Crowne Plaza Christchurch by IHG

Rooms and decor

The 204 rooms are wired up better than most hotels at this level in Christchurch — Bluetooth streaming that connects straight to the bathroom speakers, USB ports at every bedside, a central panel that runs the lights and electric curtains, and a large Smart TV. Some of the higher floors look out over Victoria Square, which shifts colour with the seasons, or the Port Hills on the southeastern edge of the city. Reviews are steady on cleanliness, though a few note that the materials and room size don't quite read as full 5-star next to big chains in other cities. Worth knowing before you book — but in the Christchurch context, these rooms still sit at the top end.

Food and amenities

There are two in-house restaurants covering buffet breakfast, dinner and 24-hour room service, plus a bar for a post-meeting drink or a quiet wind-down. Several meeting rooms come kitted out with AV gear, which makes this a practical base for corporate events and mid-size seminars downtown. The fitness center runs all day, high-speed Wi-Fi reaches the whole building including the common areas, and the concierge will point you to restaurants and things to do around town.

Location and getting there

Location is the thing almost no hotel near this price can match. It's a 10-minute walk to Riverside Market, 8 minutes to Cathedral Square, and 5 minutes to the Christchurch Art Gallery. The main punting jetties on the Avon River are an easy stroll away, and Christchurch Casino on Victoria Street is about 10 minutes on foot. Christchurch International Airport is a 20-25 minute drive, or a reasonably priced shuttle.

Things to know before booking

This is the priciest pick on the list, and it sits noticeably above the city's 4-star hotels — the trade is location, not bargain value. A handful of reviewers feel the room finishes don't fully hit 5-star, so calibrate expectations. Parking is an extra NZ$30-40 a night and spaces are limited, so reserve it with your room. The hotel opened in 2018, so it's modern, but the building is a chain property rather than a boutique stay.

Our take

Crowne Plaza Christchurch is the best answer in the city for anyone who puts location first. Business travellers get a full corporate setup — meeting rooms, late-night room service, a bar — and couples get clean, tech-loaded rooms within a 10-minute walk of everything in the CBD. If your budget runs from NZ$215 a night and up and you want Victoria Square on your doorstep, this is the one to book.