Merivale Manor — Hotel in Christchurch

Facing brain surgery at St George’s hospital in Christchurch, my husband and I looked for housing that would be comfortable and within easy walking distance of the hospital and various clinics and labs that we’d frequent before hospitalization. Merivale Manor turned out to be the perfect selection.

We stayed for 3 entire weeks and, during that time, the proprietors were kind enough to let us move within the facility so that we could sample 3 different types of rooms before selecting the one that would be best for my post surgery recovery.

We selected, in the end, the apartments, mainly because we felt that 3 weeks would be a bit long for 2 older people to be in a studio. Plus the apartments have washing and drying machines within each unit and fully equipped kitchens. The facility is in pristine condition and very actively maintained by Matt and Kate.

For a shorter trip, the studio spa would be our choice. It may not look unusual from outside, but it is laid out in a clever way that gives the spacious feeling of a one bedroom unit. The kitchenette is completely adequate, although there are many terrific restaurants close by so you may cook less often than you anticipated. That was our case. Nonetheless, it’s nice to cook up some eggs and toast before a busy day of activity. And the spa bath is a real luxury after day of brain scans, blood draws, doctors’ visits and city walking.

Only five minutes from the Manor is the Merivale Mall which houses an excellent Fresh Choice supermarket and a surprisingly good sushi restaurant. The sushi was a notch above what you might expect in a mall restaurant.

Also just a few minutes away is Indian Zaika, the best Indian restaurant we have visited in years, including a bunch of Michelin-starred ones in London. Try their chicken tikka (basically boneless skinless chicken tandoori) and their chicken biryani. The samosas were also delicious and fun to eat.

Hagley Park and the botanical garden is also within easy walking distance, as is the CBD, museums and other attractions.

Bottom line: the cliché, “location, location, location” absolutely applies here. Not only is St. George’s Hospital just a 10 minute walk away, so is Southern Cross Hospital, two branches of Pacific Radiology, and numerous other medical facilities. Being able to walk up and down the street was infinitely less stressful than having to drive through...

Located in the Merivale area near the City Centre, this Manor is a wonderful place to stay at Christchurch.

We were welcomed by the very helpful host Warren who guided us for our Christchurch sightseeing itinerary as well.

We had a Manor Studio Room 210 on the Ground Floor, which though seemed unsafe at first, but was quite cozy and secure.

The room had electrically heated beds, heated towel hangers and a heated bathroom, which was a life saver in the cold windy mornings of Christchurch. The bed was comfortable and the room was sufficiently large for a couple. On the flipside, there's no private electronic safe in the room, so we had to deposit our valuables in the common safe with Warren at the Reception. Also, the bathroom shower has such high water pressure that the water could flow out into the room if one were to not bathe with caution.

For breakfast, we were provided with milk, cereals, spreads and bread. The room kitchen is well equipped. There's a Fresh Choice Supermarket nearby, from where one can purchase additional food stuff.

The fast WiFi , free laundry, car parking just outside the room and the close proximity to the City Centre and Botanic Gardens, make Merivale Manor an excellent choice for...

Over in NZ visiting friends and family - I am a return guest to Merivale Manor - the past 10 - 15 years - stayed 4 nights all up this trip. I have stayed in 6 different motels this trip, Auckland, Opotiki, Cambridge, Oamaru, Dunedin and Christchurch.|Over the past years I have stayed in at least half the suites in the Manor as well as probably every Studio unit over that period - great décor both in the Manor Suites and Studio units. The beds are great, "Sleepyhead Supreme Commercial" very comfy - I suffer from back issues and these beds are the best for waking up not feeling any back discomfort (my favourite motel in Dunedin uses these beds as well - I am buying one when I get back to Australia hence the attached photos I took from both motels). Other than the quality bedding, the one thing that makes the Merivale Manor stand in a league of its own is it has the best water pressure for showers I have come across in the last 20 years of travelling any place in NZ or Oz or other parts of the world I have visited including Hotels, Motels, Airbnb and BBs. Great hosts Wayne and Karen always make you...