Guest Compendium
Southwark Hotel & Apartments
Welcome. We hope you have a wonderful stay. If there is anything we can do to make it more comfortable, reception is here around the clock.
Nothing matches that. Try a simpler word, or call reception and we’ll point you the right way.
A little about us
Southwark Hotel and Apartments was built in 2008 and extended after the February 2011 earthquakes, as the central city rebuilt and welcomed more visitors. Further wings opened in 2016 and 2024, bringing the property to its current size.
Southwark is owned by experienced hotel operators and run with genuine care and a close eye for detail. The hotel is managed by Alisa Ravelje, who brings extensive experience from hotels across New Zealand and leads the team to make every stay smooth and memorable.
The property has 72 rooms across 16 room categories, each architecturally designed for a distinctive urban living experience. You’ll find everything the modern traveller needs: a communal kitchen and lounge, Smart TVs, free Wi-Fi, guest laundry, balconies, and a courtyard to relax in.
If you’d like tips on things to see and do in Christchurch, our team at reception would be delighted to help.
Best wishes,
The Southwark Team
Contacting us
- Reception
- Open 24 hours, 7 days
- Phone
- +64 3 377 7803
Wi-Fi
Connect to the network that matches your building or floor, then tap a password to copy it.
Parking
On-site parking is subject to availability at $15 per night and must be reserved at reception. You’ll be assigned a space and given a ticket for your dashboard, so please park only in that space.
Vehicles without a valid ticket may be towed at the owner’s expense.
Alternative parking is on Southwark Street or in the Wilsons Public Car Park, only 50 metres from the hotel on the corner of Southwark Street and Manchester Street. Please follow posted signage to avoid fines.
Access & keys
After-hours access
The main glass sliding doors into Buildings A and C are locked from 8pm daily. Your after-hours access code is written on your key card holder or key tag.
Room keys
Please return all key cards and keys at check-out. An additional fee applies if keys are not returned.
Visitors
The number of people in each apartment must not exceed the number on your reservation. Please contact reception if you’d like to register additional guests.
Your room
Air conditioning
All rooms except Compact Double Studios have a heat pump for both cooling and heating. The remote is mounted on your wall. Reception can help if you need a hand operating it.
Heating (Compact Double Studios)
Compact Double Studios don’t have a heat pump or air conditioning. The wall radiator adjusts with the dial: * is off and IIIII is the hottest setting. A fan heater and extra blankets are in the wardrobe. If you’d like to move to a room with air conditioning, just ask reception.
TV & Netflix
All rooms except Compact Double Studios have a Smart TV with Netflix. Please sign in with your own Netflix account.
- Press the power button on the remote to turn the TV on.
- Use the Home button to move between Live TV, Netflix, internet and more.
- For Netflix, scroll right to the Netflix icon and press OK.
- To return to Live TV, press Home, scroll to Live TV and press OK.
Please remember to log out of your Netflix account before check-out.
Iron & hairdryer
An iron, ironing board and hairdryer are in your wardrobe.
Room servicing
Rooms are serviced daily between 9:30am and 3:30pm, unless a “Do Not Disturb” sign is displayed. Bed linen is refreshed every fifth day, or sooner on request (fees may apply).
Facilities
Communal kitchen & lounge
A communal kitchen and lounge are on Level 2, Building A, with full cooking facilities and dining areas. Please tidy up after cooking and use the extractor fans when using the stove.
Laundry
Guest laundry is available in Building A (Level 2) and Building C (Ground Floor). Machines run on $2 coins and washing powder is complimentary. Follow the instructions on each machine, and reception can change notes for coins if needed.
Elevator
The only elevator is in Building A.
- Press and hold the button for your floor (Ground, 1st or 2nd) for the whole journey.
- The elevator stops automatically at your floor and the doors open.
- The red emergency button is for emergencies only.
Gym
Guests can use Snap Fitness, a 5-minute walk away at 204 Madras Street.
- Cost: $10 per person, per visit.
- Payment: at reception.
- Access: you’ll get an access card valid for 2 hours from purchase, to be returned to reception after use.
