Wai Ora Lakeside Spa Resort
77 Robinson Avenue Holdens Bay, Rotorua 3010 New Zealand
Lowest prices for your stay
US$150
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US$134
Hotels.comUS$150
Agoda.comUS$137
Trip.comUS$150
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About
#3 of 4 resorts in Rotorua
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Value
Wai Ora Lakeside Spa Resort is situated on the picturesque shores of Lake Rotorua in quiet parklike surroundings only 3 mins from Rotorua Airport,and 10 mins to the famous geothermal attractions of Rotorua. This award winning resort hotel features luxurious accommodation with private balconies or courtyards with views to the lake; New Zealand's award winning fine dining Mokoia Restaurant specialising in indigenous herbs and spices which creates amazing taste sensations including a daily full vegetarian menu; superb personal service; relaxing Manary English lounge bar and the internationally acclaimed Wai Ora Day Spa featuring the World Luxury Spa Award winning "New Zealand Cultural Spa "regime based on the geothermal muds of Rotorua and wellness practices of the Maori. Rotorua's only World Luxury Spa Award winner. Enjoy the tranquility of the landscaped gardens and serene sounds of the meandering spring feed stream as you enjoy the hot and cold pools, steam room and sauna that make up the Wai Ora Spa Water Experience. The ideal Rotorua relaxation, spa, food taste sensations destination and accommodation base for all other Rotorua activities.
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Property amenities
Free parking
Free High Speed Internet (WiFi)
Pool
Sauna
Bar / lounge
Beach
Airport transportation
Conference facilities
Parking
Wifi
Hot bath
Outdoor pool
Heated pool
Restaurant
Breakfast available
Complimentary Instant Coffee
Banquet room
Meeting rooms
Spa
Concierge
Non-smoking hotel
Dry cleaning
Laundry service
Self-serve laundry
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Room features
Air conditioning
Room service
Refrigerator
Flatscreen TV
Room types
Non-smoking rooms
Suites
Good to know
HOTEL CLASS
HOTEL STYLE
Family Resort
Romantic
Location
77 Robinson Avenue Holdens Bay, Rotorua 3010 New Zealand
Getting there
Car HireSee all Rotorua car hire
613Reviews6Q+A100Room tips
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We perform checks on reviews.
Tripadvisor’s approach to reviews
Before posting, each Tripadvisor review goes through an automated tracking system, which collects information, answering the following questions: how, what, where and when. If the system detects something that potentially contradicts our community guidelines, the review is not published.
When the system detects a problem, a review may be automatically rejected, sent to the reviewer for validation, or manually reviewed by our team of content specialists, who work 24/7 to maintain the quality of the reviews on our site.
Our team checks each review posted on the site disputed by our community as not meeting our community guidelines.
Learn more about our review moderation.
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Stayed here one night in Oct 2023 while passing through Rotorua. Room was very spacious and clean including the bathroom. Slightly out of the way, on the way out of town, you will need to drive back into the main town for the attractions. Right on the lake, it is good to walk and see that as well. Resort has a pool, plenty of parking and most importantly, the staff are great. Very friendly and helpful. Can't really find anything negative about it really. For the price I doubt you could beat it.
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Date of stay: October 2023Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Value
Location
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Helpful
As soon as we made our booking on line I advised we had a wedding at 3 pm and therefore could not check in prior to and would be coming in late after the wedding. The wedding was out of town. The only response up until then was auto replies about their spa, restaurant and early check in or late check out and costs. I emailed again the morning of the wedding asking how we could access our accom after hrs. There was an email asking for our phone number which I found at 10pm that evening. It had been sent in the morning . We arrived at the accom at 1145 pm and there was nothing to advise where to get the key. We called the after hrs number and got answer phones. At midnight we were tossing up to sleep in our car- 3 of us, or start calling around people we knew. We ended up on the lounge floor at a friends house. If that wasn’t bad enough, the next morning I called Wai Ora and got the most rudest person on the phone. it was my fault as I didn’t give my phone number before the office closed. Never mind I had emailed 2x requesting the info Never mind they had emailed and so could have also advised via email how to get the key. Never mind I was at a function with my phone on silent and miles away She talked over me so I couldn’t finish my sentence. All she was focused on was their msg asking for my phone number which I didn’t reply to. No sympathy for leaving us stranded outside reception wondering what to do or where to go at midnight. No sympathy or apology when I said we thought we had to sleep in the car or that we had to call around waking up people to see if 3 of us could stay somewhere. When I said I hope I am not going to get charged, her snap - I never said I would charge you. I got off the phone pretty disgusted with the attitude of this person, which made sleeping in the floor, cold and uncomfortable even worse. I hope no one else ever has to go through this or get this lass in the end of the phone sorting things out. Her way or no way. I did advise I would be writing this review about her.…
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Date of stay: November 2023Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Helpful
The pictures of this “resort” are nothing like what you actually get. Our room was very dated and dirty. Dead bugs squashed on the ceiling and walls. Paper thin walls meant we heard the conversations happening in the next room and when the bathroom door slammed shut. The tv didn’t pick up any channels at all and we were unable to connect our phones to it in the hopes of having some background noise to drown out the other noises going on. The restaurant and spa were closed, which was frustrating because you’re a little way out of the main town area. On a positive note, the mattress and pillows were really good and there was free parking available on site.
