Criterion Hotel Napier

Discover the rich history of the Criterion Hotel Napier, from its Victorian origins and rebuilding after the 1931 earthquake to its stunning Art Deco design and recent renovations that have breathed new life into this iconic landmark in the heart of Napier.

The Story of the Criterion Hotel, Napier

A landmark name on Emerson Street

For well over a century, the name “Criterion Hotel Napier” has anchored the corner of Emerson Street and Market Street. The original Criterion was a grand, timber Victorian hostelry that served settlers, sailors, and visitors to Hawke’s Bay in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Its verandahs and corner balcony were a familiar sight—until disaster struck in 1931.

Reborn from the 1931 earthquake

On 3 February 1931, the devastating Hawke’s Bay earthquake destroyed most of central Napier, including the wooden Criterion Hotel. In the two years that followed, the city undertook one of the world’s most cohesive urban rebuilds, embracing modern construction and the fashionable Art Deco era. The Criterion site was rebuilt as part of this plan, helping signal Napier’s resilience and new identity.

The 1932–33 Spanish Mission statement

The present Criterion Hotel Napier building dates to the early 1930s and is one of the city’s best-known Spanish Mission façades—smooth stucco walls, rhythmic arcaded windows, and a red tile roof line. Local architect E. A. Williams designed the new hotel, and contractor W. M. Angus built it, aligning with the broader Art Deco/Spanish Mission palette used across Napier after the quake.
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A social hub through changing times

Through the mid-20th century the Criterion was a lively social hub—hosting travelers, long lunches, and evening gatherings—before various chapters saw it adapt with the times. In the late 20th century the building experienced fire damage and later reopened in different guises, including as accommodation for budget travelers, while the exterior continued to symbolize Napier’s distinctive streetscape.

Heritage significance
Today the building that carries the Criterion Hotel Napier name is listed on the New Zealand Heritage List/Rārangi Kōrero (List No. 1128) for its architectural and historic value within the celebrated Napier city centre heritage area.
It’s a touchstone for visitors exploring the compact grid of 1930s streets, where Spanish Mission and Art Deco motifs meet local Māori design influences in a uniquely Napier expression.
View of the Criterion Hotel, corner of Market Street and Emerson Street, Napier, thought to have been taken in 1933. Designed in the Spanish Mission style by E A Williams, the hotel was completed in 1932.

The Criterion experience today
Stand beneath the palm trees on Emerson Street and look up: you’ll see the graceful arches, small balconies, and parapet lettering that have charmed generations. Step inside and you’re part of a living story—one that began in the horse-and-carriage era, was reshaped by an earthquake, and continues to evolve under new stewardship.
Under its new owners, the Criterion Hotel Napier has undergone an extensive renovation, carefully restoring the building’s architectural details while breathing new life into its elegant spaces. Every element—from the handcrafted timber fittings to the soft ambient lighting—has been designed to honour the hotel’s Spanish Mission heritage and reconnect it with the vibrancy of Napier’s Art Deco heart.
Today, the Criterion once again welcomes locals and visitors alike to experience the warmth, charm, and history of this iconic landmark—revitalized for a new generation while preserving the timeless character that makes it one of Napier’s most treasured buildings.