Likely a badly hit hotel by the quake. But that does not justify the pathetic service. Had to go to the reception from my room to get water. Breakfast was pathetic. Old rooms, run down. Pool side seemed untouched in years,

The Chateau on the Park is an upscale hotel directly across from the great central park in downtown Christchurch. It did suffer some damage from the recent earthquakes but they are maintaining a high level of service. The staff were friendly and efficient.

Our room, though not large, was well kept. The nice furnishings were not new but were in very good shape and clean. The room was very quiet. The heating/air-conditioning was efficient and very quiet. The room was elegantly appointed. There was a refrigerator but no cooking facilities.

We had a comfortable king-sized bed. The linens were clean and fresh. The bathroom was large, with both a shower and a separate large tub. Hot water came instantly.

Wireless internet was available free in the room, although it was not a secure network. A guest laundry was available. We had several excellent meals at the on-site restaurant.

It wasn't the cheapest place in town but we got what we paid for.

This was our best option in a sellers market. Decent room and restaurant in an excellent position.

I have stayed at this hotel twice. The first time was about ten years ago when the hotel was in its prime. The second time was in Jan 2012 soon after a couple of major earthquakes and amidst a couple hundred of mini tremors (none of which were felt). I found the hotel to be still standing with all but minor damage. My first thoughts were that it had not changed since I last visited, except it seemed more cavernous, empty, dark and filled with despondent and sullen staff who didn’t understand my Australian accent and kept asking me to repeat things. When I advised my family I was returning there for holidays, my mother who accompanied me on the first visit asked me 1) Do they still play the medieval music in the lobby? and 2) do the sheets still itch? . The answers to both of those questions is no, though it still has the Tudor theme, and the gardens are still fantastically kept. Staying at the Chateau is like you have fallen into a wormhole to be transported back in time to a hybrid of the early 1980s meets 1580s. You get the feeling that it may be time for a major refurbishment. The biggest problem I had with this hotel is that most of the beds need replacing, as they either sag, slope or lump and they are probably the same mattresses I slept on ten years ago. My husband is a finicky sleeper and ended up sleeping on the floor overnight before complaining to staff in the morning. The staff responded with no apology, but simply offered us another room.