Where to stay in Christchurch?

[Mal]

Accom in chc is still limited due to damage from the earthquakes, but I'm planning on a weekend over there to support the locals and have a look around.

Any hotel recommendations?

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[tuapekastar]

Accom in chc is still limited due to damage from the earthquakes, but I'm planning on a weekend over there to support the locals and have a look around.

Any hotel recommendations?

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Well I just checked and the only hotel I've stayed at in CHC, the Crowne Plaza, is going to be demolished (or already has been). There seem to be plenty of CBD(ish) hotels doing business, but I have no idea which parts of the CBD are accessible.

I have however stayed at several motels in the 'burbs (the location was important in these cases), and the best of these by far was the Tower Junction Motor Lodge - not far west of Hagley Park on Blenheim Rd, so not too far from the CBD. Unfortunately it seems like it may be pretty pricey as well (way more so than at Easter 2010 which is the last time I stayed there), though I guess that is to be expected given the situation - I'd be reluctant to pay the prices I saw for a couple of random dates I checked but I guess it just depends on the demand when you're going. Blenheim Rd is a pretty busy one and we hardly heard a sound even in the front room, so the double glazing works well. It was renovated and renamed to the current name 2 or 3 years ago so is fitted out pretty nicely for a motel and was very clean. The manager (name Ivana IIRC) waits up to check late arriving guests in (rather than just leaving a key somewhere) and is very helpful.

You may prefer a hotel to a motel but just an alternative to consider.

 

[Mal]

Thanks. Did some prelim recon and none of the hotels ive stayed in are ooen. Theres a h/motel in the burbs I stayed at for contiki... but that was years ago and not sure id want to go back. I can handle motels, just wondering what options people suggest.

But, if hotels are too exy ill head over early next year when availability is set to improve.

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[froggerADL]

Accom in chc is still limited due to damage from the earthquakes, but I'm planning on a weekend over there to support the locals and have a look around.

Any hotel recommendations?

I stayed at the Grange Guesthouse a few weeks ago. Nice enough for my requirements. I paid NZ$125 per night.

 

[JohnK]

It has been a few years since I have been to Christchurch.

I have only stayed at the Grand Chancellor and both Holiday Inns and it would appear that all 3 were damaged in the earthquake.

 

[Flashback]

Thanks. Did some prelim recon and none of the hotels ive stayed in are ooen. Theres a h/motel in the burbs I stayed at for contiki... but that was years ago and not sure id want to go back. I can handle motels, just wondering what options people suggest.

But, if hotels are too exy ill head over early next year when availability is set to improve.

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I wonder if that was the same one I stayed at when I did a Contiki there :shock: I remember the walk to town took me down the "interesting" Manchester Rd (probably best to stay away at night... ):!:

 

[notzac]

The hotel I've previously stayed at (and would recommend if you don't mind a somewhat quirky property) is in the "red zone" - so no accommodation available there am afraid.

 

[kpc]

Well I just checked and the only hotel I've stayed at in CHC, the Crowne Plaza, is going to be demolished (or already has been).

Ditto here. Sad!
News - Earthquake-damaged Crowne Plaza Christchurch to be demolished

 

[Mwenenzi]

No access to red zone: the central city are were many building have/will be demolished. Complete city blocks being cleared in some cases. You can walk by the Avon river to see into the western - south CBD area that shows the effects of the quakes (all 7500 of them). 2 weeks ago when I was there visiting family there was a mag 5.5 quake:- the 8th biggest since 5 Sept 2010.

Well I just checked and the only hotel I've stayed at in CHC, the Crowne Plaza, is going to be demolished (or already has been). There seem to be plenty of CBD(ish) hotels doing business, but I have no idea which parts of the CBD are accessible.

The CBD is all red zone: no access with a fence around it
Today the 18 story PWC building was slated for demolish: too expensive to fix
http://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/ne...47398/PricewaterhouseCoopers-to-be-demolished

Thanks. Did some prelim recon and none of the hotels i have stayed in are open. Theres a h/motel in the burbs I stayed at for Contiki... but that was years ago and not sure I'd want to go back. I can handle motels, just wondering what options people suggest.

Suburban motels are doing good trade. (not much else left) There are many insurance & demolition people staying in accommodation. Very few tourists. A lot of motels are on Riccarton Rd close to city center. Blenheim Rd - Addington a bit further away.

I wonder if that was the same one I stayed at when I did a Contiki there :shock: I remember the walk to town took me down the "interesting" Manchester Rd (probably best to stay away at night... ):!:

Most of buildings in Manchester St are gone. Many were brick

 

[notzac]

Most of buildings in Manchester St are gone. Many were brick

One wonders if there will be anything of a city left - by the sounds of it, not really.

 

[Mal]

Thanks for the update. Booked flights today. Dep Fri evening arr 1am, return mon morn dep 7am.

Return flights were about 250 so very cheap.

Seems like I have some deep thinking to do as to what plans to make.

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[Greggsy]

We were there in June and stayed a few nights at the Copthorne Commodore near the airport. Nice, clean and very close to the airport. It's also in the more eastern area of Christchurch away from the heavier earthquakes/aftershocks.

Well worth a look, particularly with a 1am arrival.

 

[Greggsy]

Oh, definitely visit the Antarctic Experience centre nearby.

 

[Mal]

Based on various feedback, I've changed the focus of my trip. New itin....

Arrive chc. Airport hotel.
First thing in the morning head to chc train station. Catch train to picton. Jump on a very small plane and fly to wlg. Explore.
First thing next morning ferry back to picton. Then train back to Chc and back to airport hotel.
Explore bits of Chc.
Next morning flight back home.

Will put some money into the Chc economy, yet keep me out of the way of issues and the red zone.

Thanks for the advice. Still looking for hotel suggestions if there are others around the airport you recommend.

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[browski]

We were there in June and stayed a few nights at the Copthorne Commodore near the airport. Nice, clean and very close to the airport. It's also in the more eastern area of Christchurch away from the heavier earthquakes/aftershocks.

Well worth a look, particularly with a 1am arrival.

Plus 1 for the Copthorne. Airport to city is really quite close. Can also recommend the Cook'n with Gas restaurant, still open but many roads around it are closed.