Formerly known as the Forsyth Barr Building, which was damaged following the 2011 earthquake in Christchurch, the Crowne Plaza Christchurch has since moved into the building that was finally reopened on 1 Jul 2017. Many other high rise buildings weren’t so lucky and had to be demolished as a result of the earthquake, which saw this building move up two spots to become the second tallest building in Christchurch today.
The Crowne Plaza Christchurch is located right in the city centre, well within walking distance of major tourist attractions.
The hotel doesn’t have a proper porch or drop off area, as the main entrance sits facing the intersection of Colombo and Armagh Streets. However, the main parking lot sits adjacent to the building, so access is still quite straightforward.
Given that the hotel was only recently opened, everything about it felt brand new. Take the lobby for example, where the wood and marble interiors complemented the artificial and natural lighting ever so nicely.
The lobby was also dressed with furniture in a mix of warm and contemporary colours.
Check in was a breeze and I was off to my room in no time. The layout of the room was somewhat unconventional, but I was loving it the moment I stepped in. I couldn’t directly see the interior of the room at first, as there was a long walkway leading in. What caught my attention was the full sized mirror so beautifully placed leaning against the wall.
At the end of this walkway, the room came into full view. I absolutely loved the furnishing and design that carried the warm undertones of blue and grey very well. The bed was very comfortable, and there were more than enough pillows to go around. Also check out the large windows and the comfortable ledge that runs along the entire length.
At the front of the room was a television that was mounted on the wall, with no protruding wires at all, which was neat. The long table against the wall was simple, yet functioned the way it was supposed to. Lamps located around the room can be used to control the ambient lighting as required.
The bathroom was pretty large, partly due to the smart use of white marble and the large mirror. The sink area was more than sufficient, and I found the towel racks very useful.
The shower area was also large and spacious.
Here’s another look at the room from a different angle.
Right by the main door was a large wardrobe with bathrobes and an ironing board, and more storage area for your suitcases.
The fitness centre was fairly basic, with a limited selection of cardio machines and free weights, but sufficient if you’re not into anything too fancy with your workouts.
The common areas of the hotel were all nicely decorated for the Christmas season.
Café 1851, the hotel’s very own boutique café, is located right next to the hotel lobby. Choose from a selection of freshly prepared dishes to suit your palate. It’s always good to have food prepared using native and fresh ingredients to further enhance your stay.
The Crowne Plaza Christchurch is definitely a great choice for your next visit to Christchurch. A brand new hotel right in the centre of town, what more can you ask for?