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Located in Central Christchurch just minutes from CBD dining, shopping and entertainment, Crowne Plaza Christchurch offers modern accommodation and dining options for the business or leisure traveller. Overlooking historic Victoria Square and the iconic Avon River, you'll be in the perfect spot to connect with the Christchurch, or meet with colleagues, clients or friends in Market Place Restaurant & Bar. Our central Christchurch hotel features 204 spacious and modern hotel rooms, combined with the best views the Garden City has to offer and state of the art technology that will have you fully connected. The technology installed within the rooms is useful, with Bluetooth and Wi-Fi streaming, bathroom speakers and controls and plenty of USB ports for your devices. From our versatile meeting and conference spaces to a gym and library-themed business centre, we have everything you need to make your stay a successful one.
Star ratings are intended to indicate the general level of features, amenities, and services to expect. This property is classified according to Qualmark.
Places to stay are graded on a 0-100 scale. The higher the grade, the easier it is for travelers to find restaurants and things to do within walking distance.
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Crowne Plaza Christchurch is often commended for its clean, contemporary rooms, complete with quality amenities and admired for the stunning city vistas it offers. Guests appreciate the central location that puts numerous attractions within easy reach, even as concerns are raised about parking fees.
While the service and cleanliness receive high marks for staff attentiveness and spotlessness, opinions on value for money and room comfort vary. Amenities like the breakfast options are well-received, though some guests felt the gym and noise levels could be improved.
Location
Central
Atmosphere
Inviting
Rooms
Modern
Value
Expensive
Cleanliness
Spotless
Service
Inconsistent
Amenities
Well-appointed
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I booked three nights at the Crowne Plaza for a long weekend holiday. Couldn't have made a better choice, I was very happy with my stay!
I was originally scheduled to arrive just after midnight from Sydney, however a mid-air flight diversion due to fog meant I ended up landing in Wellington at 2am. I called the hotel at 2:45am and spoke with a very cheerful receptionist who said they had suspected I might have been on the diverted flight and didn't need to worry, they were holding my room and would see me when they saw me.
I ended up arriving at the hotel just before 9am. The hotel has an excellent location in the northern part of Central Christchurch, right next to the convention centre for those on business trips but also super close to all the tourist attractions like New Regent Street and Cathedral Square. The city centre is flat as a pancake so walking around is a breeze. Check-in was easy and I was on my way up to my room before long. As a Diamond Ambassador IHG member the hotel had kindly upgraded me from a 1 King Standard room to a 1 King Standard City View High Floor room.
My room was located on the 17th floor, the top floor of the hotel and it was amazing. Looking at the hotel floor plan it looked to be one of the largest rooms they had on offer. The long entrance corridor offered ample luggage storage space, a large closet, in-room safe, coat hooks (a necessity in wintry Christchurch!), tea/coffee facilities and a fully stocked minibar, not something you see consistently in the post-pandemic world. The bedroom featured a cozy window alcove with sweeping views to the north, large flat screen TV with local and cable / international channels as well as Chromecast and the most dreamy king bed. The bedding was seriously, seriously good, to the point where I have been googling it to see if I can buy it for home, unfortunately to no avail! Bathroom was well appointed with plenty of towels, bathrobes and the brand-standard Antipodes toiletries. The shower featured both a rainfall and regular shower head, my only complaint here would be that the water pressure could have been a little stronger. Wi-Fi was fast and reliable throughout the hotel and air conditioning worked very well, however I had to re-input my custom settings every time I left and came back to the room. Housekeeping service throughout my stay was excellent, I liked the modern "please make up my room" and "do not disturb" illuminated lights used, replacing the flimsy old door hangers.
Key hotel amenities include the library on the 1st floor and the gym on the 3rd floor, both open round the clock. Unfortunately I didn't get a chance to use the gym equipment however I stopped by to refill my water bottle and could see it was well equipped. The library is next to the restaurant and had a variety of literature available as well as seating, computers and printing facilities.
