The Copthorne Hotel Christchurch Central has been granted Resource Consent by Christchurch City Council to proceed with a NZ $ 5.0 million renovation of its Colombo Street hotel.
In order to complete the work within the shortest time frame and with the minimum disruption to guests, the hotel will close from 3 May 2002 and is scheduled to reopen at the end of July 2002. The hotel will be positioned at the upper end of the accommodation sector. During the period of closure, all other Christchurch Hotels within the company’s portfolio - Millennium Christchurch, Copthorne Hotel Durham Street, Quality Hotel Commodore and Quality Hotel Autolodge - will be fully operational and available to meet clients accommodation and Food and Beverage requirements.

The refurbishment programme includes an extensive up-grade of 92 guestrooms and will involve increasing the size of 45 of these rooms. In addition, all 142 guestrooms will have air-conditioning installed. The installation of guest room air conditioning is seen as a major competitive advantage especially when marketing to the discerning traveller.

The hotel’s Colombo Street façade will be totally remodeled to give the hotel a modern, contemporary design that will not only improve its outward appearance but also do much to enhance the overall appearance of Victoria Square. The designers and architects, TSE Group of Auckland, have worked closely with the Christchurch City Council Urban Design unit to ensure that the most appropriate design elements have been used given the significance of the picturesque Victoria Square to the people of Christchurch.

Despite uncertain times in tourism, CDL Hotels, the hotel owners and operators of Millennium, Copthorne and Quality Hotels and Resorts, have shown confidence in the Canterbury region as a result of it’s increasing number of visitor arrivals and Christchurch’s position as the ‘gateway to the South Island’.

“This refurbishment complements similar successful refurbishment’s carried out within the Copthorne Hotels and Resorts division in Queenstown and the Bay of Islands last year” says Mr. Gordon Wilson, Chief Operating Officer, Of Millennium, Copthorne and Quality Hotels and Resorts.

“Given the hotel’s wonderful location, we are seeking to increase support from the neighbouring corporate environment, the Christchurch Convention Centre (a stone’s throw away) as well as increasing its market share from the international arena. ” says Mr. Wilson.

Mr. Wilson further remarked that the hotel has enjoyed very healthy interest and support from all sectors of the market in relation to this project. It will undoubtedly increase the availability of premium accommodation in Christchurch.

CDL Hotels operates 29 hotels and resorts throughout New Zealand under its Millennium, Copthorne and Quality Hotels and Resorts divisions. It is part of the United Kingdom based Millennium Hotels and Resorts which operates 89 hotels in 14 Countries.

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