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Date of stay: September 2023Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Helpful
The whole place was dirty - outdoor pool and ‘spa’ were filthy. The place has a real problem with flies and these covered the walls inside. There was a note in the room claiming this would happen if doors and windows were left open but even though we didn’t there were loads, making me think the room hadn’t been cleaned. They provide bug killing spray but then they fell off the walls onto our beds. I ended up cleaning them off the walls and ceiling so we could sleep without them falling on us. Considered sleeping in the car. Restaurant wasn’t open. Did get a full refund the next morning after initially being offered 50% back. Would recommend staying literally anywhere else, it’s grim.
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Date of stay: September 2023Trip type: Travelled with friends
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Helpful
Hardly a resort. Property in need of some severe TLC. Cleaning standard poor, used soap bar in shower along with hair strands on shower wall. Toilet not cleaned on multi day stay. Obvious wipe marks in ceiling where cleaning attempted. Swimming pool not looking at it best. Restaurant closed on Mondays and Tuesday for all meals. Given its location from the township this is disappointing.
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Date of stay: July 2023Trip type: Travelled on business
Room Tip: No restaurant open Monday and Tuesday.
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Helpful
Expectations were pretty high for this place as it has ‘Resort’ in the name. The pictures made it look lovely online, that is where it ended. Unfortunately our expectations were not met. I already knew the hotel was not in town so the location did not bother me. But if you are not wanting to travel much stay closer to town, as this place is 15mins away from the main drag. The view outside is stunning, unfortunately with all the rain there was mud everywhere which made it hard to walk outside of the hotel for a nice picture. You would think being a resort this would be a priority to fix up as soon as possible, even put gravel down instead of grass. The rooms were nice and big and the heat pump was lovely. Cleanliness is a big problem. Taps were still marked with water stains and dust, I wiped it and it came off straight away. Bathroom wasn’t mopped and the floor was not vacuumed. Toilet had marks in it that I could clean away, toilet brush was old and dirty (you know what I mean :() The ‘Spa’ area wasn’t the best either. 2 lonely spa pools sit out the back, with a grotty looking cold pool. The main pool looked lovely, but it was cold so wasn’t being used by anyone. The bar here is great, has a great UK British pub style, however someone is not always there to serve, we had to cancel drinks as they took the girl 30mins… The bed was comfortable and the overall area was nice and peaceful, couldn’t hear other rooms or anything. The staff were very friendly and helpful too. However, for us there were too many downs and we will not be returning.…
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Date of stay: May 2023Trip type: Travelled with friends
Room Tip: If you want to be in the centre of town, this place is not the one.
