Hotel Off The Square

Latest Update: 14th May 2011

timn — Sat, 14 May 2011 01:39:33 +0000

Earlier this week we were given a short window of access to enter the hotel and retrieve bags and items from rooms along with records. Items were removed from all rooms and are now being filed and stored. The next stage will be to contact guests with regards to returning these items.

Christchurch City Center is still off limits, with the cordons now closing in closer to the center. The hotel still remains in the “Red Zone”. At this time there is no understanding when the hotel will be open for business.

Update: 16th April

admin — Mon, 25 Apr 2011 06:15:08 +0000

All reports are of a very badly damaged city. More areas around the Red Zone are being opened up. Haven’t heard from officials that we can enter, but we have now heard of a scheme to help hoteliers. With the appropriate sign off from engineers to allow safe entry, we apparently could get access sooner. The program to remove food waste was trialled and a new approach worked on. Unfortunately there was a big earthquake last night, the biggest since Feb 22nd and this may hold matters up again. We are close to Easter, so that coul figure. Hopefully not to long now.

Update: 8th April

admin — Mon, 25 Apr 2011 06:14:33 +0000

Hello. It is April 8th and the situation has not changed at all. There is apparently further planning to arrange for access to hotels in the earthquake Red Zone, but no official information has come as to when this will be. We await that. It is frustrating, but the situation is truly a disaster zone and it has been apparent that some don’t comprehend what that means.

We have no access to computer records, there is no power there, no office, no staff, no access for insurers to start assessment work and so on. We do our best to give helpful information, but we just can’t operate in any form at present. There is information that part of the front of the building was damaged and this quarter will need to be rebuilt. Again, until we have access we can’t do any engineering assessment. All very difficult!

Thank you for your understanding. We don’t have a chain office elsewhere or anything of the like. Major and big issues first and then on from there. As previously noted, we are in the interim closed. We will advise guests as soon as we have access and can arrange with you for retrieval. It is going to take time to assess when the hotel can re open. Any change will be immediately notified on this website.

Update: 29th March

admin — Mon, 25 Apr 2011 06:13:26 +0000

As at Tuesday March 29th, the situation has not changed. We still have no access and the arranging of getting guest goods back, is still a way forward. We will advise, as soon as something happens.

The hotel remains unaccessable as at Sat 19th March. Messages are best

left at e mail address Apologies.

Update: 8th of March

admin — Mon, 25 Apr 2011 06:13:00 +0000

Hello everyone. Tim Nicholls owner of Off the Square here.

It is Tuesday the 8th of March and we are just surfacing. No power, water off, lots of problems in our homes. Now getting back to services.

Staff are all safe. The hotel is in the Red Zone and we are not allowed anywhere near there. The have started letting people in to the outer areas of the downtown cut off area, but all is too dangerous for our area, as yet.

We cannot retrieve bags , computers and so on. We will communicate at the earliest, once we know. For now the hotel is closed and not operating. The circumstance of that is going to run on for a long time. Who knows, at present, whether, even the biggest part of the hotel, which is again OK, it can be operated in the shorter term.

Disaster Zone

admin — Mon, 25 Apr 2011 06:09:11 +0000

It is a disaster zone. We are in the process of getting telephone re direction. Maybe a day or two. You can contact by writing to Off The Square, Box 13196, Christchurch. More urgent communications can be sent to me at e mail;

tim@offthesquare.com

As I write a police helicopter is overhead. The area is still a disaster area and it is going to be a long grind to get our city back on its feet. I appreciate your understanding.

end 2.35pm March 8th

Christchurch City Closed

admin — Wed, 23 Feb 2011 11:51:59 +0000

Hotel off the square is closed due to the earthquake, and will not be opening in the near future.

Rescue teams are sweeping the central city and the lockdown may not be lifted until the end of the week.

As such, if you can avoid coming to Christchurch, please do! Accommodation is extremely limited as the rescue effort increases in size.Guests that are trying to get out of Christchurch should contact their embassy’s as police will not let anyone into the building to collect luggage or passports.Bags and passports will be held at the hotel until we can get them out and sent to guests.

Our sincerest apologizes and hope that all guest and staff are safe. Our website will be updated as more information comes to light.

February 23rd 2011, 5pm

Earthquake in Christchurch

admin — Tue, 22 Feb 2011 07:20:01 +0000

A 6.3 Earthquake has hit 10km South East of Christchurch city, at a depth of 5km at 12.55pm today. As a result, the city is in a state of shock with vast damage to the City Centre. A state of emergency has been called, with the central city being cordoned off. We will post updates as they happen.

Hopefully everyone reading this is safe along with your loved ones.

Website Feedback

admin — Tue, 08 Feb 2011 12:44:34 +0000

Welcome to our New Website. My name is Vincent Baker and i have recently joint the Off The Square team to aid in the ever growing marketing front. As such, we have recently updated our site and would love your feed back, so please vote on our poll in the side bar, and feel free to leave a comment.

Thank you for your time

Airport Transfers

admin — Thu, 08 Apr 2010 07:36:27 +0000

You can pre-arrange your airport transport with us prior to arrival. When making a booking through our website, please indicate “Airport Transfer In or Out” and your Flight Number in the comments box.

Pick up from Christchurch Airport $45.

Drop off to Christchurch Airport $35.

$5.00 of the fare will be donated to our ‘Open Hand’ charitable fund – to those who are needy.