Rydges, what a hotel! I have a feeling this review may be a tad skewed towards me having a really great time here. But hey, why not gloat about an amazing experience, and if it helps make your accommodation decision when in Christchurch, well then, my job here is done. Also, this is not an ad.

Rydges Latimer is roughly a 5-minute walk away from the main city centre. So, you get the proximity to the city, without having to be in the middle of it all. It is a 4-star hotel. Let’s get underway with the good, the bad and the ugly.

The Good:

This is a nice 4-star hotel with friendly staff located in the city fringe of Christchurch. The rooms are nice and spacious with amazing views on either side. There is a restaurant on site – Bloody Mary’s – and I can definitely recommend their steak!

What I liked about Rydges is how affordable it is. In my blog on Christchurch, you may remember me mentioning that Christchurch as a travel destination, I feel, often gets missed, as when people think of the South Island they think of places like Queenstown. Perhaps, this may be a reason as to how a 4-star hotel costs just $120 for a night. Please note that was the tariff when I stayed there, this may or may not be the tariff now.

Usually 4-star hotels, you’re looking at cost that is expected to be over $200, or is that just me? What this also meant, was that I didn’t hesitate to book a second room, when my folks decided to come back to Christchurch a day earlier and stay the night there.

The staff also went above and beyond and offered me the late check out, as my flight back to Auckland wasn’t till 3pm.

Cannot finish this section without talking about the coffee machine in the room. I had a L’oz (I think that’s what they are called) machine, and an option of two different pods as part of the tea and coffee availability in the room. And who doesn’t love having coffee available at arms length to get the day started (you can always get a better barista made coffee once you go about your day).

The bad:

I don’t know if this is a New Zealand thing (I feel like it may be), but as this was my present to myself, I felt a bit vain and requested a room with a bath. What that meant was, I had to request an upgraded room as a room with a bath was considered premium. This did mean I had to pay roughly $40 extra, still not a lot, but it was the first time that I’d come to terms with a room with a bath being a premium room.

Perhaps, the only other bad thing, which I don’t really think is bad, this is just my opinion, is their room service menu. Their menu is based on Bloody Mary’s menu, and basically the classic items are on this list. In other words, you have to really have an appetite when ordering room service, because I didn’t find many small portions, or food choices that would suit. Mind you, their menu probably changes all the time, so it may be different the next time I’m there, or well when you’re there.

The ugly:

I genuinely cannot think of anything to put here. My stay here was amazing, and I cannot deny that. I didn’t find anything that I could put here that would do justice.

I would definitely want to stay here again, the next time I’m back in Christchurch.

Until next time,

MiliG