Dining options at the hotel include Market Place Restaurant and Bar on the 1st floor for breakfast/dinner and 1851 Social on the ground floor for snacks and drinks from 12pm til late. I had buffet breakfast included and found it to be really good. The hot selection included all the classics plus a chef's station where you could order pancakes, porridge or eggs cooked to order. They also had a good variety of bakery, cold cuts, fruits, yoghurts and juices. Filter coffee was available at the buffet and although there were barista machines I didn't really see anyone ordering barista coffees and I didn't enquire either, so not sure if these are included in the cost of the buffet or attract a supplement. Service at the buffet breakfast was great with the cooked to order items brought to your table very quickly. It seemed popular not just with guests but with locals too, I visited quite early on Sunday morning and it seemed to be the place to be for the firefighters of the Christchurch City Station, visiting for breakfast before or after their shift!
As mentioned earlier the location is fantastic and it's really easy to get around Christchurch. Some of the key attractions worth visiting are Cathedral Square, the Riverside Market, Quake City museum, the Christchurch Art Gallery, the Cardboard Cathedral and the Botanical Gardens. You'd be hard pressed finding anything more than a twenty minute walk away and even in June although cold it wasn't particularly windy, so as long as you have a decent jacket the walks should be pretty comfortable. If you're looking for a highlight meal I would highly recommend Twenty Seven Steps on nearby New Regent Street. Unfortunately no supermarkets I could find in the central city, although there was a decent convenience store at nearby Cathedral Junction. There is a Countdown (Kiwi Woolworths for the Australian crowd) at the southern end of the city which you could walk to or take a short Uber ride.
Special mention has to go to the staff, who were great all round. Friendly, engaging and helpful, good old fashioned Kiwi hospitality. After all the dramas with my flight it was such a relief to arrive at the hotel and have everything go so smoothly. They were also able to arrange a 1pm late check-out for me which was great considering I had a later afternoon flight.
All in all the Crowne Plaza Christchurch offers excellent value for money and a close-to-flawless experience, reminiscent of the good old days before the pandemic made things more difficult. I will definitely return the next time I'm in Ōtautahi Christchurch!
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Date of stay: June 2023
Value
Location
Service
Trip type: Traveled solo
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I previously stayed when the hotel had their opening celebration - this stay was 5-star. Levi (Concierge) was absolutely outstanding and managed my room change quickly - even recording my room number preferences for future stays. Staff are friendly and approachable with a special shoutout to the housekeeping staff. I had room service for dinner and can state that it was the best steak I have ever had in any hotel (lots of experience). Breakfast in Cafe 1851 was exceptional. Here in Australia if you get a 'side of bacon' you are lucky to get one full slice. In this cafe the 'side' was very generous and the eggs perfectly cooked. The rooms are generally large and spacious (corner rooms are somewhat cramped) with large TV and great bathrooms with enormous showers where you can still watch TV. One thought would be the availability of a map showing central Christchurch prior to the 2011 earthquakes. While some sites are obvious (the Cathedral is truly heartbreaking) and some signposted, it would be handy to know what used to stand where as you walk around the city centre. Will be definitely back to stay.
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Date of stay: January 2020
Rooms
Cleanliness
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Perfectly located this hotel's interior designer deserves a special mention. We loved the decor, the colors and the design. Rooms are very pleasant, bathrooms light and functional, comfortable beds and pillows, silky sheets and fluffy towels. Breakfast standard. Parking for a fee. Free WIFI. Many stations on TV. Quick check in (Thank you Levi) and check out. Recomended
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Date of stay: February 2020
Rooms
Service
Sleep Quality
Room Tip:High floor - good views
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
After a business meeting we went into the restaurant at 21.40 believing that we could have a meal at that time. The restaurant hours advertised were until 22.30.
Myself and a colleague were staying at the hotel while a third person wasn’t.
However when we asked for a table we were told that the kitchen was closed but that we could have room service. This was disappointing as we had expected to be able to have a meal together and didn’t want room service.
When you pay the prices for a hotel like this you expect to them to at least keep to the hours advertised irrelevant of how busy the restaurant is.
