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Where to Stay in Christchurch

By Santorini Dave

Our Favorite Christchurch Hotels

5-Star Hotel: The George
4-Star Hotel: Hotel Montreal
3-Star Hotel: Fyffe
Apartment: Merivale
Boutique: The Classic Villa
New: The Mayfair
Cheap: Give
Motel: Randolph
For Family: Commodore
Couples: Orari
Pool: Chateau on the Park
Views: Crowne Plaza
City Center: Fable
Holiday/Caravan Park: Tasman
Near Airport: Novotel

A red electric trolly rolls past wooden picnic tables on a brick street.

The historic tram riding next to tables on New Regent Street.

The Best Areas to Stay in Christchurch

Colonial settlers built the country’s second-largest city along the Avon River as a reminder of their British heritage. The name “Christchurch” comes from the college at Oxford University. The lakes are full of swans, the river has Venice-style punt boats, and “Garden City” is home to one of the largest inner-city parklands.

The city is still healing from a 2019 massacre at some mosques that left 51 dead and is still rebuilding after two massive earthquakes in 2010 and 2011 that killed 185 people. Demolition and reconstruction are extensive throughout Christchurch. The iconic museum and historic cathedral have yet to reopen.

Christchurch Best Areas

Willow trees dangle leaves into a river's edge.

Dominating the city center (west and east) is the delightful Avon River.

The swirling Avon River divides the square-ish downtown area equally. The City Center East offers the majority of shops, attractions, and transport options, while the City Center West is more colonial in style and compact in size. Still within an easy stroll of downtown, the Inner Northern Suburbs—including St Albans and Edgeware—are peppered with motels and appealing boutique hotels.

Elsewhere, the choice is overwhelmingly motels. The motels in Merivale are generally larger and more appealing and are within walking distance of the city center, or you can take a bus. The main road through Merivale continues further north, where motels along the Main North Road provide the best value and are also great for those traveling with a car.

The motels just West of Hagley Park are convenient for walking to the city via paths through the enormous parklands’ shaded lawns and botanic gardens. A bit further west in Riccarton, motels here are connected to downtown by bus and clustered around the massive Westfield Riccarton shopping center. Motels Near the Airport and hotels inside the terminal are handy for early/late arrival/departure times and for anyone renting a car from the airport.

The Best Places to Stay in Christchurch

The 2010/11 earthquakes and consequent strict (re)building regulations resulted in fewer 5-star international-brand hotels, but instead, there are abundant luxury boutique hotels. With the exception of only one holiday/caravan park, most accommodations are motels. Some have a pool and spa suites, others provide two or three bedrooms, each has kitchen facilities and free parking, and almost all are along a busy road. Most places offering apartments are motel rooms with an extra bedroom or two. Most days, an alarming number of motels have a “No Vacancy” sign out front, so book ahead.

A sign in a fountain reads, "The George."

On a prime corner facing the incredible Hagley Park is The George hotel.

Best Areas in Christchurch for…

  • Best Area in Christchurch for First-Time Visitors: Inner Northern Suburbs
    Staying in the suburbs like St Albans and Edgeware allows for the best of both worlds: walking distance (or a quick bus trip) to all the attractions and amenities in the city center while enjoying a slice of genuine suburban life. Downtown can get quiet, almost eerie, after dark and on winter weekends. For a slice of life, join a quiz team at the Bailies Irish pub on Edgeware Road or get to know some locals at the Affogato Café on Bealey Avenue.
  • Best Area in Christchurch for Sightseeing: City Center East
    Visitors point to names on a memorial wall.

    The poignant Oi Manawa Canterbury Earthquake National Memorial alongside the river lists the names of the 185 victims of the tragedy in 2011. (No-one died in the 2010 earthquake.)

