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Drifter Christchurch

3.5 star property
3.5-star hotel near One New Zealand Stadium

Choose dates to view prices

Photo gallery for Drifter Christchurch

Lunch and dinner served
Premium King Suite | Free WiFi, bed sheets
Exterior
Fitness facility
Property amenity

Reviews

9.0 out of 10
Wonderful

Popular amenities

  • Free WiFi
  • Restaurant
  • Air conditioning
  • Gym
  • Bar
  • Laundry

Explore the area

View in a map
96 Lichfield St, Christchurch, Canterbury, 8011
  • Place, Cathedral Square
    ‪5 min walk‬
  • Place, Te Pae Christchurch Convention and Exhibition Centre
    ‪8 min walk‬
  • Place, Hagley Park
    ‪13 min walk‬
  • Airport, Christchurch (CHC-Christchurch Intl.)
    ‪16 min drive‬

Room options

View all photos for Superior Queen Room

Free WiFi, bed sheets

Superior Queen Room

8.6 out of 10
Excellent
(9 reviews)
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Queen Bed
  • Free WiFi

View all photos for Premium King Suite

Premium King Suite | Free WiFi, bed sheets

Premium King Suite

  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 King Bed
  • Free WiFi

View all photos for Superior Queen Room with Balcony

Free WiFi, bed sheets

Superior Queen Room with Balcony

  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Queen Bed
  • Free WiFi

View all photos for Family Room

Family Room | Free WiFi, bed sheets

Family Room

10.0 out of 10
Exceptional
(1 review)
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 4
  • 1 Queen Bed and 1 Twin Bunk Bed
  • Free WiFi

View all photos for Family Loft Suite with Queen and Bunk

Family Loft Suite with Queen and Bunk | Living area | Books

Family Loft Suite with Queen and Bunk

9.0 out of 10
Wonderful
(2 reviews)
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 4
  • 1 Queen Bed and 1 Twin Bunk Bed
  • Free WiFi

View all photos for Loft Suite with Two Queen Rooms

Books

Loft Suite with Two Queen Rooms

10.0 out of 10
Exceptional
(1 review)
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 4
  • 2 Queen Beds
  • Free WiFi

View all photos for Private Deluxe 8 Bed Ensuite Room

Free WiFi, bed sheets

Private Deluxe 8 Bed Ensuite Room

  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 8
  • 8 Twin Bunk Beds
  • Free WiFi

View all photos for Private Deluxe 8 Bed Female Ensuite Room

Free WiFi, bed sheets

Private Deluxe 8 Bed Female Ensuite Room

  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 8
  • 8 Twin Bunk Beds
  • Free WiFi

View all photos for Private Superior 4 Bed Ensuite Room

Free WiFi, bed sheets

Private Superior 4 Bed Ensuite Room

9.0 out of 10
Wonderful
(2 reviews)
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 4
  • 4 Twin Bunk Beds
  • Free WiFi

View all photos for Private Superior 8 Bed Ensuite Room

Private Superior 8 Bed Ensuite Room | Free WiFi, bed sheets

Private Superior 8 Bed Ensuite Room

  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 8
  • 8 Twin Bunk Beds
  • Free WiFi

View all photos for Superior Twin Room

Superior Twin Room | Free WiFi, bed sheets

Superior Twin Room

9.6 out of 10
Exceptional
(4 reviews)
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 2
  • 2 Twin Beds
  • Free WiFi

View all photos for Private Superior 4 Bed Room

Free WiFi, bed sheets

Private Superior 4 Bed Room

  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 4
  • 4 Twin Bunk Beds
  • Free WiFi

View all photos for Private Superior 4 Bed Female Ensuite Room

Free WiFi, bed sheets

Private Superior 4 Bed Female Ensuite Room

  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 4
  • 4 Twin Bunk Beds
  • Free WiFi

About the neighborhood

Christchurch

Heart of Christchurch.Within a 10-minute walk of this Christchurch City Centre hotel, you'll find One New Zealand Stadium and Cathedral Square. Also, Te Pae Christchurch Convention and Exhibition Centre is within half a mile (1 km) and Hagley Park is within 2 miles (3 km).

