We stayed recently for a few days sightseeing Christchurch. We booked one of the 2 penthouse suites and were very satisfied. Large wrap around terrace, huge spacious rooms, full kitchen w/laundry. This hotel was perfect for our sightseeing visit, easy walking in the CBD and to the botanical gardens., easy free bus around the area and to the grocery if desired. Suite was clean and fresh and up to date. Special request for fresh flowers throughout the suite was handled very well.

Only thing I would add, would be if they could arrange private car airport transfers.

Before I start, I must point out that this review will shine light on the fact that this facility is NOT good for families, romantic getaway, celebration, peaceful holiday etc. However, it would suit a maximum of 3 people per room who are in Christchurch for a conference and are not in the rooms much at all. Any other situation and I would recommend you consider somewhere else to stay.

My family and I (5 adults in total) took a trip to NZ for my father’s 60th birthday and we had booked a few nights at Scenic Suites in Christchurch. So it was fair to say we wanted the place we stayed in to be memorable and of very good quality.

Unfortunately Scenic Suites Christchurch was memorable but in a very negative way.

At the time of booking it seemed like a wonderful place based on their marketing photos and website. Which showed the facility as it if was completely refurbished and suitable for families (interested in fully self-catering), who wanted the quality of a 4 star facility and happy to pay for it.

Sadly, when we arrived it was NOT the case. In summary, this facility was over priced, neglected and the service was appalling. You would get better value looking elsewhere. Subsequently, we all decided to check out of the facility after only 1 night and find another place. We went to the Novotel and even though we could not self-cater it was 100 times better than Scenic Suites.

Lobby: The “lobby”was quite “dingy”. The lack of appropriate lighting gave the place an instant “oh oh, what are we getting into” vibe.

Reception: On approaching the reception we had to greet the staff member who seemed totally disinterested in checking us in. A simple smile for a customer was just too painful for them! On check out we did not even get a standard “thank you for staying with us”. Just total lack of customer service or even manners! No one wanted to help us at all.

Room: The room very lacking and would compare it to a 2 star facility. Poles apart from the marketing photos we saw on their website. We felt the blood drain from our faces to think we paid that much money (close to $1000 AUD for 3 nights) for a place that we did not even want to sleep in for 1 hour.

Kitchen: The room was VERY small the kitchen should have been classed as a “kitchenette” as opposed to a kitchen as it lacked an oven, dishwasher and room for more than one person.

General: There were a number of light bulbs missing from the rooms. There was only 1 heater for the whole place located in the hall so the rooms were very cold. The place was very musty. It had only 1 small window for any air to circulate and this is not enough.

Bathroom: There is only 1 toilet for the whole room and since we had 5 adults while it was occupied the others had to use the public rest rooms. Which was not very nice. There is a small shower (which had a high basin classed as a tub) but it would not even fit a large dog in it.

View: We had the view of the next doors concrete wall.

Lounge Area: Is in bad need of refurbishing as it is quite old, dated and musty. However, the TV was new.

Cleanliness: This was okay.

Parking: Yes, and this was free (a good thing as it can be quite costly)

I don't really know what to tell you about this place; on so may levels it was great but ther were some major unresolved niggles.
The good: really nice quality suites with well fitted kitchens so you can properly self cater (full size fridge, washing machine, dryer, etc) well equipped with plasma TVs a sofa and chairs as well as dining furniture, two good sized bedrooms. Cleaning very efficient and thorough. The location was great far enough out of the town to be quiet but close enough for the walk in to take just 5-10 mins, very near the park and nice suburbs. We were stranded by the ask cloud and the
The bad: you are very much left alone hardly seeing any staff which is very different from my usual hotel experience.
and the downright annoying: During our stay the caretaker regularly let himself into the suite to restock the mini bar etc. There are many different reception staff who do not communicate with each other so when I had an issue (see below) I had to explain it 3 times. The issue was that during our stay our room key was issued to another guest so at quarter to one in the morning she let herself into our suite and on realising it was occupied did not leave but woke us up to explain what we were doing in her room. The hotel did not sort this out or apologise which left us with a simmering resentment...not what you expect from a £1800 stay.

Well we stayed 5 nights here and were not disappointed. The suites were lovely and clean with everything that you needed right there. Within walking distance to most things being so close to town etc. Eateries, punting, tram rides, pubs, cafes etc. Staff very friendly, and efficient. Nothing was a problem. Only minor criticism is the suites need to update TV's too small and not flat screen. We toured around the south island for a further week and returned to Scenic suites for our last night. We chose the penthouse and were certainly not disappointed. Absolutely marvelous every inclusion you could think of. Hope to return and will certainly recommend this establishment to anyone. A&D NSW Australia