The highly-anticipated Novotel Christchurch Cathedral Square officially opened its doors in mid-January, offering travellers a combination of heritage, cutting edge design, and exceptional local art.

Novotel Christchurch

The 193-room Novotel is located in the heart of the city on Cathedral Square, and has incorporated the heritage-listed Warner’s Hotel, originally built in 1863, into the complex.

As part of the development, the Warner’s Hotel was fully restored to its former grandeur, with specialist tradesmen using tools over 100 years old to repair the building’s architraves and re-lay tiles in the foyer.  

A new building has been constructed behind the existing hotel, adding 154 rooms to the existing 39 heritage rooms and suites.

Zayne Boon, General Manager, Novotel Christchurch Cathedral Square, said guests could choose between rooms that had their origins almost 150 years apart.

“It is quite remarkable for a hotel to be able to offer rooms that either date to the mid 19th century or the 21st century, but the Novotel manages to seamlessly provide a taste of the old and new,” he said.

Boon said that the challenge posed to Christchurch-based architect Richard Dalman, of Dalman Architecture Limited, was to offer a first-rate modern hotel while protecting and celebrating the historical value of the iconic Warners Hotel.

Conferences will also be a key focus of the Novotel, with six meeting rooms and a capacity for up to 200 delegates.

Rates start from NZD $169 per room per night.