Rotorua
Spiritual Home of the Māori
Best known for its giant geysers, boiling-mud pools, steaming cliffs, volcanoes and unmistakable sulphur smell, Rotorua also has eleven secluded lakes, dramatic landscapes, and the best trout fishing in the country, just three hours’ drive from Auckland and six hours from Wellington. As the spiritual home of the Māori people, you can experience stirring cultural performances of song and dance, and sample food cooked in a traditional hangi (fire pit).
Experience Rotorua
- Visit the Agrodome, home of the world-famous sheep show
- Stop at Te Puia and experience the raw power of Te Whakarewarewa geothermal valley and take a journey into the heart of Māori culture, arts and crafts
- Experience the Polynesian Spa, New Zealand’s leading international spa with hot mineral spring pools and indulgent spa therapies
- Explore the rituals, music and food of the Māori people at Tamaki Māori Village
- See trout, birdlife and wild animals at Paradise Valley Springs in a superb setting of pools, streams, native bush and ferns
- Take a ride on the gondola for Rotorua’s most spectacular views and descend on The Luge
- Enjoy a cruise on the lake
- Take a floatplane or helicopter over the geothermal attractions of Rotorua
Here is a small selection of the accommodation available in the Rotorua area but we have many alternative Hotels, Apartments, B&Bs, Motels and Lodges to suit all tastes and budgets.
Peppers on the Point
This recently converted 1930s mansion offers 270-degree elevated views of Lake Rotorua and the historically significant Mokoia Island. Filled with beautiful antiques, there’s a choice of nine self-contained, spacious, exquisitely furnished suites, with separate lounge areas, bedrooms and large en-suite bathrooms, just ten minutes’ drive away from the rich culture and geothermal wonders of Rotorua. A range of on-site activities is also available, from pampering massage, fly-fishing, water sports, tennis, gym and boating.
Villa Apartment
Beneath the Lake Villa, this contemporary two-bedroom apartment enjoys views over the tennis court to Rotorua City. It is fully self-contained with a living/dining area and bathroom with a spa bath and massage jet shower.
Lodge Suite
Located within the two-storey manor, each spacious suite has its own unique charm, most with views over the lake and individually decorated. All have separate inviting lounge areas, bedrooms and large en-suite bathrooms with shower and spa bath.
Cottage Suite
These self-contained private Suites are situated a short walk from the lodge. Each boasts its own lounge room, separate bedroom, en-suite bathroom with shower and an open-air hot tub on the deck overlooking the lake.
Main Suite
This premier Suite offers panoramic views over the lake, a Super King-size bed, large lounge and dining area, separate dressing room and study, a large balcony and an en-suite bathroom with spa bath.
Koura Lodge B&B
Nestled in an established garden setting on the tip of Kawaha Point on the lakefront, Koura Lodge
enjoys a sheltered spot away from traffic and sulphur fumes, with panoramic views over Lake Rotorua to Mokoia Island, Mt Tarawera and beyond, yet is just five minutes’ drive from the city centre. All nine luxury rooms have private en-suites, hardwood verandas and magnificent lake views. Other on-site attractions include a private jetty, a lakeside spa/sauna and a tennis court.
Lodge Room
The Lodge Rooms have a King bed with cotton bed linen, en-suite bathroom, 180° views over Lake Rotorua, outside seating and breakfast. There is access to shared kitchenette facilities, WiFi, free parking, hot tub, sauna and kayaks.
Lodge Suite
Lodge Suites offer the same features as the Lodge Room but they also have a separate lounge with a day bed.
The Apartments
For more space, choose between one or two-bedroom Apartment accommodation, with either King beds or the twin Queen beds which sleep up to four adults, with breakfast included. Each apartment features an expansive lounge with a slate billiard table, oak dining table, kitchen and a private outdoor balcony with 180° views over Lake Rotorua.
Pullman Rotorua
The perfect base to explore the region’s geothermal paradise, the Pullman Rotorua is central, yet only moments away from the lakefront. With 130 rooms and suites, a gym, Executive Lounge, vibrant restaurant and chic bar, it is surrounded by surreal scenery and iconic attractions, such as shooting geysers, bubbling mud, natural hot springs and magical forests.
Superior Room
The plush, modern Superior Rooms are 33m2 with a King bed, rain shower in the en-suite, 50” Smart TV, WiFi, mini bar and enjoy city or lake views.
Deluxe Executive Room
With elevated views over the city and lake, the Executive Rooms offer the same facilities as the Superior Rooms but have the additional feature of an open plan design with a chaise longue, Nespresso machine, pillow menu and turndown.
Executive Suite
The Executive Suites have all the amenities of the Deluxe Executive Rooms but are luxuriously spacious at 50m2 with sweeping lake views.
Regent of Rotorua Boutique Hotel
Centrally located, this boutique hotel offers stylish and contemporary luxury. With a selection of rooms and suites designed to offer both glamour and comfort, there’s something for every traveller and budget. Amenities include a spa treatment area, thermal pool and mini gym.