What's nearby

  • Riverside Market - 5 min walk - 0.3 miles
  • Cathedral Square - 5 min walk - 0.3 miles
  • Te Pae Christchurch Convention and Exhibition Centre - 8 min walk - 0.5 miles
  • Hagley Park - 13 min walk - 0.7 miles
  • Christchurch Casino - 14 min walk - 0.8 miles

Getting around

  • Christchurch Railway Station - 10 min drive
  • Christchurch International Airport (CHC) - 23 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪C1 Espresso - ‬3 min walk
  • ‪Pink Lady Rooftop - ‬2 min walk
  • ‪Dux Central - ‬4 min walk
  • ‪Akin - ‬3 min walk
  • ‪Sushi Soldier - ‬4 min walk

About this property

Drifter Christchurch

3.5-star hotel near One New Zealand Stadium
Along with a restaurant, there's a coffee shop/cafe on site. You can enjoy a drink at the bar/lounge. WiFi is free in public spaces. A fitness center, a library, and a terrace are also featured at Drifter Christchurch. A complete renovation of Drifter Christchurch was completed in June 2024.

Smoking is allowed in designated areas at this 3.5-star Christchurch hotel.

  • 1 building
  • 95 guestrooms or units
  • 4 levels
  • Self-service laundry
  • Front desk (24 hours)
  • Pool or billiards table
  • Library
  • Terrace
  • Television in lobby
  • Elevator
  • Smoking in designated areas
  • Microwave in a common area
  • Refrigerator in a common area
  • Water dispenser
  • Bar or lounge
  • Coffee shop
  • Dining venue
Drifter Christchurch offers 95 accommodations. Guests can surf the web using the complimentary wireless Internet access. Bathrooms include showers. Housekeeping is offered daily and hair dryers can be requested.

Similar properties

Exterior
BreakFree on Cashel Christchurch
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  • Restaurant
  • Air conditioning
  • Gym
4.2 out of 5, Very Good, 1,007 reviews
$41 nightly
The price is $47
Jun 4 - Jun 5
Total with taxes and fees
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Property amenities

Family friendly

  • Laundry facilities

Internet

  • Available in all rooms: Free WiFi
  • Available in some public areas: Free WiFi

Parking and transportation

  • No onsite parking available

Food and drink

  • A bar/lounge
  • A coffee shop/cafe
  • A restaurant

Things to do

  • Billiards/pool table
  • Books
  • Evening entertainment
  • Fitness classes
  • Gym
  • Library
  • Pilates classes
  • TV in common areas
  • Yoga classes

Accessibility

  • If you have requests for specific accessibility needs, please contact the property using the information on the reservation confirmation received after booking.
  • Elevator (63 inch wide door)
  • Smooth flooring in public areas
  • Tile flooring in public areas
  • Wheelchair accessible (may have limitations)
  • Wheelchair-accessible lounge
  • Wheelchair-accessible path of travel
  • Wheelchair-accessible restaurant

Room amenities

Bedroom

  • Bedsheets provided

Bathroom

  • Hair dryer (on request)
  • Shampoo
  • Shower
  • Soap
  • Toilet paper

More

  • Air conditioning (climate-controlled)
  • Bulk dispensers for toiletries
  • Eco-friendly toiletries
  • Energy-saving switches in guestrooms
  • Heating (climate-controlled)
  • Mobile key entry

Policies

Check-in

Check-in start time: 2:00 PM; Check-in end time: anytime
Minimum check-in age: 18

Check-out

Check-out before 10:00 AM

Special check-in instructions

The property charges 2 percent for credit card payments
Guests will receive smart lock details
Guests are recommended to download the property's Duve mobile app before check-in
Information provided by the property may be translated using automated translation tools

Access methods

Staffed front desk, smart lock

Pets

  • No pets allowed

Children and extra beds

  • Children are welcome.
  • Rollaway/extra beds are not available.