    Despite the devastation caused by the earthquakes (which include the Canterbury Museum and Christ Church Cathedral) there is still much to see and do. This part of downtown is home to the city hub of Cathedral Square and various monuments, including the poignant Oi Manawa Canterbury Earthquake National Memorial. The Arts Centre, Quake City museum, and enormous Hagley Park are just a quick walk across the river. isite Visitor Information Centre is especially useful for independent advice, no-commission bookings, and the super-efficient Bus Interchange for services all over the “Garden City.” What’s more, the hop-on/hop-off tourist tram operates in the city center east, and shuttle buses leave for the breathtaking gondola (cable car).

    A church has scaffolding surrounding it and a fence with photos of the reconstruction on it.

    The Christ Church Cathedral was damaged during the earthquakes and isn’t due to reopen until 2027.

  • Best Area in Christchurch for Boat Trips: City Center East
    A wooden boat full of guests hold red paddles.

    Guided tours along the Avon River are available on an old-fashioned punt with a boatman or a Maori-style waka boat with oars.

    Visitors can enjoy boat trips across the city center and into Hagley Park gardens along the Avon River, which, to be honest, is more like a creek. Boat trip options include: (a) rent a kayak/canoe/rowboat at Antigua Boatsheds on the corner of Rolleston Avenue and Cambridge Terrace, (b) organize a punt (boat) trip with a boatman and pole (a la Venice gondola), or (c) join a Maori-themed waka boat trip where passengers do the rowing and the guide does the talking.
  • Best Areas in Christchurch for History and Culture: City Center East and West
    A castle-like brick building with tables and umbrellas outside.

    One of many attractions in this part of downtown is The Arts Centre. It is enormous and entry is free.

    Tragically, many historic buildings across the city center were destroyed or damaged in the earthquakes. Many buildings are still being restored, but many have been demolished. Nonetheless, some colonial settlements remain, like the sprawling Arts Centre, which occupies an entire city block and is best experienced with a guided tour. This enormous complex is along Worcester Boulevard bordered by tram lines and red phone boxes. With river trips by punt boat (see above), rattling old trams weaving through the city center, and croquet pitches alongside lakes of swans, the city’s Britishness remains.
  • Best Area in Christchurch for a Local Vibe: Inner Northern Suburbs
    Locals love to escape the city and suburbs by flocking to the delightful portside village of Lyttelton or the beachside suburb of Sumner. Both are well connected by bus from downtown, but there are few accommodations at these places. Still within walking distance of the city center, the inner northern suburbs of St Albans and Edgeware offer a peaceful slice of suburban life where eateries are laid-back, old-fashioned pubs offer happy hours and quiz nights, and the shops are functional and reasonably priced.
  • Best Area in Christchurch for Nightlife: City Center East
    Despite being New Zealand’s second-largest city, Christchurch can’t honestly claim to have enough nightlife to keep you tired. Locals often end up at the casino or Hoyts EntX cinema complex. For something more sophisticated, concerts and plays are regularly held at the Town Hall, Isaac Theatre Royal, The Arts Centre, and The Piano performing arts center. Otherwise, try Smash Palace for loud live music or Mr. Brightside Rooftop Bar for views. But, to be honest, save your big night out for Queenstown, Wellington, or Auckland.
  • Best Area in Christchurch for Restaurants: City Center East
    People sit outside on picnic tables at a market.

    Rivaling New Regent Street as the place to wine and dine is Riverside Market, a combination of market stalls and classy restaurants and bars.

    Two of the most inviting areas to wine and dine anywhere in the country are within a short walk of each other. Branching off the city hub at Cathedral Square is New Regent Street, a lengthy row of eateries from the cheap and cheerful to the posh and pricey. Most tables are outside and shared by diners, so it’s very social, and the art-deco/Spanish-style architecture is particularly vibrant. (The street is traffic-free, but watch out for the rattling old trams.) Riverside Market is a substantial multi-level warehouse packed with stalls selling, for example, salamis, cheeses, and croissants, as well as cafes offering sushi, kebabs, and burgers. Outside is a row of upscale restaurants where the riverside setting and delicious meals will highlight your trip.
  • Best Area in Christchurch for Views: City Center East
    Christchurch is not (thankfully) hilly like Auckland or Wellington, and it doesn’t boast a spectacular setting like Queenstown or Rotorua. Also, tragically, many high-rise hotels did not survive the earthquakes of 2010/11. So, no particular part of Christchurch offers worthwhile city, countryside, or sea views. The tallest downtown hotels providing views of the city, suburbs, and distant hills are the Distinction and Crowne Plaza. While views from the Fable and The Muse Art hotels are also notable simply because they survived the quakes and neighboring buildings did not.
  • Best Area in Christchurch for Peace and Quiet: City Center West
    Red telephone rooms stand along a street.

