Dining a Highlight at Re-opened Novotel Christchurch

Christchurch locals were given a taste of the fine dining to be experienced at the recently reopened Novotel Christchurch Cathedral Square, with staff cooking up a storm on opening day to celebrate the occasion.

Novotel Christchurch Cathedral Square reopened its doors last week (Monday 19 August), becoming the latest central city hotel to do so since the February 2011 earthquake. The hotel joins Accor’s Ibis Christchurch in offering some of the best views over Christchurch central city and iconic Cathedral ruins – as well as world-class accommodation, dining, conference and gym facilities.

It was the hotel’s fine dining offerings which were highlighted last week, as team members took to Cathedral Square to celebrate the reopening, serving up free mini burgers and a shot o’ soup for locals during the lunch break. The celebration continued into the evening, with the hotel holding drinks to mark the occasion, culminating in a business card draw for a stay at Novotel Queenstown Lakeside for two.

The revitalised and contemporary 13- storey Novotel features two exciting dining experiences for guests and locals, including The Square Restaurant and Bar, headed by German chef Phillip Knoedler, who offers a background of Michelin Star restaurants in Europe. The Butchery and Grill live kitchen also offers a gastronomic experience not to be missed, where guests can enjoy a theatre of steaks sizzling as they dine.

Novotel Christchurch Cathedral Square General Manager Carl Braddock believes the reopening of the Novotel marks an exciting step in the much-anticipated recovery of Christchurch’s tourism industry. It will also serve to enhance local employment.

“After working countless hours and Host Hotels & Resorts investing more than twenty million dollars to bring the hotel back to its former glory, we are totally over the moon to welcome back the first guests to Novotel Christchurch.

“We are confident that locals and our guests will be proud of what has been achieved over the last two years and bookings are already streaming in. We aim to have the heart of Christchurch beating strongly again in no time and help accelerate the city’s central business district and tourism industry recovery,” said Carl.

Revisiting Christchurch after spending their honeymoon in New Zealand last February, Pietro and Ilaria Torresin (Peter and Hilary) from Verona, Italy, were the first guests to check in to the recently reopened Novotel, where they were warmly welcomed by Carl and his team.

As well as contemporary fine dining, Novotel Christchurch Cathedral Square also offers exceptional meeting and conference facilities, and is expected to play a significant role in Christchurch’s capacity to host large tour groups and major conferences.

Surrounded by the budding central shopping district, as well as the planned convention centre, performing arts and Justice and Emergency services precincts, Novotel is located just 30 minutes from Christchurch Airport.

Novotel Christchurch Cathedral Square will host an official opening celebration on the anniversary of the first earthquake, 4 September.