The Observatory Hotel Christchurch

Hotels
9.1 (1662 reviews)
9 Hereford Street The Arts Centre Te Matatiki Toi Ora , Christchurch , nz

Facilities

Electric bicycle charging station
Fitness facilities (surcharge)
Non-smoking rooms
Air conditioning
Lift / Elevator
Luggage storage
Express check-in/check-out
Safety deposit box
Fax/photocopying
Facilities for disabled guests
See all facilities

Review Highlights

Pros:
Friendly staff
Great location
Beautiful building
Cons:
Parking fees
Cleanliness issues

Categories

Cleanliness
8.4
Some reviews mentioned cleanliness issues, such as dusty carpets and the need for a proper clean.
Service
9.4
Multiple reviews highlight friendly staff and good service.
Location
9.9
Many reviews emphasize the hotel's excellent location, close to restaurants and attractions.
Room Quality
8.4
Most rooms were described as beautiful, though some reviews noted comfort issues.
Amenities
8.9
Amenities received praise with some minor criticisms, including limited bar options.
Value for Money
8.9
Some cons related to parking fees when nightly rates were already high.
Food and Beverage
9.4
Positive sentiments expressed about complimentary offerings and quality services available nearby.
Overall Experience
9.5
Overall, guests found their stay unique and enjoyable with few complaints.
* This sentiment is summarized by AI based on user reviews.
Updated at: 2026-01-11 12:44

Property Description

Luxurious Accommodation
Experience 5-star luxury at The Observatory Hotel Christchurch, located just steps away from Canterbury Museum. Indulge in air-conditioned rooms featuring modern amenities like a coffee machine, minibar, and flat-screen TV.

Convenient Facilities
Enjoy the convenience of a fitness centre, private parking, and a 24-hour front desk during your stay. Benefit from free WiFi, a concierge service, and the option of bike or car hire to explore the city with ease.

Prime Location
Immerse yourself in the heart of Christchurch, with popular attractions like Hagley Park and the Christchurch Art Gallery within walking distance. Don't miss the chance to book your stay at The Observatory Hotel Christchurch for a truly unforgettable experience.

Important information:

Guests are required to show a photo ID and credit card upon check-in. Please note that all Special Requests are subject to availability and additional charges may apply.

Check-in and check-out hours:

Location

Guest Reviews

9.1
Based on 1662 reviews
Cleanliness: 8.4
Service: 9.4
Location: 9.9
Room Quality: 8.4
Amenities: 8.9
Value for Money: 8.9
Food and Beverage: 9.4
Overall Experience: 9.5
F
FrankKirchhoff couple de
9
Pros:

Super nette Lage

Cons:

Das Frühstück könnte vielfältiger sein.

2026-02-13 via Nuitee
P
PATRICK couple fr
9
2026-02-12 via Nuitee
P
Pablo couple pf
8
Lugar históricamente genial
Pros:

El lugar, la distribución, la limpieza, la originalidad

Cons:

La distribución de la habitación (sobre todo el cuarto de baño), desayuno limitado y la llegada si tienes maletas: complicado porque el parking no está en el mismo edificio

2026-02-12 via Nuitee
J
john solo_traveller gb
8
Enjoyable
Pros:

Location and female receptionists who went above and beyond

Cons:

The Tv options are the worst experienced in NZ and not to have numerous sports channel was really disappointing.

2026-02-11 via Nuitee
S
Stefan family_with_children no
10
Pros:

The hotel’s location is unbeatable, but it's the setting within the historic stone complex and the incredibly soulful, book-filled lobby that truly makes the experience special.

2026-02-10 via Nuitee
G
Glen couple gb
9
Lovely location by park.
Pros:

Location and architecture

Cons:

Difficult stairs with heavy baggage

2026-02-10 via Nuitee
S
Samuel couple us
7
Stylish historic hotel in great location
Pros:

Location and history is great. Also decor and amenities. Cookies and welcome gift bag were a nice touch

Cons:

Room overlooked utility area and windows were very high. Also the place feels a little soulless despite lovely furnishings

2026-02-08 via Nuitee
M
Markku couple fi
8
Hieno kortteli keskellä kaupunkia
Pros:

Sijainti, interiööri, korttrli

Cons:

Pieni huone hintaan verrattuna. Todi vaikea saada matkalaukut mahtumaan.

2026-01-31 via Nuitee
B
Brian couple gb
9
Pros:

Character, location

2026-01-31 via Nuitee
P
Paul couple gb
9
Expensive, but VERY beautiful.
Pros:

A lovely old building that has been excellently repurposed into a superb hotel. Wonderful staff. Sumptuous rooms with spacious bathroom and top level facilities.

Cons:

Its an original building and so does have stairs between areas. They also charge for the bottled water in the room.

2026-01-28 via Nuitee
G
Gina family_with_children gb
10
Wonderful stylish hotel in the heart of Christchurch
Pros:

The Observatory hotel was very well located for Christchurch city centre, just a short walk from the river, the art gallery and all amenities.
It's a beautiful hotel and our room was lovely, very stylish decor and a really comfortable bed. The coffee machine was a lovely addition.

Cons:

We didn't eat breakfast in the hotel as we prefer a cooked breakfast which wasn't on offer. However the buffet breakfast did look very good.

2026-01-28 via Nuitee
J
Jürgen couple de
5
Bei guter Lage mittelmäßiger komfort
Cons:

Raum war weniger geräumig als dargestellt

2026-01-27 via Nuitee
J
Jelle solo_traveller nl
8
2026-01-26 via Nuitee
Z
Zena couple gb
9
Very clean comfortable hotel with lots of character.
Pros:

Very clean comfortable room with character.

2026-01-26 via Nuitee
T
Thomas couple us
8
Front desk was inconsistent in attentiveness
2026-01-25 via Nuitee
D
David couple gb
8
Very nic stay.
Pros:

Excellent location

2026-01-24 via Nuitee
J
Jean Marie solo_traveller fr
10
Hotel de charmre
Pros:

Tout

Cons:

Rien

2026-01-24 via Nuitee
S
Sally couple us
10
Pros:

Loved the building and historical aspects. Room was very nice and clean. Just big enough. Lobby area was very nice as well and check-in was easy. Very walkable part of the city and beautiful area.

Cons:

It is a little hard to find the hotel and associated parking. There is a sign on the street but the actual entry door is the opposite of the street and there are no signs leading you to the hotel from the parking spots. It took us a bit to find our way to it but I trusted Google maps knew the correct building. We initially weren't aware it was an old college building on the campus.

2026-01-24 via Nuitee
R
Rainer couple de
5
Geeignet für eine Städtetour
Pros:

Die Lage und das sehr hilfsbereite Personal

Cons:

Sehr verwinkeltes Gebäude, extrem kleines Zimmer ohne Stuhl

2026-01-23 via Nuitee
A
Angie couple au
10
We absolutely loved our stay here and look forward to coming back!
Pros:

Stunning hotel in wonderful location

2026-01-23 via Nuitee