    There are so many reminders of the British style and vibe around the city center, especially along Worcester Boulevard and near The Arts Centre.

    Almost all accommodations found in the suburbs are motels along noisy roads. In contrast, traffic is surprisingly light in the city center. The eastern half of downtown can be crowded, especially around Cathedral Square during the day, and the Bus Interchange is a magnet for heavy vehicles. The western part, however, is comparatively quiet, especially by late afternoon when the masses of tourists have finished sightseeing around Worcester Boulevard. And the magnificent Hagley Park gardens are on the doorstep.
  • Best Areas in Christchurch for Walking: City Center East and West
    The Garden City has always been – and will be more so as it rebuilds – friendly towards pedestrians and cyclists (see below). Almost 40 paths crisscross the city center, hug the Avon River, and zig-zag all over the truly enormous Hagley Park gardens on the western edge of the city center. Except for the occasional e-scooter whizzing past, strolling around the city center and Hagley Park is a pure joy. Compared to most other New Zealand cities, everything is wonderfully flat. Pick up the free Christchurch Coast and Plains Walks map from the Visitor Information Centre (or download it). Or, perhaps, join a guided walking tour for a real insight into local history and culture.
  • Best Areas in Christchurch for Cycling: City Center East and West
    Metal racks with bright pink bars for bikes to charge.

    A recharging station for E-bikes and e-scooters at the parking garage opposite the casino on Peterborough Street.

    Christchurch is so bike-friendly that local authorities have created 13 dedicated cycle paths spread 70 km across the city and suburbs. Cyclists can attach up to three bikes to the front of all public buses. Other paths across Christchurch are shared with walkers/joggers, while some are deemed “expressways” to places like Sumner Beach and The Tannery (for boutique shopping). Keen cyclists – especially those with a mountain bike – should pick up the very informative (and free) Christchurch Bike Map from the Visitor Information Centre (or download it). Rent a bike at Antigua Boatsheds (see earlier) or join a bike tour.
  • Best Area in Christchurch for Beaches: Sumner
    With a lovely stretch of sand, decent surf, and all sorts of shops and eateries along the esplanade, Sumner is the prime beach destination. The only recommended places to stay are Cave Rock Guest House (which makes a nice change from another motel) and Sumner Bay Motel. Sumner is easy to reach by bus #3 from the city center or, perhaps, travel on two wheels (see earlier) and attach the bike to the bus on the way back.
  • Best Area in Christchurch for Parks and Gardens: West of Hagley Park
    Families with kids rest in the shade under a tree.

    Hagley Park is quite incredible and about the same size as the entire CBD and inner-northern suburbs combined, there is so much to see and do.

