Christchurch Novotel Celebrates Official Opening

Christchurch Novotel Celebrates Official Opening

Christchurch’s new Novotel, the first international four-star plus hotel to open in the city since 1996, held an official opening event last night.

Around 100 guests from throughout New Zealand attended the opening event at Novotel Christchurch Cathedral Square. Novotel Christchurch General Manager Zayne Boon says it was a wonderful evening of celebration.

“We are very proud of the new hotel and it was an ideal opportunity for us to show it off to the local business and tourism community, as well as to staff from Accor Hospitality,” he says.

“The Mayor and Mayoress popped in and we were able to give them a short tour of the hotel before other guests arrived. They were impressed with the style of the hotel and commented on how the new hotel will add so much to the revitalisation of the inner city.”

Novotel Christchurch Cathedral Square has gone to great lengths to seamlessly incorporate the old with new. As part of the Novotel development Warner’s Hotel, which dates back to 1863, has been fully restored to its former grandeur.

“Building this hotel has really been a labour of love. We are delighted with the way it has come together,” says Zayne Boon. “We believe this, the city’s newest hotel, provides the perfect combination of new and old.

“We are sure guests will be impressed how we have managed to preserve and enhance so many of the stunning features of the historic Warner’s Hotel. Many guests will want to soak up some local history and choose to stay in the Heritage suites, but regular Novotel guests will also be pleased that we have plenty of rooms and suites available in the new tower as well,” he says.

Canterbury Employers’ Chamber of Commerce Chief Executive Peter Townsend acted as MC for the official part of the evening. He says the new Novotel will have a significant impact on the local economy.

“The hotel has employed over 70 employees, which equates to around $25million going into the local economy from annual salaries. The building of the hotel itself saw $50 million going into the local economy. This is a very significant contribution, without even taking into account what guests may spend while they are in the city,” he says.

The hotel features 193-rooms, including 39 Warner’s Heritage rooms and suites, located in the refurbished Warner’s Hotel wing of the complex, and 154 rooms and suites in the new 14-storey tower.

The town crier, Stephen Symons, who has written a book about Warner’s Hotel, officially opened the hotel after relating some interesting tales about the history of the hotel.

ENDS

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