Property payment types

Important information

Optional extras

The fees and deposits listed below will be charged at the time of service, check-in, or check-out.

  • Credit card charges are subject to a surcharge of 2 percent

This may not be a comprehensive list. Fees and deposits are subject to change and might not include tax.

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card, or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
The name on the credit card used at check-in to pay for incidentals must be the primary name on the guestroom reservation
This property accepts credit cards and debit cards; cash is not accepted
Onsite parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher
This property has outdoor spaces, such as balconies, patios, terraces which may not be suitable for children; if you have concerns, we recommend contacting the property prior to your arrival to confirm they can accommodate you in a suitable room
Charges for extra guests may apply and vary according to property policy.
A cash deposit, credit card, or debit card for incidental charges and government-issued photo identification may be required upon check-in.
Special requests are subject to availability at the time of check-in. Special requests can't be guaranteed and may incur additional charges.
    This property is managed by a professional host. The provision of housing is linked to their trade, business, or profession. This property has outdoor spaces, such as balconies, patios, terraces which may not be suitable for children. If you have concerns, we recommend contacting the property prior to your arrival to confirm they can accommodate you in a suitable room. No onsite parking is available. The name on the credit card used at check-in to pay for incidentals must be the primary name on the guestroom reservation. This property accepts Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and debit cards. Cash is not accepted. Onsite parties or group events are strictly prohibited. For guests' safety, the property includes a fire extinguisher in each accommodation. Guests can access their rooms with a mobile device.

Property Registration Number 9429050898268

We should mention

  • Registered guests are the only ones allowed to be in guestrooms.
  • This property welcomes guests of all sexual orientations and gender identities (LGBTQ+ friendly).

National rating

Rating provided by Qualmark®, source of official star ratings for accommodation in New Zealand.

Property is also known as

Drifter Christchurch Christchurch
Drifter Christchurch Hostel/Backpacker accommodation

Frequently asked questions

How close is Drifter Christchurch to the airport?

Drifter Christchurch is 7 mi (23-min drive) away from the Christchurch International Airport (CHC) airport, the closest popular airport to the property.

How much does it cost to stay at Drifter Christchurch?

As of May 21, 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Drifter Christchurch on Jun 4, 2026 start from $85, including taxes and fees. This price is based on the lowest nightly price found in the last 24 hours for stays in the next 30 days. Prices are subject to change. Choose your dates for more accurate prices.

Does Drifter Christchurch have an airport shuttle?

Airport shuttle services are not available at Drifter Christchurch.

How close is Drifter Christchurch to the beach?

This hotel is 6.6 mi (17-min drive) from New Brighton Beach and 7.1 mi (20-min drive) from Sumner Beach. Don't forget your sunscreen!

Does Drifter Christchurch offer free breakfast?

Drifter Christchurch does not offer free breakfast.

Is there a casino at Drifter Christchurch?

No, there is no casino at this hotel, but Christchurch Casino (17-min walk) is nearby.

What time is check-in at Drifter Christchurch?

Check-in start time: 2:00 PM; Check-in end time: anytime.

Is there free parking at Drifter Christchurch?

Free parking is not available at this hotel.

Does Drifter Christchurch have a pool?

Drifter Christchurch does not have a pool.

Does Drifter Christchurch have a restaurant?

Yes, there is a restaurant on site.

Does Drifter Christchurch have a spa?

There are no spa services available at this hotel.

How close is Drifter Christchurch to downtown Christchurch?

Drifter Christchurch is 0.3 mi away from Christchurch.