    Christchurch is called the Garden City because of the enormous Hagley Park which occupies 165 hectares (over 400 acres) on the western edge of the city center. The dozens of sporting fields, playgrounds, swimming pool, golf course, international cricket stadium, lakes filled with swans and ducks, and Botanic Gardens occupy just a fraction of the total space. Especially on a sunny weekend, the parklands are buzzing with croquet competitions, Frisbee throwing teams, cyclists, joggers, picnickers, and model yacht racing. Stay somewhere on the western side to enjoy the lush surroundings. Start your misty mornings with a latte at the charming cafes inside the gardens.
  • Best Area in Christchurch for Watching Sports: West of Hagley Park
    Like the rest of New Zealand, many people in Christchurch are passionate about rugby union. Most support their local team, the Crusaders, which plays in the Super Rugby Pacific competition, including teams from Australia and the South Pacific. The Crusaders play at a stadium in Addington within a 30-minute walk of most hotels just west of Hagley Park. These enormous parklands are also home to Hagley Oval where the Canterbury cricket team plays, and international matches are held.
  • Best Area in Christchurch for Outdoor Activities: City Center East
    Adventure seekers can organize all sorts of outdoor fun not far from Christchurch. Activities include jet boating on Waimakariri River, hiking and cycling at Hammer Forest Park, spotting seals by kayak at Akaroa, hiking along crater rims, and hot-air ballooning. Thrill seekers may want to stay in the eastern part of downtown because (1) most tour companies will pick up guests from hotels in the city center (less likely from the suburbs), and (2) the i-site Visitor Information Centre is a terrific source of maps and brochures. Staff also provide independent advice and make bookings with no commission or bias.
  • Best Area in Christchurch to Organize Tours: City Center East
    For reasons outlined above, staying in the eastern part of downtown allows easy transfers by tour company bus and independent and helpful advice from the Visitor Information Centre. While most visitors research tours online before arriving, it is worth waiting until you have spoken to staff at the tourist office before booking anything. Popular tours include swimming with dolphins or spotting whales at Kaikōura and visiting Orana Wildlife Park (New Zealand’s only open-range zoo). The best package deal probably in the entire country is the Christchurch Pass which includes an all-day hop-on/hop-off tram ticket, punt boat ride on the river, and gondola (cable car) trip.
  • Best Area in Christchurch for Malls and Department Stores: Riccarton
    There is precious little space in the compact downtown area for mega-malls and department stores, but they are found in the nearby suburbs, easily accessible by bus. Convenient are the Northland shopping center along Main North Road and Westfield Riccarton, which is so gigantic and popular that it has spawned a row of motels directly across the road. The latter offers supermarkets, a Farmer’s department store (a Kiwi icon), familiar fast-food outlets, a bus information office, and more.

    A wall map with bus routes and map brochures.

    The Metro bus office/agency at the Westfield Riccarton shopping center which has timetables, maps, and a waiting area for passengers.

  • Best Area in Christchurch for Markets and Boutiques: City Center West
    A second floor view looking down on bakery stalls showcasing cinnamon rolls and bread.

    Inside the Riverside Market building a huge array of stalls sell meals from sushi to kebabs.

    Try the adorable boutiques along Worcester Boulevard, particularly in The Arts Centre. Riverside Market offers more cute places to shop ’til you drop, where stalls offer salami and sushi with boutiques selling hats and handbags. For a day trip, the charming Lyttelton village has narrow streets lined with boutiques and market stalls. Get there by bus from the city center in about 45 minutes. But it lacks any worthwhile accommodations.

    A couple look inside a shop at shelves of goods.

    A terrific place to browse among boutiques is inside The Arts Centre.

  • Best Area in Christchurch for Transport: City Center East
    Buses are the best mode of transportation, and ply the city and suburban streets. They reach all areas with hotels, the airport, the beachside suburb of Sumner, and charming portside Lyttelton. Almost every bus starts and finishes or passes through the efficient Bus Interchange, which also has a helpful information kiosk. In the southern end of downtown, the Interchange is not particularly convenient, but obviously well connected by bus.
  • Best Area in Christchurch for the Airport: Burnside
    Small blue square vehicles with track wheels, like a tank.

    We took a short ride in one of these vehicles normally used across the South Pole at the International Antarctic Centre.

    There are three convenient hotels at the airport: the Novotel Airport virtually attached to the terminal, and the 5-star Sudima or budget-priced LyLo, both within a few minutes walk of the baggage carousels. Along the main road in the suburb of Burnside is the excellent Commodore Hotel. Just around the corner are several motels along a quiet side street. One advantage of staying near the airport is access to the incredible International Antarctic Centre on the outskirts of the terminal. This museum, the airport, and these hotels are accessible on bus #29 from the city center.
  • Best Area in Christchurch for Families: West of Hagley Park
    A highlight of the “Garden City” is the extraordinary Hagley Park on the western edge of the city center. The huge parklands are home to countless things to entertain and occupy the young ones: amateur sports competitions, lakes filled with birdlife, enchanting Botanic Gardens, a swirling river with boat rides, a large swimming pool, playgrounds, visitor information center with free exhibition displays, ice cream shops, and an international cricket stadium. Parents will also love free use of barbeque facilities and cycling paths, which are terrific for e-scooters (but check restrictions first). Hagley Park is also great for locals and people-watching.
  • Best Area in Christchurch for a Romantic Holiday: City Center West
    A man uses a long stick to row a flat boat of people through a river.

