Sudima Hotels has announced it is receiving highly positive reviews from guests at its newly opened Sudima Christchurch City – the first entirely newly-built hotel to have opened since the devastating earthquake of February 2011.

Indicating renewed confidence from investors and developers in building new hotels in the city, the $40 million, five-star hotel features 86 rooms and is located on Salisbury Street in the CBD. It has been developed by Hind Management and was pushed back from its original opening date of late-2017.

The property forms part of a new complex which was demolished following the earthquake. In addition to the hotel, the property also includes the Vice & Virtues Restaurant and the Moss Spa facility. The hotel is plastic-free and operates a plant-based bathroom menu with guest rooms also including biodegradable slippers – making it the first hotel in New Zealand to do so.

Sudima Christchurch City complements the brand’s existing network, which includes properties at Christchurch Airport, Auckland Airport and Rotorua. The brand’s pipeline consists of two more properties, in Kaikoura and Auckland CBD.

Sudima Hotels CEO Sudesh Jhunjhnuwala said the company saw a gap in the local market for a five-star luxury product in Christchurch.

“We have always believed in Christchurch and it’s the gateway to the South Island and that’s why we’ve invested in Christchurch. It’s beautiful and very inviting. We haven’t cut any corners.”