Novotel Christchurch Takes Historic Warner's Hotel Back To The Future

One of Christchurch’s most well-known landmarks, the Warner’s Hotel in Cathedral Square, has been fully restored to its former grandeur as part of the launch of the Novotel Christchurch Cathedral Square.


General Manager of the Novotel, Zayne Boon, says the hotel is scheduled to open in late January 2010. He says the city’s newest hotel is the perfect combination of new and old.


“Novotel Christchurch Cathedral Square blends history with 21st century design and comfort. The combination of the historic Warner’s Hotel, with a contemporary, design-focused Novotel featuring some stunning local art, makes the complex an exciting and stylish new venue for the city.”


The original Warner’s Hotel dates back to 1863 when it was opened as the Cokers Commercial Rooms. William Francis Warner took over the hotel in 1874 and since then it has been known as Warner’s Hotel.


From the 1960s-1990s, the building was threatened with demolition, but in 2000 it was partially restored with assistance from the Christchurch City Council’s heritage fund.


Zayne Boon says building the new Novotel has uncovered a lot of the city’s history.


“It’s certainly been a very interesting project for me. We had to close down the Warner’s Hotel to allow for the completion of the refurbishment of the 23 Heritage Rooms and Suites. This included the Shackleton Suite and the Queen’s Room, where the Duke of York (later to become King George VI), stayed during his visit to Christchurch in 1927.


“Every Heritage Room boasts colour schemes, furnishings and design details in keeping with the heritage style. Oak furniture has been specially crafted in some cases to fit the idiosyncratic range of room sizes and styles. But we’ve been very careful to still offer 21st century comforts, communications and facilities.”


He says all work on the building has been undertaken after extensive consultation with heritage, council and other local authorities.


The new wing of the Novotel Christchurch has been constructed on the vacant block next to Warner’s. The new development restores the hotel’s Cathedral Square frontage to its original style, recognising the heritage of the city.


“The façade of the new four-storey wing has been designed to restore the building back to its original design prior to its demolition in 1917, to make way for the Liberty Theatre. This wing houses the Novotel’s conference facilities, restaurant, gym, business centre and retail outlets,” he says.


“But the new part of the hotel, the 14-storey building, has been built behind the Warner’s Hotel, adding 154 new rooms to the existing 23 heritage rooms and suites. It really is the perfect blend of history with 21st century design.”


Novotel Christchurch Cathedral Square is the sixth Novotel in New Zealand, joining Novotels in Auckland, Hamilton, Rotorua, Wellington and Queenstown.


The Novotel will be Accor’s fourth hotel in Christchurch, joining Hotel off the Square, Ibis Christchurch and All Seasons Christchurch.

Background information on Novotel Christchurch:

Unique Selling Points

The entire hotel will be wireless, rooms are 31 square metres with 32” LCD televisions, internet access and connectivity panels
The central CBD/Cathedral Square location is perfect for business and leisure travellers
The Square restaurant features a “Show” kitchen, local art and local produce
The hotel has views of the city and Canterbury Plains, beginning from the 6th floor
Guests can choose from either a modern Novotel room or a Heritage room from the historic Warner’s Hotel.


Food and Beverage
The Square restaurant seats 120 people
The Square will be a contemporary restaurant and will display ‘walls of wine’ and offer ‘flip down’ TV’s, perfect for the corporate diner
The Square bar will be a modern lounge bar and all the furnishings will reflect this.


Meeting and Conferencing
Five meeting rooms with a combined maximum capacity of 260 guests
Conferencing - boardroom style to accommodate 60 delegates in a ‘U’ shape or 130 theatre style
Target is corporate conference business
The new modern rooms will open out to a spacious foyer/pre-function area
Wireless access area.


Hotel Facilities
4+ star rating
Leisure facilities - restaurant, bar, tour desk, laundry, i-Mac stations, in-room internet, gymnasium and kids corner
Business facilities - restaurant, bar, work desk in room, connectivity panels, valet car parking, in-room internet access, i-Mac stations, meeting rooms and boardrooms, wireless internet, business centre.