    An alternative to renting a kayak at the Antigua Boatsheds is to join a guided tour of the river on a punt.

    Those on a romantic holiday would relish the walking paths linking numerous parks, including the adjoining Hagley Park (see earlier), punting trips along the river with a boatman and extended pole (like in Venice), and visiting attractions via a rattling old tram. Evenings might be spent enjoying a concert at The Arts Centre or a meal across the Avon at the picturesque Riverside Market.
  • Best Place to Stay in Christchurch on a Budget: Main North Road
    Christchurch is as much a “Motel City” as the “Garden City.” Almost every motel is along a noisy main road. Top-end motels will offer soundproofing, and a few have rooms set back a little from the road, which helps with a good night’s sleep. The cheapest places are along Main North Road in the suburbs of Redwood and Papanui. Quality varies, so do some research and read the online reviews. These motels may be noisy, and some are overdue for updating. Still, they are generally of excellent value – up to 50% cheaper than comparable places in Merivale and Riccarton – without nearly as many ‘No Vacancy’ signs out front.
  • Safest Area in Christchurch: Inner Northern Suburbs
    Christchurch is not the sort of place that attracts hard drinkers or party animals, but like other cities in New Zealand, homelessness is a problem – only made worse by the lack and cost of housing after the earthquakes. The safest areas to stay are the inner northern suburbs of St Albans and Edgeware, where most buildings are motels, office blocks, and upmarket apartments. People you don’t want to interact with, especially after dark, are more likely to congregate in the city center or live in the far-flung suburbs.
  • Unsafe Area of Christchurch: City Center West
    As explained above, no part of Christchurch likely to be visited by tourists feels unsafe. The city generally is not renowned for its rowdy nightlife, but some vagrants do tend to gather and sleep overnight around the city center, especially Cathedral Square. Take the usual precautions by sticking to the main streets and arranging how to get home before starting a late night.
A row of colorful shops line a pedestrian street.

One of the most enticing places for a meal in Christchurch is New Regent Street. It is blocked off to traffic – except for the tourist tram.

The 8 Best Areas in Christchurch for Tourists: Ordered from the city center out

1. City Center East

A white ornate metal railing protects walkers over a bridge.

The city center is split into two by the lovely Avon River.

The twisted Avon River neatly divides the city center between Peterborough Street (to the north) and Tuam Street (to the south). The section east of the river has almost everything visitors require – except the range of top-end hotels.

A tram follows curved tracks.

The entrance to the Quest Cathedral Junction apartment hotel along the tourist tram route in the middle of downtown.

There are plenty of shops, especially in the Cashel Street precinct, attractions like Cathedral Square and the Earthquake Memorial, boat trips, parks crisscrossed by paths, and helpful amenities like the library, adventure playground, and bus terminal. Arranging tours and activities here is easy, especially at the Visitor Information Centre. The nightlife may be modest, but a highlight for some would be the fine collection of eateries at Riverside Market and along New Regent Street.

A person walks through a park by a tall hotel.

One of few high-rises in the city center and, therefore, a prominent landmark is the Crowne Plaza hotel. We rate it as the Best Hotel with Views.

A small downtown hotel with a glass front and a wire sign on the outside.

One of the newer hotels to offer an outstanding location and affordable rates is the Christchurch City Hotel.

2. City Center West

A fountain with fish and bird sculptures.

A fountain in Hagley Park.

The other half of the city center, west of Avon River, is more compact, tranquil, and colonial in style – and fewer buildings seem to have been damaged or demolished by the earthquakes. Attractions like the magnificent Arts Centre and the haunting Quake City museum, which graphically details the tragedies of 2010/11, pack the area.

