Staying at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, Christchurch

Crowne Plaza, Christchurch. Photo / Supplied

Michelle Weir checks into a central Christchurch hotel with a 'wow factor' bathroom

Getting there: I had flown in from Queenstown, and from Christchurch airport it was only a 20-minute drive to the hotel in the CBD. Plenty of parking outside, on the street and in a carpark.

Check-in experience: Easy and very warm and friendly. Emily checked me in, explained the hotel was only a few months old and let me know about the restaurants, bars and the gym. If only every person on the front desk of a hotel could take notes from her. A very positive first impression of the hotel.

Room: I stayed in a Superior Double Room. Not huge, but beautifully laid out with a very comfy bed, window seat, work desk and full-length mirror. On the pillow is a "room mist" you spray before bed to enhance the quality of your sleep. Verdict: sceptical but proven wrong. What a treat.

Bathroom: Wow factor. Good size, good shower. White and grey marble tiles on the floor and walls (in herringbone layout), black towel racks and vanity — super modern and very elegant. And the backlit circular mirror made it ideal for makeup application. It also has speakers, so whatever you're watching on TV, you can still hear while going about daily ablutions. Quite cool, but given I was watching the leaders debate, also quite unnerving to hear a politician's voice while you're in the shower. I judge a place on its bathroom — and this was very impressive. I was very happy.

Price: I paid $219 for one night's accommodation.

What's so good about this place? Emily at reception, the bathroom and the central location are pretty good ticks for me. Great to see some world-class hotels appear in Christchurch again.

And the bad? Given the amount of construction going on in the city, the surrounds are still somewhat war-zone like — and the noise of other construction is obvious but not too annoying.

What's in the neighbourhood: Just a stroll from the Cathedral and the Re:Start shipping container shops.

Toiletries: Gender neutral in smell. Nothing I took advantage of though.

Food & drink: Great wine list at the bar and restaurant, and I enjoyed room service after a very long day's work. Can't really go wrong with a club sandwich ...

The bed: A king-size bed that was ridiculously comfortable.

View: The construction zone that is Christchurch.

Free Wi-Fi: Yes, however, I didn't use it, purely down to the fact that I forgot to jump on to it.

Noise: Just the hum of construction going on.

Room service: Daily.

Value for money: I would stay here again.

Exercise facilities: Well-stocked gym, not that I had time for a workout though (sorry to Lachlan, my personal trainer at home.)

Perfect for: Couples or business travellers.

CHECKLIST

Contact: Your travel agent, or check out crowneplaza.com.

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