We arrived at the Holiday Inn at 1am in the morning and everything was ready for us. The staff were very helpful all through our stay and we were made to feel like valued customers. The room was clean and comfortable. The view from the restaurant onto the Avon River while eating your meal was lovely. We had the breakfast included in our package and the meals were excellent including the sunday night buffet. I would not hesitate to recommend this hotel to anyone.

We stayed here for one night on 21 October 2010 and have stayed here several times previously. We really like the hotel, it is in a nice setting a short walk from the CBD and beside the Avon River. The hotel is very clean and comfortable and the service is excellent. The breakfast buffet provides a good selection of hot and cold food. The dining room overlooks the Avon River. It is a pleasant walk in to the city from the hotel. There is plenty of free parking at the hotel.

I don't think the Holiday Inn is a poor hotel. But I did have a poor experience. It has led me to writing on Trip Advisor for the first time.

Three of us stayed in the suites located outside the main complex of the hotel. They were nicely furnished, had a backyard, quality linens, plasma televisions, large kitchen, etc. So well appointed and I was quite impressed in this regard.

However the water pressure was absolutely terrible. It wasn't even a shower head simply one of those hand held units you often see in retirement homes. Seriously it was shocking. The worst I have ever seen and this includes backpacker hostels. If you want a decent shower, after travelling for a number of hours, I would avoid this hotel.

The second criticism is there was (apparently) only two keys available between three guests. The three of us had our own schedule, desire to explore Christchurch by ourselves, routines, etc. So juggling keys isn't acceptable for a suite. We ended up leaving a key under the door mat so no one was left locked out.

We were told by reception that there were no more in existence. I simply find this difficult to believe. If it actually was the case I suggest you get more cut. Otherwise you must accommodate guests with the basics. Like keys!

What should have been a local call cost me close to $20.00 for a short duration. Again more price gouging from a hotel.

The compliment I would give is to the bar staff. There were two large tour groups that arrived quite close together. They had three staff behind the bar and handled the influx of people quite well.

During a two-month holiday touring in New Zealand, this was the only poor accommodation we encountered. The location of the Holiday Inn is superb - just a 20-minute walk along the banks of the river Avon to get to the city centre. But the fabric and furnishings were very tired indeed and the rooms were stiflingly hot. When we asked to be moved to a room with air conditioning, we were curtly told that there were none in the hotel. Unbelievable! Thankfully we were only there for 4 nights and did not have to spend any time in the hotel apart from sleeping. One to avoid.