Published:
June 29, 2024
About Esplanade Hotel
Unassuming rooms in a relaxed pub offering a bistro & a sports bar, plus free parking & Wi-Fi. Across the street from Brighton Jetty, this laid-back pub with low-key rooms is a 10-minute walk from Brighton railway station and 14 km from Adelaide Central Market. Unassuming rooms feature free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, and tea and coffeemaking facilities. Some quarters include minifridges. Parking is complimentary. There's an airy pub with all-day dining and outdoor seating, as well as a sports bar with regular live entertainment. There's also a casual bistro and an indoor playroom.
Dine in
Delivery
Drive through
Service Options
Highlights
Bar games
Great cocktails
Sports
Trivia night
Offerings
Alcohol
Beer
Cocktails
Food
Food at bar
Happy hour drinks
Hard liquor
Wine
Atmosphere
Casual
Planning
Accepts reservations
Parking
Free parking lot
Free street parking
Accessibility
Wheelchair accessible entrance
Wheelchair accessible parking lot
Wheelchair accessible restroom
Dining_options
Seating
Crowd
Groups
Payments
Credit cards
Debit cards
NFC mobile payments
Map
Esplanade Hotel Reviews
Without exception, the worst customer service ever. I have been at this venu with family and friends several times and each time the service was extremely bad.
Either the food was late or cold even on none busy days or the order was incorrect and always a bunch of kids working which you could tell from their faces they are not really there to look after customers.
Today I went there with a few mates and ordered a large latte with lactose-free milk. After half hour the order wast on our table. Its wasnt a busy day either over 80% tables inside were free and around 60% of capacity outdoor were filled.
I had to go back in there twice to check and when my coffee came and I drank it my stomach was heavily upset. Most likely they did not use a lactose-free milk or they mixed up with normal milk on the same jug.
I was sufferring an upset stomach for a couple of hours after.
The management is crook not intending to keep customers happy and many of my mates always said that their customer service is extremely bad and not many oeople bother to leave reviews.
Surely I wont put my feet there again. I was always saying maybe I should give them another chance but after today I said screw this venu and double screw their retarded management.
The crook nanagement only see $$$ and being in a very good location gives them the insurance of always having customers but no need for focusing on quality service. These dogs only want your dollars.
My coffee was in a take-away cup as I wanted it but coffee spills all around the cup and last time I went there ordered it in a mug and the kid who brought it on my table spilled the coffee on the saucer though she apologized and I said its ok.
Absolutely disgusting service every single time.
- Tiff Pearce
5 Fri 2024 at 11.44 pm
When I come to Brighton, I usually walk to Glenelg & back. Sometimes have a beer in the Esplanade Hotel before I go home. Always nicer in summer when it's hot though because having an ice cold beer after my walk just hits the spot. I had my first meal here in April for a friend's birthday & the meal was superb! The service was excellent. Definitely can't fault a thing. In the summer it's always packed so definitely book a table if your thinking of eating here. I'll definitely be eating here again!
- Istvan Heinrich
5 Fri 2024 at 11.44 pm
We've been in the hotel caffe many times. Always disappointed. As I read other people's experiences they had not better opinions. Something must be wrong with this Prime position. Could be a really good one! Outdoor tables are always dirty, and full of used dishes
- Heidi Verheyen
5 Fri 2024 at 11.44 pm
Went there on Friday for a quick drink and chips. Had the most lovely and funky guy server us upstairs. Was such a great experience that we went back Saturday night with 10 people to celebrate my hubby's 60th with family. The meals were all fantastic and great prices. Then we went again Monday night for dinner and got to watch a perfect sunset. I tried a different meal, and all 4 meals were excellent and fantastic service. This place is the best.. Love love 💕
- sarah michele
5 Fri 2024 at 11.44 pm
Went for dinner on a hot night. Hotel inside was a nice temperature. We sat outside and it was lovely with mist. Because it was busy, the tables weren’t clean, and when waiter came to clean he said it was to hard to get to dishes because crowded, so we sat there with the previous patrons dishes while we ate our food. Didn’t bother us too much, but was very squishy.
Food was ok. Probably overpriced for what we got. I got slow cooked lamb salad was 3/5, very mushy and not overly great taste. Wouldn’t rave about it, but location is good.
- Sammy Lea
5 Fri 2024 at 11.44 pm
We had some good food and service. However, location is everything. Really great venue for a catch-up with friends.
- Sally Lange
5 Fri 2024 at 11.44 pm
We booked our first night of our holiday at the Espy. The food was OK, staff were friendly but the room was awful.
We went up some dodgy stairs outside to a landing with our luggage, struggled to get the door to the hallway open. The stink of smoke was horrid. The room was down a filthy carpet hallway with very undesirable tenants wandering around and a definite smell of wacky backy and cigarettes.
The room was OK but we could not spend the night there. The smell was overpowering.
We got a refund and got a lovely room at Glenlg in a motor in for an extra $50 at 9pm.
