With a stay at Wai Ora Lakeside Spa Resort in Rotorua (Holdens Bay), you'll be within a 15-minute drive of Polynesian Spa and Skyline Rotorua. .This beach hotel is 0.1 mi (0.1 km) from Lake Rotorua and 0.3 mi (0.4 km) from Te Amorangi Museum.
What's nearby
Redwoods Whakarewarewa Forest - 8 min drive - 6.1 km
Polynesian Spa - 10 min drive - 8.2 km
Tamaki Maori Village - 10 min drive - 8.6 km
Eat Street - 11 min drive - 8.9 km
Skyline Rotorua - 16 min drive - 13.1 km
Getting around
Hamilton (HLZ-Hamilton Intl.) - 91 min drive
Restaurants
Bp - 5 min drive
Saigon '60S Vietnamese Cuisine - 9 min drive
Burgerfuel - 6 min drive
Brew | Craft Beer Pub - 10 min drive
Lady Jane's Ice Cream Parlour - 10 min drive
About this property
Wai Ora Lakeside Spa Resort
Beach hotel with 2 outdoor pools
Wai Ora Lakeside Spa Resort offers 30 air-conditioned accommodations with safes and bathrobes. Rooms open to balconies or patios. Accommodations offer separate dining areas. Beds feature premium bedding. 40-inch LCD televisions come with premium cable channels. Bathrooms include slippers, complimentary toiletries, and hair dryers.
Guests can surf the web using the complimentary wired and wireless Internet access. Business-friendly amenities include desks and phones. Housekeeping is provided daily.
2 outdoor swimming pools and 2 hot tubs are on site. In addition to a seasonal outdoor pool, other recreational amenities include a children's pool.
The recreational activities listed below are available either on site or nearby; fees may apply.
Wai Ora Day Spa has 4 treatment rooms including rooms for couples. Services include facials, body wraps, body scrubs, and body treatments. A variety of treatment therapies are provided, including aromatherapy. The spa is open select days.
Make yourself at home in one of the 30 air-conditioned rooms featuring refrigerators and LCD televisions. Rooms have private balconies or patios. Wired and wireless internet access is complimentary, while 40-inch LED televisions with cable programming provide entertainment. Bathrooms have complimentary toiletries and hair dryers.
Pamper yourself with a visit to the spa, which offers massages, body treatments, and facials. This hotel also features complimentary wireless internet access, concierge services, and wedding services. Guests can catch a ride on the complimentary shuttle, which operates within 8 kilometers.
You can enjoy a meal at the restaurant serving the guests of Wai Ora Lakeside Spa Resort, or stop in at the snack bar/deli. Quench your thirst with your favorite drink at the bar/lounge. Cooked-to-order breakfasts are available daily from 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM for a fee.
Featured amenities include a business center, complimentary newspapers in the lobby, and dry cleaning/laundry services. Event facilities at this hotel consist of a conference center and a meeting room. Free self parking is available onsite.
Cooked-to-order breakfasts are available for a surcharge and are served each morning between 8:00 AM and 10:00 AM.
Wai Ora Lakeside Spa Resort has a restaurant on site.
Languages
Chinese (Mandarin), English
Property amenities
Internet
Available in all rooms: Free WiFi and wired internet
Available in some public areas: Free WiFi
Parking and transport
Free area shuttle up to 8 kilometres
Free self parking on site
Food and drink
Daily cooked-to-order breakfast available 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM for a fee: NZD 25 for adults and NZD 25 for children
A bar/lounge
A restaurant
Snack bar/deli
Things to do
2 hot tubs
2 outdoor pools
Children's pool
Full-service spa
Family friendly
2 outdoor pools
Children's pool
Free area shuttle
In-room refrigerator
Laundry facilities
Separate in-room dining area
Snack bar/deli
Soundproofed rooms
Conveniences
Free newspapers in lobby
Laundry facilities
Limited-hour front desk
Luggage storage
Safe at front desk
Guest services
Concierge services
Dry cleaning/laundry service
Housekeeping (daily)
Multilingual staff
Porter/bellhop
Tour and ticket assistance
Wedding services
Business services
Business centre
Conference centre
Meeting room
Outdoors
Garden
Pool loungers
Pool umbrellas
Terrace
Full-service spa
4 treatment rooms
Aromatherapy
Body scrubs
Body wraps
Couples treatment rooms
Facials
Manicures/pedicures
Massage
Spa open select days
Accessibility
If you have requests for specific accessibility needs, please contact the property using the information on the reservation confirmation received after booking.
