It may look like an office block, but few hotels offer a warmer welcome

The hotel

The George, Christchurch, New Zealand

Check-in

From the outside, The George may seem more office block than boutique hotel, though its glass, steel and flagpoles are softened by gold aluminium louvres added in a 2023 renovation. But don’t be fooled: there are good reasons why this stalwart accommodation – around since 1987 – is a member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World, including its central location, directly across from Hagley Park and the River Avon and just a short walk to Christchurch’s gateway city trams. Arriving after a late flight? In one of many personal “Georgian” touches, a hot chocolate (with marshmallow) or tea will be waiting for you.

The space

Cold-climate comforts meet contemporary concerns in the lobby that adjoins the bar and is more like a private lounge than a typical reception area, offering plush seats topped with jewel-coloured cushions; others straight-backed and functional. The George is big on the conference circuit – during our stay, some repeat guests are greeted by name as they arrive. They head directly to one of several distinct zones to flop and drop, drink and chat or focus on laptops. Or they can chill out in the guest library on level one. Oak-leaf details feature throughout the hotel, and walls hold works by local and Pacific artists. Thrive Performance and Wellness next-door offers a gym and small-group classes for hotel guests from 5am to midnight.

The room

There’s a bear in there, and his name is George (of course) and he’s yours to keep, though he does look a bit swamped atop our king bed in our contemporary and supremely comfortable Park Suite – big (54 square metres) and snug at the same time.

The black, white and olive-toned space boasts a well-equipped kitchen – kettle, toaster, pod-coffee maker and spirits, wine and snacks to purchase – a lounge area with TV, a desk, and a bathroom with spa tub, double shower, underfloor heating, George & Co amenities and snug robes. Bedside tables offer bottled water, carafes and charging points and, if we’re not too distracted by park views or the short story we can access and curl up with via a QR code (courtesy of thecommutingbook.org), there’s a second TV on the wall opposite.

Eat + drink

We check in about 7pm and are pretty tired, so we dine in at The George’s own Bistro 50, which – surprise – serves bistro fare. A 15-minute picturesque walk into the city centre will take you to Cellar Door, which has an all-day menu of wine-friendly snacks and dinner options, including Kiwi faves such as venison and lamb. Hop on a tram to the picturesque Spanish mission-style strip that is New Regent Street, with its row of 1930s pastel buildings offering a mix of cafes, bars and eateries; the SALT District for a dash of urban cool, complete with food halls and laneway dining; or Riverside Market for international bites.

Out + about

Once-sleepy Christchurch is a city transforming right before its residents’ eyes: interesting builds are springing up everywhere, including Te Kaha, or One New Zealand Stadium, which opened in March for sporting events and concerts as a replacement for Lancaster Park, damaged in the 2011 earthquake and demolished in 2019. Be wowed again at the Transitional Cathedral in Hereford Street (aka the Cardboard Cathedral), a stunning temporary replacement for Christ Church Cathedral that is still under reconstruction. Jump on a historic tram to the city’s eat streets; go punting on the Avon River; check out the many murals that are rapidly being hidden by new walls; visit the city’s Gothic Revival heart at the bluestone 1877 Te Matatiki, Toi Ora Arts Centre. And do not miss Quake City, a museum telling the story of Christchurch’s quakes with riveting first-person accounts, poignant artefacts, such as saintly images plucked from shards of cathedral stained-glass, all with a backdrop of scientific explanation and Kiwi resilience and humour: “Our main sewage trunk is seriously munted. I believe that is the technical term.”

The verdict

Few hotels understand the idea of a warm welcome better than The George.

Essentials

Premium Executive Rooms from $NZ392 ($320) a night. Free Wi-Fi and parking, electric charging stations. The George has 53 rooms including four Executive Accessible Rooms. 50 Park Terrace, Christchurch Central City, Christchurch. Phone: +64 3 379 4560. See thegeorge.com

Our rating out of five

★★★★

Highlight

From easing our late arrival to answering our many questions, to coping with our complete lack of direction: hotel staff are uniformly friendly and helpful.

Lowlight

Rows of chairs along some walls give the foyer a bit of a conference-centre vibe.

The writer stayed as a guest of The George Hotel.