At a glance: 4-star · Since 2007 · Renovated 2017 · 30 rooms
Near: Government Gardens · 4.3 km
What guests say about…
Reviews from
Daryll
Simon Lytollis
Jason Smith
judy holt
Response from the property
Hi Judy, Thank you very much for your lovely feedback. We are delighted to hear that you had a wonderful stay with us. It is great to know that you enjoyed the spacious and clean room, as well as the hot shower. We truly appreciate your kind words and hope to have the pleasure of welcoming you back to Wai Ora Lakeside Spa Resort in the future. Kind regards, Wai Ora Lakeside Spa Resort
Alice Cardwell
Joy Nimmo
Response from the property
Kia Ora Joy, Thank you for your feedback and for choosing Wai Ora Lakeside Spa Resort for your weekend getaway. We are so pleased to hear our team looked after your group well and that you enjoyed the meals during your stay. Your kind comments about the staff mean a lot to us. We also appreciate your honest feedback regarding the accommodation and bathroom cleanliness. We understand the importance of maintaining comfortable and well-presented rooms, and your comments have been shared with our housekeeping and maintenance teams for immediate attention and ongoing improvements. Thank you again for staying with us, and we hope to welcome you back for an even better experience in the future. Kind Regards, WaiOra Lakeside Spa Resort
Anne Adams
Fiona Matthews
The hotel's own Mokoia Restaurant serves Pacific Rim cuisine, and there are also a bar, lobby bar, and snack bar on site. Nearby, Great Spice Indian Takeaway and Owhata Takeaways are on Te Ngae Road, and The Hangar Airport Café is close to the airport. For more options, the Rotorua city centre, about 8 km away, has Eat Streat Rotorua with a range of eateries. You can also find casual dining at Te Ngae Shopping Centre.
The resort sits right on the peaceful shores of Lake Rotorua, surrounded by landscaped grounds and parkland, so you get a calm, lakeside setting. It is about 8 km from the Rotorua CBD, with the city's main sights like Government Gardens and Polynesian Spa roughly 4.3 to 4.4 km away. The nearby Te Ngae Shopping Centre and local takeaways like Great Spice Indian Takeaway and Owhata Takeaways are within a short drive. The area feels relaxed and residential, with the lake ideal for walks and the airport only about 3 km away. For more dining and activity options, the city centre is a quick trip.
From Rotorua Airport, the resort is about 3 km away, so a taxi or ride-hailing service will get you there in a few minutes. The hotel also offers an airport shuttle, which you can arrange when booking. If you are coming from Rotorua's main train station, the resort is roughly 8 km from the city centre, so a taxi or pre-booked transfer is the most direct option. The drive follows Te Ngae Road, the main road near the hotel. For a scenic arrival, you can also take a lakeside route along Robinson Avenue.
In the evening, you can enjoy the hotel's own bar and snack bar for a relaxed drink or bite, or dine at the on-site Mokoia Restaurant. For a cultural night out, the Mitai Maori Village Cultural Experience and Te Puia's Te Pō Indigenous Evening Experience with dinner are popular options. The city's main sights, like Government Gardens (4.3 km) and Polynesian Spa (4.4 km), are a short drive away, so you can easily head there for an evening stroll or soak. The Redwoods Treewalk (4.9 km) offers a unique forest experience after dark. Since the hotel is lakeside, a quiet evening walk along the shore is also a lovely way to unwind.
Wai Ora Lakeside Spa Resort sits right on Lake Rotorua, about 3 km from the airport and 8 km from the city centre. The main sights are a short drive away: Government Gardens and Polynesian Spa are 4.3 and 4.4 km, Redwoods Treewalk 4.9 km, and Kuirau Park's mud pools 5.3 km. Whakarewarewa village and Te Puia are 6.2 and 6.7 km, with Rotorua Canopy Tours at 6.8 km. For these, a car or taxi makes exploring easy, and the lakeside setting gives you a peaceful base to return to. The hotel's own bar and restaurant are handy for meals after your outings.
Government Gardens
4.3 km away · 9 Queens Drive, Rotorua, 3010, New Zealand
(2,732 reviews)
Polynesian Spa
4.4 km away · 1000 Hinemoa Street, Lakeside, Rotorua 3010, New Zealand
(8,943 reviews)
Redwoods Treewalk
4.9 km away · 1 Tītokorangi Drive, Whakarewarewa, Rotorua 3010, New Zealand
(14,286 reviews)
Kuirau Park - Mud Pools
5.3 km away · Kuirau Street, Rotorua, 3010, New Zealand
(3,129 reviews)

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