Sorry Espy, hope the renovation happens real soon.
- Carly Orr
5 Fri 2024 at 11.44 pm
Waited 35 minutes for ice cream and when i had to go ask for it she said she would get it sorted. I watched her put ice cream at someone else's table and then eventually they said it wasnt theirs, she picked it up and walked towards my table like i didnt witness all of that. the female Staff member was then rude when I said I didn't want the ice cream that she put on someone else's table and left there with them for 5 minutes. I said sorry I don't want ice cream that was at a strangers table for 5 minutes and she walked off and said extremely rudely "they only looked at it"
How do you know? You left it there and walked away. Also the new ice cream looked like the same ice cream that she took back to the kitchen and then came back out with as it was partially melted. Ice cream shouldn't melt from the kitchen to the table. Manager refunded the ice cream and apologised. Its a shame the food is nice there but the workers attitude sucks and I won't return in a hurry. Learn some manners as I wasn't rude and had said to her sorry that I didn't want food from a strangers table.. just thought that was common sense...
- Jack Boswell (boswelja)
5 Fri 2024 at 11.44 pm
The staff and service were great! Everyone was very kind and patient. The food in the bistro and cafe is also terrific, so you won't have to worry about eating.
I'd highly recommend taking a walk down the Esplanade. It doesn't particularly matter which direction, there are a good number of art installations and parks along the way to keep you entertained. If you're distracted enough, you might just make it all the way to Glenelg! Don't forget sunblock though.
The rooms themselves leave a lot to be desired though. The curtains barely cover the windows, the air conditioning is noisy, and the bathroom is a very unique colour (mine was pink tile). That said, the bed is one of the best I've experienced in any hotel!
As long as you don't plan on hanging around your room, this is a decent place to stay! If you want to spend any more time outside of sleeping in your room, it might be a better idea to look elsewhere.
- Victoria L Tidswell
5 Fri 2024 at 11.44 pm
The rooms are very old and dated But you would at least expect them to be clean. We had 2 rooms in one the ensuite had not been mopped and was very sticky. I don’t know how they could possibly have missed it.
both shower curtains had mould on them also mould in the showers themselves dirty marks on walls that haven’t been wiped very dusty in both rooms
Such a beautiful space downstairs in the bar and the dining room, friendly staff a beautiful location it’s a shame that the accommodation doesn’t match
Also, we could not fill the kettle up and needed to use the shower to have a cuppa
And Aircon was so noisy
- Cal Ward
5 Fri 2024 at 11.44 pm
Rooms are basic, but at the end of the day you only need a bed. Great service, great location and the food was enjoyable.
We stayed over a weekend and noise levels were not an issue at all.
- Selina Bieber
5 Fri 2024 at 11.44 pm
One of the regular places in Brighton with a view, it caters for both public and private food and meals, plus an afternoon coffee and cake. We went in for the latter and had a really lovely carrot cake muffin (lots of fruit and really tasty), an almond friand and lemon tart with coffee. It’s a good place for kids as they have self serve colouring pencils and paper so we spent a good hour enjoying our coffee while my son coloured and we talked. For an Easter Monday we were lucky to find a spot, which most other places closing or closed. It’s a reliable option with a view.
- nanette simpson
5 Fri 2024 at 11.44 pm
Myself & 6 friends had lunch here today with the lovely view of the sea.
The food presentation was excellent & all meals were delicious.
I had the seaford trio which was cooked to perfection with a tasty salad & nice crunchy chips.
Very generous serves with all meals. Our meals were reasonably priced, but as per most eateries the steak is a little more expensive.
The food arrived in a timely manner & we all received Seniors discount on our main meals.
The drinks were reasonably priced, I've seen higher for bubbles per glass.
Plenty of water & clean glasses provided without having to ask.
The staff were friendly & polite.
The rest rooms were clean, kept tidy & stocked with the necessities.
Parking today wasn't a problem.
We weren't shoved out the door when we finished eating, in fact we were still there chatting until after 3pm.
- A D
5 Fri 2024 at 11.44 pm
Lovely staff - friendly and informative. The rooms are passable, you get what you pay for. Could say that the shared bathrooms leave more cleaning to be desired. Location is amazing for the beach. The food is the big let down here: took forever to arrive despite an almost empty restaurant and when it did it was the biggest let down flavour wise.
- Daria Kozak
5 Fri 2024 at 11.44 pm
I only can judge their cafe. They work long hours, plenty of tables with a beautiful view, the waiters are nice and quick. Tried their pizza, Meatlovers, it was big and delicious. Eclairs were not exactly dream eclairs, but the coffee was good.
- Wendy B (Wendywitchiepoo)
5 Fri 2024 at 11.44 pm
In the best location. Super friendly staff, amazing meals. Love the specials in Sports Bar.
Rooms are very basic and ours smelt funky. No views. Stairs are hard for oder visitors. Bed was very comfortable though and rooms were clean.
