Posted: 2/10/24 | February tenth, 2024

The second-largest metropolis in New Zealand (and the biggest on the South Island), Christchurch is full of cool markets, funky bars, and many new and classy eating places. It’s a relaxed vacation spot excellent for a few days of exploring and taking within the tempo of native life.

Having been severely broken by earthquakes between 2010 and 2012, it’s revitalized now. And, whereas there’s not a complete lot to see and do right here (solely 380,000 individuals reside right here in spite of everything), it’s certainly not a boring vacation spot. There’s enjoyable nightlife, many museums, and tons of inexperienced area the place you may lounge away the day or go mountain climbing.

That will help you resolve the place to remain in Christchurch, I’ll spotlight the perfect neighborhoods under in addition to a few of my favourite accommodations in every space. (That stated, Christchurch is fairly compact and you may simply stroll round most of it.)

The place to Keep in Christchurch for First-Time Guests: Christchurch Central

That is the center of city, also called Metropolis-Centre or the CBD. You’ll be able to stroll to lots of the principal sights from right here, together with the botanical gardens, the Canterbury Museum, the sprawling Hagley Park, and the historic hop-on/hop-off classic tram. It’s additionally the place you’ll discover essentially the most eating places. Whereas a lot of Christchurch’s principal accommodations and far of its buying is right here, the vast majority of hostels are right here too, making it a enjoyable and inexpensive district during which to remain.

Finest locations to remain in Central:

• BUDGET: Urbanz Christchurch – This full of life, social hostel has a bar with a few of the least expensive beer on the town, making it a enjoyable place to remain if you wish to meet individuals. There’s a big kitchen, in addition to a giant frequent space (with a hearth) the place you may watch motion pictures or play pool. The beds don’t have privateness curtains, however they do have actually thick mattresses. There are lockers and loads of shops within the dorm rooms too. It’s considered one of my favourite hostels within the nation.
• MIDRANGE: Carnmore Resort – It is a fashionable, trendy four-star lodge inside strolling distance of every thing within the neighborhood. The rooms are brilliant and spacious, with colourful wallpaper and a easy, minimalist design. The beds are comfortable, and the rooms embody a TV, desk, and occasional/tea maker. The showers have wonderful water strain.
• LUXURY: The Observatory Resort – This luxe five-star lodge is situated in a large, palatial constructing as soon as dwelling to an precise observatory. It’s a boutique property with simply 33 rooms, every that includes vintage touches and a novel, colourful decor. The rooms (and bogs) are giant and ethereal, and the beds are extremely snug. The lounge is especially beautiful, with uncovered brick partitions and hardwood flooring.

The place to Keep in Christchurch for Foodies: Merivale

This hip suburb is the place you’ll discover a lot of cool cafés, fashionable boutiques, and stylish eating places. It’s primarily a residential space, so there aren’t many accommodations right here, giving the neighborhood a much less bustling and extra relaxed really feel. It’s only a 30-minute stroll to town middle although, so it’s nonetheless tremendous simple to discover town in the event you base your self right here.

Finest locations to remain in Merivale:

• BUDGET: Ashford Motor Lodge – This no-frills motel is right for road-tripping vacationers because it has free (off-street) parking. The rooms are easy however spacious and comfy, with a lot of pure mild. The bogs, too, are spacious and well-lit and the showers have nice water strain. There’s additionally an outside pool and locations to barbecue, in addition to laundry services on-site. Because the rooms are apartment-style, every has a kitchen in addition to a desk, espresso/tea maker, microwave, and TV.
• MIDRANGE: Pavilions Resort – Together with giant, clear, and fashionable rooms, this four-star lodge has two eating places on-site, in addition to a heated out of doors pool, sizzling tub, and small health middle. It’s not an excellent fancy lodge, with extra of a easy, modern design and atmosphere, but it surely’s snug, clear, and presents quite a lot of worth. The rooms are giant and properly lit, and the beds are comfortable. The bogs are roomy and clear, with good water strain. There’s additionally free parking.
• LUXURY: The Mayfair – Simply south of Merivale, close to the sting of Hagley Park, this glossy and trendy five-star lodge has a fancy really feel. Every part is fashionable and modern. The rooms are brilliant and have a rest room with a walk-in bathe, a flat-screen TV, a minibar, a espresso/tea maker, and wonderful soundproofing. Breakfast, whereas not included, is scrumptious and consists of a lot of recent, native meals.

The place to Keep in Christchurch for Nightlife: Riccarton

West of Hagley Park is Riccarton, a comparatively quiet suburb the place a lot of college students reside (because of its proximity to the College of Canterbury). Whereas it’s fairly peaceable through the day, since there are many college students right here, you’ll discover loads of bars and pubs too, making it a superb base in the event you’re an evening owl seeking to bar-hop. It’s only a 10-minute drive to get downtown too, so whereas it does really feel a bit removed from all of it, you’re nonetheless only a stone’s throw away from every thing.

Finest locations to remain in Riccarton:

• BUDGET: Metropolitan Motel – This utilitarian motel is among the least expensive locations to remain on this a part of city. The apartment-style rooms are fashionable and properly maintained, with comfortable beds, kitchenettes, and flat-screen TVs. There’s a barbecue space exterior, in addition to free parking. The proprietor is tremendous pleasant and obsessed with guaranteeing you may have a hospitable keep.
• MIDRANGE: Chateau on the Park – Nestled in opposition to Hagley Park on the jap fringe of Riccarton, this four-star lodge is only a five-minute drive from downtown. It’s fashionable and encompasses a easy however modern design, with brilliant rooms which have flat-screen TVs, desks, espresso/tea makers, and enormous bogs. The beds are comfortable too. There’s a bar and a restaurant on-site, in addition to a health middle. There’s free parking as properly.
• LUXURY: There’s no luxurious lodging on this a part of city. The Mayfair (talked about above) is the closest five-star lodge to this space.

The place to Keep in Christchurch for Out of doors Lovers: Cashmere

Cashmere, a 10-minute drive south of Metropolis-Centre, is a tranquil suburb on the north facet of the Port Hills, providing beautiful views over the world in addition to a lot of inexperienced area. Typically, it’s a less expensive space to remain in, although lodge choices are restricted right here, so that you’ll need to be sure to e book early. If you wish to spend the vast majority of your time open air mountain climbing and having fun with nature, that is the neighborhood for you.

Finest locations to remain in Cashmere:

• BUDGET: The However n Ben – With apartment-style rooms, this small property is the most affordable you’ll discover within the Cashmere space. It has a non-public pool and mountain views, and the rooms are clear and trendy with a minimalist design and many pure mild. Additionally they have a kitchenette, TV, espresso/tea maker, couches, desks, and many area for stress-free (each indoors and out). It’s a good selection for {couples} or solo vacationers searching for a quiet keep exterior town core.
• LUXURY: Dyers Home – This charming B&B is situated in a century-old Edwardian-style dwelling. The home itself is very large and beautiful, with giant rooms that invite in a lot of pure mild. Some have stunning views of the close by hills, whereas others have patios or views of the stress-free backyard. The homeowners are particularly welcoming and useful, going out of their option to be sure to have an distinctive keep. The breakfast is scrumptious, with a lot of recent fruit and pastries, and the eating room itself presents attractive views of the encircling space.

Christchurch is a cool small metropolis and a must-visit cease for anybody touring round New Zealand. It’s come a good distance after the earthquake and feels reborn.

And, whereas town isn’t large, the place you resolve to remain will influence your journey. By selecting one of many neighborhoods above, you’ll be capable of take pleasure in the perfect lodging Christchurch has to supply whereas profiting from your keep.