Hotels in Rotorua

Sitting on the eponymous lake in the Bay of Plenty region, Rotorua on the North Island, is a destination for lovers of natural beauty and outdoor adventures. Located in an area of major geothermal activity, the scenery and geography are stunning. Maori culture is very strong here and the lakes just add more to the exciting reasons to visit. It’s also a great base for visiting the many attractions of this region. Everyone who arrives in this compact but lovely city sitting in a caldera falls in love with Rotorua

3.5 million people visit the city every year, all looking for holiday accommodation. The city is a terrific host with hostels, B&Bs, campsites and hotels for every budget.

Neighbourhoods of Rotorua

Whether you want a sleepy beach or a super active holiday, there’s an area that best suits. Areas to consider include:

• Downtown: The heart of the action, many visitors this area to stay in the cheap hotels in Rotorua and for the glittering nightlife and the many events that are staged here.
• Whakarewarewa: Just a few minutes’ drive from Downtown, “Whaka” is semi-rural with 500 pools, hot springs, active geysers and bubbling mud. It is also home to a living Maori village.
• Ohinemutu: A beautiful, little, mainly Maori enclave on the lake front with four marae (meeting houses) and Kuirau Park with mud pools – a soak is free!
• Mourea: Immerse yourself in nature in this gorgeous area between two lakes and home to Okere Falls.
• Kawaha Point: A lovely area for families and just five minutes from Downtown, it hugs Purakau Bay, is near the Rainbow Springs Nature Park and is one of the city’s favourite cycle trails.

What to see and do in Rotorua

It would be easy to spend a month here and still find new things to do. Just some highlights are:

• Skyline: Get a bird’s eye view of the lake and city on a gondola ride and have an incredible panorama as a dinner partner at the top.
• Te Piua: Visit here to see Pōhutu, the southern hemisphere’s largest active geyser and then receive a traditional Maori greeting at the New Zealand Māori Arts & Crafts Institute.
• Redwoods Whakarewarewa Forest: A stunning area of giant trees ideal for picnics and enjoying walking and mountain bike trails.
• Rotorua Walkway: This scenic trail runs for 26 km around the city and lake taking in many of the natural sights.
• Rotorua Museum and Government Gardens: Reopened in 2021, this world-class museum in a wonderful building is an exhibit of the region’s history, culture and geography. The museum sits in gardens that are a charming mix of English formal and Maori.
• Mountain Biking/Cycling: Some of the most exciting bike trails in the world run through the parks, reserves and geothermal areas around the city.

What to eat in Rotorua

With a huge coastline and trout from the surrounding lakes, seafood is a major feature of local cuisine. Dishes/foods to try include:

• Hangi: Rotorua is one of the best places in the country to try this traditional Maori feast which is cooked in an earth pit.
• Crayfish: The rock lobster is abundant around the coast but is still a luxury treat.
• Kina: Another seafood delicacy, Kina is sea urchin.
• Roast Lamb: The country’s most famous export is best eaten in a fine dining setting where it is treated with reverence!
• Kumara: A form of sweet potato, it’s probably New Zealand’s favourite vegetable.
• Hokey Pokey Ice Cream: A ubiquitous dessert, this ice cream contains chunks of honeycomb.

Typical events and festivals in Rotorua

The city’s calendar is a mix of community, international sporting and other events including:

• Crankworx World Tour Festival: A major date for international mountain bikers who compete for world titles – check local calendar for the date.
• Whaka 100: This strenuous one-day mountain bike marathon happens in late October.
• Festival of Gardens: Held every two years (the next is in November 2021), residents and businesses of Rotorua show off their gardens.
• Rotorua Night Market: Held every Thursday at Te Manawa, at the corner of Tutanekai and Hinemoa Street.

How to move around in Rotorua

Walking around the centre and lake foreshore is the best way to get around and the local bus service operates 11 routes throughout and beyond the city. A Citycard is a good option for visitors who will use the bus a few times. There’s a regional airport and the nearest international airport is Auckland.

The climate in Rotorua

A mild temperate climate gives the city warmish summers and cool to cold winters. January and February are the warmest months with an average daily high temperature of 23°C. Winter months can see temperatures below freezing although snow is very rare. The long sunny days make summer the best time to visit.