Hotel: Crowne Plaza Christchurch
When: June 2023
Status: Diamond Ambassador
Rate: NZD $200/night (flexible rate which I had originally booked at NZD $300/night, but cancelled and re-booked.)
Booked: 1 King Standard
Received: 1 King Standard City View High Floor (a two-category upgrade, made even better by being allocated a room on the very top 17th floor and in just about the largest format that this particular room type comes in.)
A really good stay, which made up for my horrendous experience at another New Zealand IHG property, the
Voco Auckland late last year. Had originally expected to arrive at around midnight however
my flight from Sydney got diverted to Wellington due to the fog. I called the hotel at 2:45am local time and spoke with a cheerful receptionist who said they had suspected I might have been on that flight and didn't need to worry, as a valued Diamond member they were holding my room and would see me when they saw me.
Arrived just before 9am and check-in was good; my receptionist was a bit inexperienced but there was a more experienced guy also at the counter who was able to help him out. Welcome letter provided and took breakfast as the Diamond amenity. The junior receptionist thought my free brekkie would start the next day but since I had booked from the night before it was included for me on the morning I arrived too, as the more experienced receptionist pointed out.
Room was excellent, spacious and with excellent views being on the top floor. Air conditioning was great, there was a fully stocked minibar and the bedding was seriously, seriously good, like to the point where I have been googling it after to see if I can buy some for home! Only disappointment in the room was that the shower water pressure was mediocre.
Breakfast at the Market Place restaurant was of a high standard, staff had the Diamond amenity noted on their list. There was filter coffee at the buffet, there were barista machines as well however I didn't see anyone ordering barista coffees and I didn't enquire either. Lots of variety for the hot food, good range of bakery, cold cuts and fruits and a chef's station where you could get pancakes, porridge or eggs to order. Other hotel facilities including the gym and bar downstairs were good too.
Hotel is in an excellent location, just two minutes walk from New Regent Street and not more than five minutes from Cathedral Square. Christchurch is flat as a pancake so getting around is pretty easy and I did a lot of walking around town. Pretty chilly this time of year so pack a quality jacket! Thankfully not very windy though. This was the first time I've been back in the city post-earthquake so it was unrecognisable from what I remember. Would recommend Twenty Seven Steps on New Regent Street if you're looking for a highlight dinner.
Late check-out to 1pm was provided without any fuss. The receptionist re-programming my key for the late checkout was shocked to see they had given a Diamond member a Platinum key card, something I too had noticed but didn't think was a big deal!
Excellent value for money and a close-to-flawless experience, reminiscent of the good old days before the pandemic made things more difficult. Loved the CP and will definitely return the next time I'm in Ōtautahi Christchurch!
That's a lot of extra value overall.
