Hotel Indigo Adelaide Markets has been a welcome addition to Adelaide’s hospitality scene ever since it opened in March 2021. 

Making waves with its striking design, the hotel worked with local design studios and firms on the execution. The hotel chain’s ethos is to celebrate its surrounding neighbourhood, which they’ve done seamlessly here next to the renowned Adelaide Central Markets. Design details also celebrate the city’s history, referencing both creative (theatre) and production (such as copper mining).

The hotel is a short walking distance from everything in the CBD, and its location has many benefits: city noise can barely be heard and the city’s best eateries are at the foot of the hotel. Hotel stays are best timed when the Central Market is open, or has its Friday night ‘lates’ where the area is buzzing with activity. Located on a quiet side street off of Gouger Street (the main road connecting Chinatown and the Central Markets), the hotel is convenient to get to; both my foot and car. When driving, there is a parking area in front of the hotel for guests to use whilst checking in, and the hotel offers a discounted secure 24 hour parking service within walking distance of the hotel. 

With various partnerships each month, the hotel is always brimming with a diverse range of guests and visitors, equally local, interstate and international. A recent hotel partner for Tasting Australia (one of the most revered food and wine events in the country), renowned chefs such as Peter Gilmore (Quay, Bennelong) called the Indigo home for the weekend.

THE DESIGN

The Hotel Indigo Adelaide Markets is an explosion of colour. Considered, that is.

Upon entering, guests are introduced to the foyer design by Studio Gram – a renowned interior design studio in Adelaide. Inspired by Don Dunstan, the legendary Former Premier of South Australia who wore pink shorts, red and pink is the theme here. Bright red stools by Adelaide-based design duo Daniel + Emma are accompanied by solid pink central seating with overhanging Akari-esque lanterns. Custom red bricks (produced in South Australia) with text referencing Adelaide’s history are found within the hotel details.

The overall hotel design was assisted by Guava Lime, with interiors referencing local areas and surrounding neighbourhood. The brief was to ‘move away from hotel beige’ and they’ve certainly achieved this. 

THE ROOMS

With 145 guest rooms and suites, the hotel accommodates every type of traveller. There is the Standard, Premium and Premium Corner View rooms, with three different types of Suites available. Some Suites have bathtubs, so ensure to request those when booking. 

Interiors are aesthetically-pleasing, considered and efficient. Warm tones match the running theme of celebrating the local area; Adelaide Festival posters are used as wallpaper and a Central Market book is available to peruse through in every room. 

Rooms are equipped with Smart TV, espresso machine, tea and minibar (and refillable bottles of filtered water can easily be requested to be brought up to the room). Our favourite is the rainfall shower in the efficiently designed bathrooms including Biology amenities (and no single use amenities here). 

THE POOL & GYM

A lap pool on the 4th floor is the perfect place to wind down after checking in. With the sun beaming in the earlier hours of the day, the best time to visit in the day is around 12-2pm. Heated in the cooler months, the pool is still a great way for long-haul travellers to wade back into the Australian lifestyle. Cream, textured sunbeds and marble side tables continue the modern aesthetics throughout the hotel. 

Right next door is the hotel gym, featuring treadmills, bike and a weights area. Overlooking the city buildings surrounding the Central Market, the view ensures the workout is much more enjoyable.

MARKET & MEANDER

Situated on the ground floor of the hotel lies the all-day restaurant Market & Meander, a modern Australian eatery and bar. Integrated next to the reception and lobby, the restaurant’s approach is to create a welcoming central area where guests and public can both enjoy.

The restaurant sources all of its ingredients from the local Central Markets, with fresh produce available from the best suppliers. Seasonal produce is highlighted, and local wine and beers are introduced via the extensive drinks menu.

Head chef Gabriele Pezzimenti, originally from Italy, leads all f&b operations. He’s worked at three-Michelin-starred Da Vittorio in Bergamo, and brings his expertise to both Market & Meander and the rooftop restaurant Merrymaker.

For breakfast, ala carte options are available, whilst a grab-and-go option has been recently introduced and offered at a lower rate. Whilst it is a quick option for guests short on time in the morning, we’d prefer to try that on the menu as opposed to buffet-style. A thick sourdough toast option (with local, seasonal or even unusual jam) on the ala carte menu could still be offered at a lower price, but intentionally served more swiftly by staff. Breakfast is almost always enjoyed by every guest, and this is where the hotel can really showcase their location by the Central Markets best – by using the best produce in the most interesting way.

THE ROOFTOP RESTAURANT 

Adelaide’s tallest rooftop bar, the Merrymaker, boasts stunning views across Adelaide. 

‘Freshly-popped’ South Australian oysters and a classic martini at sunset? Yes please. The rooftop bar comes alive after 5pm, when locals also book the Merrymaker for after-work dinner and drinks. The cocktail list here is long, and the dining options such as freshly-opened oysters and lobster roll perfect accompaniments. 

A reference to the old Hardwick Plaza in Adelaide, an iconic public plaza in the city centre, the rooftop bar is a wonderful mix of colour and geometric shapes. The venues and brand design for the Merrymaker were done by Upper Case Studio (who also did the same for the Market & Meander restaurant on the hotel’s ground floor).

The hotel has plans for expansion in Australia’s other major cities by 2024, creating even more options for the design-conscious traveller (Hotel Indigo is under the IHG Hotels & Resorts group’s boutique lifestyle brand offering).

For Adelaide, the hotel has been extremely welcome addition since 2021 when the hotel opened. As the most design-led hotel in the city, it’s set a new standard for the boutique hotel in Adelaide. The boutique hotel really integrates with the local area, as is the aim of the Hotel Indigo chain. 

Staff are another highlight here at the hotel, a place where they remember your name on multiple visits (such as Yogna the Duty Manager) to make a visit or stay that much more inviting. With check-in at 2pm, and check-out at 11am, a stay here feels like a proper visit; especially with restaurants, theatre and the CBD all within walking distance to the hotel. We can’t wait to stay again. 

Hotel Indigo Adelaide Markets
23-29 Market Street
Adelaide South Australia 5000

For more Adelaide destinations, click here.
#champ_adelaide #champ_australia