House rules
Smoking
Smoking is strictly prohibited indoors, and smoking inside may incur a cleaning and odour-removal fee. Smoking outdoors is permitted. Please place cigarette butts in the bins provided.
Noise
Please keep noise to a minimum after 9pm, especially in hallways and when opening or closing doors. Excessive noise may result in guests being asked to leave without notice or refund.
Getting around
Taxis
- Gold Band
- 03 3795 795
- Blue Star
- 03 3799 799
Christchurch also has Uber and other apps such as Lime. Reception is happy to order a taxi for you, and there’s a call button in reception to call a Blue Star taxi directly. Set fares: $25 to the train station and $49 to the airport.
Shuttles
For the airport or train station, you can book a Super Shuttle at supershuttle.co.nz. We recommend booking the day before to secure your preferred pickup time.
Eat & explore
A few local favourites, all within a 5–10 minute walk.
Unknown Chapter Café
A charming café right next door on St Asaph Street, serving expert coffee and delicious food.
Open in mapsLittle High Eatery
A modern marketplace with eight family-run eateries and plenty of shared seating.
Open in mapsRiverside Market
A vibrant 7-day indoor market with boutique retail, cafés, bars and restaurants. A must-visit inner-city experience.
Open in mapsFrequently asked questions
Do you have offstreet parking?
Yes, we have onsite, offstreet parking. On busy days it can be limited, so we recommend requesting parking as early as possible to make sure you have a space when you arrive. Parking is $15 per night, payable on check-in.
Do you have breakfast?
We don’t serve breakfast or include it with the room, but we’re directly beside one of Christchurch’s most popular cafés, Unknown Chapter, who serve breakfast along with coffee and other nibbles. They’re open 6:30am until 4:00pm.
Is there a restaurant?
There’s no on-site restaurant, but Unknown Chapter next door is open through lunch, and Little High Eatery is a short walk away, a popular hub of food stalls including burgers, pizza, Asian fusion and Latin American. There’s something for everyone.
What are the check-in and check-out times?
Check-in is from 14:00, and check-out is by 10:00am. If you’d like to request an early or late check-in or check-out, you can note it as a special request when you book.
Special requests can’t be guaranteed. If an early or late check-in or check-out is essential to your plans, check the cancellation options before booking.
What times is reception open?
Reception is open 24 hours, so you can check in any time after 14:00 regardless of any delays to your travel.
Do I have to check in at 14:00?
Not at all. With 24-hour reception you can check in any time after 14:00. Please note that if you need to check in during the early hours of the morning, you’ll also need to book for the previous night.
Safety
In an emergency, dial 111
Earthquakes
Small earthquakes are common across New Zealand and most go unnoticed, but it’s worth knowing what to do. The key actions are Drop, Cover, Hold On.
- Drop to the floor, away from anything that could fall or topple.
- Cover under a sturdy table or desk. If there isn’t one, shelter against an interior wall and protect your head with your arms. Keep away from windows, mirrors, hanging objects and tall furniture.
- Hold on to your shelter and be ready to move with it until the shaking stops.
Do not run outside, and do not run to a doorway (it’s no safer than anywhere else). In a hallway, drop near an interior wall away from windows. If driving, pull carefully to the side and stop. In bed, stay there and protect your head with a pillow.
When the shaking stops: check for injuries and give first aid if needed, look for hazards such as building damage, fire or gas leaks, and listen to a battery radio for updates. If the building looks unsafe, leave and report it. Don’t re-enter until it has been assessed and the fire warden gives further instructions.
Fire evacuation
Please read the fire evacuation procedures displayed in your room (near your entrance door). If the alarm sounds:
- Evacuate calmly and quickly.
- Go to the designated meeting point.
- Wait for instructions from the fire warden.
Please take care with appliances. Setting off smoke or heat detectors unnecessarily may result in a Fire Department callout fee of up to $1,500 NZD.
Appliance safety
- Don’t leave the fan heater or bathroom heater running for long periods.
- Always place the fan heater on the floor, clear of obstructions.
- Use the kettle only on its electric base, never on the stovetop.
- Don’t burn toast or put foreign objects in the toaster.
- Check all appliances are off before leaving your room.