Rydges Hotels and Resorts have been appointed to manage the new Latimer Hotel in Christchurch, one of two signings announced this week.
The landmark building will be the first hotel to be built in the city since the devastating earthquakes of 2011 and is scheduled to open its doors on October 1, 2013.
Yesterday, Rydges also revealed it was taking over management of the Sails Resort in Port Macquarie.
Over in New Zealand, the owners of the hotel PR Knight Limited engaged Christchurch based principle Peter Knight to appoint a management company for the property and it was recently announced that Rydges Hotels Limited had successfully secured the management contract.
The hotel will be branded Rydges Latimer Christchurch and feature 138 guest rooms and extensive banquet facilities with a capacity to cater for up to 360 people, making it the largest hotel function space in Christchurch. The hotel will also offer a Grill Restaurant and bar.
“We are excited to be involved in this project which will not only provide Christchurch with a brand new hotel product but also send a positive message in regard to the re-development of the city and the strong future ahead for tourism and commerce in the region,” said Norman Arundel, Group General Manager of Rydges Hotels and Resorts.
The agreement sees the expansion of the Rydges portfolio in New Zealand where the brand already has a strong presence in key CBD and leisure locations including Auckland, Rotorua, Wellington and Queenstown.
“Rydges are definitely looking forward to regaining a presence in this key leisure and business destination and are delighted to have the addition of this brand new hotel in our New Zealand portfolio,” Arundel said.
Robert McGufficke has been appointed as the General Manager for the hotel. This new role will see McGufficke return to the city where he was based as General Manager for Rydges Christchurch prior to the 2011 earthquakes.