🇦🇺 Adelaide, Australia
The Franklin Hotel
📍 92 Franklin St, Adelaide SA 5000, Australia
Your stay — The Franklin Hotel
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The Property — The Franklin Hotel
The Franklin Hotel feels like a proper, unpretentious pub with rooms above it, all dark wood, polished brass and the low hum of conversation from the bar. The vibe is relaxed and local — you check in at the bar, walk up narrow stairs, and get a room that’s clean and compact rather than fancy. It’s best for the traveller who wants a central base with a decent pint and a simple cooked breakfast downstairs, not a concierge or a spa.
Chronicles of Adelaide
Adelaide was founded in 1836 as a planned colonial capital, laid out by Colonel William Light on a grid that earned it the nickname 'City of Churches' for its many spires and squares. Its architecture ranges from Victorian stone buildings like the Adelaide Town Hall to the modernist Adelaide Festival Centre, a legacy of the post-war cultural push. Today the city leans into its status as a UNESCO City of Music, with a live-music scene that punches well above its size, though it retains a quiet, civic-minded character.
Best Time to Visit
Full Adelaide guide →Best months
March and November for warm, dry days (mid-20s °C) and low rainfall, plus fewer crowds than the high-summer peak.
Peak / festival surge
February and March for the Adelaide Festival and Fringe — the city fills with performers and visitors, hotel prices double or triple, and advance booking is essential. The Tour Down Under (January) also spikes demand.
Budget shoulder season
May and September offer lower room rates, still-pleasant weather (teens °C), and thinner crowds, making them the budget sweet spot.
Weather & packing
Adelaide's climate is Mediterranean but famously fickle — a 35°C day can flip to 15°C with a 'Gully Wind' from the hills. Pack layers: a light jacket and a jumper for evenings, plus sun protection for the often-strong UV even in winter.
Live City Briefing — Adelaide
- The Adelaide tram line from the city centre to Glenelg beach is undergoing weekend maintenance in June-July 2026, with replacement buses running — check the Adelaide Metro site before travelling.
- The newly expanded Adelaide Central Market has reopened its western annexe, adding 10 more food stalls and casual seating; it’s a solid bet for a cheap lunch near the hotel.
- Winter (July) is the off-season for wine tours in the nearby Barossa Valley, meaning smaller groups and better deals, though some cellar doors close on Mondays.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to The Franklin Hotel, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request rooms on floors 3 or 4 facing the back (courtyard or south side). These floors are high enough to avoid street noise but still under non-existent roof machinery at a three-star. The back wing rooms overlook the hotel's internal area, which is quieter than Franklin Street.
Rooms to avoid
Do not take rooms ending in '01' or '02' on any floor – these are likely at the front, directly above Franklin Street, and suffer from tram and traffic noise from the main road. Also avoid rooms adjacent to the lift core (often marked on floor plans near the elevator shaft) as the machinery hums in older buildings.
Best views
The only notable view here is the city skyline from high-floor front rooms (4th or 5th floor) – but it comes with road noise. If you value quiet over a bit of urban outlook, skip it. Otherwise, no significant scenic view from a three-star on a commercial street.
Quietest floors
Floors 3 and 4 (the mid-range of a typical 5-floor walk-up or small lift building) are quietest – they sit above the street hum but below guest footfall on the top floor.
🔊 Noise notes
Franklin Street is a main road in Adelaide's CBD, carrying trams on the nearby tram line (just two blocks away) and delivery trucks to Chinatown and Central Market. Also, the hotel's bar on ground level can produce music and chatter until 11pm Thursday–Saturday. Lift motor noise is present on floors directly above it.
Insider tips
1. The hotel has a small carpark (limited spaces) – book a spot at check-in, as street parking is metered until 6pm weekdays and can be tight. 2. Request a late checkout if you're on a higher floor – the lift is small and slow, so checkout queues build up from 10–11am. Ask for a courtyard-side room for the best sleep.
- Call the hotel directly 24–48 hours before arrival and ask for a specific room type
- Add a note in your booking comments field
- Ask at check-in — front desk staff can often accommodate if a room is available
Hotel Facilities — The Franklin Hotel
Free and unlimited for all guests; password given at check-in. Download speed around 30 Mbps typical during peak hours.
