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 definitely missed new lodge launches and the buzzy pleasure of the tourism trade! If you might have labored within the journey trade, you recognize that the previous couple of years have sucked large time. Pre-pandemic, I used to be often invited to new lodge launches and different journey PR events; glamorous and thrilling, I felt like I had lastly made it once I would waltz via new areas sipping bubbles and networking.
I’m unsure I even know the best way to community anymore, not to mention put on excessive heels.
I’ve been ready so lengthy for one thing colourful, bougie, and filled with character to open in Christchurch.
Christchurch is a fancy metropolis with a fancy previous. It’s very a lot nonetheless recovering from the devastating earthquakes in 2011; then there was the mosque capturing 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 dangerous playing cards.
But because the years go by, increasingly 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 story, each of which this place completely nails.
As the previous dwelling 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 whole 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 exquisite a part of the town.
As somebody who thought that her life’s trajectory could be in teachers, 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 at all times has been so necessary to me. With double levels in Spanish language and literature and medieval historical past, I at all times thought my path could be graduate college then ultimately turning into a professor. It’s what I deliberate for. I even profitable grants to check 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 distinct course. What I like about my life now could be that I’ve the liberty to proceed to study and analysis by myself phrases, one thing fairly particular.
My coronary heart fluttered with nostalgia for my very own alma mater, Mount Holyoke, and my time learning at Oxford, Salamanca, and Madrid. Hopefully, I can return to analysis once more sooner or later.
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 lodge, reflecting its historical past, which I am keen on.
The ten premium rooms on web site have been named after shade pigments, a pleasant nod to the artwork house. I stayed within the Verona Room, which has essentially the most epic skylight over the mattress – full with electrical drapes. I additionally made the workforce 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 all the property, most of which I imagine is on the market. Colorful and shiny, the rooms function 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 following wonderful house in Christchurch might be – any concepts?
What do you suppose? Is the Observatory Hotel in Christchurch the form of place you’d love to remain? Have you been? Share!
Many because of the Observatory Hotel for internet hosting me in Christchurch. Like at all times, I’m retaining it actual. All opinions are my very own like you could possibly count on much less from me.