The Best Hotels to Book in Christchurch, New Zealand

This luxury Christchurch boutique hotel boasts five stars – but cards on the table, we’d stay there if it had just one. Between the library and the well-tended garden with sea views, it’s hard to envision a better place to sit, read and relax than in this Edwardian-era home close to Victoria Park. A night in the light-filled rooms followed by a breakfast spread of fruits, baked goods and charcuterie will get you refuelled and refreshed for a day lost in a good book.

It’s hard to see Bellano as just a motel – roll into the parking lot, three minutes out of the city centre and note the sleek condo vibe. The interior is no different: the light and airy rooms with jet black furniture, double spa baths and quiet terraces feel like a step above most boutique hotels in Christchurch. The windows have double-glazed hush glass for crying out loud – so if your neighbour did such a thing, you wouldn’t hear a peep.

Where better to enjoy an authentic high tea than this charming Christchurch boutique hotel? As you munch on juicy cucumber sandwiches and Earl Grey macarons, pretend the Victorian manor is your own. Bealey Avenue stretches out before it, getting you to attractions such as the beautiful ceramics and glass at Cave Rock Gallery in a 3km (2mi) heartbeat. Small chance you’ll leave your room, though; the soaking tub will have you booked solid until the dinner bell rings downstairs.

Planted in a quiet residential area 10km (6mi) outside the city centre, this Christchurch hotel features lovely, light-filled rooms that overlook flower-filled gardens. Fuel up on fruit and cereal so you can have your fill of fun in the city, whether skydiving, whale watching, or wandering the Styx Mill Conservation Reserve across the street. A game of darts and a soak in the hot tub should end the night perfectly.

When it comes to boutique hotels in Christchurch, Distinction certainly stands apart where family travellers are concerned. Its blue-toned family suites give kids and parents exactly what they want. The little ones will have their own bedroom and a smart TV and we’re not sure what the adults will appreciate more: the minibar or the fact that they can savour peace and quiet in their own space. You may struggle to drag yourself out for the short walk to the Avon River and the Botanic Gardens, but an ice cream in the hotel restaurant should tempt you down.

This five-star boutique hotel in Christchurch has a prime location, a block from Hagley Park. Tuck into healthy steaks and salads at the Polo Bar and Restaurant amid sporty decor – the polo mallets and helmets spill over into the hotel with equestrian-themed art. Suites favour muted blues and greys and have balconies clad in artificial grass. Sit there with a nice glass of New Zealand sauvignon blanc and watch a match on the well-groomed croquet lawn.

Run by a local couple in the suburb of Fendalton, this ultra-modern hotel has an intimate vibe. Resembling a white sugar cube, it houses just three suites, which blend plush, padded headboards and shiny lamps with the odd antique-style clock. Due to its compact size, the hotel feels like a private home, particularly when you’re curled up with a book by the fireplace or tucking into creamy tomato pasta on the deck in the immaculate garden. Luxurious touches include valet parking and a crepe menu at breakfast.