Name: Drifter Christchurch
Address: 96 Lichfield Street, Christchurch, Canterbury, 8011
Price range: US$91+
Rating: 8.9

Key details

About the Hotel

96 Lichfield Street, Christchurch, 8011

Steps from Latimer Square

Perfect

9.0

/10

4.0

5.0

Loved by Drifter Christchurch guests

Helpful staff

Comfortable beds

Clean facilities

Cozy common areas

Well-designed rooms

Drifter Christchurch - A vibrant hotel-hostel hybrid with lively common areas and central city access

Drifter Christchurch, a 4-star hotel-hostel hybrid rated 9.0/10 on Booking.com, blends the social energy of a hostel with hotel comforts in Christchurch City-Centre. Rooms include dormitory-style accommodations with 4-8 beds, private doubles, family rooms, and suites, all featuring air conditioning, carpeted floors, and private bathrooms. The property's design emphasizes communal spaces, with vibrant lounges for socializing and shared kitchens for guest use. Nearby landmarks include Latimer Square (0.5 km), Canterbury Museum (1 km), and the Cardboard Cathedral (0.5 km). Dining options like Lower 9th Diner and Bacon Bros Burgers are within 300 meters. Drifter Christchurch offers free high-speed Wi-Fi and caters to groups exploring the city's arts scene and heritage sites.

Pros

The central location provides easy access to key attractions like Canterbury Museum and Latimer Square.

Vibrant communal spaces encourage socializing and group interaction.

Diverse room options range from budget-friendly dorms to private suites.

Multiple dining choices are within walking distance.

Cons

Shared dormitory rooms may lack privacy for some travelers.

No on-site parking is available.

Select your room type

Drifter Christchurch offers a variety of rooms including double rooms, family rooms, and suites with breakfast, free cancelations, and special deals

Bunkhouse Superior
2 persons
130 sq. feet
4 Bunk beds
Air conditioning
Heating
room details
Superior Twin Room
2 persons
130 sq. feet
2 Single beds
Air conditioning
Heating
room details
Superior Queen Room Balcony
2 persons
175 sq. feet
1 Queen-size bed
Air conditioning
Balcony
room details

Show all rooms

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Facilities

Drifter Christchurch offers amenities for your comfortable stay and unforgettable experiences

Facilities: Perfect

9.1/10Review score

General

No smoking on site
Wi-Fi
24-hour reception
Express check-in/ -out
No pets allowed
Security
Lift
Vending machines
Fireplace
Smoke detectors
Fire extinguishers

Sports & Fitness

Fitness club
Billiard tables
Yoga class

Services

Housekeeping
Laundry
Tours/Ticket assistance
Happy hour

Dining

Restaurant
Bar/ Lounge area

Business

Meeting/ Banquet facilities

Children

Board games
Game room

Spa & Leisure

Live entertainment
Sun terrace
Leisure/ TV room

Room features

Air conditioning
Heating
Terrace
Garden furniture

Self-catering

Shared kitchen

Media

Flat-screen TV

Room decor

Carpeted floor
Curtains

Drifter Christchurch Location

96 Lichfield Street, Christchurch, 8011

Map view

City landmarks

Museum

Canterbury Museum

4300 ft

Gallery

Christchurch Art Gallery

3600 ft

Square

New Regent Street

2200 ft

Museum

Quake City

3400 ft

Landmark

2011 quake memorials

2200 ft

Landmark

Victoria Square

3000 ft

Church

Christchurch Cathedral

3100 ft

Fountain

Peacock Fountain

4000 ft

Park

North Hagley Park

1.2 mi

Landmark

Christchurch Town Hall

3700 ft

Park

Hagley Park

1.1 mi

Landmark

Avon River

5000 ft

Landmark

Christ's College

4300 ft

Museum

CoCA - Centre of Contemporary Art

2400 ft

Casino

Christchurch Casino

4300 ft

Landmark

Tree Houses for Swamp Dwellers

2700 ft

Nearby

Church

Cardboard Cathedral

1900 ft

Bridge

Bridge of Remembrance

1700 ft

Corner of Cashel and Madras Street

185 Empty White Chairs

1400 ft

Worcester Street Central City

Latimer Square

1500 ft

Oxford Terrace

Kate Sheppard Memorial

1700 ft

105 Cathedral Square

Godley Statue

1500 ft

68 Oxford Terrace Corner of Oxford Terrace and Montreal Street

Canterbury Earthquake National Memorial

2000 ft

Waterloo Place

Statue of Robert Falcon Scott

1900 ft

Cashel Street

1200 ft

Square

Cathedral Square

1400 ft

100 Cathedral Sqiuare Next To The Christchurch Cathedral

Chalice Sculpture

1500 ft

From Cathedral Square to Rolleston Avenue Central City

Worcester Boulevard

1600 ft

Church

St Michael And All Angels'

1700 ft

Restaurants

Bacon Bros Burgers

800 ft

181 High Street Little High Eatery

Smoke 'n' Barrel

800 ft

84 Falsgrave Street Inside Brew Academy

Coffee Smiths

800 ft

192 Cashel Street

Sal's Authentic New York Pizza

700 ft

86 Hereford Street Down Shands Lane

Muffin Break

700 ft

628-658 Colombo Street Bus Interchange

BASE Woodfired Pizza

1500 ft

181 High Street Little High Eatery

Hanoi Old Quarter

800 ft

617 Colombo Street Shop 5A

Roll & Bowl

900 ft

617 Colombo Street

Auntie Dai's Dumplings

1000 ft

628 - 658 Colombo Street Christchurch Bus Interchange

Caribe Latin Kitchen

1100 ft

255 St Asaph Street

Explore Christchurch

Experience Christchurch

Canterbury Museum

16 minutes' walk

Canterbury Museum showcases natural history and Maori culture, featuring free admission and engaging exhibitions.

