Quest Cathedral Junction Serviced Apartments
by the TopOfHotel team
Quest Cathedral Junction is a high-scoring serviced apartment with the Tram stopping outside the door — better value than a 5-star in the same blocks.
Quest Cathedral Junction is a high-scoring serviced apartment with the Tram stopping outside the door — better value than a 5-star in the same blocks.
In-Depth Review
Rooms and decor
Quest Cathedral Junction Serviced Apartments scores 8.7/10 on Trip.com from 128 reviews, which is high for a 4-star serviced apartment in Christchurch. Every unit comes with the standard Quest kitchen — fridge, microwave, dishwasher, tea and coffee, basic cookware — so a multi-night stay works without eating out every meal. The location score of 9.2/10 beats most hotels on this list, and guests clearly rate where it sits. The honest caveat: some reviewers note the fittings and in-room decor show their age and aren't as fresh as the Crowne Plaza or Fino. They work fine for a comfortable stay, but go in knowing it's lived-in rather than brand-new.
Food and amenities
The rooftop terrace is the highlight reviewers come back to — open until 22:00, it's a good perch for city views in the evening. There's an in-building eatery covering breakfast and dinner, a 24-hour reception on hand for city tips, a small meeting room for modest corporate use, and laundry service. What it doesn't have is a pool or a proper gym, so if resort-style facilities matter, this isn't the pick.
Location and getting there
This is about as central as the CBD gets. Cathedral Square is a 5-minute walk, Riverside Market 8 minutes, the Christchurch Art Gallery 6 minutes, and Hagley Park around 15 minutes on foot. The airport is a 15-20 minute drive. The real draw is the Tram: a January 2026 review notes the line starts directly underneath the building, and that yellow heritage tram loops the CBD past every major attraction — so you can genuinely sightsee all day without a car or daily Uber fares.
Things to know before booking
A few specifics worth knowing. Parking costs extra and isn't in the room rate, with limited spaces — book it with your room or ask the front desk to hold one. As noted, some fittings and decor are dated, so this leans practical over polished. And the Tram only runs from 9:00, so for an earlier start you'll walk the 5 minutes to Cathedral Square. There's no pool or gym, which the nearby Chateau on the Park covers if that's a priority.
Our take
Quest Cathedral Junction suits families and couples who want a serviced apartment in a top CBD spot — full kitchen, Tram at the door, rooftop terrace for the views. For under NZ$300 a night it's clearly better value than a 5-star in the same blocks, and a step up from a hostel on both privacy and amenities. Trade the dated touches for the location and the convenience, and it earns its 8.7/10.
Score Breakdown
Assessed by our editorial team from data and real guest reviews
The Honest Verdict — pros & what to know
- The yellow heritage Tram stops directly under the building — a January 2026 review confirms it starts right outside the door, so you can loop the CBD all day without a car or daily Uber fares.
- The 9.2/10 location score on Trip.com is the highest of any hotel on this list, with Cathedral Square 5 minutes away, Riverside Market 8 minutes, and the Christchurch Art Gallery 6 minutes on foot.
- Every unit is a serviced apartment with a full kitchen (fridge, microwave, dishwasher, tea and coffee, basic cookware), so longer stays work without eating out every meal.
- The rooftop terrace, open until 22:00, is a genuine highlight reviewers mention often — a good spot for city views at sunset.
- Solid review numbers across the board: 8.7/10 overall from 128 reviews on Trip.com, 8.8 for cleanliness, 8.6 for service, and 8.8 on Booking.com.
- Some of the fittings and in-room decor show their age. Reviewers say they work fine and there are no major complaints, but it is not as fresh or modern as the Crowne Plaza or Fino.
- Parking is an extra charge and is not included in the room rate. Spaces are limited, so book it with your room or ask the front desk ahead of arrival.
- There is no pool or gym to speak of, so if you want resort-style facilities the Chateau on the Park down the road is the better fit.
Who It’s For
Match Score by travel style
Amenities
Location & Nearby Spots
Things to do near Christchurch
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Insider Tips
- The Tram runs from 9:00 daily; if you head out earlier, Cathedral Square is only a 5-minute walk, and the Tram loop later in the day passes every major CBD attraction.
- Ask for a higher floor with a city outlook when you book — the rooftop terrace stays open until 22:00 and is best for watching the city light up at sunset.
- Use the in-room kitchen for breakfast to save money; the Pak'nSave at Richmond is about a 5-minute drive and stocks plenty of fresh and ready-to-cook food.