Drifter Christchurch Reviews

Reviews

9.0

Wonderful

Rating 10 - Excellent. 110 out of 179 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 44 out of 179 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 16 out of 179 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 7 out of 179 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 2 out of 179 reviews

9.4/10

Cleanliness

9.0/10

Staff & service

8.4/10

Amenities

9.0/10

Property conditions & facilities

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Scott

Stayed 1 night in Feb 2026

10/10 Excellent

Liora, hallandale

Stayed 1 night in Feb 2026

10/10 Excellent

Ron

Stayed 1 night in Feb 2026

10/10 Excellent

Amy

Stayed 1 night in Feb 2026

4/10 Poor

Kathryn

Traveled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Disliked: Amenities
Tiny elevator and room. All digital elevator access and lack of space meant long unnecessary delays. This hotel is designed for GenZ only - this should be mentioned in hotel listing. Won’t be staying again.
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2026

8/10 Good

He, auckland

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Room was good and high tech, good location to catch the busses too. But short of reception staff and water was not very hot in shower
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2026

6/10 Okay

Anabel, Dunedin

Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities
Room was fine but very awkward layout. Bed and lounge upstairs and tiny toilet and shower downstairs. No mini fridge and worst shower I have ever had. Check in is a pain, you need to do it all through the app, the you need the website in you phone to use the doors. Then the doors don’t work and you need to call staff to open. Wouldn’t stay again. Better as a backpackers than a hotel.
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2026

10/10 Excellent

Rhiannon

Traveled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Great location and vibe.
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2026

10/10 Excellent

Kristine

Traveled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
New, clean and central
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2026

10/10 Excellent

Zak

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities
Lovely room, amazing shower and bed. Great staff, great coffee.
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2026

10/10 Excellent

Kobus

Traveled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Clean and friendly staff
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2025

10/10 Excellent

Khalid

Traveled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities
Very cool how they mixed a hotel and hostel vibe. We brought our family and it was good for them to see how fun it is for young people to travel like I used to. Check-in was a bit clunky, but not too bad.
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2026

6/10 Okay

Donna

Liked: Cleanliness
Disliked: Amenities
More of a young back packer accomodation not what I was expecting unfortunately
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2026

8/10 Good

Scott

Traveled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Room was tidy and clean. Common areas were also tidy. Though, for a somewhat steep price point - I wouldn’t call this a hotel. It is more of a hostel. There are very limited in room amenities - basically none. It’s a safe, convenient hotel that is a place to rest really - no frills.
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2026

6/10 Okay

Fuk Hing

Disliked: Amenities, property conditions & facilities
一般
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2025

10/10 Excellent

Caren

Lots of interesting characteristics. Nice large balcony that needed cleaning.
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2025

6/10 Okay

Robyn

Traveled with partner
Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Poor access - wheel chair access down a side lane - you need to request access. Have to take luggage up stairs to get in. No parking. Noisey at night from in house bar / club. Multiple emails requesting on line check in - no check in at desk. No fridge in room despite being a Superior King suite. Stayed 4 nights - room not vacuumed. Cups not washed. Not always provided with hand towels and wash clothes. Mixed accommodation - someone sitting on hallway floor. Hotel prices but hostel services.
Stayed 4 nights in Dec 2025

10/10 Excellent

Dale

Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2025

2/10 Terrible

TRICIA

Liked: Amenities
Disliked: Staff & service
I arrived at 4:30 and my room wasn't ready. The digital check in was brutal. If that's how they're going to run it, the lobby should be auto-connect wifi. I wasn't connected, so I didn't receive the message about my room not being ready. I went through the digital checking crap with both my backpacks on me (lobby was packed), finally got to my room to find cleaners in it. I had a zoom meeting I needed to join, so I wish I had known. I didn't realize this was a hostel, so I guess I was just expecting the warm reception of a typical hotel, for the price.
Stayed 1 night in Nov 2025

6/10 Okay

Douglas

Stayed 1 night in Nov 2025

10/10 Excellent

Kendal

Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2025

8/10 Good

John

Liked: Amenities
Quirky. The balcony didn't really look out on anything, but we didn't use it so no big deal.
Stayed 1 night in Nov 2025

10/10 Excellent

Mark

Traveled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
All was good
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2025

10/10 Excellent

janet

Stayed 1 night in Nov 2025

10/10 Excellent

janet

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Great room ,spotless throughout. Great to have big bathtowels too. Staff always helpful and comfortable beds with good quality linen
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2025