No lift
Wheelchair accessible (may have limitations)
More
1 building
2 floors
Banquet hall
Built in 2007
Smoke-free property
Room amenities
Bedroom
Premium bedding
Bathroom
Dressing gowns
Free toiletries
Hair dryer
Slippers
Towels provided
Entertainment
40-inch LED TV with premium digital channels
Food and drink
Refrigerator
Separate dining area
More
Air conditioning
Desk
Iron/ironing board
Phone
Safe
Separate sitting area
Soundproofed rooms
Policies
Check-in
Check-in start time: 3:00 PM; Check-in end time: 9:00 PM
Early check-in subject to availability
Early check-in fee: NZD 50.00
Minimum check-in age: 18
Check-out
Check-out before 11 AM
Late check-out subject to availability
Late check-out fee: NZD 50.00
Special check-in instructions
The property charges 2.5 percent for credit card payments
The front desk is open daily from 8:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Front desk staffed during limited hours
Renovations and closures
The following facilities are closed on Monday and Tuesday:
Bar/lounge
Dining venue(s)
Access methods
Front desk (limited hours)
Pets
Pets not allowed
Children and extra beds
Children are welcome
Rollaway/extra beds are available for NZD 60 per night
Payment types
Important information
Fees
You'll be asked to pay the following charges at the property. Fees may include applicable taxes:
Deposit: NZD 50.00 per night
We have included all charges provided to us by the property.
Optional extras
Fee for cooked-to-order breakfast: approximately NZD 25 for adults and NZD 25 for children
Early check-in fee: NZD 50.00 (subject to availability)
Late check-out fee: NZD 50.00 (subject to availability)
Rollaway bed fee: NZD 60 per night
Credit card charges are subject to a surcharge of 2.5 percent
The above list may not be comprehensive. Fees and deposits may not include tax and are subject to change.
You need to know
Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card, or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
This property accepts credit cards; cash is not accepted
This property has outdoor spaces, such as balconies, patios, terraces which may not be suitable for children; if you have concerns, we recommend contacting the property prior to your arrival to confirm they can accommodate you in a suitable room
We should mention
This property does not have elevators
The seasonal pool will be open from January to December
Pool access available from 8 AM to 9:00 PM
Reservations are required for massage services and spa treatments; reservations can be made by contacting the property prior to arrival, using the contact information on the booking confirmation
Some facilities may have restricted access; guests can contact the property for details using the contact information on the booking confirmation
National rating
For the benefit of our customers, we have provided a rating based on our rating system.
Property is also known as
Wai Ora
Wai Ora Lakeside
Wai Ora Lakeside Resort
Wai Ora Lakeside Spa
Wai Ora Lakeside Spa Resort
Wai Ora Lakeside Spa Resort Rotorua
Wai Ora Lakeside Spa Rotorua
Wai Ora Resort
Wai Ora Spa
Wai Ora Spa Resort
Wai Ora Lakeside Hotel
Wai Ora Lakeside Resort
Wai Ora Lakeside Spa Rotorua
Wai Ora Lakeside Spa Resort Hotel
Wai Ora Lakeside Spa Resort Rotorua
Wai Ora Lakeside Spa Resort Hotel Rotorua
Wai Ora Lakeside Spa Resort Reviews
Reviews
8.2
Very good
All reviews shown are from real guest experiences. Only travellers who have booked a stay with us can submit a review. We verify reviews according to our guidelines and publish all reviews, positive or negative.
The resort is in a great location near the water and walkable to a McDonalds. The restaurant is quite pricey. We ordered pizza and ate in the pub area which was empty. Our room was absolutely filthy, with dead bugs on the night stand and smears on the ceilings and walls. The glass shelving hadn't been cleaned in ages. The bathroom was dank and smelled of mould. We requested a room changed and the lovely lady at the front desk was very accommodating. Our second room was much better, cleaner and the bathroom didn't smell. The pool and hot tub area were nice, however the hot tub had a nasty ring of gunk and slime. It's definitely due for a clean. We didn't get to try the spa as it was fully booked. We used the laundry facilities which was a nice bonus.
