Events at 13 Gladstone Rd, Gisborne

Name: 13 Gladstone Rd
Address: Gisborne, New Zealand

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About 13 Gladstone Rd

13 Gladstone Road is home to the Emerald Hotel – a 4-star hotel and conference centre in central Gisborne, New Zealand. Opened in 2007 on the city’s waterfront (invest.jll.com) (emeraldhotel.co.nz), it was Gisborne–Tairāwhiti’s first fully integrated hotel and conference facility (emeraldhotel.co.nz) (www.eventconnect.com). The complex uniquely combines a modern five-storey block of 50 rooms with an adjacent heritage building (“Number 9” Gladstone) – a classic Victorian timber-floor ballroom (emeraldhotel.co.nz) (invest.jll.com). Many suites offer river or harbour views (even Young Nick’s Head is visible from upper-floor balconies) (www.tripadvisor.co.nz). Signature features include spacious conference rooms and a riverside location surrounded by shops, cafés and Gisborne’s inner-harbour marina (emeraldhotel.co.nz) (www.tripadvisor.co.nz). The hotel’s warm boutique decor – light-filled rooms with modern furnishings – reflects its upscale character. Reviews note that the Emerald provides “all the benefits of boutique accommodation” right in the city centre (www.tripadvisor.co.nz). For visitors and locals alike, the Emerald Hotel has become a landmark venue for conferences, weddings and special events.

Events and Programming

13 Gladstone Road (Emerald Hotel) hosts a wide range of events. As the venue’s website notes, it “plays host to a wide selection of functions including weddings, conferences, reunions, meetings, workshops, mediations and seminars” (emeraldhotel.co.nz). The hotel’s conference facilities can accommodate small board meetings up to large dinners. For example, the Emerald Ballroom can be set banquet-style for ~300 guests or theatre-style for 350, with space for up to 400 in reception mode (www.eventconnect.com) (emeraldhotel.co.nz). Other rooms (Waimata, Taruheru, Turanganui) seat ~50–100 each at tables (www.eventconnect.com), making them ideal for breakout sessions or training. Many groups use the hotel for multi-day conferences and social gatherings. It’s also popular for bus tours, car or motorbike rallies, and sports team accommodation (emeraldhotel.co.nz). Evening entertainment (for example, jazz nights or service clubs meetings) occasionally fills the Rivers Bar & Restaurant (on-site), although large public concerts are rare. In short, programming ranges from corporate conferences and seminars to celebratory banquets and family reunions. Typical room rates for guests run from about NZ$199–299 per night during peak season (emeraldhotel.co.nz), and event organisers can often arrange custom catering packages through the hotel’s events team.

Tickets and Booking

There is no public box office at the Emerald Hotel – tickets and RSVPs for any music or theatre nights are handled by the individual event organisers. Guests should check each event’s official page or ticket site for booking details. For private events (like weddings or conferences), bookings are made directly with the hotel’s event coordinators. Room reservations can be made online or via phone, and are often bundled with conference packages. It’s wise to book well in advance for any popular dates, as the venue can fill up quickly (especially during summer or long weekends). The official website and travel sites list specials (standard suites from NZ$199, pool-view from $229, river-view suites from $249, 2-bedroom apartments from $299 (emeraldhotel.co.nz)), but package prices can vary based on time of year and group size. Finally, most corporate bookings involve a deposit and credit card guarantee (the hotel requires a bond at check-in) as specified in its terms (emeraldhotel.co.nz).

Seating and Layout

The Emerald’s event spaces are flexible. The main Emerald Ballroom (412m²) has no fixed seating – organisers can arrange round tables, theatre chairs or cabaret seating. Maximum capacities are roughly 350–400 (theatre to cocktail) or 300 at dining tables (www.eventconnect.com). Two mid-sized rooms (Waimata and Taruheru, each ~91m²) seat about 50 in boardroom/classroom style or 75 theatre-style (www.eventconnect.com). A larger Taruheru/Turanganui room (126m²) holds ~100 theatre and 45 classroom seating (www.eventconnect.com). All rooms have ceiling-mounted projectors, screens and sound systems available through in-house support (emeraldhotel.co.nz). In practice, the “best” seats vary by event: front tables in banquet mode, centre rows in theatre mode, etc. The long room has tiered raised platforms along one side for staging, and central guest tables are flanked by aisles for presentations. A 104m² pre-function foyer can host about 110 standing guests (www.eventconnect.com) – handy for cocktail receptions or registration areas. Acoustics are generally good for speaking and music, and the venue can dim house lights or use spotlights as needed. Overall, there are no obstructed views or “bad seats” in this modern event centre, thanks to its open layout and in-house AV gear.

