Sofitel Adelaide

Food and drinks were the biggest letdown at this five-star CBD property. We arrived around 1pm on Saturday, and since the room wasn't ready, we tried to have lunch. The restaurant was only serving afternoon tea, leaving a small lounge at the front of the hotel as the sole food option. I ordered wine and a club sandwich, but it was terrible: cold chips, hard cold bread, dry chicken formed into odd ball-like pieces, bacon that seemed undercooked, and cheese with a plastic-like texture. I picked at it and left most of it. Breakfast was just as disappointing. The omelette was poorly made and below standard. Food in the dutch ovens had no heat underneath and sat under a weak heat lamp. Mushrooms, sausages, bacon, and pancakes were stone cold. The scrambled eggs were so overcooked they looked like breadcrumbs, and my partner's fried eggs were also overcooked, dry, and tasteless. We also asked room service to replenish our in-room snacks after housekeeping missed them two days in a row. We called twice and waited two hours, then gave up. The room itself was acceptable, but the level 15 room was on the small side. It had a pleasant view of the area, a comfortable bed, and a practical, well-laid-out bathroom. The soft furnishings felt gaudy and weren't to my taste. As an Accor member, I found the food and beverage service especially disappointing for a five-star hotel, and I wouldn't stay here again.

The hotel's location was excellent and made getting around the city easy. I also enjoyed the surprisingly good coffee in the bistro in the morning. Our corner suite had lovely views, but street traffic and nightlife noise from Hindley Street made it quite loud. I'd ask for a room facing away from Hindley Street next time. The pillows were uncomfortable and made it harder to sleep well, so I'd probably bring my own. I would stay again with those changes.

The suite had a lovely view, lots of places to sit or work, two TVs, and curtains that kept nearly all the light out. It was spacious and modern, with stone floors and both direct and indirect lighting. The pool is small but fine for a quick swim, and towels and water are provided. The gym is well equipped and nicely set up, though there was no cleaner available for wiping sweat off the machines. Club Millesime was very quiet, with drinks and snacks, so it worked for relaxing or getting some work done. Some staff were especially attentive, while others spent a long time chatting with guests instead of working. We also weren't sure what was included and what cost extra. The hotel is in a good spot and we were comfortable during our three nights in the prestige suite. Check-out was quick. At check-in, though, our room cards weren't ready and I had to sign a paper, even though I'd checked in online. The lobby bar is the first thing you see on entering, and reception is around the corner, which felt a bit odd. The minibar fridge was dirty, and there were dried cleaning marks on the stone floor. Maybe the water was dirty, there was too much cleaner, or something else was going on. A good hotel, but for a place positioned as a luxurious five-star stay, there are still things to improve.

The rooms were spacious, clean and modern, and the team were friendly and polite. They also managed to give us the high floor we asked for. On an earlier visit I was very impressed, but this stay left me less convinced by the Executive Club, Club Millésime. At about $160 extra each night, the club no longer feels worth it. Weekday breakfast has changed from a la carte to a below-par buffet in Garçon Blue. Afternoon tea used to feel like a curated high tea, but now there's a small choice of finger food and most of it was gone by 3:30 pm. The evening canapés have no served hot dishes, just a limited mix of hot and cold finger foods. There were no sugar-free drinks, and complimentary alcohol had to be served by staff, which seemed inefficient. The pool is usually small but adequate, though this time groups of children and families made it unusable. The men's sauna was also broken. Even with those issues, I'd put the hotel itself at a solid four stars. Sofitel is a beautiful place with pleasant staff, and I'd still recommend a visit, but the club no longer adds value and falls short of the five-star expectation.