The Grosvenor Hotel, affectionately known as the "Grand Old Lady of the South," is a historic Timaru landmark whose foundation stone was laid in 1875. The original building burnt down shortly after completion, and the facade seen today dates from a 1915 rebuild. Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II stayed at the hotel twice, and the Canterbury Rugby Football Union was formed there on 26 July 1879.
Today the hotel is home to TGB Restaurant & Bar, a Timaru institution located in a one-of-a-kind historical building with dramatic high ceilings, exposed brick and modern touches, alongside a gaming lounge and three conference rooms. The 28 hotel rooms include eco-friendly, sustainable elements like vintage furniture, low-VOC paints and recycled materials, and are pet-friendly, with art by local and international artists featured throughout the common areas.
The Grosvenor is centrally located and described as a great place to catch up with friends and family, whether for a meal, a drink, or an event. The property is currently undertaking earthquake strengthening work in some areas of the building.
Few buildings in Timaru carry as much history as The Grosvenor Hotel. Its foundation stone was laid in 1875, though the hotel got off to a rough start - shortly after completion, the original building burnt down. The facade seen today comes from a rebuild in 1915, and the hotel has carried the affectionate nickname "Grand Old Lady of the South" ever since.
The Grosvenor's pedigree runs deep. Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II has stayed at the hotel twice, and on 26 July 1879, the Canterbury Rugby Football Union was formed within its walls - a small but notable piece of New Zealand rugby history tied to this one building.
Today, the hotel is home to TGB Restaurant & Bar, described as a Timaru institution set within the historic building's dramatic high ceilings, exposed brick, and modern touches. The bar is open seven days a week from 10am until late, while the kitchen runs breakfast, lunch and dinner service throughout the week - a genuine mix of old-world character and contemporary hospitality.
The Grosvenor has evolved well beyond a place to simply stay. Alongside the restaurant and bar, there's a gaming lounge and three conference rooms, making the venue suited to everything from a casual meal to board meetings, conferences, team building events, private parties, birthday celebrations and weddings.
The hotel's 28 rooms lean into eco-friendly and sustainable design, featuring vintage furniture, low-VOC paints and recycled materials. Rooms are pet-friendly, and the common areas, corridors and landings showcase art from local and international artists, adding to the building's distinctly bohemian, modern-meets-historic character.
The Grosvenor is currently undertaking earthquake strengthening work in some areas of the building. The team is making every effort to minimise the impact on the guest experience during this process.
The Grosvenor is centrally located at 26 Cains Terrace, Timaru, and is a popular spot to catch up with friends and family over a meal or drink. The bar is open seven days from 10am until late, with breakfast, lunch and dinner served through the kitchen at set times across the week.