If you journey beyong the Gothic Revival partitions of Te Matatiki Toi Ora The Arts Centre, you’ll discover Christchurch’s latest and most fashionable boutique lodging – The Observatory Hotel.
Sigh. My previous journey author self has actually missed new resort launches and the buzzy pleasure of the tourism trade! If you may have labored within the journey trade, you understand that the previous few years have sucked large time. Pre-pandemic, I used to be recurrently invited to new resort launches and different journey PR events; glamorous and thrilling, I felt like I had lastly made it after I would waltz by way of new areas sipping bubbles and networking.
I’m unsure I even know learn how to community anymore, not to mention put on excessive heels.
I’ve been ready so lengthy for one thing colourful, bougie, and stuffed with character to open in Christchurch.
Christchurch is a posh metropolis with a posh previous. It’s very a lot nonetheless recovering from the devastating earthquakes in 2011; then there was the mosque taking pictures a number of years in the past. Damage continues to be seen on the previous partitions of the town, and the residents that stayed put on the trauma on their sleeves.
It’s a spot that feels prefer it’s nonetheless discovering its footing after being dealt some unhealthy playing cards.
But because the years go by, increasingly more thrilling ventures are showing all through the town, just like the model spanking new Observatory Hotel. Or, in fact, my houseplant and design store, NODE, over in Lyttelton.
As quickly as I noticed the photographs of the Observatory Hotel, I knew this was my spot. I’m such a sucker for good branding and an excellent story, each of which this place completely nails.
As the previous residence of the unique University of Canterbury, the buildings now make up the Te Matatiki Toi Ora The Arts Centre in Christchurch. The journey of the buildings is fascinating. Nowadays, hidden away within the Observatory Tower, in addition to the previous astronomy and physics departments of the previous college, you’ll discover the brand new Observatory Hotel, which opened in May 2022.
The iconic Observatory Tower was constructed within the 1890’s to deal with the equatorial telescope of Canterbury College. But sadly, the Observatory Tower collapsed within the 2011 earthquake. The complete historic space was closed – a few of it’s nonetheless closed – because it’s repaired and strengthened. The telescope is presently being repaired and can hopefully return to the tower as soon as once more.
The Observatory Hotel is respiration new life into such a historic and delightful a part of the town.
As somebody who thought that her life’s trajectory can be in lecturers, staying in what was as soon as a historic college is definitely fairly particular.
Though you’d by no means catch me within the physics or astronomy departments, my educational background all the time has been so essential to me. With double levels in Spanish language and literature and medieval historical past, I all the time thought my path can be graduate college then ultimately changing into a professor. It’s what I deliberate for. I even successful grants to review on the Bodleian and on the National Library in Spain for my dissertation.
But life has different plans, and my path took me in a unique path. What I like about my life now’s that I’ve the liberty to proceed to study and analysis alone phrases, one thing fairly particular.
My coronary heart fluttered with nostalgia for my very own alma mater, Mount Holyoke, and my time finding out at Oxford, Salamanca, and Madrid. Hopefully, I can return to analysis once more someday.
The thoughtfulness and care behind the Observatory Hotel are clearly. The particulars are beautiful, and the extent of consolation is unmatched. There is a lot character all through the resort, reflecting its historical past, which I am keen on.
The ten premium rooms on website have been named after shade pigments, a pleasant nod to the artwork area. I stayed within the Verona Room, which has essentially the most epic skylight over the mattress – full with electrical drapes. I additionally made the group give me a tour of the property and peeked inside many of the rooms, which I can vouch for being divine.
No two rooms are the identical, every individually designed and that includes furnishings made in Canterbury. There is native artwork dotted all through your entire property, most of which I imagine is on the market. Colorful and vibrant, the rooms characteristic textiles and patterns by British designer William Morris 150 years in the past, one other nod to the artwork world.
Now I’m simply questioning what the subsequent wonderful area in Christchurch will probably be – any concepts?
What do you assume? Is the Observatory Hotel in Christchurch the form of place you’d love to remain? Have you been? Share!
Many due to the Observatory Hotel for internet hosting me in Christchurch. Like all the time, I’m maintaining it actual. All opinions are my very own like you would anticipate much less from me.