Christchurch Art Gallery

14 minutes' walk

An award-winning space, Christchurch Art Gallery features contemporary artworks and free admission to ongoing exhibitions.

Quake City

13 minutes' walk

Quake City is a museum dedicated to the 2011 earthquake, offering insights into the event and its impact on the community.

Bridge of Remembrance

7 minutes' walk

The iconic Bridge of Remembrance commemorates soldiers from both World Wars, with beautiful views along the Avon River.

Kayaking on the Avon River

15 minutes' walk

Kayaking on the tranquil Avon River offers a unique perspective of the cityscape. Rentals are available nearby, perfect for families.

Margaret Mahy Family Playground

12 minutes' walk

An expansive playground offering play areas for all ages, perfect for families to unwind or for solo visitors to relax.

Bacon Bros Burgers

3 minutes' walk

A casual gem known for its gourmet burgers and laid-back vibe. Popular options include the bacon cheeseburger.

Smoke 'n' Barrel

3 minutes' walk

This barbecue spot offers a rustic atmosphere and a variety of smoked meats. Vegetarian options are available.

Christchurch Casino

16 minutes' walk

A vibrant casino offering gaming, live shows, and dining. Family-friendly options include casual eateries inside.

CoCA - Centre of Contemporary Art

10 minutes' walk

CoCA features contemporary art exhibitions and events, fostering a creative atmosphere perfect for art lovers.

Getting around

City Centre
Christchurch 4 min · 1000 ft
Airports
Christchurch (CHC) 17 min · 6.9 mi

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Property information and rules

Check-in

from 14:00-23:59

Check-out

until 10 am

Internet

Wireless internet is available in the entire hotel for free.

Pets

Pets are not allowed.

Number of rooms:

237

Reviews and Ratings

Feedback about Drifter Christchurch from previous guests about their experience.

Review summary

Based on recent reviews

Drifter Christchurch impresses guests with its modern and clean aesthetic, boasting various cozy spaces like a library, cinema, and yoga room. The location is particularly convenient, being near the bus station. Guests appreciate the spacious dorm rooms that include two bathrooms and, in some cases, a large balcony. Some guests have noted that the kitchen can get crowded due to the number of guests. Overall, the hotel provides a unique experience with features like free kitchen essentials and options to open room keys via an app.

Review score

Based on 4 verified reviews

8.9 /10

Great

100%

Recommend

Location

9.6/10

Cleanliness

9.3/10

Breakfast

7.4/10

Paid Wi-Fi

8.6/10

Pros

Communal areas

Clean rooms

Comfy bed

Central location

Cons

Sleepless night

Small lockers

Jonathan from United Kingdom

Single

Shared Suite 4 Bed

3 nights in August 2026

Reviewed: November 06, 2025

9/10

private bathroom innovative app

the room included a private bathroom inside the shared suite this offered added convenience the check-in process involved downloading an app which then acted as the room key and elevator access this felt innovative and streamlined.

the level of kitchen storage was quite limited it proved difficult to find adequate space for groceries given the number of guests

0 Helpful

Louise from Canada

Single

Superior Queen

4 nights in November 2025

Reviewed: January 21, 2026

8.5/10

Excellent Stay in Central Location

modern decor good lighting shared spaces convenient location

The room had modern decor and good lighting. I liked the shared spaces. They were well kept and provided many seating options. The kitchen provided adequate utensils. it was a bit small. The location was very convenient. It was near the bus station.

The key access system was somewhat unreliable. I had trouble with the app.

Service

9/10

The staff greeted me upon arrival and answered questions about local spots! They were attentive, very helpful and friendly, offering assistance whenever needed. Their communication was excellent throughout the stay.

Dining

8/10

The hotel offered a breakfast option for an extra charge of $15. There was a bar downstairs! Guests could purchase snacks and drinks from vending machines. They had tea bags and other drinks for free.

0 Helpful

Connor from Australia

Single

Superior Queen

4 nights in October 2025

Reviewed: November 08, 2025

9.0/10

excellent stay, good amenities

kitchen amenity common area

i found the location quite convenient, near the bus station and many restaurants. the kitchen and common areas are fantastic amenities! i particularly enjoyed the relaxing room options. the staff were helpful.

Location

9/10

The hotel's proximity to the bus station offers great convenience. Many restaurants are accessible. its central location offers great access to public transportation, which i liked.

Service

8/10

some staff were very helpful, particularly at reception. quick assistance was available for various inquiries, and their support enhanced my experience there.

Dining

9/10

i found many dining options nearby, with a variety of restaurants accessible from the hotel. these included diverse cuisines, and they offered a great culinary experience in the surrounding area.

Facilities

10/10

the kitchen facilities allow guests to prepare meals, and multiple common areas create space to relax. there are lots of rooms like a library and a lounge, they are clean.

0 Helpful

Ethan from United States

Single

Shared Suite 4 Bed

3 nights in August 2026

Reviewed: October 25, 2025

9/10

cinema room quiet space useful kitchen

the cinema room had a good selection of movies. the board and study room provided a quiet space. i found the communal kitchen useful though it was a bit small.

the app to access the room doors required some personal data.

0 Helpful

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