Hotels in Christchurch

Use our guide to decide where you’ll stay in this great city, which is on the South Island of New Zealand…

Hotels in Christchurch are mostly peppered among the Downtown districts of the city, and these are the best options if you prefer to use your feet to get around; Christchurch is compact and immensely walkable. Start at Cathedral Square and discover the city from this central point.

If you don't mind a journey into the city centre, you can take your pick from a number of unique hotels on the outskirts of Christchurch, including those nestled among vineyards, stately lodges in magnificent grounds, English-style manor houses, and rural elegance at farm stays.

At the heart of the city you can book luxury hotels with pleasant park and river views with top-class restaurants on site.

There is a plethora of hotels situated around Christchurch Airport, which is a gateway to the natural wonders of the South Island, such as the Fjordlands, the Southern Alps and Queenstown. These hotels are great if you're on a quick stopover, but if the main purpose of your holiday is to see Christchurch, consider a hotel in the city centre. Major international hotel names are in short supply in the city. However, you will find hotels from Best Western, Econo Lodge, Ibis, Novotel and Millennium.

Popular as a starting or ending point for backpackers and adventurous travellers on tours of the islands, there are many budget hotels in Christchurch, plus hostels and reasonably-priced B&Bs. Budget rooms are usually found on the city outskirts, from which you might need to jump aboard a bus to see the main sights.

The best bits of Christchurch can be found by simply ambling around this welcoming destination…

Christchurch takes great pride in its pleasant attractions. Here are a few of the best:

Top five attractions

The International Antarctic Centre

Experience the chill of Antarctica without leaving Christchurch. This family-friendly, hands-on attraction recreates a snowy storm and is home to a colony of penguins. There are rides too.

Christchurch Botanic Gardens

Surrounded by enchanting Hagley Park, the gardens house a huge variety of tree and plant species, and further enhance the city's reputation as the “Garden City”.

Cashel Street

This thoroughfare is home to the city's most inspiring area of resurgence from the earthquakes. Visit the shops and cafés of Re:START, which has brought in colourful shipping containers to re-house retailers. It's cool and quirky and sums up the attitude of the city towards its regeneration.

Canterbury Museum

Though some areas are still closed to the public, this museum continues to offer a great insight into local culture and history.

Avon River

Whatever the weather, pack a picnic and clamber aboard a river punt; you'll feel like you're in Cambridge!

Find out what’s on when in Christchurch...

Visit Christchurch during any of the city’s annual events to fill your days with even more fun times.

World Buskers Festival; January: The cream of the street entertainment crop can be found in Hagley Park during this wildly entertaining event.

New Zealand International Jazz and Blues Festival; February: Local, national and international musicians swing into town to make this one rocking event.

SummerTimes; December-March: This summer-long event brings a variety of talented performers to the city, with lots of family activities also on offer.