Where to stay

The Inner City, also referred to as the Christchurch City Centre, is the best place to stay for those who want to be within walking distance of the main historical and cultural attractions. The most popular hotels are flanked by the area's four main avenues: Deans, Fitzgerald, Moorhouse, and Bealey. Some of the most unique sites in the Inner City include the Canterbury Museum, Cardboard Cathedral, Christchurch Gallery, and Isaac Theatre Royal. Alternatively, hotels in Merivale and the adjacent area of St. Albans are great for history lovers who will be surrounded by a maze of narrow lanes lined with historical cottages and villas.

With the Christchurch Botanic Gardens, Hagley Park, and Avon River, the Inner City is an ideal place to stay for nature lovers. Sports enthusiasts can't go wrong with finding lodgings in Sumner, a seaside neighborhood just southeast of the city center. Some activities on offer in this area include rock climbing, surfing, hiking, and mountain bike riding. Those happy to book a night or two on the outskirts of the city, should consider staying in Banks Peninsula, where there are scenic headlands and bays. Alternatively, stay in the Waipara Valley to explore one of New Zealand's most famous wine regions.

Just west of the city center, Riccarton is a good place to book accommodations to be near trendy boutiques and huge malls. Many retailers moved to this lively neighborhood from the Inner City after the devastation caused by the earthquakes. The largest shopping center in the neighborhood, Westfield Riccarton, is also the city's oldest mall. Another two areas to stay for close proximity to malls and boutiques are the Inner City and Merivale.