193-Room Novotel Opens In Heart Of Christchurch City

Christchurch’s new Novotel, the first international four-star hotel to open in Christchurch since 1997, has opened its doors.

The Novotel Christchurch Cathedral Square has gone to great lengths to seamlessly incorporate the old with new. As part of the Novotel development Warner’s Hotel, which dates back to 1863, has been fully restored to its former grandeur.

“We are delighted with the way Novotel Christchurch Cathedral Square has come together,” says Zayne Boon, Novotel General Manager. “We believe this, the city’s newest hotel, provides the perfect combination of new and old.

“We are sure guests will be impressed how we have managed to preserve and enhance so many of the stunning features of the historic Warner’s Hotel. Many guests will want to soak up some local history and choose to stay in the Heritage suites, but our regular guests will also be pleased that we have plenty of our traditional rooms and suites available as well,” he says.

The hotel features 193-rooms, including 39 Warner’s Heritage rooms and suites, located in the refurbished Warner’s Hotel wing of the complex, and 154 rooms and suites in the new 14-storey tower.

Zayne Boon says they were very careful to ensure the hotel found a balance between preserving the iconic identity of the building while still offering 21st century comforts, communications and facilities.

“Every Heritage Room boasts colour schemes, furnishings and design details in keeping with the heritage style,” he says. “The hotel, however, also features a number of interesting and innovative features to make our guest’s stay as relaxing and hassle free as possible.

“The reception area is particularly welcoming for guests and we have also included a dining area ideal for independent travellers,” he says.

The Novotel reception area also features “pods” rather than the traditional long reception counter that provides a barrier between staff and guests. Zayne Boon says this allows for a more personal greeting and checking in and out experience and makes it easier for reception staff to interact with guests.

The restaurant, split into two dining areas, also includes a number of personal dining pods, ideal for independent travelers. The second dining area features a large buffet and open chef’s cooking area at one end.

“Pod dining is ideal for business people eating alone but wanting to be connected to the outside world,” says Zayne Boon. “The pods incorporate a television screen and internet access making it easy to work while you eat.”

Zayne Boon says the new Novotel also features an amazing selection of local artworks including the signature piece - a Neil Dawson “chalice” – a smaller version of his dramatic public sculpture in Cathedral Square.

“All of the artworks we have installed are by well established New Zealand artists,” he says. “We were particularly keen to support the local art industry and ensure the pieces reflected New Zealand’s culture. The pieces all complement the décor well and add to the overall environment.”

Other works of note on display symbolise the city’s grid pattern and the iconic Cathedral Square.

Rates for Novotel Christchurch Cathedral Square start from just $169 during February and March.

To make a booking visit www.novotel.co.nz or phone +64 3 3722111.