Doors open for first guests at Sofitel Adelaide

The much-anticipated Sofitel Adelaide has welcomed its first guests, becoming the first new-build, international five-star hotel to open in Adelaide’s CBD in 30 years.

A ceremony was held to mark the $150 million hotel’s official opening by the Honourable Steven Marshall MP, Premier of South Australia and Minister for Tourism, and Daniel Palumbo, Managing Director of Palumbo, the hotel’s owner and developer.

Mr Palumbo said, “We are extremely proud and excited to introduce Sofitel Adelaide to our local community as South Australia’s reputation for world-class experiences continues to flourish and grow. As a local Adelaide business this has been a true passion project for us, and we’re confident that this hotel heralds the renaissance of a new era of tourism and travel for South Australia. Our ambition is that Sofitel Adelaide will play an important role in supporting the state’s tourism recovery efforts in the months and years ahead, underpinned by exceptional culture, cuisine and outstanding design.”

South Australian Premier Steven Marshall said, “As the first internationally recognised five-star hotel to be opened in Adelaide for 30 years, the Sofitel Adelaide is an asset to the State. I congratulate the Palumbo and Accor Pacific teams on this huge achievement – a hotel development of this calibre will play a critical role in the post-COVID recovery of our tourism sector, as we reopen South Australia’s borders from November 23. This investment by the South Australian family-owned Palumbo group and international hotel brand Sofitel is a massive show of support for South Australia’s future and the potential in our tourism sector and mean more jobs for South Australians.”

Accor Pacific CEO, Simon McGrath, said, “Accor is honoured to work with Palumbo who have created an exquisite world-class hotel in Sofitel Adelaide. The hotel and restaurant are a true reflection of all that is great in South Australia and promises to deliver an exceptional experience for guests. With Palumbo we have worked with an incredible partner at our side, who have brought great skill, knowledge and detail to this landmark project.”

Also in attendance was Rodney Harrex, Chief Executive of the South Australian Tourism Commission, who said, “Prior to the pandemic, South Australian tourism was booming – hotel bookings in Adelaide hit their highest in the past decade and our visitor economy hit a record-high $8.1 billion. It is with this solid foundation that we welcome Adelaide’s new internationally recognised five-star hotel, the Sofitel Adelaide, which will be a major drawcard for interstate and international visitors in the months and years ahead.

With Sofitel Adelaide located in the heart of Adelaide’s most vibrant city quadrant on Currie Street, guests can couple a decadent hotel experience with the very best Adelaide has to offer at their doorstep, including the Adelaide Oval, Adelaide Convention Centre, Riverbank precinct and Rundle Mall. The incredible Adelaide Hills region is also a short 30-minute drive away, and the internationally-renowned Barossa Valley wine region less than an hour from the hotel.

Part of a new 32-storey tower by the family-owned Palumbo Group, the flagship hotel features a spectacular glass exterior set to become a glittering addition to the skyline. The impressive building houses one of the tallest residential developments to ever be unveiled in South Australia, securing its status as ‘best in class’ for a new generation of modern, mixed-use luxury towers.

More than 1,100 jobs were created during construction, with the hotel expected to employ around 150 people ongoing.

The first 24 storeys are dedicated to the hotel and its facilties including a selection of 251 luxurious guest rooms and suites with a choice of city and Adelaide Hills views. 

Every Sofitel around the world is culturally linked with a city or region in France that shares similar attributes in terms of culture, landscape and design and Sofitel Adelaide is culturally linked with Bordeaux - a city that epitomes viniculture and gastronomic refinement, as well as history and fine art.

Today also marks the soft opening of Garçon Bleu, a French re-imagined restaurant set to become Adelaide’s newest gourmet destination. With elevated city views from its location on level nine of the new Sofitel Adelaide, Garçon Bleu’s 90-seat dining room boasts an open kitchen, an extensive wine wall, and an up-lit oyster and raw seafood bar.

In addition, Sofitel Adelaide has opened a luxurious street-level Champagne bar, Déjà Vu, inspired by the romantic sidewalk cafes of Paris to offer a selection of elegant beverages, lighter meals and casual eats seven days a week.

The Sofitel brand, which is world renowned for luxury French-style hospitality and a passion for art de vivre (the art of living), continues to expand its network across Australia and New Zealand. Sofitel Adelaide’s opening marks Accor’s tenth Sofitel hotel for the region and the luxury brand’s debut in South Australia.

The largest hotel operator in Australia, Accor now has 15 hotels across South Australia, with 12 of these in the city of Adelaide. Sofitel Adelaide joins a growing portfolio of six Sofitel hotels and resorts in Australia and more than 120 globally.

View more about the Sofitel Adelaide via southaustralia.com.