Joanna Wane dines in at Rydges Latimer in Christchurch
Location: Overlooking Latimer Square, a tree-lined urban park in the central city that was once used for horse racing. Many of the surrounding buildings were badly damaged during the Canterbury earthquakes and a sculpture by Neil Dawson, "Spires", stands at the southern end of the square to commemorate the lives lost.
Style: Opened in late 2013 as part of the post-quake rebuild, this is a modern 4.5-star hotel for both the business and recreational traveller. A new wing was added late last year offering a selection of more luxurious rooms.
Perfect for: A weekend break for a couple or family exploring Christchurch's re-emerging city centre, wrapped around a dinner booking at Bloody Mary's.
First impressions: A pair of impeccably restored classic cars were parked up at the entrance. Sadly, they were privately owned by a couple of guests, or I'd have booked one for a soiree about town.
Rooms: I was upgraded to a top-end Executive King in the new wing that came with all the trimmings: fresh milk, a coffee pod machine, bathrobes, slippers and opening windows with "hush glass". Minibar on request and you can order room service at a charge of $5 a tray. My room was oriented over the city but the penthouse suite on the fifth floor has views stretching from the Port Hills to the Southern Alps.
Bathroom: Take my advice and go for a room with a bath. I was soaking in the tub with a book and a cup of tea 10 minutes after checking in.
Food and drink: Bloody Mary's brasserie and grill is a dining destination in its own right and opens onto Latimer Square. Famous for its tenderised prime rib, which is dry-aged for seven days using the air from Himalayan salt bricks, slow-cooked, rubbed with truffle and green peppercorn, and sliced at the table on a butcher's board (available Friday and Saturday nights or by appointment, with a minimum 24 hours' notice). Next to the bar is a whisky library fashioned on a gentlemen's club where connoisseurs can sample some rare finds, including a 25-year-old Glenmorangie, and Master Ridley's Private Dining Hall, which seats up to 70 people.
