The Observatory Hotel Christchurch

We really loved our stay! The hotel staff were very friendly and Angela was exceptional. She was friendly, efficient, knowledgeable, and was helpful when we had an issue with some of our camping equipment. The room was clean and orderly, the bed was the most comfortable I have slept on in a long time. The hotel was extremely thoughtful and provided us with a celebratory basket for our anniversary which was very lovely.

Our two-night stay at this boutique hotel was exceptional. Our room was stunning with beautiful decor and luxurious bedding. Impeccably appointed, the bathroom featured premium toiletries and high-quality amenities throughout.|Particularly impressive was the Drawing Room Lounge—elegant and sophisticated, it provided a perfect space to relax with a coffee and unwind. Location-wise, you couldn't ask for better: situated in the recently restored Arts Centre and adjacent to the Christchurch Botanic Gardens, it served as an ideal base for exploring the city with everything within a leisurely walk.|Our host was attentive and welcoming, and we truly appreciated the thoughtful touches that made our stay special. Highly recommend The Observatory Hotel for anyone seeking a refined boutique experience in Christchurch.

Amazing location in a beautiful historic building, truly remarkable to be able to stay across from the botanical gardens, just steps away from some excellent restaurants, still near the city center, and also one of the most historic buildings in Christchurch. However, at $1000/night for our room, we expected far better cleaning and maintenance. Our room was dirty with hair and feces on the toilet, toothbrush splatter on the sink and walls, and debris and hair on the carpet. We complained and they cleaned some of it the next day, but there was still cleanliness and maintenance issues throughout, stains, some filth, and existing paint damage. Until they do proper cleaning and maintenance, it's very hard to recommend this hotel despite the incredible location and building. I can only hope they improve as it is a real shame for management to fail this lovely building in this way.

We stayed at The Observatory Hotel for 3 nights and absolutely loved our stay. The hotel is set in a beautiful heritage building that’s been updated for modern comfort — the perfect mix of charm and style. Our room was uniquely designed and very pretty, with a super comfy bed and a spacious bathroom with great hot showers and quality amenities. We also loved the little touches — a Nespresso machine and tea options in the room for convenience, plus a gorgeous guest lounge with a full Nespresso setup, more teas, and even cookies. We spent a few evenings there relaxing with a drink and flipping through the books they have on display — such a lovely atmosphere. The location is amazing — right next to the Arts Centre and Botanic Gardens in a peaceful part of town. We enjoyed great meals just steps away at Cellar Door and Frances Nation Café, and it’s only about a 10-minute walk to the Riverside Market for more food and shopping options. We truly enjoyed our stay at The Observatory Hotel and can’t wait to return on our next trip to Christchurch!

Our recent stay at The Observatory Hotel in Christchurch was absolutely outstanding. The room was large, beautifully appointed, and incredibly comfortable. We were pleasantly surprised to find a bottle of sparkling wine waiting for us on arrival — such a thoughtful and generous gesture! The location couldn’t have been better — just a short walk to central Christchurch and plenty of great dining spots nearby. Overall, a fantastic experience that exceeded expectations. Highly recommend!

I had a wonderful stay at The Observatory Hotel. The building itself is full of character, with fascinating nooks and crannies to explore. Its location within the Arts Centre makes it extra special — surrounded by creative neighbors and free interactive exhibitions just steps away. The staff were warm, welcoming, and genuinely attentive. I especially appreciated the complimentary coffee and tea available throughout the day, which made the space feel even more inviting. Overall, I felt truly cared for and at home here. Highly recommend!

Set in the most picturesque part of Christchurch, this hotel delivers more than you expect. The rooms are lovely five stars for them. Nespresso mini in the room which was great and very convenient.. but the staff are sensational seven Stars for the staff thank you Angela and Maya for making our stay amazing. They truly go above and beyond as did all the other staff we interacted with as well.|It’s very well located near the botanical Gardens and a very easy walk to the Terrace food hub . Totally recommend this place.

Wanted to love this place and we did for the most part but earning 5 stars means absolute pinnacle, best of the best. So I'm giving it 4 Stars. The location is brilliant, the heritage of the site it's in, it's a nice hotel but for the money the room is small. Paid near $3K AUD for 6 nights, there's just better options for the money. And one word of advice, DO NOT, I repeat DON'T, waste your money including their "continental" breakfast to your stay. I think it worked out at around $40 AUD a day but for that you essentially get toast and some patisserie savoury and sweet things and some ham etc. it's just basic, just walk literally outside and there's a cafe right there which is great 👍. All said and done it was ok but should have just got an Airbnb or looked elsewhere for the cost.