Crowne Plaza Adelaide by IHG

The pool was small, with few places to sit or lounge, and it was frustrating not to find a spot to relax during our only night there. Breakfast was crowded, and something had clearly burnt in the kitchen, leaving the dining room smoky. With all the people and the smoky air, it wasn't the relaxing family meal we'd hoped for, especially at a price above a nice cafe meal down the road. Our room's view was of other people's apartments across the road. For our one-night birthday celebration, a city or hills view would have been nice. I was also surprised that the Crowne minibar had only a small milk carton for coffee and two bottles of water. The room was adequately clean on arrival, but there were dirt marks on the duvet and what looked like food stains on the wall by the entry. There was no top sheet, which I suppose is considered a luxury now. My husband and I couldn't sleep comfortably: under the duvet felt too hot, and outside it too cold. We could control the air conditioner, and our baby was comfortable because we'd brought sheets and bedding from home. I understand city hotels have limited space, but I doubt I'll return to the Crowne Plaza and will recommend other downtown hotels I've stayed in.

The breakfast was the clear highlight, with a huge range of choices and made-to-order omelettes and eggs benedict. We also had a spacious room and great service. Tonny at reception was funny, checked that we had what we needed, and, after confirming our membership, offered us both a free room upgrade and complimentary late checkout. My wife and I stayed one night at Crown Plaza Adelaide on Boxing Day to visit family, and loved the short 24-hour trip. The service at Crowne Adelaide made it a great experience.

I've stayed here a few times, but the latest visit was disappointing. The concierge was very helpful and moved us from a room that smelled and had rubbish under the bed. The replacement room was fine, but hadn't been cleaned properly either: there were keys under the bed and a toenail on the floor. For the price, I'd expect at least some free movies instead of the Chromecast rubbish.

The view from the room was nice, and the bar staff were friendly. The staff in general were helpful, and the bed and linen were very comfortable, but the room smelled unpleasant and hadn't been cleaned properly. For a hotel of this standard, cleanliness should be a priority. The heated pool wasn't warm, and the pool area was dirty. Parking is conveniently located, but very expensive, adding to the cost of the stay. The hotel has potential, though cleanliness, maintenance and value for money all need improvement.