Getting There and Parking

The Emerald Hotel sits at 13 Gladstone Road in central Gisborne, just off Reads Quay by a river inlet (emeraldhotel.co.nz). This location is within the downtown area – you’ll be surrounded by shops, cafés, theatres and the nearby Tairāwhiti Museum (emeraldhotel.co.nz). For drivers, the hotel provides 89 on-site car parks in its private lot (invest.jll.com). These spaces are free for hotel guests and event attendees. In addition, the Gisborne City Council notes there are around 1,000 free all-day street parks in the CBD, within easy walking distance of Gladstone Rd (www.gdc.govt.nz) (metered parking is only enforced beyond those areas). If arriving by bus, note the city’s central GizzyBus terminal is at Bright St and Gladstone Rd – literally a block from the hotel (www.gdc.govt.nz). Long-distance coaches (InterCity) use the stop outside the Gisborne i-SITE at 209 Grey St, about 0.7km away (www.intercity.co.nz). Taxi stands and local hook-up pickup/drop-off points are also nearby on Gladstone and Reads Quay. Gisborne Airport (code GIZ) is only ~3km west – about a 5–10 minute drive (www.rome2rio.com). Rideshare services are limited in Gisborne, so most visitors rely on taxis, shuttle vans or rental cars. (Extra tip: Gisborne has few major hills, so the hotel is easy to reach on foot or by bicycle if you’re already in town.)

Inside the Venue

Stepping inside 13 Gladstone Road, guests enter a modern glass-front lobby. Check-in is handled at reception (photo ID and credit card imprint are requested at arrival (emeraldhotel.co.nz)). Luggage carts and bell service are available. Security is standard hotel style (keycard entry to elevators). The corridor art and warm lighting give a friendly vibe; staff are generally described in reviews as welcoming and helpful. On the amenities side, all 50 rooms have free high-speed Wi-Fi (www.hotel.com.au), flat-screen TVs, air conditioning and in-room tea/coffee. Many rooms also include microwave, refrigerator and toiletries. Common areas include a swimming pool and spa (note: the on-site gym/fitness centre may be temporarily under renovation (www.hotel.com.au)), and the hotel’s entry courtyard has outdoor seating opening to the restaurant. Restrooms are located in the lobby and each conference level; accessible toilets serve wheelchair users. For families, rollaway beds and cots are provided (children 0–6 stay free, ages 6+ incur NZ$30 per night) (emeraldhotel.co.nz). Food and drink are available via the Rivers Restaurant & Bar (ground floor, open to guests and outside patrons). This Irish-style pub/restaurant (with 520+ reviews listing) serves hearty fare and drink (www.tripadvisor.co.nz). The hotel itself does not run a daily buffet, but can arrange on-site catering in the ballroom or restaurant space. Vending machines and ice buckets are provided for convenience. An on-site laundry and dry cleaning service is available for guests. Coat check is generally organized per event, and wireless PA/AV equipment is provided by the venue for conferences. In summary, expect a polished, business-friendly atmosphere inside – with complimentary Wi-Fi, friendly service, and full conference support from A/V to catering.

Nearby Amenities

Because 13 Gladstone Rd is in the heart of Gisborne, everything is within easy reach. Dozens of cafés and restaurants line Gladstone Road itself. Steps from the hotel you will find popular dining spots like The Works (a Euro/New Zealand fusion eatery 0.5 km away (www.tripadvisor.co.nz)) and Maya Indian Cuisine. If arriving early, guests often grab breakfast at nearby cafés such as Toby’s or Kitten and The Bear (a local favourite bakery). For nightlife, the on-site Rivers Bar serves evening drinks, and within a few hundred metres the downtown wine bars and breweries offer more options. If you need to purchase any last-minute items, supermarkets, a pharmacy and a liquor store are all in the CBD. Tourists will enjoy the proximity to the waterfront: the riverside boardwalk is only metres away (emeraldhotel.co.nz). A short bridge leads to the new Kiwa Aquatic Centre (swimming pools), perfect for a morning swim. Beyond the immediate bay walkway is Titirangi/Kaiti Hill, a morning hike spot with panoramic sunrise views over Young Nick’s Head. Conveniently, the hotel is also a short drive from other hotels and motels in Gisborne for visitors who prefer competition; but the Emerald itself is by far the largest city-centre venue. For weary travellers, local ONZM taxis and rideshare (taxi apps) operate 24/7, and car rental counters are in town as well. In summary: arrive early, pop into any local café or the museum across the road, then head to the venue in plenty of time. The city centre of Gisborne is compact, walkable and friendly for tour groups and leisure visitors alike.

