After a long 24+ hours of flights and layovers to get to New Zealand, the first place we were staying at was The George. We arrived a bit later in the day - around 7:30 in the evening or so - and checking in was easy enough. There's not really a formal check-in desk as you would see at a bigger hotel, but rather a small desk where you sit down and get the keys and the run-through. We ended up having a room in The Residence, which appears to be a house-like structure that was recently renovated. As such, all of the appliances are brand-new and can even be technologically a tad confusing for even those familiar with the latest and greatest (the short version: there's a tablet on the wall that controls just about everything). That said, it really has a homey feel to it and was a great place to unwind for a night before we headed out on our South Island road trip. Being right next to Hagley Park, there was not much traffic, and the view looked out to the small courtyard below and then the park - a very tranquil setting. The amenities were top-notch having been renovated; you could control the level of the blinds and shades, as well as the lighting. The bathroom is in great shape as well, although you need to be careful with the shower head...it seems like most hotels in NZ I have been at have a predilection for rather flat shower floors and drainage systems; as a result, if you angle the shower head too much, you will end up with a soaked bathroom. The room also feels a bit on the bigger side, with a mini-hallway from the door to the main room, and it also has space for a closet to store bags in, along with a mini-fridge.
The service here is fantastic as well - our bags were brought up free of charge, and the porter had some useful tips and advice for us as we were seeking to go out for dinner that night. Complimentary tea was delivered after a phone call was made to us after our bags were brought, and there is also milk on the house in the fridge, not to mention the delicious peppermint bark squares that were placed on the nightstand on each side of the bed. To top it off, there was a little stuffed bear with a humorous little poem - so we have a tiny companion to bring with us around the islands on our trip!
Although we did not get a chance to sample the food here, based on the hospitality alone, I would definitely recommend the George to anyone staying in Christchurch. While it is not directly in the center of the city, the accessibility to the park across the street and being a little bit removed gives it an aura of calm and peace in the South Island's largest city. If I make it back to Christchurch, this is the place I will be staying at! read more