Unfortunately this has to be the most disappointing stay we've had anywhere. Our check in went fine and we were told about the trout fly that seems to be hanging around. However when we opened our room door we were overcome with the smell of bug treatment (clearly to manage the trout fly issues). We opened up our windows and door to try and air out the room but the smell was so overpowering we both had headaches within a few minutes. We checked out and found accommodation elsewhere, there was no way we could sleep in a room with the overpowering smell of chemicals. I hope this changes for Wai Ora soon otherwise I would not recommend anyone stay here.
Was quiet and secure. Seemed short staffed during our stay. Our cocktail took at least 20 minutes to arrive. On checking out computers wouldn’t cooperate and had to work out manually what dinner and drinks were to be charged. Overall stay was good but maybe more staff tequired
Penelope
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2025
6/10 Okay
LAURA, Wofford Heights
1 Mar 2025
Room was average but comfortable. Shower grout was moldy but otherwise clean. Restaurant had good food bit second day it was not hot enough.
Pretty views.
This was nice place on Lake Rotorua, convenient to sites. There is a bug problem at sunset. Nice park at the end of the rosd with trails along the lake.
Our room became invaded by trout flies in the evening. The manager called us “naughty” guests” for opening our windows which we shouldn’t have done but the sign about trout flies was small and not brought to our attention. The manager gave us a vacuum to deal with fly situation. Not great people skills!!
Our stay at Wai Ora Lakeside Spa Resort had some great highlights. The lakeside location is wonderful, allowing you to hear and enjoy the water with easy access from the hotel. The staff were fantastic and very helpful throughout our stay. While the overall atmosphere was quieter and more laid-back than we expected, it was still a peaceful getaway. It might not have had all the amenities we anticipated, but the serene environment and the friendly staff made it a nice experience overall.
The pool was out of action disappointingly and the bar shut quite early. We would have stayed in town had we realised we weren’t within walking distance of amenities.
However staff were really nice and the rooms were lovely. I have left a dress in the wardrobe and can’t seem to get an answer to my emails.
Lynn
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2025
6/10 Okay
Verified traveller
7 Feb 2025
Disliked: Property conditions & facilities
Disappointed
It was ok. Location ok by the lake with a short drive in the centre of the town. We had expected to have better facilities for self catering but as it has a restaurant I guess that’s not to be expected but we found the menu in the restaurant so uninspiring that we didn’t bother trying it. With patio doors right the way across the front of the room there was a lack of privacy for dressing/undressing and the bathroom was very small with a lack of hooks for hanging clothes etc whilst dressing so quite awkward unless curtains were kept closed all the time.
Verified traveller
Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2025
6/10 Okay
Angela
Travelled with group
5 Feb 2025
Liked: Staff & service
This property is in a beautiful location by Lake Rotorua. The beds were comfortable and everything was clean. Howver, the spa facilities were unusable. The place seemed tired, and the staff jaded. They were slow to respond to reasonable requests, or simply did not respond. Eg when we asked for a few more hangers. The fridge was turned off but we were not told to turn it on, which could have been a problem with medication needing to be kept cold. It took them almost hour to serve breakfast and we were the only ones there! The pool was very cold and therefore unusable. I am sorry to say that it was an unsatisfactory start to a two week roadtrip. We had a problem with midges on the first night as we had not been told to keep doors and windows shut. We were not given any concessions for the inconvenience.
Awesome quiet spot on the lake, perfect if you have a car to get you around to the local spots. Airport 5 mins away, lovely staff that had all the intel on the what-to-dos.
Jacuzzi and massages were a bonus
This is the second time I’ve stayed here and it’s been good. The room we booked was perfect area was good but we didn’t have hot water in our room for the few days we stayed there which was a bummer.
We enjoyed our stay the staff were lovely. The accommodation was clean. They are in the middle of completing some maintenance the property will be amazing once this is completed. Will definitely stay again.
Staff were not warm or friendly. Room was dirty - showers were yellow and worn.
There is no way this is a 4 star property. You can see how it might have been in the past but it certainly is not now.