The Best Boutique Hotels in Christchurch
Images: Sugarloaf at Flockhill Villas
The second-largest city in New Zealand, Christchurch has long flown under the radar. Once seen as a gateway to the South Island’s scenery, the city’s post-earthquake revival has ushered in a new energy. The ever-evolving street art, destination dining, and a wave of design-led hotels have put Christchurch firmly back on the tourist trail.
Here’s where to stay to make the most of Christchurch’s renaissance.
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Where to stay in Christchurch
Images: Drifter Christchurch, courtesy of Expedia
Drifter Christchurch
Location: Lichfield Street, in the centre of Christchurch’s CBD
Sitting inside a restored heritage building on Lichfield Street, Drifter is a modern take on the communal stay. It’s made for the traveller who values connection as much as comfort.
Yes, there are shared rooms (complete with premium bunk beds that look nothing like your backpacker days), but this is a new kind of communal living concept, with a heavy line up of high-end facilities, and well designed c0-spaces. For those after privacy theres private & premium suites, as well as our fav, the loft suite, record player included.
If you like your stays with a bit of substance, there’s a heavy line-up of events hosted on-site, from book club, to cult classic movie nights, and paint and sip classes.
What we love: Drifter’s room rate offers great value, while it’s facilities rival higher-end hotels in the region, with a boutique cinema, library, and zen room. The on-site bar, Rambler, shakes up crafted cocktails, and serves excellent share plates to boot.
Images: Mayfair Christchurch courtesy of Expedia
The Mayfair
Location: Victoria street, in the heart of the City close to some of the best dining and shopping in Christchurch
Right between Hagley Park and the lively Victoria Street, The Mayfair is our pick of Christchurch hotel’s when location is key. A relative newcomer, opening in 2022, it’s become a fast favourite, picking up a Tripadvisor Travellers’ Choice Award. Interiors are moody with black walls, brushed gold finishes, and mid-century modern lighting. Did we mention every stay includes bottomless barista made coffee? Count us in.
Majestic at Mayfair is the hotel’s all-day eatery, café by day, cocktail bar & restaurant by night. Expect fresh, seasonal dishes (the Peruvian chicken and 300g rib-eye are highlights) and an old-English-inspired cocktail list. The Kings Cross with charred pineapple mezcal is a must. Time your stay for the last weekend of the month to catch their high tea with free-flowing champagne.
What we love: The thoughtful wellness touches offer guests a well-rounded stay, from in-room massages to Technogym gear, and spin bikes delivered straight to your suite, plus access to a nearby gym.
Images: The Observatory Hotel courtesy of Expedia
The Observatory Hotel
location: In the heart of Christchurch’s cultural precinct, across from the Botanic Gardens and a short stroll to the Avon River.
Inside Te Matatiki Toi Ora, The Observatory brings new life to the former Canterbury University’s Gothic Revival buildings. Reopened in 2022, it’s quickly become one of Christchurch’s most distinctive boutique hotels. Behind the stately façade, interiors are anything but shy, jewel tones mixed with bright prints, and plush velvet chairs create an inviting atmosphere. Each room is layered with locally made art and furniture. Outside, the Arts Centre precinct is alive with exhibitions, resident artists, and a year-round calendar of events.
The Drawing Room lounge doubles as a wine bar and salon, scattered with antiques, books, board games, and a sharp little wine list. There’s a compact gym, brunch at The Quad Eatery, and courtyard food trucks just outside the door.
What we love: We could rave on about the thoughtful touches here, like large fluffy towels, large bathrooms, and incredibly comfortable bedding. It may not have a full-service restaurant or concierge, but the service is always attentive.
Images: Peppers Clearwater Resort courtesy of Expedia
Peppers Clearwater Resort
Location:Set on the edge of Lake Kaikainui, just 15 minutes from central Christchurch,
Framed by views of the Southern Alps and rolling fairways. Peppers Clearwater Resort rooms and villas are designed to make the most of the view with floor-to-ceiling windows, private decks, and light-filled interiors that open straight onto the lake or golf course.
The property’s biggest pull is its John Darby-designed championship golf course. One of Canterbury’s best, with glacial-fed lakes, sculpted bunkers, and alpine backdrops that make even a bad round feel enjoyable. Walkers and birdwatchers will also appreciate the surrounding wetlands, which double as sanctuary and trail.
On-site restaurant Lume serves a refined yet comforting dishes like pan-seared scallops with black caviar, grilled prawn linguine, and Central Otago wines by the glass.
What we love: Tee off, kayak, spot swans, and still be at a wine bar in the city within 20 minutes. Perfection.
Images: The Muse Boutique Hotel courtesy of Expedia
The Muse Hotel
Location:
A design-lover’s hideaway with one of Christchurch’s best rooftop bars. The Muse Hotel brings bold personality to a reimagined 1960s exterior. Winner of a Canterbury Architecture Award, The Muse features floor-by-floor mural installations, each themed and commissioned by local creatives. Expect everything from post-war surf nostalgia to cinematic noir layered across sharp, understated interiors. Nearby you’ll find some of Christchurch’s top dining spots like Fiksate, Inati or Little High Eatery. Inside, the mood is playful, and the staff are refreshingly relaxed.
What we love: The Pink Lady rooftop bar with wraparound glass, 1960s Baja inspired interiors, and a menu that over-delivers. Come for the views, stay for the hot honey brie and matcha gin cocktails. Just bring a jacket, it gets breezy up there.
Alpine stays within 1.5 hours of Christchurch
Images: Flockhill Villas
Flockhill Villas
Location: Deep in the Craigieburn Valley, just 1.5 hours west of Christchurch on the Great Alpine Highway.
Flockhill Villas are the latest evolution of one of the region’s most reviered high-country lodges. Sleek architectural a-frames are tucked away in the valley of a 36,000 acres working station,surrounded by limestone peaks, rivers, and alpine grasslands.
The villas are designed to immerse you in the landscape, with floor-to-cieling glass windows that look out over Craigieburn Valley. Inside guests will find oversized fireplaces, a well-stocked wine larder, warm lighting, and pillowy-soft bedding, creating a dramatic contrast to the towering alpines outside.
Each stay includes farm-to-table meals prepared by a private chef, and tailor-made experiences. Guest can hike the limestone tors at nearby Castle Hill, e-bike along the Broken River or for the seriously intrepid there’s heli-hiking, backcountry fishing, and truffle-hunting on the estate.
What we love: The chefs forage from the surrounding station, wild mushrooms, native herbs, or fresh truffles in the right season, and will build entire menus around what’s found that morning.
Image: Fable Terrace Downs Courtesy of Expedia
Fable Terrace Downs
Location: Perched above the Rakaia Gorge, just over an hour from Christchurch and 25 minutes from Methven and Mt Hutt.
Fable Terrace Downs is a boutique lodge style stay, set against the Southern Alps. Travellers who want a resort style setting near Mount Hutt will love the rolling greens, and a seriously serene alpine backdrop. Each villa is designed to feel more like a spacious alpine hut than a standard suite. Interiors are classic, with stone fireplaces, timber finishes. The recent refurb by Fable brought in some much needed contemporary touches, plush bedding, updated lighting, and local artwork.
Outside, the 18-hole championship golf course is a major draw, ranked among New Zealand’s best, with elevation shifts, and endless mountain views. In winter, it’s a short drive to the Mt Hutt ski field, while in warmer months, guests can try clay target shooting, jet boating, heli-hiking, or simply linger over long lunches on the terrace.
What we love: You come here for the silence, the space, and the setting. Golf, ski, and helicopter to a glacier, then be back in time for cocktails by the fire. We’ll cheers to that.
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