Superior Room
Located either in the main reception building or in the Annex building, they have masses of features, including King beds or two Singles, leather headboards, sumptuous linens, down pillows/duvet and bathrobes, as well as a desk, air conditioning, 32″ LCD Sky TVs, complimentary WiFi, microwaves, mini bars, plunger coffee, in-room safes and beautifully tiled bathrooms with monsoon rain showers.
Boutique Suite
These expansive one-bedroom suites feature a spacious lounge complete with a white leather sofa, 32″ LCD TV, as well as a 26″ LCD TV in the privacy of the separate bedroom, with matching white leather headboard. Bathrooms offer both monsoon showers and soaker baths. There’s also a rollaway bed in the lounge for an extra guest.
Two-Bedroom Executive Suite
Two Bedroom Suites offer two separate bedroom areas, each with a 26″ LCD TV and two bathrooms. In addition, luxury linens, towels and bathrobes, custom beds with down comforters and pillows, bathroom products, telephones with speaker capability, high-speed internet, WiFi, refrigerator and microwave.
Some of the experiences available in the Rotorua area are outlined below, but there are many, many more, so please ask for details of any other activity you would like to include during your stay
Te Po Indigenous Evening Experience plus 90 Minute Guided Tour of Te Puia
Te Puia is a 70-hectare geothermal park – home to the world-famous Pōhutu geyser and the national carving and weaving schools – on the edge of Rotorua. You can sample the new steam-box lunchtime experience – delicious food steam-cooked in our natural geothermal environment. Your tour starts at 4.30pm with one of Te Puia’s world-renowned guides, showcasing the national carving and weaving schools in action. On to the award-winning interactive galleries and Kiwi House, where you can see New Zealand’s iconic flightless bird up-close, followed by a visit to the mud pools and geysers.
The Te Po Evening Experience begins at Te Keketanga-a-Rangi (Heavenly Origins), a space comprising twelve monumental carvings. You’ll assemble at the marae (Māori Meeting House) and experience an authentic welcome ceremony, including stories, warrior’s challenge and kapa haka (performing arts) concert. The Māori Feast follows: a culinary event like no other, with a range of traditional dishes designed to create a memorable cultural experience.
Duration: 5 Hours
Polynesian Spa – Deluxe Lake Spa Bathing
The Deluxe Lake Spa is a deluxe bathing and relaxation haven. You can bathe in four shallow, hot, mineral rock pools, with graduated temperatures from 36°C to 42°C, overlooking Sulphur Bay. Spacious changing rooms with all amenities are there for your use, as well as a relaxation lounge with a view over the lake and a refreshment bar serving light, healthy spa cuisine (additional cost).
Redwood Forest Mountain Bike Tour
All skill levels are catered for in this mountain-biking extravaganza in the Redwood Forest. Plenty of instruction is given, and you can choose your three to four-hour forestry ride from over 140kms of purpose-built tracks through back roads, including single-track and fun jump trails surrounded by beautiful native and pine forests.
Duration: 4 hours (includes full suspension bike hire, safety helmet and trail snack).
The Original Canopy Tour
Our experienced guides will take you on your personal and unforgettable adventure, leading you deep into the ancient native forest in small groups of up to ten, on an incredible network of walking trails, treetop platforms, ziplines and canopy swing bridges. They are highly trained to ensure your safety, make you smile, teach you amazing things and create memories that last a lifetime. This must-do tour is an enlightening adventure perfect for all ages.
Duration: 3.5 hours
Rotorua Duck City and Lakes Tour
Discover Rotorua on a unique 90-minute sightseeing adventure onboard the WWII amphibious vehicle which can travel on land and water! Discover local landmarks and hear stories and legends of Rotorua’s rich history. Highlights include Lake Rotorua, Mokoia Island, Geothermal Sulphur Point, Government Gardens, The Museum, Blue Baths and much more.
Duration: 90 minutes
Mt Tarawera/ Orakei Korako – ‘Thermal Explorer’ Dual Landing by Helicopter
Your out-going helicopter flight includes landing on Mount Tarawera itself, plus spectacular aerial views of the crater lakes, the Tarawera Falls and the Waimangu and Wai-O-Tapu geothermal reserves. The helicopter then follows the Waikato River and lands in the hidden valley of Orakei Korako. You’ll then ferry across the river to experience your land-based tour: hot springs, gushing geysers and the natural beauty of this geothermal wonderland. Your return flight will take in views of farmland and the Paeroa mountain range before flying over Rotorua City and returning to the lakefront pier.
Duration: 3 Hours
White Water Rafting – Kaituna River (Grade 5)
This river is a must – a unique mix of history, culture and adrenaline overload. You’ll raft through fourteen awesome rapids, with waterfalls ranging from one metre in size to the big seven metre drop, through steep, bush-clad canyons and native forest. This trip suits everyone, from first timers to experienced rafters. Professional guides will provide a full safety briefing and quality river clothing/equipment for the journey ahead.
Duration: 3 Hours (includes all equipment and river clothing)
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