Suggestions for Christchurch area hotels

[2muchplastic]

Having taken advantage of yet another Jet* sale, the 2MP clan are heading for CHC for a long weekend. Now I can play it safe and cheap and stay in one of the Accor properties in the city, as I have a goodly collection of a¦club vouchers to use.
But I'm looking for suggestions for nice hotels/lodges in or around (within a hours drive of) Christchurch. As it's just after a special wedding anniversary, I'm looking for a real "brownie point" style place. Price is not really a problem, it's really all about the place.

Of course as 2 mini (ish) 2MPs are along for the ride, there had better be room for them as well

 

[Mwenenzi]

What time of year is your trip ?
Been to Chc before ?
60 minutes from the airport won't get you far (remember its the Canterbury plains)
90 minutes from the airport gives you more options

Apart fom Chc city worth looking a Hamner & Akaroa areas
Akaroa Accommodation
http://www.aatravel.co.nz/main/sear...009&price_from=All&price_to=All&Search=Search

Google brings up: Hanmer Springs Hotels | Hanmer Springs Hotel Accommodation | Heritage Hotels

 

[2muchplastic]

Mwenenzi we're going in early November, hopefully when it's a little warmer . Never to been to NZ, let alone CHC, which is why I was looking for advice from the experts!

The reason for the 1 hour from CHC request was purely because the flight arrives at 2235 and departs at 0615. Am happy to stay overnight in the airport hotel and then travel a couple of hours the next morning for somewhere special though.

Hanmer Springs looks good, and well within my price expectations!

 

[Mwenenzi]

Given those (terrible) arrival & departure times best to stay in Chc those 2 nights. Airport to the city centre is not far, so no need to book an "airport" hotel.
Look at Wotif NZ to get an idea of what is available

 

[2muchplastic]

Given those (terrible) arrival & departure times best to stay in Chc those 2 nights. Airport to the city centre is not far, so no need to book an "airport" hotel.
Look at Wotif NZ to get an idea of what is available

We're going for 3 nights, so the current hope is thursday night, airport or city centre, travel somewhere special for Friday night. and then back to the city for Saturday night.
I've had a look through the usual suspects - Wotif, Hotels.com and on Qantas.com and have seen a few nice places, but not "the one"

So it's that 'special' Friday night place that I'm hoping for some recomendations for please...

 

[Skyring]

Christchurch has any number of hotels around, catering to all price points. I staid at the Crowne Plaza in April and it was comfy but soulless.

I wisht I'd followed the lead of a mate, who parked at The Classic Villa, just opposite the Arts Centre. Boutique hotel, small and friendly and comfortable.

For a special place, I echo the call to Hanmer Springs. The scenery is stunning, there are any number of establishments, and you can soke in the hot springs to ease the day down. They stay open until nine, so take your time.

There are wineries on the way up from Christchurch - some of them will combine lunch with a wine tasting - Kaikoura has whale watching, or you can stop off on the highway side to see seal colonies.

I wrote up an account of one of the most magical days of my life driving down from Wellington to Hanmer.

The Hanmer Backpackers sounds awful on name alone, but is really nice, with a fantastic manager. I loved it.

 

[mudlark]

Hi. Hubby and I visited Christchurch in May. We flew the same Jetstar flight and arrived at 10.10 pm. Luckily, we had prebooked our Hertz vehicle online with Qantas, so we got the car we wanted. The couple ahead of us hadn't and were none too happy with what was available. Hertz seemed to be the only manned desk, so their options were limited. Thought I would include this in case you are hiring a car. The visitor information desk was also manned.
We stayed overnight at the Peppers Clearwater Resort. It is very close to the airport, and worked for us as we didn't want to drive much after landing at night and after lots of travel during the day. (Getting to Sydney was our first leg.) The level of service was superb and the setting was beautiful.
If you are after a great breakfast experience in the city, book at "Drexel's".
Hope you have a great time. We did.

 

[straitman]

mudlark,

Welcome to AFF and thanks for the informative post.

 

[2muchplastic]

Just as a follow up on this one, I followed the excellent advice given and Hanmer Springs was the venue for the "brownie point" night. We booked the Select Braemar Lodge and Spa which is set a couple of kms outside Hanmer itself, but is a wonderfully luxurious place to stay. Every suite is 60sqm+ in size, some with a hot tub on the balcony and an unsurpassed and unhindered view of the snow capped mountains on the opposite side of the valley.

Many a brownie point won :mrgreen:

 

[tuapekastar]

Just as a follow up on this one, I followed the excellent advice given and Hanmer Springs was the venue for the "brownie point" night. We booked the Select Braemar Lodge and Spa which is set a couple of kms outside Hanmer itself, but is a wonderfully luxurious place to stay. Every suite is 60sqm+ in size, some with a hot tub on the balcony and an unsurpassed and unhindered view of the snow capped mountains on the opposite side of the valley.

Many a brownie point won :mrgreen:

Thx for posting this, and glad you enjoyed your stay (and got your brownie points, possibly the only points worth more than FF points).

Braemar certainly looks nice, and will certainly be under consideration for any future Hanmer Springs stays I may have (stayed in the town the only time I have been there).

 

[2muchplastic]

Thx for posting this, and glad you enjoyed your stay (and got your brownie points, possibly the only points worth more than FF points).

Braemar certainly looks nice, and will certainly be under consideration for any future Hanmer Springs stays I may have (stayed in the town the only time I have been there).

The Lodge is less than a year old, having opened in Dec 2008, so there is still a brand new feel about the place. All fixtures and fittings working properly, carpets barely trodden on. Highly recommend the place.

I've just got to save up to go back now!