- Spacemanjane
5 Fri 2024 at 11.44 pm
I'm pretty chill and understanding when a team in a restaurant are struggling but tonight was hard to swallow. I get that prices are going up but my vegan pizza was barely frozen pizza quality for $28. Menu was really lacking in vegan options. Ordered coffees which the young lad really struggled to place. Seemed confused when I asked for multiple coffees and again no dairy free dessert options. Though he did tell me they may have more up the front?
We waited 20 minutes for the coffees and had to ask for their whereabouts. First one arrived cold which was sent back. Next two were lukewarm but were drank simply so we could leave.
I apologies for being critical but it it's what it is. No senior team members working in the restaurant really left us wondering if we'll be back.
- Terry Edwards
5 Fri 2024 at 11.44 pm
I make a booking almost every Saturday morning for breakfast and we feel the service & food are quite good. BUT the meals that are cooked are never served hot. Cool egg dishes aren't really enjoyable. Can't something be done to ensure a hot meal is presented hot?
- Heath M
5 Fri 2024 at 11.44 pm
I enjoyed myself for a quiz night.. Great night with friends. Lovely service by the crew. However, the pub food? Not hard to make things good. You need me in the kitchen, like Gordon Ramsay, I'll show you how it's done 👍
- Candice Santon
5 Fri 2024 at 11.44 pm
Had a nice meal at the bistro. The meal came out very fast and the kids enjoyed playing in the play area. Stayed at the motel for 1 night rooms have comfy beds and are a decent size. When there was a mix up with one of our rooms staff went above and beyond too accomodate our needs.
Thanks again from Robyn.
- Isaac S
5 Fri 2024 at 11.44 pm
Great location, really average food. Always has been average which is a shame. The sauce for my meal was dropped on the ground by the waiter. They said they would come back to clean it up and replace it, but never did. Squid was still frozen in the centre. The tables are really sticky which is not nice and there were a heap of chicken bones scattered on the ground around our table. Definitely don’t eat here. It’s alright for a drink outside though. Inside is pretty gross.
- Eve Czupak
5 Fri 2024 at 11.44 pm
Great local venue. Was there with visitors from W.A. who were very impressed. The casual area served great coffees. My granddaughter was thrilled with the way her baby chino was presented to her. It looked quite the thing. The Bistro dining area had a small play area for young children. There could be more exploration play equipment there to keep children active and entertained for a longer time.
I loved my chicken schnitzel and gravy, served with chips and a side salad. Others liked the beef schnitzel and the kids pizza on offer. The calamari dish was enjoyable, but the steak not apparently. It's quite a pricey menu, so be aware of that and nearby parking can be an issue.
- Gail Row
5 Fri 2024 at 11.44 pm
Grayson Rachel and the young lady at the bar ?
True hospitality and professional service. My good friend and I had the privilege of enjoying lunch today Monday 22nd April 24
Can not fault the fantastic food and service staff are brilliant bistro food fresh and delicious.
Well done
- explore life
5 Fri 2024 at 11.44 pm
Google says I was here. I walked past the front of it. So give me a moment to remember the decor, great looking hotel, overlooking the ocean front. It would be a great location for a Sunday session providing no southerlies are blowing through. But, that said also. I'm sure one could still enjoy a Sunday session inside if the weather has come in.
I'll stop in for a beer next time, maybe on a Sunday for a few frothies and make sure the review fits the brew.
- Jim Templeton
5 Fri 2024 at 11.44 pm
Food OK, but parents had left their kids running around, jumping over steps, falling over, noisy and out of control in the small play room. Unbelievable! Feel sorry for the staff having to deliver food to tables while dodging unruly kids. No sign of a manager to subdue and close the kids playroom where 2 coin operated machines were also being abused as coins got stuck. My 4 y.o. Granddaughter was in tears at the end as she was bullied in the playroom by older boys. To those parents who did little to settle their kids, you disgust me.
- Baden Watson
5 Fri 2024 at 11.44 pm
Been here a few times & I gotta say it's pretty great. Tonight I had muscles and it was fantastic. As an Ex cook it was brilliant food. Great place.
- Diane Lee
5 Fri 2024 at 11.44 pm
After walking from Glenelg, I was looking forward to a feed of salt & pepper squid. It wasn't bad but it wasn't fantastic either. Salad was literally drowning in an unpalatable and cheap store bought dressing that made it soggy, and the tartare sauce was also store bought and very ordinary. Squid was tender but 99.9% sure it was coated in flour, which made it quite stodgy. Didn't ask for chips, so can't comment on them. Look, I get times are tough and hospitality venues are cutting corners, but for $27 I expect a bit more care to have gone into the preparation of my meal. It's the little things that bring people back.
- Jude T
5 Fri 2024 at 11.44 pm
A bit of a mix up initially with table I had reserved, but apology & reason behind the mix-up was sincere & acceptable table was offered without hesitation. None of this detracted from the excellent meal & the service provided by staff who clearly enjoy their working environment. Great beach side Cafe dining experience!
- Bobby C