I've got everything booked for our upcoming trip to SA except for the final night before our departure. Our last few days will be spent in McLaren Vale, but because our flight leaves at 8 am, we figured we'd spend that last night near the airport if possible. We don't need anything fancy, just clean and convenient. I've looked into the Airport Motel, but the reviews are all over the place. Any suggestions?

McLaren Vale is not that far from the airport. Maybe 1 1/2 hrs depending on where you are staying. But you would need to be at the A/port at 6.30 to check in. The Airport Motel is very average..no competion nearby. I would just choose a cheap rate from any major hotel in Adelaide on last minute.com or hotels.com. I am at the airport in Adelaide every week,even tomorrow. Any other questions on Adelaide please ask.

Thank you huddoshols. I've just figured out that the airport is only about 10 minutes from the CBD anyway and I might be able to get a decent price on a city hotel since it's a Friday night, so looking into the Medina Treasury, Mantra on Frome and others.

Good idea. Then you can have dinner in the city,maybe Gouger st. Lots of great restaurants there. Friday night is busy around there as the Central market is open,behind The Hilton Hotel. The market is well worth a look. I still think it is one of the best and we have travelled alot.

Also second the suggestion you stay in the CBD area - easy the next morning to catch a taxi to the airport and agree with huddo that you can have a wander around the market on Gouger street late Friday afternoon and grab a bite to eat in that area. Lots of tastings of produce at the stalls and crowds at that time - fun!We have stayed at the Majestic Roof Garden through Wotif and were happy with that.

Just a word about the Medina - great location and very nice rooms, but it is immediately across the road from a big post office type clock on King William Street that tolls the 1/2 hour until late at night and begins early the next morning. It doesn't bother some people, but my friend stayed there recently and was driven half mad by it as her room was facing right onto KW street and the dreaded clock.

Perhaps ask for a room on the other side of the hotel if you think this may be an issue for you!Interested to hear if anyone else has had this problem staying there...

When you are in the McLaren Vale area, don't miss the Willunga markets (Saturday morning) if you can and enjoy a nice lunch at the Hoffman Winery in McLaren Flat.

The beach at Port Willunga in that area is one of the nicest you will see - including the little caves carved out of the rocks the fishermen used to store their boats in and the remains of the long jetty. There is a funky cafe there called the Star of Greece where you can eat freshly caught fish and squid from the area.
Cheers, Liz

I'm staying at the Airport Motel in December -- I am arriving late from Devonport and catching an early morning Regional Express flight to Kangaroo Island. I'm just looking for a clean bed and free airport transfer. Is this hotel satisfactory or should I change to the Hilton so I can try its renowned restaurant (I think I can make it for a 10:00pm seating).

Thanks Liz. I mistyped, we'll actually be in Adelaide on a Saturday night. We'd planned to visit the Willunga market that morning before we leave the McLaren Vale area. Appreciate the heads up on the Medina, I'm a very light sleeper, so that's good to know. The Majestic Roof Garden hotel had crossed my radar and is a possibility.

thit_cho - The reviews I've read for the Airport Motel are mixed. It seems a perfect location for a short layover and it's inexpensive.

We'll be there a bit longer than you, and because it's a Saturday, I think I can get a good rate on a CBD hotel. Plus, we'll have a car.

Melnq: We are in the same situation having to catch a flight that is even earlier than yours (6:10AM). Where did you end up staying? Do you recommend it?

Thanks!

Hi satrijoe -

My first choice was The Majestic Roof Garden Hotel, but their cheap rooms were booked, so we ended up staying at the Comfort Inn Haven Marina in Glenelg, A$135 per night, free parking.

http://www.haveninn.com.au/

An excerpt about the hotel from my trip report (which is posted here if you're interested, just click on my name and scroll down to 'Eating Our Way Across South Australia').

...I’d selected this hotel because it’s close to the airport and relatively inexpensive. I didn’t find out until after I booked that it’s spitting distance from a Haigh’s. Honest.

I suspected the hotel would be noisy as it fronts a busy road, so I’d requested a quiet room in the back, which they honored. It was a basic motel room, but clean and perfectly adequate with plenty of space and helpful staff.

....The hotel gave us free drink coupons for their café when we checked in, which is how we ended up dining at Quattro that evening. Potato leek soup with grilled bread for me ($8.90), “seared scallops, double cheddar béchamel and wilted spinach with zested rocket served in a buttered puff case” for Bill ($27.90). Mine was good, Bill’s not so much.
....We were up with the birds and off to catch our 8 am flight to Perth. We had no troubles finding the airport, reaching it by 6:15 am...

You'll find my review for this hotel here:

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Rev...Australia.html

I hope this helps.

Melnq8: Thanks a lot!!!!

I stayed at the Rooftop majestic last weekend and highly recommend it-taxi in 20 mins to airport.