The Distinction Dunedin Hotel staff and contractors are working long hours to be ready to accommodate guests visiting the city for Saturday's Neil Diamond concert.
Contractors had 176 workers on site at the former chief post office building on Monday and 143 yesterday in a push to be ready.
About 50 hotel staff members were also there doing everything from making beds to cleaning crockery.
Hotel owner Geoffrey Thomson said guests would get the full experience this weekend.
''It's totally different to anything else in Dunedin,'' Mr Thomson said.
''When you looked here nine months ago and we had paint flaking from the roof ... It's [now] quite stunning.''
All rooms have triple-glazed windows and the highest sound reduction rating.
There are thermal water control showers with both hand-held and rain-head fittings in each bathroom.
Ten top-end suites were also available.
Mr Thomson said he had tried to retain as many of the heritage features of the building as he could, while giving it a modern fit-out.
''The building deserves a quality fit-out,'' he said.
''But I'm doing it right.
''There's no shortcuts taken anywhere. I want it right ... hence I don't cut corners.
''There's been phenomenal man-hours gone into it, looking like it was [before].''
Some contractors and staff had been staying on-site overnight, working longer hours, to ensure the hotel would be ready.
Hotel general manager Andrew Duncan said the official opening of the hotel was not this weekend, despite it taking bookings.
None of the 121 rooms was completely finished yesterday so it was important that the ''final touches'' be done over the next couple of days to ensure people got the experience they paid for.
''It's a soft opening,'' he said.
''It's really important ... It's going to be the No1 hotel in Dunedin.
''We want to make sure we get everything perfect.''
Distinction Hotel's website indicated there were no vacancies until November 9.
Mr Duncan said he could not say how many guests the hotel would have this weekend, but all facilities would be ready, including the restaurant and bar.
''There's plenty of people that want to stay with us,'' Mr Duncan said.
''It's looking magnificent.''
An official public opening date was unknown.