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Date of stay: March 2020Trip type: Traveled on business
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from IHGService, Guest Relations Manager at Crowne Plaza Christchurch, an IHG hotel
Responded Mar 27, 2020
Dear ukko51, Thank you for choosing Crowne Plaza Christchurch and for sharing your experience with us. I would like to apologize for any inconvenience caused by the restaurant being closed before the announced closing time. We will investigate this further with our team. It is very important for us that all our guests have a very comfortable and enjoyable stay as we strive to maintain a high quality standard of service at all times. I will use your comments to improve our guests experience and hope to have the opportunity to welcome you again in the future. Best Regards, Ben W. Case Manager IHGService
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I did not have high expectations when I booked the Crowne Plaza but I was very pleasantly surprised. The hotel was great as is Christchurch itself.
We arrived late in the morning having hired a car at the airport. The hotel has uncovered parking on the side which had plenty of spaces when we arrived. We were able to check in early and drop our things in the room before heading out to explore Christchurch.
The hotel has an excellent location. On a map, it may seem that it is outside the centre but it is within a 5 minute walk to all that Christchurch has to offer. The city itself is very walkable with lots of open spaces and parks to enjoy.
The staff at the hotel were very friendly and welcoming. Check in was swift as was check out. Our Superior room was on one of the higher floors with fantastic views over Christchurch. The hotel is fairly new and feels well maintained. It is certainly one of the modern Crowne Plazas. Our room was spacious and had a comfortable bed as well as complimentary T2 teas and coffee. The bathroom was modern with a shower cubicle and locally sourced New Zealand amenities. The bathroom cubicle is separated by glass from the room but can be blocked off for privacy.
We enjoyed dinner and breakfast at the Market Place. Both were enjoyable. Breakfast was buffet with plenty of choices across both hot and cold items.
I loved the Crowne Plaza and look forward to returning.
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Date of stay: March 2020Trip type: Traveled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Nice hotel but check-in seemed like a chore, we weren’t advised of what time breakfast was or where our room was situated until prompting. We paid extra to get a room with a view which was nice but noisey, the mirror in our room was filthy. We wouldn’t rave about the breakfast which was one of the main reasons for staying here after watching Hillary Barry’s review saying how amazing it was. There was no salmon to be found, they ran out of basics like scrambled eggs, juice, mushrooms which you had to queue for 5-10 minutes for these, by the time your turn came about they’d run out again, not something you’d expect for almost $300 a night, disappointing.
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Date of stay: July 2020Trip type: Traveled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from IHG Service, Owner at Crowne Plaza Christchurch, an IHG hotel
Responded Jul 31, 2020
Hello loveitbeauty, Providing the best hotel experience begins with excellent service. It has always been our pleasure to assist our guests in whatever way we can. Thank you for choosing to stay with us and for taking the time to leave us feedback. I am sorry that we were not able to meet your expectations with our breakfast options and room upkeep. Check-in should have been a walk in the park and I understand your disappointment. I have shared your comment with our Hotel Management for review and the necessary improvements needed on our end I hope we get the chance to serve you again and create a better experience for you in the future. Warm thoughts, Deborah R. Case Manager IHGService
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The only rooms with two beds in this hotel have tiny little glass viewports that serve as windows. In photos, they are what appear to be decorative glass panels below where the real windows begin on the facade. The windows are so small, the rooms can hardly be called habitable.
Other than that, the rooms are fitted out nicely, the front desk staff was very courteous and professional, and the location is fine.
We received coupons for the bar, and found the bartender to be a joke. He was incredibly slow, unable to keep track of whom to serve next (with 4 people at the bar), and was just plain rude.
I would not stay here again.
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Date of stay: December 2019
Value
Rooms
Service
Room Tip:Rooms with two beds are dark and claustrophobic, without a real window.
