The Observatory Hotel Christchurch

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.

Terrific place.

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.

Beautiful hotel with lots of attention to detail. Feeling of luxury throughout the hotel. Wonderful location and walking distance to everything in town. Close to restaurants and the botanical gardens

Wonderful hotel. Lots of attention to detail. Very warm and inviting. Close to central city with lots of restaurants close by. A gem!

Laid back atmosphere, also great lounge to relax in and have tea.

We spent four wonderful days in Christchurch in August 2025. Stayed at The Observatory, a beautiful hotel set among old buildings, previously a university. Such a beautiful place and perfectly positioned opposite to the park. The room was lovely and staff very friendly and accommodating. Hope to return.

This is a slice of luxury in a beautiful setting. Sadly only one night but it was fantastic.

Fantastic experience for an ex Christchurch local. Amazing staff and beautiful surroundings, I will now always stay her when travelling to Christchurch for business.

We were truly delighted by our stay at the Observatory. In addition to being centrally located, the hotel is part of an arts center that has been reconstructed/renovated from the Christchurch earthquakes. The history is fascinating! We were treated well and felt welcome. Falling int the feather bed was like a dream after a long trip! The hotel is in walking distance of a variety of restaurants with options for breakfast, lunch and dinner. The really beautiful Botanical Gardens are also within walking distance of the Observatory, a serene and peaceful place to wander. Overall we could not have been more happy with our stay, only wish we stayed longer!

Great boutique hotel.
My only negative would be the bed could have been better

Excellent staff, very welcoming and helpful. Lovely room with comfortable bed and superb building. Great place to stay

Wonderful boutique hotel situated in the grounds of a noted former university campus. I was warmly welcomed despite my late flight, the room was cosy with a comfortable bed and loads of pillows, and the bathroom is elegant with quality amenities and a fabulous shower. The hotel is close to the CBD and eateries and has a lovely lounge area with books and games as well as free tea and coffee. The art works lining the walls reflect the arts precinct the campus has become, and there’s a great breakfast/brunch spot, the Quad Eatery, in the grounds as well as food trucks and a speciality fudge shop. Overall a quiet yet buzzy place to stay.

We had a lovely stay at this gorgeous hotel - the bed was a cloud, we slept so well. The setting is lovely.

Coffee, restaurants, tram, and park right at your doorstep.

What a beautiful boutique hotel! We loved our two-night stay here. Our room was extremely comfortable, and all of the small touches made it feel all the more luxurious.

We were welcomed very warmly, and given a short history of the hotel. Its location within the old Canterbury University precinct is stunning, and full of stories.

The city centre is also very easily walkable, the Botanical Gardens are just across the road, and there are fabulous restaurants and bars mere metres away.

Absolutely perfect and, should we return to Christchurch, we’ll be sure to stay here again.

This is an excellent hotel with luxurious amenities within easy walking distance to dining, culture, and all that Christchurch has to offer. The staff is first rate, good communicators and thoughtful.

Beware. I booked and prepaid for a Prestige Skylight Room but was given a small, standard room on arrival. Something seemed off but I was too tired from traveling. The next morning, I asked and after some deliberation, they said I was given the wrong room but they could not move me because the right room wasn't available. They told me they would refund NZ$400 to my credit card, and reassured me of this when I checked out. They never did. I reached out after getting home and they didn't respond.
The smallness of the room ended up mattering because I was in it for 2 days fighting off an illness. It was not great. They have no dinner on site but thankfully they have a "snacks" room service for lunch which saved me. The vegan pie arrived frozen in the middle but the other things I tried in those 2 days -- pizza, corn fritters, falafel fried -- were pretty good.
The breakfast was nice.
They gave me some macarons as an apology for the room snafu and comped my ~NZ$50 in room service, but the lack of communication and broken trust leave a very sour taste. Overall, while the facility is nice, the service was amateur and untrustworthy. I won't stay again.

Very nice hotel but it’s hard to get a warmer and comfortable temperature in the room, especially the bathroom.