The classy website of Adelaide City Park Motel created great expectations. It was described as 'a boutique style motel offering quality and detail in both accomodation and service'. Perhaps we should have wondered whether they meant good quality or bad quality. As for 'boutique' (dictionary def: a small fashionable business) this place was anything but fashionable.

Above seedy storefront signs at the intersection of two major thoroughfares, the motel's reception was small, dingy and cluttered - unlike the well-lit website photos. The hall carpets were filthy. The website described 'magnificent balconies overlooking serene parklands' but our balcony couldn't have held three folding chairs and the park was across six lanes of noisy traffic. (So much for a tranquil retreat).

We had alread paid on-line ($140 with 100% cancellation fee), the room was at least clean with updated bathroom, and rooms in the city were scarce, so we reluctantly decided to stay. As we went out to explore the city, we saw the clerk frying a hunk of meat on a hotplate behind the counter. Its aroma persisted for hours.

As for City Park's website promise that we would 'enjoy a memorable stay', we agree it was memorable. (The day we left, there was a sandwich board on the sidewalk ouside that said 'Rooms from $29'. That's about what our stay was worth to us.)

This place has had some management problems, but is now under new management. When I booked by internet, I requested a quiet, groundfloor room. So I was rather surprised when I arrived to discover the motel is above the shops and restaurant and has NO GROUNDFLOOR ACCOMMODATION and no lift..
Staff were very helpful and carried my luggage upstairs. My room was small, but very pleasant with coffee maker, fridge, microwave and shower only in the bathroom. This motel is situated at a busy cross roads, so I was pleased at first, that I had been given a room at the back overlooking the yard used for car parking. But this was next door to the Chiffley Hotel which has very noisy air-conditioning that was on all night. Even with the windows closed, I didn't get much sleep.
There are some good eating places locally and more downtown. It is only a 5 minute walk to the trams. trams downtown are Free, and there are trams to Glenelg beach, about 30 mins journey.