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
1 Helpful vote
Helpful
We spent a couple of nights at this resort. The rooms were large enough and the bed was very comfortable. It was well appointed with a range of soaps and quality teas and coffees. It is is right next to the lake. The three things that let the hotel down were the fact the room was not made up after the first night despite leaving the request on the door handle. The safe did not work as we hadn't been given a safe key and finally the restaurant is not open on Mondays and Tuesdays for breakfast! What hotel doesn't provide food for its guest 7 days a week? Al's top tips. Ask for a safe key when you get your room keys. Have breakfast at the Artisan Cafe 1149 Tutanekai Street, Rotorua 3010, as you won't get fed there on Mondays and Tuesdays. We also visited Waitomo Glow worm caves and did the Mitai Maori Cultural experience and dinner. …
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Date of stay: May 2023Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Room Tip: See Al's Top Tips
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Helpful
Peaceful and picturesque location by the lake with well sized rooms and comfortable mattresses. Free laundry facilities, parking and good quality shower gel/shampoo. Room cleanliness could be better. Fridge door had old food stains on it, ironing board cover was stained and our floor didn’t seem to be vacuumed during our stay. It’s not close to restaurants/cafes, apart from McDonalds, which is problematic as the hotel restaurant is shut Monday and Tuesday- the days we happened to be staying. So no dinner or breakfast options available on those days. Staff are friendly and helpful. We had a ground floor room, but I suggest asking for a top floor which has a balcony and better lake views.
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Date of stay: April 2023Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Helpful
Lovely place. Good breakfast. Great massages. Rooms comfortable, light and airy. Great bed!. Hot tubs and pools were nice and the location is ideal....on the Lake and near the town - 10min drive...also 10mins from small airport and from the Mud baths. Only negative - the restaurant and bar were closed for 2 days!! this WAS not mentioned before we booked..so had to go out an find breakfast 2 days - not a real issue but better to be fore warned than to be surprised ! Service and staff was good. Friendly engaging and helpful. Manager was very good
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Date of stay: January 2023Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Value
Location
Service
Room Tip: Phone ahead about the Bar and restaurant to make sure it is open or at least you know when you...
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Helpful
Three nights here on our tour of New Zealand. Staff were genuinely the nicest people and the restaurant food delightful. We had a hire car so found this 'motel' an ideal base for visiting the Redwood Tree Walks, Te Puia and Sulphur Point. Room 16 was comfortable with good wi-fi and heavenly shower water pressure. There is a spa and an an outdoor pool there but we didn't use them so can't comment.
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Date of stay: January 2023Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Helpful
PRICE RANGE
US$76 - US$133 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
ALSO KNOWN AS
wai ora lakeside hotel, wai ora lakeside resort
LOCATION
New ZealandNorth IslandBay of Plenty RegionRotorua DistrictRotorua
NUMBER OF ROOMS
30
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Claim Your ListingWAI ORA LAKESIDE SPA RESORT - Now $154 (Was $̶2̶9̶2̶) - UPDATED 2023 Reviews & Price Comparison (Rotorua, New Zealand) - Tripadvisor
Frequently Asked Questions about Wai Ora Lakeside Spa Resort
Which popular attractions are close to Wai Ora Lakeside Spa Resort?
Nearby attractions include Rotofobia (5.2 km), Redwoods, Whakarewarewa Forest (4.1 km), and ZORB Rotorua (7.3 km).
What are some of the property amenities at Wai Ora Lakeside Spa Resort?
Some of the more popular amenities offered include free wifi, a pool, and an on-site restaurant.
Which room amenities are available at Wai Ora Lakeside Spa Resort?
Top room amenities include air conditioning, a flat screen TV, and a refrigerator.
What food & drink options are available at Wai Ora Lakeside Spa Resort?
Guests can enjoy an on-site restaurant, a lounge, and breakfast during their stay.
Is parking available at Wai Ora Lakeside Spa Resort?
Yes, free parking is available to guests.
What are some restaurants close to Wai Ora Lakeside Spa Resort?
Conveniently located restaurants include EL Mexicano Zapata Cantina, Gelato Mio Ice Cream, and The Brook .
Are there opportunities to exercise at Wai Ora Lakeside Spa Resort?
Yes, guests have access to a pool and a sauna during their stay.
Does Wai Ora Lakeside Spa Resort have airport transportation?
Yes, Wai Ora Lakeside Spa Resort offers airport transportation for guests. We recommend calling ahead to confirm details.
Are any cleaning services offered at Wai Ora Lakeside Spa Resort?
Yes, dry cleaning and laundry service are offered to guests.
Does Wai Ora Lakeside Spa Resort offer any business services?
Yes, it conveniently offers a business centre, meeting rooms, and a banquet room.
Are there any historical sites close to Wai Ora Lakeside Spa Resort?
Many travellers enjoy visiting Whakarewarewa - The Living Maori Village (6.2 km), Te Puia (6.7 km), and Government Gardens (4.1 km).