The Observatory Hotel Christchurch

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!

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.

Historical and beautiful hotel in Christchurch When in Christchurch, the Hotel Observatory is a boutique heritage hotel to stay at. Manager Vee was exceptionally friendly and accommodating. A true professional with years of experience and a wealth of knowledge about New Zealand, he made the stay even more memorable. The rooms were decent sized, clean, and well equipped, with very comfortable beds for a good night’s rest and a nespresso for a morning cuppa. The tea and coffee lounge area was particularly inviting—warm and welcoming with a variety of good reads. The building itself is a beautiful heritage building , with a lot of character, and the location is excellent, within easy walking distance to the city. Overall, a solid 9/10 experience.

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!

This hotel was perhaps the most wonderful and surprising detour we took on our trip. From the moment we stepped inside, we wished we had booked a week instead of a couple nights. The building, a lovingly retrofitted old university, absolutely nails the vibe—if you ever wanted to know what it was like to stay at Hogwarts with better plumbing and faster Wi-Fi, this is your place.||The atmosphere spills right into the neighborhood. We loved wandering past the artisanal shops and hearing the faint, delightful sounds of singers practicing from the nearby theatre. It’s like being in a charming European city square. And while you feel tucked away in this quaint haven, you're only a breezy 10-minute walk from the main shopping areas and a lively strip of restaurants, not to mention the bounty of food trucks right outside your door.||Inside, the attention to detail is remarkable. Forget cookie-cutter rooms; each space genuinely has its own character and flair. But the true magic (and I mean truly, profoundly magical) is the free mini-bar snacks. They understood the assignment: happiness is complimentary gourmet chips after a long day.||If you like history, character, excellent location, and being delighted by small gestures, book this hotel. It’s more than a stay; it’s an experience.

I LOVED, LOVED, LOVED this hotel. It was beautiful and charming, both inside and out. There were so many things I was impressed by - the architectural detail (stunning stone and structural elements), history of the building, perfectly situated location (walkable everywhere and right across the street from the most beautiful botanical gardens), the court-yard feel, and the super-friendly staff. Christchurch is such an immensely charming city and I so enjoyed my time there.

Absolutely beautiful hotel, enhanced by a great location and very helpful, welcoming staff. The surrounding galleries and buildings make it an artistic experience as well. The rooms rate high for cleanliness and we loved the cappuccino maker in the lobby. Thank you for a lovely stay.