Adelaide & South Australia - Australia 2004 - page 488

Post Office The General Post Office (GPO), 141 King William St., Adelaide,
SA 5000 ( & 08/8216 2222 ), is open Monday through Friday from 8am to
6pm and Saturday from 8:30am to noon. General delivery mail (poste
restante) can be collected Monday through Friday from 8am to 5pm and
Saturday 8:30 to noon.
Restrooms Public restrooms can be found at the Central Market Arcade,
between Grote and Gouger streets, in both Hindmarsh and Victoria
squares, and at James Place (off Rundle Mall).
Safety Adelaide is a safe city, though it's wise to avoid walking along the
River Torrens and through side streets near Hindley Street after dark.
WHERE TO STAY
The South Australia Visitor & Travel Centre (see “Visitor Information,”
above) can supply information on B&Bs and homestays around the state. Satel-
lite or cable TV is rare in South Australian hotels, though some provide pay-per-
view movies.
IN THE CITY CENTER
Very Expensive
Hilton Adelaide The Hilton is a luxurious establishment on Victoria
Square just around the corner from a host of restaurants on Gouger Street. The
lobby is polished marble with a cascading fountain and piano music tinkling
throughout. Guest rooms are pleasant with all you might expect from a classy
establishment. There are 11 rooms equipped for travelers with disabilities. The
Hilton has fabulous deals—A$210 (US$137) for standard and $235 (US$143)
for executive rooms—“subject to availability” (which means when it's not full).
Five floors of mostly executive rooms were refurbished in early 2001. I was sur-
prised to find Charlie's Bar —full of photos of famous Charlies—virtually
empty even on a Saturday night. In a pinch I'd probably choose the Hyatt (see
below) for the extensive views, but there's not much difference between them.
233 Victoria Sq., Adelaide, SA 5000. & 1800/222 255 in Australia, or 08/8217 2000. Fax [phone].
www.hilton.com. 380 units. A$325-A$335 (US$211-US$218) double; A$440 (US$286) executive floor;
A$650 (US$423) suite. Extra person A$45 (US$29). Children under 12 stay free in parent's room. AE, DC,
MC, V. Parking A$16 (US$10). The tram stops in front of the hotel; a bus stop is adjacent. Amenities: 2 restau-
rants; bar; heated outdoor pool; tennis court; health club; Jacuzzi; sauna; concierge; salon; 24-hr. room service;
massage; babysitting; laundry service; dry cleaning; nonsmoking rooms. In room: A/C, TV w/pay movies,
modem port and fax (in business rooms), dataport, minibar, coffeemaker, hair dryer, iron, safe.
Hyatt Regency Adelaide The 20-story Hyatt Regency is in the heart of
the city and part of the complex that includes the Adelaide Festival Centre, the
Casino, the Exhibition Hall, and the Convention Centre. The property overlooks
the River Torrens and nearby parklands, and there are some wonderful views from
the higher floors. The Hyatt doesn't scrimp, which shows in the attention to detail
in the rooms. Guests staying in the club-level Regency rooms get a good compli-
mentary breakfast and free evening drinks and canapés. Waves, a cabaret/night-
club, offers a lively combination of video, disco, and live music; it's free for
guests, though it can be dull and the drinks are expensive. Afternoon tea is served
in the Atrium Lounge, which gets surprisingly full as the night wears on.
North Terrace, Adelaide, SA 5000. & 13 12 34 in Australia, 800/233-1234 in the U.S. and Canada, or 08/8231
1234. Fax [phone]. www.hyatt.com. 367 units. A$250-A$300 (US$162-US$195) double (depending on