24h at The George: a luxury boutique hotel par excellence
August 23rd, 2008 | by Tom |Article Tags: boutique, gastronomy, new zealand
24h at The George: a luxury boutique hotel par excellence
The tranquil garden city of Christchurch is the gateway to the South Island tourist trail. The George Hotel is the most sought after luxury boutique hotel in the city. Celebrities, stars, corporate heads and people seeking intimate luxury stay here. The George’s two restaurants are outstanding – as good as anywhere in New Zealand.
This is the place to stay if you want a luxury night so close to the quaint New Zealand city of Christchurch.
An overview of twenty-hours at The George in Christchurch, New Zealand: utter bliss…
2.30pm:
My wife and I book in to one of the South Island’s best boutique luxury hotels – The George in Christchurch. The reception area feels so tranquil, with a single desk and chairs to relax on while we checked-in. I eye the bar and lounge across from the reception with its cream leather seats and soft lighting. This is the place where many celebrities, entertainers, top executives and household names stay when visiting Christchurch.
The George has a policy of not saying which stars have slept here. But Princess Anne had a choice when she stayed in Christchurch a few years ago and guess where she picked! We book into a junior suite which has been stylishly refurbished by Warren and Mahoney.
3pm:
We sip tea brought to our room overlooking leafy Hagley Park. The concierge directs us where to get a feel of the mood and atmosphere of the city. We walk down Park Tce, catch a tram down Armagh through the Spanish style buildings and cafes of New Regent St and down Cathedral Sq. We get off by the Public Art Gallery check out the William Morris designs, stroll through the Arts Centre, walk down past Christ’s College and back to The George.
6pm:
We soak in the bath quaffing a delightful little Veuve Clicquot champagne before heading to the hotel’s Pescatore restaurant for our meal.
7.30pm:
The setting is divine – across from the park and Avon River. Pescatore was really top of the range high quality dining. Head chef Andrew Brown was in the New Zealand culinary team in 2006 and 2007, he is a NZ beef and lamb 2008 ambassador. Pescatore has won restaurant of the year awards at the national hospitality show and numerous beef and lamb awards. I enjoyed Kaikoura crayfish - coriander risotto cake, baby vegetables & champagne sabayon; and for dessert: Fang au chocolat - white & dark valrhona mousse, berry compote and raspberry coulis. The service was exceptional, room was great, food was excellent.
10pm:
We retire to our room, watch a movie on the wide-screen tv, then cuddle and enjoy in divine luxury!
8.30am:
We are in the downstairs restaurant 50 on the park for breakfast after a lie-in and reading the paper in our giant king size bed. So serene.
10am:
We go walk about around the park and find the front desk so helpful again. They have 100 staff here for the 53 rooms so it’s almost one-to-one guest staff ratio. That’s why they are one of just 10 places in New Zealand part of Small Luxury Hotels of the World. The George won the 2007 Best Boutique Hotel in NZ.
1.30pm:
We reluctantly pack up and book out but stowed away in our bags is ‘George Bear – a cuddly golden teddy bear gifted on our pillow when they turned down our bed while we were dining. George was the resident teddy bear and he asked to go home with us - how could we refuse.
This is just a great hotel, contemporary, great service and fantastic food.
Text – Kip Brook, Word of Mouth Media NZ | www.wordofmouthnz.com
BOOKING:
The George
T: +64 3 379 4560
@: sales@thegeorge.com
W: www.thegeorge.com
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