One lift serves all four guest floors; no stairs-only sections.
Complimentary digital news subscriptions via PressReader; no physical newspapers unless requested at front desk.
Check-in from 14:00; early bag drop available anytime at reception; late checkout costs $30 per hour past 10:00 until 12:00, then full night rate.
Complimentary at reception for luggage collected before check-in or after checkout; no fee or time limit published.
Step-free entry from Franklin St; lift access to all floors; no modified rooms but ground-floor rooms available on request. No hearing loops or braille signage.
No on-site or valet parking. Nearest public car park: UPark Franklin St, 68 Franklin St, $25 per 24 hours. No EV charging on property.
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None
Deposit & card hold: First night charged at booking; a $100 AUD security hold required via credit or debit card at check-in.
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Place of worship: Adelaide City Influencers Church (324 m · ~4 min walk)
- Church: Pilgrim Uniting (418 m · ~5 min walk)
- Church: St. Francis Xavier Cathedral (616 m · ~8 min walk)
- Church: Holy Trinity (710 m · ~9 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
City Cross Arcade — 581 m · ~7 min walk
Victoria Square/Tartanyangga — 402 m · ~5 min walk
MOD. — 844 m · ~11 min walk
Her Majesty's Theatre — 325 m · ~4 min walk
Hindmarsh Square Playground — 975 m · ~12 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
ANZ — 301 m · ~4 min walk
Discount Chemist — 605 m · ~8 min walk
It's Convenient! — 25 m · ~1 min walk
Adelaide — 744 m · ~9 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Australian Dollar, AUD
Use ATMs for the best rates; avoid currency exchange bureaux at Adelaide Airport and tourist centres as they charge poor rates and fees.
Visa and Mastercard are accepted nearly everywhere; contactless and mobile pay (Apple Pay, Google Pay) are widely used; Amex less common.
Tipping is not expected in Australia; rounding up cab fare or leaving change at a cafe is appreciated but optional; fine-dining staff do not expect 15–20%.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →A flat white or latte from a café is the standard cheap-coffee option; expect around $4.50–$5.00 AUD.
A sandwich or wrap from a bakery or takeaway shop; expect around $10–$14 AUD.
A main from a pub bistro or a bowl of pho from a Vietnamese noodle shop; expect around $18–$24 AUD.
Chinatown and the Central Market area (Gouger Street) are the main cheap-eats zones, with dumplings, banh mi, and Asian street food.
Woolworths and Coles are the major budget supermarket chains; there is a Woolworths on Rundle Mall and a Coles on Grenfell Street.
Target, Kmart, and Big W on Rundle Mall or in the Adelaide Central Plaza offer affordable high-street basics.
A day-pass on Adelaide Metro buses/trams/trains is $10.60 AUD (or $5.30 concession); the JetBus J1/J2 from the airport costs $4.25 AUD to the city.
Buy groceries and cook instead of eating out every meal; use the free tram within the city zone; visit the Central Market at closing time for discounted produce.
Good to know — Adelaide
Type I · 230V
safe
$1 ≈ A$1.44 · AUD
Emergency Contacts
AdelaideCall 000 for police, ambulance, or fire. For non-urgent police assistance, dial 131 444. For health advice (not life-threatening), call 13 HEALTH (13 43 25 84). Deaf or hearing-impaired users can text 106 via TTY.
💡 Save these numbers in your phone. In life-threatening emergencies, call immediately.
Where to Eat
Book a table →💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Adelaide, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at The Franklin Hotel
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · ANZ — 301 m · ~4 min walk — pharmacy · Discount Chemist — 605 m · ~8 min walk
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Adelaide Airport (ADL) → Largs Pier Hotel, Largs North
💡 Book with 13CABS for the most reliable service. Avoid surge pricing by requesting a sedan, not a maxi taxi.
Adelaide Airport (ADL) → Largs Pier Hotel, Largs North
💡 Take the J1 or J2 bus from stop 10 at the airport to Grenfell Street in the city, then catch the 333 bus from stop Z1 on King William Street directly to the hotel. Use a MetroCard for the cheapest fare.
