Accor to reopen two Christchurch hotels
Accor has announced plans to reopen two of its four hotels in Christchurch.
Hotel ibis Christchurch is scheduled to reopen in September 2012, with the Novotel Christchurch following in April 2013. Both properties were closed following the February 2011 earthquake.
Decisions on the future of Accor’s two all seasons hotels in Christchurch are still pending as access has been severely restricted by ongoing demolition work in the area.
“When we reopen the ibis and Novotel hotels they will be effectively new hotels,” said Accor’s Regional Manager, Zayne Boon.
“Both of the hotels were relatively new – the ibis was built in 2007 and the Novotel 2010 – so they were built to very exacting standards and their structures received only minor damage during the earthquakes. The main problems were internal and required a complete re-fit of both hotels, so when they reopen they will have a very fresh and new feel to them.
“The heritage Warners Hotel wing of the Novotel had to be demolished, but the new part of the hotel survived the impact of the earthquake very well, despite being located right in the heart of Cathedral Square.
“There is a critical shortage of accommodation in Christchurch and the reopening of these hotels will allow significant progress to be made in reviving Christchurch’s commercial and tourist fortunes. It will also provide employment and will help support the wider revival of Christchurch’s central business district,” he added.