Accor reopens ibis Christchurch
Accor reopened the ibis Christchurch today (4 September), becoming the first city centre hotel to open its doors since the devastating February 2011 earthquake.
The hotel, located just off Cathedral Square, was damaged in the February 2011 earthquake and has since undergone a renovation of all 155 rooms and public areas, as well as structural strengthening to meet the city’s new building code.
The launch of the hotel comes a month after the announcement of a masterplan for the city. The ibis will be located close to the proposed convention centre as well as other tourism, shopping and entertainment facilities, such as the Re:START Mall in Cashel Street.
“Christchurch tourism has suffered enormously because of the perception that the city was closed following the earthquake,” said the hotel’s General Manager, Tim Dearsley. “This was never true, but the re-opening of the ibis will highlight that the city centre is now accessible to travellers.
“While some of the CBD is still cordoned off, it is important to note that the ‘red zone’ has reduced from 387 hectares to 49 hectares today and the authorities aim to have the city fully open by the middle of 2013,” he added.
Accor’s Novotel Christchurch hotel is scheduled to re-open in mid-2013.