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from IHGService, Guest Relations Manager at Crowne Plaza Christchurch, an IHG hotel
Responded Feb 21, 2020
Hello SoOnTarget, Thank you for sharing your feedback from your recent visit. We aim to provide our guests with the best comfort and satisfaction we can offer for each stay. I am happy to see that you regarded our front desk staff to be courteous and location to be good. I'm sorry that you encountered issues with the bartender staff and the view of the rooms fell below your expectations. Your feedback allows our hotel team to see what are the things that need improving, and I'm sure that they will think of ways to address it and make the future experience more rewarding. I hope that you would choose us again the next time you visit the area. Regards, Dianne L. Case Manager IHGService
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This was our 3rd stay at this amazing hotel. Right in the heart of the City & parking right beside the hotel. The welcoming foyer with fabulous stairs leading up to the restaurant & the stunning two sided fire is amazing. Super friendly staff & our contemporary room on the 12th floor was beautifully designed with a bench seat right along the window to sit and enjoy the outstanding view out across Christchurch to the snow capped Southern Alps. The pillows are amazing and the bed super comfy. No need to go out in search of an outstanding meal - we can recommend both the Market Place for an evening meal - upstairs with it's fabulous view out across Victoria Square or Cafe 1851 on the ground floor for breakfast & it's amazing new tapas shared plate evening menu!
Business or pleasure we have no hesitation is saying you must come at stay at the Crowne Plaza!
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Date of stay: June 2020
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Trip type: Traveled on business
Room Tip:King Suite room is lovely but all room types we've stayed in have been great. Higher floor...
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We stayed for 4 nights in 2 seperate legs and reserved the King Standard City View High Floor room for both reservation.
The room size for both reservation was quite different, not sure if it was due to the room series allocated. Nevertheless, the smaller room that was issued to us was still roomy enough for a luggage and a backpack. Like that there is bay window for you to sit and relax. Am also a fan of the speaker in the bathroom. Also like the fact that the hotel is energy saving even in the corridors.
Location wise it is just 2 minutes walk to New Regent St (nothing fantastic there) and around 10 to 15 minutes walk to the city centre.
Service wise from the reception was just ok. Not sure if it was how they work or because of the shortage in manning but I saw a guest pushing the luggage trolley on their own from the reception to the lift. No assistance was also offered to us for both our arrival and departure. It was a very self service interaction and experience. The team at the Marketplace was great though. Please skip the breakfast in the hotel. We paid 36NZD per person and the spread was sad, so was the quality. Dinner was better though.
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Date of stay: July 2022Trip type: Traveled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We were one of many thousands of people who were sent to Christchurch when Auckland airport was under water. We were not lucky enough to get any accommodation the first night in Christchurch and our airline just left us to our devices. Which meant sleeping on the floor or bench with our kids at Christchurch airport.
We did manage to get two rooms at the Crowne Plaza Christchurch for the second night and the team at the hotel were amazing as people continued to flood into the hotel. We slept in the foyer near the open fire place and then had a beautiful breakfast while we waited for our room to be ready. The hotel staff looked after our luggage and then our room was ready at 1.30pm The staff at the desk kept apologising for the rooms taking so long to be done, but the hotel basically turned over every room that night and they did a great job of looking after us in the meantime.
Our room service lunch was lovely as was our dinner. We were entitled to breakfast with our room rate, but we had to be at the airport at 4am. So we were offered a grab and go pack instead.
The king size bed was so comfortable. The rooms were spacious, clean, quiet and had beautiful views from our room. Our room had a padded window seat that was very comfortable to is ton and watch the traffic go by below. Our shower had electric frosted glass to give privacy to the bathroom or clear to give a larger feel to the room. The room had no noice from outside for between rooms.
I can't thank the team at the Crowne Plaza Christchurch enough for their care, concern, effort, patience and kindness to travellers with children who were clearly in distress.
I would stay at this hotel in a heartbeat if we ever go back to Christchurch.
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Date of stay: January 2023
Value
Location
Service
Room Tip:King size rooms are amazing
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
There are more places to choose from in the Christchurch area.
PRICE RANGE
$118 - $209 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
LOCATION
New ZealandSouth IslandCanterbury RegionChristchurch
NUMBER OF ROOMS
204
Prices are the average nightly price provided by our partners and may not include all taxes and fees. Taxes and fees that are shown are estimates only. Please see our partners for more details.
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