What Makes This Venue Special

The Emerald Hotel stands out in Gisborne’s scene for combining modern conference convenience with local character. Architecturally, it married a brand-new 4-star block (with glass balconies and river views) to an old timber ballroom next door (emeraldhotel.co.nz). Visiting artists and speakers often note the unique historic charm of “Number 9 Gladstone” – a restored Victorian-era dance hall with polished wooden floors – which adds heritage ambience to events. On the tech side, the venue was promoted as Gisborne’s “first full-service 4+ star hotel with state-of-the-art conference facilities” (www.eventconnect.com), meaning guests get top-tier sound/lighting gear setup by professional AV staff (emeraldhotel.co.nz). Culturally, locals take pride that “the first city to see the sun” now has its own five-star meeting space (www.eventconnect.com) (www.intercity.co.nz). In practical terms, the Emerald matters because it keeps large events local – instead of flying groups elsewhere, Tairāwhiti organisations can host galas and conventions at home on the bay. The hotel has seen memorable moments such as expansion of local business conferences and celebrations of the city’s heritage, even though it’s too new to have centuries of history. Artists who’ve been there comment on the sweeping river and bay views (from balconies and upper suites) (www.tripadvisor.co.nz). Every detail – from the spacious foyer to the friendly staff – is set up to impress guests and make them feel at home in Gisborne. In short, both audiences and performers love the Emerald because it feels like a high-end attending space that still carries a touch of local story (first sunrise, local culture) (www.eventconnect.com) (www.tripadvisor.co.nz).

Visitor Tips and Information

For accessibility, the Emerald is wheelchair-friendly: it has elevators to all floors, plus accessible bathrooms and wide corridors (emeraldhotel.co.nz). Guests should plan to check in after 2:00 pm and check out by 10:00 am (standard hotel policy (emeraldhotel.co.nz)). The front desk will ask for a credit card and photo ID on arrival (emeraldhotel.co.nz), and holds a refundable NZ$200 bond per room for incidentals. All rooms are non-smoking (emeraldhotel.co.nz) – violators pay a $200 cleaning fee – and cooking odorous food is not permitted. (In other words, avoid open candles or strong seafood smells.) There is also a strict no-party policy inside the rooms (emeraldhotel.co.nz); loud late-night music or large informal gatherings in guest rooms are not allowed. If you need quiet, choose a higher floor or a “river view” room overlooking the harbour – these get morning sun and are away from street noise. Plan to bring warm layers: even Gisborne can get cool sea breezes at night. Take business-casual attire for events and a nicer outfit for dinners or photo ops. Wi-Fi is complimentary throughout the building (www.hotel.com.au), but if connectivity is critical, consider re-confirming any tele-/video setups with event tech staff. Guests with mobility issues can happily stay here (the website highlights that room layouts include grab bars and roll-in showers (emeraldhotel.co.nz)). Families are also welcome: up to two children per room (under age 6) stay free, and extra beds are $30 per older child (emeraldhotel.co.nz). Local currency is NZ dollars; credit cards (Visa/Mastercard) work everywhere in town. If you’re coming from the airport, Gisborne Airport (GIZ) is very close – a taxi or shuttle is only ~3 km (about 5 min) away (www.rome2rio.com). Once here, don’t miss the sunrise view from Titirangi (Kaiti Hill) first thing in the morning, a quick taxi or walk via the river path (emeraldhotel.co.nz) (www.intercity.co.nz). Finally, remember that Gisborne is in New Zealand’s rural heartland – cell coverage is usually good, but if going on longer country trips after your visit, pack seeds, dress warmly (it can cool quickly after dusk), and enjoy the outdoor scenery.

What types of events are held at 13 Gladstone Road?

The Emerald Hotel hosts a very wide range of functions. According to its website, it regularly welcomes conferences, meetings, workshops, reunions, seminars and weddings (emeraldhotel.co.nz). Tour groups, car/motorbike rallies and sports club events also book the venue (emeraldhotel.co.nz). In practice you might see corporate conferences, training events, gala dinners, birthday/anniversary parties or community gatherings scheduled here.

What is the capacity of the Emerald Ballroom?

The Emerald Ballroom (the main event hall) can be arranged for roughly 300–350 people seated banquet-style, or up to 400 people in a standing-room reception (www.eventconnect.com). If you need precise numbers, the event listings show ~350 theatre seats and 300 dining seats in that room (www.eventconnect.com). Smaller breakout rooms in the venue typically hold 50–100 guests each.