A large light green cross with a dent in it sits next to a large steel bell.

Here a few artifacts from Christ Church Cathedral at the Quake City museum.

Other advantages to staying in this area are proximity to the massive Hagley Park that joins the western edge of downtown and all the amenities just east of the river. The city center west is also ideal for a romantic getaway with oodles of history and charm, comparative quietness, and a range of boutiques and boat trips.

A pink hotel.

Facing The Arts Centre in a wonderful part of the city center is The Classic Villa. We regard it as the Best Boutique Hotel anywhere in or around Christchurch.

A brick castle like building.

For something different, stay at The Observatory Hotel, part of the wonderful Arts Centre.

3. Inner Northern Suburbs

Red diner stools sit around a red lit counter.

Our stop at Diner 66 at the corner of Victoria and Salisbury streets. It’s great fun, and especially popular for breakfast.

North of Peterborough Street, suburbia starts in earnest, but this likable and compact area is still close enough to downtown to walk (but also accessible by bus). Accommodations usually offer free (or low-cost) parking and cooking facilities, which is worthwhile considering the limited choice of eateries nearby. Most places to stay are motels along Colombo Street, Bealey Avenue (noisy), and a little further north in St Albans and Edgeware, two suburbs with a city-edge vibe that feels safe (ideal for first-time visitors). Surprisingly, there are as many hotels and apartments in the luxury range here as in the city center (both east and west).

A 5-story hotel with a sign that reads, "Mayfair."

The Mayfair is the Best New Hotel anywhere in or around Christchurch.

  • Best Luxury Hotels in the Inner Northern Suburbs
    The Mayfair • Hotel phone: +64 3 595 6335
    Sudima • Hotel phone: +64 3 930 7000
    The Salisbury • Hotel phone: +64 3 365 8588
    Carnmore • Hotel phone: +64 800 840 848
  • Best Luxury Apartments
    Salerno • Hotel phone: +64 3 366 2529
    Focus Motel • Hotel phone: +64 3 943 0800
    Azena • Hotel phone: +64 3 366 8733
    Terra Vive • Hotel phone: +64 3 377 5232
  • Best Boutique Hotel
    The Parque • Hotel phone: +64 3 377 7803
  • Best Hotels for Families
    Salerno • Hotel phone: +64 3 366 2529
    Sherborne • Hotel phone: +64 3 377 8050
    City Centre Motel • Hotel phone: +64 3 372 9294
  • Best Motels
    Tuscana • Hotel phone: +64 3 377 4485
    Colombo in the City • Hotel phone: +64 3 366 8775
    Focus • Hotel phone: +64 3 943 0800
    City Centre Motel • Hotel phone: +64 3 372 9294

4. Merivale

An older house with yellow paint and a covered wrap-around porch.

One of our favorites in this area is a combination of a motel and boutique hotel. Merivale Manor provides luxurious rooms in a lovely old homestead.

From the city center, the angled Victoria Street soon turns into Papanui Road through the suburb of Merivale. Motels and exclusive colleges line this major arterial road. It’s still less than a 30-minute walk from the edge of downtown (or just a few bus stops), and most motels are larger, more modern, and stylish than elsewhere. Some have a swimming pool, and others offer apartments with up to three bedrooms, so they’re ideal for families. Intense competition has meant affordable rates and some eccentric themes/designs, e.g., Tudor (at the Scenic Hotel Cotswold) and ye-olde-England (at the Camelot). The only facilities are in and around Merivale Mall.

Black tables and chairs sit around a blue pool.

The pool at the Scenic Hotel Cotswold.

5. Main North Road

A large lawn chess game with black and white pieces.

Our giant game of chess at Tasman Holiday Parks where they also have a games room and adventure playground.