Adelaide Railway Station → Largs Railway Station (5-min walk to hotel)
💡 Buy a day pass for $9.80 if you plan to explore the coast. Walk west along Military Road from Largs station – the hotel is a quick stagger.
Adelaide Entertainment Centre (city fringe) → Largs Pier Hotel, Largs North
💡 Not the most direct option, but combine the tram to the Entertainment Centre then walk 10 minutes to Bowden station for the Outer Harbor train. Handy if you're already near the city's west side.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at The Franklin Hotel?
Request rooms on floors 3 or 4 facing the back (courtyard or south side). These floors are high enough to avoid street noise but still under non-existent roof machinery at a three-star. The back wing rooms overlook the hotel's internal area, which is quieter than Franklin Street.
Which rooms should I avoid at The Franklin Hotel?
Do not take rooms ending in '01' or '02' on any floor – these are likely at the front, directly above Franklin Street, and suffer from tram and traffic noise from the main road. Also avoid rooms adjacent to the lift core (often marked on floor plans near the elevator shaft) as the machinery hums in older buildings.
Is The Franklin Hotel noisy?
Franklin Street is a main road in Adelaide's CBD, carrying trams on the nearby tram line (just two blocks away) and delivery trucks to Chinatown and Central Market. Also, the hotel's bar on ground level can produce music and chatter until 11pm Thursday–Saturday. Lift motor noise is present on floors directly above it.
Which rooms have the best views at The Franklin Hotel?
The only notable view here is the city skyline from high-floor front rooms (4th or 5th floor) – but it comes with road noise. If you value quiet over a bit of urban outlook, skip it. Otherwise, no significant scenic view from a three-star on a commercial street.
What are insider tips for staying at The Franklin Hotel?
1. The hotel has a small carpark (limited spaces) – book a spot at check-in, as street parking is metered until 6pm weekdays and can be tight. 2. Request a late checkout if you're on a higher floor – the lift is small and slow, so checkout queues build up from 10–11am. Ask for a courtyard-side room for the best sleep.
What time is check-in at The Franklin Hotel?
Check-in at The Franklin Hotel is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does The Franklin Hotel have Wi-Fi?
Free and unlimited for all guests; password given at check-in. Download speed around 30 Mbps typical during peak hours.
Is there a city or tourist tax at The Franklin Hotel?
None
Where can I eat cheaply near The Franklin Hotel?
A sandwich or wrap from a bakery or takeaway shop; expect around $10–$14 AUD.
What is the cheapest way to get around from The Franklin Hotel?
A day-pass on Adelaide Metro buses/trams/trains is $10.60 AUD (or $5.30 concession); the JetBus J1/J2 from the airport costs $4.25 AUD to the city.
When is the best time to visit Adelaide?
March and November for warm, dry days (mid-20s °C) and low rainfall, plus fewer crowds than the high-summer peak.
Top Attractions in Adelaide
💡 Go late on Saturday afternoon – stallholders drop prices to clear stock. The dumpling stall near the Gouger Street entrance is a cheap lunch favourite under $8.
💡 Walk the loop from the Festival Centre to the zoo and back – about 3km. At sunset, the floodlit buildings reflect in the lake. Free to walk, cycle, or picnic any time.
💡 Pick up the free floor talk schedules—volunteer guides give excellent 30-minute spotlight tours on specific pieces. Quietest on weekday mornings.
💡 Head upstairs to the glass-walled balcony overlooking the chamber for the best photo spot. Free 30-minute tours of the Mortlock Chamber are offered at 11am Tuesdays and Thursdays.
💡 The Pacific Cultures gallery on the third floor is usually empty of crowds but holds fascinating Solomon Islands canoe prow figures. Allow 90 minutes minimum.
💡 Drop into the 'Gallery Studio' on weekends for free hands-on art activities. Weekday mornings are quietest for viewing.
💡 Enter via the North Terrace gates and walk straight to the Amazon Waterlily Pavilion – the giant lily pads are best in summer. Free guided walks at 10:30am daily.
💡 Use the northern gate on Hackney Road to avoid the busier main entrance. The cafe near the lake does good coffee without the premium North Terrace prices.