Adina Apartment Hotel Adelaide Treasury

Classic, carved facades hint at the property's former treasury status, and plants adorning them make for imposing first impressions. Interiors blend historic features with contemporary design, and they're elegantly subdued with pistachio wallpapers, charcoal carpeting, and stylish seating that mixes period-style leopard prints and modern sofas. Smart hallways sport original woods and antique dressers, however, their maze-like layouts can be confusing -- although this turns more fun in the basement's historic tunnels that are now home to the hotel's pool, spa, and meeting rooms. A large shrubbery-enclosed fountain graces the outdoor courtyard, where the bar's seating is sequestered, but noise from it travels to nearby rooms. A leisure and corporate crowd come here for the fine setting and great location. While there are no dedicated kids' facilities, the pool and tunnels generally keep little ones happy.

The hotel's location right downtown is excellent, and surrounding streets are packed with shops, bars, and restaurants. Adelaide Town Hall is a two-minute walk, and fountain-flanked greenery at Victoria Square is one minute farther. Pedestrianized Rundle Street Mall is a nine-minute walk, and produce at Adelaide Central Market is one minute closer, although it's closed Sundays and Mondays. Home to over 38,0000 exhibits, the Art Gallery of South Australia is a 13-minute walk, as are the main business district and Adelaide Casino. Live music and comedy at the Rhino Room is seven minutes on foot. A Cole's supermarket is two minutes farther. A handy bus stops right outside. Adelaide Airport is a 12-minute drive, or 33 minutes by public transport.

Spacious, contemporary apartment-style rooms are outfitted in neutral decor with warm accents. The largely gray-and-cream palette in carpets, couches, and walls are livened up by Mark Rothko-esque artwork and colorful striped throw pillows. Studios have kitchenettes with stoves, microwaves, electric kettles, toasters, cookware, and drink-stocked fridges (contents at a fee), as well as dining areas. One- and two-bedroom apartments have full kitchens and washer/dryers. Some rooms have furnished balconies. Views are of the street or courtyard, although the latter are subject to bar noise. Standard amenities include iPod docking stations, desks, flat-screen TVs, hairdryers, AC, and safes in mirror-fronted wardrobes. Pristine cream bathrooms have shower/tub combos and toiletries. Rooms can be fitted with cribs. Note, some room windows do not open.

Greenery in the central courtyard surrounds a classic fountain, and smart terrace seating here is under black umbrellas. Illuminated in evenings for a romantic finish, the space is popular (as are its drinks), and indoor seating is available. Guests can start the day with a quiet outdoor breakfast, served a la carte. Continental breakfast baskets can be delivered to rooms for a fee. International fare is served at Treasury 1860 Restaurant. Formerly storing the country's gold, basement tunnels remain intact, and classy tan sofas sit amid original brick. Below ground but well-lit, the indoor lap pool is swanky, and golds around the adjacent whirlpool extend to popping details on blue pillars. Loungers surround the space, and a sauna and steam room are free to use. The 24-hour fitness center is small but modern, with a handful of cardio and resistance machines, plus free weights. The hotel has meeting rooms, including the chandelier-clad Cabinet Room. Secure parking is at a fee, but complicated systems and its location two blocks away are inconvenient. Wi-Fi is free in common areas only.