This area is ideal for those with a car, especially families, as it’s too far to walk to the amenities and attractions in the city center. Several decent motels are along this major road through the northern suburbs of Redwood and Papanui. Each provides kitchen facilities (but no swimming pool), and all are in the budget range. Also, there’s a fantastic holiday/caravan park (the only one in the suburbs) where all rooms, cabins, and motor-home sites are distant from the traffic. Bonuses are community facilities like a library and park and the Linking to Businesses
Northland Shopping Centre, which has all sorts of amenities. The road is also well connected to the city center by bus.

A motel sign reads, "Redwood Accommodation."

The Redwood has a pub serving meals and drinks and offers rooms in a spacious, garden setting.

  • Best Holiday/Caravan Park on the Main North Road
    Tasman Holiday Parks • Hotel phone: +64 3 352 9176
  • Best Cheap/Midrange Hotel
    The Redwood • Hotel phone: +64 3 352 9165

  • Best Motels
    V Motel • Hotel phone: +64 800 180 018
    ASURE • Hotel phone: +64 3 352 2354
    Hotel Elms • Hotel phone: +64 3 355 3577
    Avon City • Hotel phone: +64 3 352 6079
    Northcote • Hotel phone: +64 3 375 0001
    Garden City • Hotel phone: +664 3 352 4059

6. West of Hagley Park

Bright pink flowers next to a patch of yellow flowers.

The impressive Christchurch Botanic Gardens Inside Hagley Park.

Maps of Christchurch are dominated by the enormous Hagley Park (see earlier). Perhaps rivaling Central Park, New York, as one of the finest inner-city parklands on the planet, Hagley Park completely separates downtown from the inner western suburb of Riccarton (see below). The area just west of Hagley Park allows frequent access to everything the parklands offer – e.g., sporting facilities, lakes, cycling paths, and botanical gardens – while also being within a delightful 20-30 minute walk of the city center via the park. A couple of bus stops further west along noisy Riccarton Road is the massive Westfield Riccarton shopping center. Again, motels are ideal for those on a budget and traveling with a car because parking is free. Best area to stay in Christchurch for families.

A green courtyard with pink roses, green grass, trees, and a patio.

There is so much space around the grounds of the luxurious Chateau on the Park hotel across the road from the wonderful Hagley Park.

  • Best Luxury Hotel West of Hagley Park
    Chateau on the Park • Hotel phone: +64 3 348 8999
  • Best Apartment
    Carnmore • Hotel phone: +64 3 348 0909
  • Best Hotels for Families
    Carnmore • Hotel phone: +64 3 348 0909
    Parkview Hagley • Hotel phone: +64 3 348 0723
    The Towers • Hotel phone: +64 3 348 0613
  • Best Motels
    Aalton • Hotel phone: +64 3 348 6700
    Lorenzo • Hotel phone: +64 3 348 8074
    Argyle • Hotel phone: +64 3 348 9186
    Annabelle • Hotel phone: +64 3 341 1189
    Central Park • Hotel phone: +64 3 343 2033

7. Riccarton

A hallway at a shopping center.

The The Westfield Riccarton shopping center shopping center, which has so many places to eat, drink, and shop.

About 2-3 kms west of Hagley Park, several motels are huddled together opposite or within a 10-minute walk of the enormous Westfield Riccarton shopping center, which has supermarkets, department stores, a food court, and familiar hamburger joints. Staying in Riccarton is recommended for those travelling with a car and families because the motels are affordable, all have kitchen facilities, and some offer two bedrooms. This road is busy, however, but some rooms are set back a little to help offset the noise. Even more motels are around Upper Riccarton, which is further west and more distant from the city, but buses link all of Riccarton Road with downtown every few minutes. Motels in Riccarton are more convenient and generally more modern than those along Main North Road.

A yellow two-level motel has cars parked in front.

Offering some of the finest accommodations in this inner western suburb is the ASURE Classic Motel & Apartments.

