Grand Hotel in Akaroa, Christchurch, New Zealand | Hotel

Welcome to the Grand Hotel, Akaroa, New Zealand. The Grand Hotel has 9 stylishly appointed double/twin rooms. All rooms have super kingsize beds, ensuites and Sky TV. All our rooms open onto balconies with views of Akaroa Harbour. We also offer Budget Tourist accommodation.

The town's historical association with the French began when Jean Langlois, captain of the french whaling ship Cachalot, negotiated with a local Maori chief to buy Banks Peninsula. Langlois returned to France and established the Nanto Bordelaise Company to found the French settlement.

In March 1840, 63 immigrants (French & German) set out for the long voyage to NZ on the Comte De Paris, accompanied by the warship L'Aube.

They were unaware that the British had claimed sovereignty over New Zealand under the terms of the Treat of Waitangi and, only two days before these ships arrived with the nucleus of Akaroa's first European settlement, the Union Jack was raised at Green Point.

The immigrants stayed however, and sttled in the Northern part of town.

One of these settlers, a German name Jacob Waeckerle, was granted the original license for the Grand Hotel. In 1860 he built a Hotel at the entrance to Akaroa on the site the Grand now stands. It was then called the French Hotel.