Christchurch is my favourite city in New Zealand. It is modern and happening, whilst still retaining a very refined and serene atmosphere, with its willow-banked river creeping through the city centre, benches in small gardens for people to pass time on, and lovely old buildings.
The centrepiece ... Read review
Situated in the heart of the City, Novotel Christchurch Cathedral Square will incorporate ... more
the iconic Warners Historic Hotel. Consisting of 39 Heritage rooms and an additional 154 spacious rooms, this 193 room contemporary hotel includes a gymnasium, restaurant, bar and conferencing for up to 150 people in 5 meeting rooms. Novotel will be the first 4 star plus international hotel to open in Christchurch for 12 years.
Information: :Price is per double room per night and may vary depending on date booked...
NH Hotels, the hotel chain leader in Europe, with more than 300 hotels in 20 countries in Europe, Latin America and Africa. Enter into our web site and find the best available tariff at all times
Advantages: Wonderful view from spire, interesting decor, great central location near other sites, free Disadvantages: Quite busy
Christchurch is my favourite city in New Zealand. It is modern and happening, whilst still retaining a very refined and serene atmosphere, with its willow-banked river creeping through the city centre, benches in small gardens for people to pass time on, and lovely old buildings.
The centrepiece of Christchurch would have to be its gothic-style cathedral. It is located in the attractively cobbled Cathedral Square, which is packed ... ...it is free to enter Christchurch cathedral, and there is only a small fee to climb the tower. I remember it being about 350-steps, so it is not too challenging, and even though the stairwell is snug to pass people climbing in the opposite direction it isn't too clostrophobic. It's all worth it anyway for the magnificent 360 degree view from the top, not only of the busy square, but over the roof tops to the Botanical Gardens, and the city suburbs. more
Christchurch is my favourite city in New Zealand. It is modern and happening, whilst still retaining a very refined and serene atmosphere, with its willow-banked river creeping through the city centre, benches in small gardens for people to pass time on, and lovely old buildings.
The centrepiece of Christchurch would have to be its gothic-style cathedral. It is located in the attractively cobbled Cathedral Square, which is packed with people enjoying street performers, including jugglers and the famous Wizard of Christchurch, an official living monument who is a site in himself, preaching on all kinds of topics from a step ladder, tourists playing giant chess, marketstalls, baton twirlers, choirs, sculptures, cafes and bars. And there is no better place to watch all this going on that from the top of the cathedral spire.
From the outside the cathedral seems huge, and dwarfs the large square, with its pointed spire, magnificent rose window, and lovely stone in varying shades of grey. Even though it is not even 150 years old, it is built in the gothic style, which gives it a formidable, but attractive presence.
Unlike most English cathedrals, it is free to enter Christchurch cathedral, and there is only a small fee to climb the tower. I remember it being about 350-steps, so it is not too challenging, and even though the stairwell is snug to pass people climbing in the opposite direction it isn't too clostrophobic. It's all worth it anyway for the magnificent 360 degree view from the top, not only of the busy square, but over the roof tops to the Botanical Gardens, and the city suburbs.
The main body of the cathedral has a welcoming, alive atmosphere, and not the musty, hush-hush feel of some churches. There are plenty of guides to answer your questions in a interesting and imformative manner, and it seems very much a well-loved, active place of worship rather than somewhere that is primarily a tourist trap. Highlights include the ornate high altar, some lovely tile murals and traditional Maori weavings, a larged carved wooden lecturn in the shape of an eagle, the beflagged chapel of St. Michael and St. George which is devoted to the armed services, and the beautiful, colourful rose window. I was there a couple of weeks after the tsunami, and there was a very thoughtful display offering support and good wishes, as well as an interesting display on the history of the building of the cathedral.
There is a reasonbly large shop at the entrance / exit, which has a good stock of religious literature, souvenirs, prints and postcards, and a cafe.
The cathedral is nextdoor to the large tourist information centre, and near duty free shops and the Canterbury museum, and other points of intest, so makes a great stop off on a walking tour. There is a good bistro / bar to the left side of the cathedral, which serves tasty burgers, steaks and lamb-dishes, where you can sit in the sun, watch the trams pass by and appreciate the external architecture and beautifully coloured stonework of Christchurch cathedral.
Advantages: Clean, keenly priced hotel Disadvantages: bar open to the public
Jury's Christchurch Inn in Dublin is ideally situated opposite the Christchurchcathedral in the city, a short walk from Dublin castle and the main streets in Dublin where you will find the majority of the bars and restuarants.
The hotel can be reached easily from Dublin's airport, using either a taxi (around £20) or the special Airlink bus service that operates frequently between Dublin's airport and the river.
The hotel is fairly modern, and the rooms though not luxurious, do offer a good standard of accomodation, with full en-suite facilities, orthapedic beds and satellite television facilities.
The hotel is a family hotel and does allow kids to stay - this may be a problem for some, as the last thing you want on your romantic break away is a load of screming kids in the hotel foyer - especially if they are someone else ...
andyev 02.05.2001
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Jurys, Dublin
Advantages: excellent location, friendly staff Disadvantages: tv room, internet facilities
use the faster internet facilities at an internet centre around the corner from the hostel called netopia. However, should you wish to use the internet at 4a.m. for example, you could do so in the hostel (as long as there are free computers).
The location, all in all, is excellent. The hostel is right in the centre of Christchurch, about 30 metres from ChristchurchCathedral. Local facilities, aside from the previously-mentioned internet centre, include bars, fast food restaurants and souvenir shops. It is also a great location to get a taxi to the airport from, just make sure to book in advance from a recommended company!
In conclusion I would give this hostel the thumbs up. It doesn't necessarily make Christchurch worth visiting, but you can definitely do worse. ...