We stayed at Hotel Give after cycling the Hurunui Heartland Trail. Our accommodation included two nights camping, both simple, very Kiwi and enjoyable. However, Hotel Give was a lovely treat at the end of our 260k ride with lots of hill climbing. Everything about the hotel puts guest comfort centre stage, from welcoming reception staff to comfortable rooms to well-equipped community kitchens to personable housekeeping staff - yet at a remarkably low price per room. As cyclists concerned about the safety of our bikes, we were extremely impressed by the system of using an outside secure storage shed in the daytime and a storage room inside the hotel overnight. But what marks out Hotel Give as being profoundly different to its competitors is its ethos of social sustainability, that it is a social enterprise: it is simply wonderful that all profits from our stay are reinvested back into programmes and services provided by the Kind Foundation in the Christchurch Community.

Nothing.

This is my second consecutive booking so I’ve said most in my first review. I did extend a second time directly theory Give (slightly cheaper actually — sorry BCom!) as recommended by staff. So this review will encompass the rest of my stay. It’s just such a pleasant place to be and I made sure to give personal feedback to Kelly at reception this morning, in general and also specifically about MIKE and AMELIA in the HK team. (Though in different zones: Mike is a blur in the kitchen and laundry and Amelia (pink hair) and colleagues tend to the bathrooms and bedrooms. I had a great chat with Amelia yesterday: though more than twice her age now, I worked in the hospitality sector at her she and for 7 years. She shares the values and attitude that — as I told Kelly — please Americans, which is not to say that Americans set the benchmark but it is to say they take hospitality seriously snd it’s a serious career to work facing customers (not to the extent of France, but it’s skilled work you build up to different levels to.) Amelia agreed with me: the standard of hospo in NZ is a non-starter. Aman at front desk find a tight shop and Sameera is also earnest but but quite a softie. I spent my 47th Northey here and he carefully directed me to suitable eateries nearby, the in-house restaurant catering to a conference group. And just tonight I discovered the beauty of this part of the botanical gardens — see photos.

I’m afraid to say there’s one hostile reception staff member. He’s just eyeballed me silently — twice now — and been a general stonewaller. He does his duties with what seems to be a habitual bad attitude, taking every opportunity to be ornery. I’m not into it at all. It’s unacceptable. Whatever his deal is ain’t my problem to deal with. It’s not hospitality and I’ve paid for hospitality. Simple. Mystery shopper time …

This was such a nice reprieve for me since I have been doing all-girl dorms around some of the more expensive areas, so, after 4 nights of that I was almost wanting to book more than one night! The hotel is lovely, clean, friendly, the BEST location near the ONE best thing to do...the Botanical Gardens and also it is near two art centers, both FREE! I enjoyed kicking back and using their Netflix on tv at base of bed, getting groceries in and just chillin too. The bathrooms are awesome, hot hot water and hard good pressure, very clean with delightful soaps from the botanical range...very nice!

Conveniently located right across from the Botanical Gardens, 15-minute stroll from the bus station through one of the world’s great walkable cities, five minutes from the excellent and architecturally beautiful art gallery. I loved the shared kitchen and laundry areas, kept well-equipped and clean. I also loved that Hotel Give, a former Y, is a non-profit and my money goes to a foundation to keep the place running and affordable. Staff were helpful and friendly. Good storage area for bags if you arrive before the (rather late) check-in time of 3 pm.

Check-out is early: 10 a.m. and staff are strict about it. We were told guests incur extra charges if they stay past 10:30.

We had a double bed room near the top of the building, so I can only say about that. Which was a very nice apartment, kitchen and living area all very clean and comfortable as were the beds. Nice views from a higher up room. The staff were very friendly and helpful. Location was close enough to the centre with the shops and restaurants that it was an enjoyable walk. They offer a cheaper shuttle bus service to the airport which is helpful if travelling on a budget. But they were also able to order us a taxi. Hotel great.

They have an attached restaurant. We tried it one night and were not impressed. Wish we had walked to one of the nearby restaurants in the city centre. There is a coffee/breakfast truck (silver thing) outside that is worth getting food from in the morning.

The location was super convenient! Quick walk to Riverside Market! Quiet enough while still being in the city! Bed was comfy and the shared bathroom facility was also a great surprise, I thought it was going to be a communal stall type, so I was pleasantly surprised by it!

I had a very unpleasant check-in experience with a female receptionist. She looked and acted like she didn't want to be there and even rolled her eyes at me when I went to grab my luggage I had stored away. It also wasn't just me that she acted this way to, so I was shocked and appalled by her behaviour. Such a shame.

Easy to find, great location next to the Botanical Gardens an easy walk into the city centre. Clean, comfortable and traffic noise wasn't an issue at all (stayed road side, 4th floor). Nice to have a small balcony to sit out on too. Parking good, got there early (a couple of hours before check-in time) and on our return noticed the car park was full.

Just a couple of small points to note, not anything that would stop us returning.. No where to hang coats, clothes, although there was space for one bag on the luggage rack. A couple of hooks in the hallway would have made a difference. Becareful of opening the shower door as the glass bangs up against the toilet, and the bathroom door closes itself which can catch you out if you're going in to grab something quickly and turn around to go back out.

Easily one of the best hotels I've had the pleasure of staying in. The staff were extremely friendly and the room itself was superb and offered very comfortable bedding. The hotel itself is located directly opposite the Botanic Gardens and is within walking distance of almost every major attraction in Christchurch. Riverside Market is only a ten minute walk from the hotel which is a great place to visit for lunch and there's a lovely cafe a block away by the name of Frances Nation Cafe that has amazing food as well. Highly recommend this hotel if you are staying in Christchurch.

Location - absolutely superb location! Bathroom was always clean, and tidying of room looked like it was done daily which was really nice

Lights appeared to be all under one switch so all lights went on at once which meant either everything on or everything off. Would be good to have a lamp so there could be a bit of light during the evening for anyone that wants to stay up longer. Did not really like how the bathroom was separated from the room, however right next door and always clean. Sometimes it was occupied when we wanted to use it. Also website said Kitchen was open till 10pm at night but twice I went to get a meal late (as from Auckland and use to things being open a bit later) and was told it was closed at 8.45pm and 9.30pm?????

The staff were very helpful - we arrived at 1am after a flight and lengthy customs process. There had been a miscommunication regarding breakfast being included in our rates but we were allowed to check out a little later instead - for which we were very grateful. The room was clean the shower was great and the beds were comfortable. We had a park at the back of the property and the access into the hotel was being improved to allow guests to enter from the carpark instead of lugging a suitcase to the front of the building. We would definitely stay there again.

We found the room extremely small for three adults and the large suitcase could not fit between the bed and drawers when entering the room so it had to be lifted up over the bed. That was however our only complaint.