Ibis Christchurch Reopens

Ibis Christchurch opened its doors on Tuesday, becoming one of the first city centre hotels to re-open since the February 2011 earthquake.

The Ibis – located in Hereford Street, just off Cathedral Square – has undergone major remedial work, including the renovation of all 155 rooms and public areas, as well as structural strengthening to meet the city’s new building code.

Just four years old when the quake hit, the Ibis received only minor damage and re-opens as a virtually new hotel featuring the latest Ibis branding and facilities.

The launch of the hotel comes a month after the announcement of a masterplan for the “re-imagining” of the city. The Ibis is very close to the proposed convention centre as well as other key tourism, shopping and entertainment facilities.

For tourists planning to visit the city now, the Ibis is adjacent to the new shopping heart of Christchurch, the Re:START Mall in Cashel Street. The "pop up" shopping precinct is a new vibrant part of the city, featuring many new designer shops and modern cafes.

Hotel Ibis Christchurch General Manager, Tim Dearsley, said that the 4th September re-launch date was selected because it represents the second anniversary of the first major quake to hit Christchurch, though it didn’t have anywhere near the same impact as the subsequent February 2011 quake.

“Christchurch tourism has suffered enormously because of the perception that the city was closed following the earthquake,” Dearsley said. “This was never true, but the re-opening of the Ibis will highlight that the city centre is now accessible to travellers and that there is plenty to do in the city, including many of the old activities, as well as new and innovative tourism experiences. While some of the CBD is still cordoned off, it is important to note that the ‘red zone’ has reduced from 387 hectares to 49 hectares today and the authorities aim to have the city fully open by the middle of 2013.” 

“The re-opening will help accelerate the city’s regeneration process. It will not only ease the critical shortage of accommodation and provide employment for local residents in Christchurch but it will allow significant progress to be made in reviving the city’s central business district and tourism industry. The city has really needed the confidence boost of a major international hotel brand re-opening to cater for domestic and overseas visitors,” Dearsley added.

Accor’s Novotel Christchurch hotel is scheduled to re-open in mid 2013, while the future of the group’s two All Seasons hotels is yet to be determined due to restricted access to the hotels following the earthquake.

See other recent news regarding: Travel News Asia, Interviews, Pictures, Sports Tourism, Videos, Accor, ibis, Christchurch, New Zealand