How many guest rooms does the Emerald Hotel have?

The Emerald Hotel has 50 accommodation rooms in its block (invest.jll.com). This includes standard suites, pool-view rooms, river-view rooms and a couple of larger executive apartments. In all cases the rooms are ensuite and the hotel offers full hotel services.

Is there a restaurant or bar on site?

Yes. The Emerald Hotel is adjacent to the Rivers Restaurant & Bar, an Irish-themed pub/restaurant (hundreds of reviews, open daily) (www.tripadvisor.co.nz). The hotel itself doesn’t have a separate breakfast buffet or in-house café, but dining can be arranged at Rivers or via external caterers. The bar serves dinner and drinks to guests and public patrons.

Does the venue offer free Wi-Fi?

Yes, complimentary high-speed Wi-Fi is provided throughout the hotel (lobby and all rooms) (www.hotel.com.au). Guests and conference delegates typically find the connection reliable for web browsing and streaming. For large online presentations you can request extra bandwidth or a wired connection through reception.

Is parking available at the venue?

Yes. The property includes a private car park with 89 spaces (invest.jll.com). Hotel guests and event attendees can park there free of charge. Additionally, Gisborne CBD has about 1000 free on-street car parks within walking distance (www.gdc.govt.nz), so overflow parking is usually easy (meters only apply outside those areas).

What public transportation serves the Emerald Hotel?

For local travel, the city bus (“GizzyBus”) terminal is at Bright St and Gladstone Rd, essentially just around the corner (www.gdc.govt.nz). Several urban routes stop within a block of the hotel. For intercity travel, coaches from other towns (InterCity buses) arrive at the i-SITE office on Grey Street, then it’s about a 10-minute walk (700m) to the hotel (www.intercity.co.nz). There is no train service to Gisborne.

Is the Emerald Hotel wheelchair accessible?

Yes. The hotel is designed to be wheelchair-friendly. Many rooms have accessible (grip-equipped) bathrooms, and there are lifts to all floors (emeraldhotel.co.nz). The conference hall and meeting rooms are on the ground level with ramp access, and restroom facilities are also ADA-compliant. The venue welcomes guests with mobility needs and has staff to assist.

What is the smoking policy?

All rooms at Emerald Hotel are strictly non-smoking (emeraldhotel.co.nz). If a guest violates this policy (or uses vaping devices indoors), there is a substantial housekeeping fee (about NZ$200) for cleaning. Smoking is only allowed in designated outdoor areas sufficiently far from open doors. The same rule applies at conferences – nobody is allowed to smoke inside the building.

What are the check-in and check-out times?

Standard hotel policy applies: guests may check in from 2:00 pm and must check out by 10:00 am (emeraldhotel.co.nz). Early check-in or late check-out is sometimes available on request (usually for an extra fee). If you plan to arrive outside those hours, notify the hotel in advance for late-arrival arrangements.

Are children allowed to stay, and is there an extra fee?

Yes, children are welcome. The hotel’s policy is that one infant (0–5 years) stays free in existing bedding, and each additional guest aged 6 or older incurs a NZ$30/night fee (emeraldhotel.co.nz). Cribs are available for infants. In summary, a family of two adults and one toddler pays no extra fee, but any child over age 5 requires the extra charge.

How far is the Emerald Hotel from Gisborne Airport?

Gisborne Airport (GIZ) is very close – roughly 3 kilometres (about 5–10 minutes’ drive) from the hotel (www.rome2rio.com). Most visitors simply take a taxi or shuttle van from outside the terminal. There are usually taxis waiting at the airport, and the fare is quite modest due to the short distance.

Can I pop into stores or museums nearby?

Absolutely. The hotel is literally in the city centre (within walking distance of shops and the Tairāwhiti Museum) (emeraldhotel.co.nz). Right next to the hotel is the riverside boardwalk – a great stroll for newcomers. Just over the bridge you’ll find the new Kiwa Pools complex (indoors) and Titirangi Hill (Kaiti) for those wishing to hike for panoramic views. In short, anything downtown is a short walk or taxi ride away.

What scenic views can I see from the hotel?

Many rooms and the executive suites offer lovely views of Gisborne’s waterways and surrounding landmarks (www.tripadvisor.co.nz). From the upper floors you can look out across the Turanganui River to Kaiti Hill, and some balconies even face Young Nick’s Head on the horizon (www.tripadvisor.co.nz). Guests often enjoy sitting on their balcony early in the morning or at sunset.

Events at 13 Gladstone Rd, Gisborne

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