Waking up in Glenelg each day I found myself heading straight to the balcony. I would open the door with gusto, taking in the sea air and sounds of the water lapping at the shoreline. I relish being by the ocean and I was grateful a friend suggested we stay in Glenelg rather than the heart of the city while visiting Adelaide. The position of the Oaks Plaza Pier Glenelg provided the relaxing environment I craved after a busy lead up to the holidays. Although we travel regularly I don’t take places like Glenelg for granted and water views are my favourite. Probably much of my joy stemmed from getting a full night’s sleep as it was just AJ and I on this trip.
We stayed in a one bedroom apartment at Oaks Plaza Pier Glenelg, a property located on the beachfront at Glenelg and linked to the main shopping, restaurant and entertainment precinct by a wide level promenade. I know we have readers with a varying range of accessibility needs and with differing levels of mobility. Although this property doesn’t have wheelchair accessible accommodation, our family would stay here with BJ and find it ideal (please keep in mind BJ has some mobility, with assistance, outside of his wheelchair).
ACCOMMODATION
The one bedroom ocean view apartment is spacious with a large lounge room including dining table and pull-out sofa bed. AJ walked in and commented the spaciousness reminded her of many of the accessible rooms we inspect.
Large frosted glass doors separate the queen sized bedroom from the lounge room and kitchen.
The bathroom in the apartment we stayed in had a shower over the bath. I inspected another room with a glass cubicle shower however it still had a small metal hob around the shower.
We appreciated the option of self-catering though only used it for breakfast and serving our take-away meals on real plates! This was a no cooking zone for this wife and mother.
The kitchen did come with a dishwasher, stove and cooktop for keen guests.
My favourite spot in the apartment was the balcony.

At sunrise and sunset it was the best place to be. Add a South Australian wine to the event and it was absolutely perfect.
FACILITIES
When we passed the indoor heated lap pool it was busy with families enjoying a swim. Although inviting, we were too busy exploring Adelaide and surrounds to make a splash. We definitely needed longer to enjoy all the apartment complex had to offer.
Oaks Plaza Pier Glenelg has two restaurants within the complex, both with ocean views. We were so tired after touring all day we decided to indulge in room service and watch a movie on the DVD player in our PJ’s. We had meals from both restaurants and AJ gives the chicken schnitzel a thumbs up and I enjoyed a curry and noddle dish.
An accessible parking space is available in the secure underground parking with lift access to the units. Access to the lifts is via heavy glass doors. (An additional fee for parking is applicable. $20 per night at the time of writing)
You can read more about Oaks Plaza Pier Glenelg here.
NEARBY
It’s a pleasure having so many entertainment options within easy walking or wheeling distance in the Glenelg beachfront precinct. The Holdfast Marina is next door to the Oaks Plaza Pier.

The Marina has a range of shops and upmarket restaurants with views to the ocean or to the many expensive boats docked in the marina.

The wide level promenade buzzes in the mornings and evenings with people biking, walking and wheeling along the pathway taking in the views with easy access.

Sunset is particularly popular.

Jetty Road has a range of shopping and restaurant options with varying degrees of access.

An accessible tram links Glenelg to the city centre and is only a 5-10 minute walk from the Oaks.

There is even a mobility scooter charging station near the tram stop.

The Oaks is next door to the Beach House, a popular indoor arcades game parlour, complete with water slides. Lifts make this accessible on both levels and the slides can be accessed via ramps (9 ramps – AJ and I walked and counted to the top and back down again!)


AJ and I couldn’t have asked for a better location to base ourselves during our stay in Adelaide. Glenelg is a laid back fun place to stay. If you need a fully accessible hotel, stay tuned because I have one coming up soon.
We received a media rate for our stay at Oaks Glenelg Pier. As always, our opinions are our own and I’m sure the photos tell the story of a lovely location.