Rotorua is a great place to spoil yourself or a significant other by enjoying specialty and bespoke experiences, fine dining and luxe accommodation.
Whether you’ve got a significant life event to celebrate, or you just love an indulgent holiday this summer, there are so many amazing options in Rotorua, you’ll need at least a week to get through them all.
Take to the skies
Gain a different perspective of our beautiful forests, 18 lakes, and geothermal valleys by viewing them from above – as well as dropping in for a visit.
Start your getaway by seeing and visiting places most people don’t because they’re out of sight or only accessible by air. Volcanic Air helicopter and floatplane tours range from flyovers to landings on the summit of Mount Tarawera (as shown above). More options are available, including a floatplane tour to hot pools.
If you’re keen to explore new frontiers in mountain biking, contact HeliBike Rotorua for a tour to remember. Experience the exhilaration as you, your mates and your bikes are delivered via helicopter to one of three renowned mountain bike trails ranging in length from 35 to 103km. This is epic-status mountain biking.
Get yourself into some hot water
Normally one tries to avoid getting themselves into hot water, but in Rotorua, it’s highly encouraged and people have been doing it here for centuries.The abundance of geothermal hot pools and spas gives you no excuse to miss out on a bit of relaxation and pampering. Polynesian Spa is the place to start. Book in for a rejuvenating massage and they’ll encourage you to prepare your mind, body and skin first with a relaxing soak in one of their hot pools overlooking Lake Rotorua. Well, if you insist…
Two more lakes have hot springs along the water’s edge and both are a bit tricky to get to. Lucky for you, we know people with boats!
Lake Tarawera has Hot Water Beach, and Lake Rotoiti has Manupirua Springs Hot Pools. To access the former, Totally Tarawera offers a variety of eco tours that include visiting Hot Water Beach for a geothermal soak. To access the latter, indulge a bit with a chilled-out, private charter, eco-sailing experience aboard Pure Cruise’s 53-foot luxury catamaran Tiua. On-board facilities include galley, licensed bar and three guest bathrooms. All Pure Cruise tours are customisable to provide bespoke experiences.
Speaking of bespoke, be sure to check out MDA Experiences who are all about personalised and personable one-of-a-kind tours and excursions. With more than 20 years under their belts, they know all the spots, both on and off the main tourism grid, and offer to create the best, most epic experience possible. If you can dream it up, they can deliver it.
A fine place to rest
As we mentioned earlier, you’ll need more than a day in Rotorua in order to enjoy all there is to do and see, so you’re going to need a great place to rest, refresh and repeat.Outdoorsy types will love glamping amidst native bush with Totally Tarawera. Also located on Lake Tarawera is Solitaire Lodge (pictured below), a luxury lodge offering breath-taking views from a variety of suites. Solitaire has created an array of two-night Signature Experiences for summer, combining accommodation and activities to celebrate our region’s unique geothermal wonders.
Another lakeside luxury lodge is Peppers on the Point which overlooks beautiful Lake Rotorua and our treasured Mokoia Island. A special offer for two nights is available here, too.
Two high-end options are located near the centre of town, making it convenient to take advantage of the foodie scene and shopping surrounding you.
The Regent of Rotorua features boutique rooms and The Regent Room restaurant will make the foodie in your life happy with their five-course degustation dinner for two in with matching wines.
Every room at Pullman Rotorua, the city’s first five-star hotel, offers beautiful views of Rotorua, whether lake, geothermal, mountains or forests. Gather friends and family at Pullman’s Barrel & Co. Bar and Grill for a Christmas menu which includes Not Your Nan’s Pav.
Last but certainly not least, Treetops Lodge & Estate is a rustic yet elegant, secluded eco lodge nestled in 2,500 acres of private native forest and pristine wilderness.
