The Playford Adelaide - MGallery by Sofitel is a grand affair, with an Art Nouveau facade featuring ornate wrought-iron accents. Interior spaces are equally grandiose: The lobby has high wingback armchairs and Chesterfield sofas in shades of deep plum and rich gray, while the opulent restaurant and lounge showcase weighty black-marble pillars, purple-and-gold carpet, wood floors with a woven design, and a high ceiling with delicately curving gold chandeliers. At one end of this space is the hotel’s bar, which has a mirrored mosaic of wings behind it and clusters of sofas. This classical style continues throughout the rooms and wellness area. Given its central location, the hotel primarily attracts leisure couples and business guests.

The Playford is located in the heart of Adelaide’s business district, along a busy main road. It’s a three-minute walk to the city’s Convention Center, and the Parliament of South Australia and the Festival Center are not much farther. Hotel guests are a five-minute drive or 10-minute walk to the ring of parks that used to mark the boundary of Adelaide proper back in the day. Rundle Mall is a 10-minute walk in the other direction, while the University of Adelaide is a 15-minute walk away. Farther afield, Adelaide’s Chinatown is an eight-minute drive or 13 minutes via the tram. Adelaide station is opposite the hotel. Expect transfers to Adelaide Airport to take 15 minutes by car, or 40 minutes by public transport. 

The hotel has 182 rooms that are every bit as swish as the common areas. Rooms have champagne walls, king-size beds, loveseats upholstered in rich floral fabric, sizable desks, and wardrobes. Art Nouveau-style chairs, gilded mirrors, and warm artwork add some decoration. All rooms have flat-screen TVs, safes, minibars, kettles, iPod docks, pillow menus, ironing facilities, and free Wi-Fi. Deluxe Guest rooms, meanwhile, are not necessarily larger, but they are located on a dedicated business floor and come with snazzier toiletries, Nespresso machines, and access to a business lounge. Studio Spa suites have more opulent furnishings like Art Nouveau wallpaper, and a separate living room with two-person dining tables. Loft Spa Suites are the largest and fanciest rooms at the property, spread over two floors. Marble bathrooms are large across the board, outfitted either with walk-in rainfall showers or shower/tub combos, while Spa Suites have bathtubs with hydromassage jets. Unfortunately, some rooms overlook the sides of office buildings and/or experience noise from the busy main road.

The Playford Adelaide notably lacks a full spa, but there are still a good range of leisure and corporate-minded features. Firstly, the indoor pool is sleek and has a hot tub on one end, a mural of Michelangelo’s "Creation of Adam" painted on the wall, and a sauna. One wall is made of windows that overlook the well-equipped gym. The on-site restaurant serves a seven-course tasting menu, as well as an a la carte menu in opulent surroundings, and a buffet breakfast that guests generally appreciate. A lounge bar is equally grandiose, and it's not just a popular spot for guests to grab a drink, it is a classy locals’ hangout. In addition to drinks, the bar serves light meals and quick lunches. There are 10 meeting rooms, the largest of which can hold 600 people. The hotel has laundry services available, a business center (with fees for printing), and free Wi-Fi throughout.