What does it take to become a true icon of genuine Kiwi Hospitality? From humble beginnings to one of the most recognised hotels in Christchurch, the Commodore Hotel is a story of family grit, guest focus, and good timing.
It started with a vision - and a patch of land by the airport. In 1971, Gisborne publican Noni Ward took a gamble, buying six and a half acres on Memorial Avenue. She invited her son-in-law, Tom Patterson, to help build something new: a family-run hotel with just 24 rooms.
Christmas Day that year, the Commodore Hotel opened its doors, and Tom had his hands full, quite literally, with four kids under five. As Christchurch grew, so did the Commodore “with a bit of courage, and help from the local bank manager,” recalls son Thomas.
From its early years hosting coach tours and Commonwealth Games visitors, to partnerships with Antarctic research crews, the hotel became known for its down-to-earth welcome and quietly excellent service.
With the passing of Tom in 2019, the mantle was passed to the three adult sons Michael, Thomas and Ken. Through every challenge - including the acquisition of five-star Queenstown Park Boutique Hotel, and buying Hotel Montreal – and transforming it back into a five-star hotel (having been a COVID facility), the Pattersons kept expanding, adapting, and adding a personal touch.
With hospitality in their veins, they leveraged the Commodore land to build a new tennis court, two pickleball courts and a basketball court, cementing the hotel’s reputation for tremendous leisure facilities.
Today, this second generation runs a group that includes Christchurch and Queenstown car hire company Touchdown Rentals and self-contained luxury apartments The Tack Rooms, just off Victoria Street. But the heart of the business hasn’t changed.
“Dad always said - make guests feel like they’ve come home,” says Michael, who now manages the Commodore. “That’s still the goal, but it’s hard to do for every guest.”
Fifty-plus years on, three Patterson brothers still call the shots, each with their own hotel, and a shared commitment to doing things right. No cookie-cutter rooms. No sterile service. Just warm hospitality, grounded in family values.
“We had a fun childhood growing up on-site,” says Thomas. “Hospitality was in our blood.” And the legacy keeps growing.