  • Best Apartments in Riccarton
    Quality Suites • Hotel phone: +64 3 348 2889
    Metropolitan • Hotel phone: +64 3 343 4638
    ASURE • Hotel phone: +64 3 341 1280
    Athena • Hotel phone: +64 3 348 3160
  • Best hotels for Families
    Fyffe • Hotel phone: +64 3 341 3274
    Riccarton Mall • Hotel phone: +64 3 348 8612
    Metropolitan • Hotel phone: +64 3 343 4638
    ASURE • Hotel phone: +64 3 341 1280
    The Riccarton • Hotel phone: +64 3 348 5049
  • Best Cheap/Midrange Hotels
    Golden • Hotel phone: +64 3 359 9188
    Riccarton Motor Lodge • Hotel phone: +64 3 341 3096
  • Best Motels
    Riccarton Mall • Hotel phone: +64 3 348 8612
    Fyffe • Hotel phone: +64 3 341 3274
    Deans Bush • Hotel phone: +64 3 348 8760
    Kauri • Hotel phone: +64 3 341 5865

8. Near the Airport (Burnside)

A garden of red, pink, yellow, and orange flowers.

Motels near the airport are in the suburb of Burnside, which has this park.

Despite being only 20-30 minutes by public bus from the city center, several motels are at, and around, the airport in the suburb of Burnside. These are ideal for inconvenient flight times, but also worthwhile for those renting a car because all rental agencies are at the airport.

The Novotel Airport is attached to the terminal, while the upmarket Sudima and budget-priced LyLo are within a 5-minute walk. The superb Commodore – much more of a resort than a motel – is along the main road but quiet, and the motels listed below are all located along a quiet side-street (Roydvale Avenue). Adding to the appeal of staying at or near the airport are easy access to the city center and airport by bus, the fascinating International Antarctic Centre adjacent to the terminal, and the Spitfire Square shopping center with a supermarket and eateries.

A hotel with lots of windows and glass.

Virtually attached to the airport terminal is the Novotel which we rate as the Best Hotel near the Airport.

  • Best Luxury Hotels Near the Airport
    Novotel Airport • Hotel phone: +64 3 357 6610
    Commodore • Hotel phone: +64 3 358 8129
    Sudima • Hotel phone: +64 3 358 3139
  • Best Boutique Hotel
    Maples • Hotel phone: +64 274 325 673
  • Best Hotel for Families
    Commodore • Hotel phone: +64 3 358 8129
  • Best Cheap/Midrange Hotel
    LyLo • Hotel phone: +64 800 427 736
  • Best Motels
    Airport Palms • Hotel phone: +64 3 358 3078
    Airport Motel • Hotel phone: +64 3 977 4970
    Airport Delta • Hotel phone: +64 3 358 0969
    Airport Gateway • Hotel phone: +64 3 358 7093
    Aarburg Airport • Hotel phone: +64 3 358 8122

Christchurch Travel Tips

  • Unlike most other cities in New Zealand, the Metrocard transport card offering a 50% discount on bus fares is not user-friendly. Finding a place to buy a card and register it is a nuisance, but the good news is that bus services are frequent, wide-spread, and still reasonably cheap if you pay with cash. Outlying areas like Hagley Park and the inner northern suburbs are all within walking distance of the city center.
  • Surprisingly, there are few worthwhile accommodations at Sumner Beach and Lyttelton Village, but both are worth visiting by bus.
  • Christchurch is still suffering terribly from damage caused by the earthquakes of 2010/11. This is evident throughout the city center almost 15 years later: the demolition of multi-level buildings, huge empty spaces where high-rises once stood, constant buzzing of bulldozers, and cranes on the city skyline. Please be mindful that most locals suffered enormously and the tragedies have affected tourism significantly: e.g. the tourist office is temporary and undersized, there is a lack of accommodations, especially in the 5-star range, and some attractions like the Canterbury Museum and Christ Church Cathedral are still closed for restorations.

About Santorini Dave

Santorini Dave I'm Santorini Dave. I started this site in 2011 with a short article on tips for visiting Santorini with kids. We're now a small team of writers and researchers dedicated to providing the best travel content on the internet. We focus on Santorini, Mykonos, Athens, and Greece, offering recommendations for top hotels, neighborhoods, and family-friendly hotels worldwide. I can be contacted at dave@santorinidave.com.