person.

The DEN offers simple fare with a sophisticated flare – think oysters, meatballs, and the most perfect club sandwiches. Again, you’ll find South Australian seafood featured prominently, hooray!

The DEN is open from 10am daily for coffee and sweets, with the kitchen opening at 12pm.

High Tea

High Tea is held at the Mayflower Restaurant every Saturday and Sunday from 1pm-3pm. You’ll need to book early for this.

Choose between the Sparling High Tea at $55 per person, and the Champagne High Tea at $65 per person. The big difference is how much champagne you get served – both options allow you to choose five savoury and five sweet options.

Hennessy Rooftop Bar

The Hennessy Rooftop Bar is a delightful place to enjoy a cocktail overlooking the CBD. Luxuriously appointed, Hennessy offers a refined drinking experience perfect for those times you want to splurge on something really nice.

There are plenty of seats inside and out, and the chilled music isn’t too loud, which makes Hennessy the perfect bar to catch up with loved ones – you can actually hold a conversation!

Drinks are somewhat pricey, which I think is expected for a venue such as this, but they’re served with the appropriate flair. South Australian small-batch gins feature throughout the menu, which is fantastic. We really enjoyed the vibe of Hennessy and would happily come back for drinks even if we weren’t staying at the hotel.

Just a note, it pays to check the website first, as the bar is closed on occasion for private functions.

Room service

We always love to test out the room service at hotels – mainly because our little hotel getaways are a chance to really wind down. We love nothing more than putting on a hotel robe, sitting in bed or on the couch, watching a show (uninterrupted!) and ordering room service. It’s the ultimate guilty pleasure for to hard-working parents.

Our stay at the Mayfair followed this plan, of course! Being our anniversary, we popped a bottle of french champagne in bed and watched TV (yep, that’s Bob’s Burgers playing in the background!)

Picking up the phone is not how one orders room service at The Mayfair. Rather, there’s a tablet by the bed that allows you to scroll through the menu and order at the push of a button. It even tells you how long the wait will be. The same system also has all the hotel and room information you need.

The Mayfair Adelaide room service menu is fairly basic (think pizzas and club sandwiches), but basic doesn’t mean bad. We were thoroughly satisfied with our tasty room service dinner. We also ordered chocolate fondant for dessert – my favourite! – and I was lucky we were in our room because I ate waaaay too much. I just couldn’t help it, it was so delicious!

Does the Mayfair Hotel have a pool or gym?

No, there’s no pool or gym at the Mayfair. However, guests can access a free day pass for Next Generation fitness hub on Memorial Drive, which is about a 10 minute walk away. Next Gen, as the locals call it, is a huge fitness precinct including indoor and outdoor pools, many different fitness classes, a spa and sauna, creche, and tennis and squash courts.

The Final Verdict

The Mayfair is a luxurious, old-world hotel in the heart of Adelaide that feels so elegant and refined. The staff are extremely friendly and helpful and the beds are among the most comfortable I’ve ever slept in. If you’re coming to Adelaide, or considering a staycation, the Mayfair should be at the top of your list.

Convinced? Book your stay at the Mayfair Hotel now!

Disclaimer: we received no compensation from the Mayfair Hotel for this review. These are our unbiased opinions.