Wai Ora Day Spa

The highlight of our stay at Wai Ora Lakeside Spa Resort was undoubtedly the breathtaking lake view from the corridor and swimming pool. The facility boasts an incredible location with stunning views of the lake, which provided a serene backdrop throughout our stay. Our room, along with the washroom, was of a decent size and offered comfortable accommodation for our family of four during our three-night stay. However, while we were able to enjoy the jacuzzi, we found the swimming pool to be disappointingly cold as it lacked temperature control. Additionally, the steam room and sauna were not functioning properly during our visit, which was a bit of a letdown. On the downside, we were quite disappointed with the cleanliness of the room. Despite our three-night stay, the housekeeping staff did not change the bed sheets or refill the tea and bathroom amenities, which left much to be desired in terms of cleanliness and attention to detail. Despite these shortcomings, we were pleased with the affordability of our stay, especially considering the good deal we secured through Agoda. Overall, while the hotel offers stunning views and decent accommodations, there are areas for improvement, particularly in terms of cleanliness and facility maintenance. Thank you.

My room overlooked the serene Lake Rotorua, providing a picturesque backdrop to my stay. The attention to detail was evident in every aspect of the room, from the plush bedding to the thoughtfully curated amenities. We have incredible experience with the restaurant. Creamy, flavorful, and utterly satisfying. The seafood chowder is a must-try for seafood lovers. Tender chunks of seafood in a rich broth, its comfort in a bowl. The big breakfast, a hearty and satisfying meal that fueled me for the day ahead. From perfectly cooked eggs to crispy bacon and savory sausages, every component was cooked to perfection. Finally, the fish and chips were a culinary delight that transported me straight to the coast. The fish was beautifully battered and fried to golden perfection, while the chips were crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside. Served with a side of tangy tartar sauce and a squeeze of lemon, it was a classic dish executed flawlessly. Overall, dining at Waiora Lakeside Spa Resort was an unforgettable experience. The impeccable service, stunning lake views, and exceptional cuisine make it a must-visit destination for any food enthusiast.”

The pics of the hotel looked lovely and it probably was when John Key officially opened it in 2008 so we were quite looking forward to arriving. Let's just say it's seen better days. Everything is a bit worn and it's not what comes to mind when you say "resort". If you're coming to/from the airport the location is good but not so good if you want to go into town and don't have a car. They asked if we wanted a queen/king or two single beds so we went with the one large one. This turned out to be two single beds pushed together with a sheet over the two beds. So no one was sleeping in the chasm in the middle. The minibar fridge only - no snacks was old and noisy when it turned off and on during the night. Black-out curtains were great. The pool was empty when we arrived and only just filled up the night before we left. If people are booking a hotel that advertises having a pool, it would be nice to be told before paying that the pool might not be available for a couple of days. It's not that the place is awful, it's just that I would expect to pay less for what it is.

Nice little place to stay away from Rotorua Central. The hotel room doors open up right to the swimming pool which is really cool and the beach is accessible straight from the hotel. Just a few steps away which is great experience. Had all the basic Amenities needed from a hotel. They were gracious enough to help with the late check-in and had kept our hotel room open with the keys inside so that we could enter the room right away when we came in the middle of the night. Really good experience and would definitely visit again if visiting Rotorua.

Stayed here with my wife 4 yrs ago and we very much enjoyed the whole experience, from rooms to massages and spas. However something seems to have changed. Stayed there a few days ago with my wife and the best way I could describe it is that it is run more like a house than a resort. The spa, sauna, and pool use is included in the price, however when I walked into this area all the lights were off, the area was run down, saunas and spas not on so spas were lukewarm. They then said they only turn them on if they know people want to use them. They then tried to add hot water from a hose into it which added 1-2 degrees, made it barely warm. Had some sauna time but it was finally warm enough and then had to go to dinner which needed to push out due to everything taking ages to heat up. And the small pool outside was drained with green waste in it, they said it isn't used very often however I never read or heard anything about it not being in use, neither about needing to let them know if we wanted to use the spa. The larger outside pool was good, some kids were playing in it but it was near lake temperature. Fridge in the room froze whatever we put in it overnight, bathrooms needed shelves in shower and hooks. Rooms were 'tired/run down'. Photos/wall repair work at the least. To be fair, the staff were courteous and relatively friendly, mainly the chef who I saw from time to time, the food was actually very good. Tasty and good portions for the price. Lovely to walk out along the lake. Perhaps summer is different as we have only been here twice in the fall, but they were both very different experiences. Some fun and funny memories none the less. Food photos we took below don't do it justice, we clearly ate some already, this was the big breakfast and French toast, very much enjoyed.

Great atmosphere and nice view. Very attentive staffs. First time dine in at Mokoia Restaurant in Wai Ora Lakeside Spa Resort. The BBQ pork ribs herbs and spices were outstanding. Tender fall of the ribs juicy, really yummilicious!! The sauce will also please your palette I am sure. Salads and chips ….hmmm… Will come again.Service: 5/5

Quiet, out of way place by the lake. Be aware there are many flies there at night, make sure you close the window at night. One notable point I would like to suggest is that, please use sharper steak knife for your restaurant meal. Very nice meal by the way. 5 out of 5.Rooms: 5/5

Room is fine, clean and adequate. The restaurant is a total waste of money, don’t go there. Vastly overpriced for what they give. I ordered a Southern fried chicken, and five deep fried pieces came out and a tablespoon of chopped salad. Pathetic! My partner ordered steak, the piece was very small and tough. It came with a mountain of chips. In general don’t bother booking here. The spa facilities are closed, the pool is tiny and all looks sad and run down.

Nice Resort and pool, great location. There is a park and in between the hotel and the lake. Check in and staff were great. Hotel was quite, wifi was strong. The sand flies can be pesky in the evening. Unfortunately I didn't get to try any of the spa amenities, but maybe next time.Rooms: 4/5

The hotel has a beautiful location on Holdens Bay. We enjoyed the morning walks by the lake. The room wasn't overly large, especially if you're traveling with a lot of luggage. However, we found the room to be clean, and all amenities were available. A plus point was being able to watch live sports in our room. The staff was friendly, but there were many people of Asian origin who weren't very proficient in English, making communication relatively difficult. Also, note that breakfast is à la carte only, with a limited choice. We didn't use the pool and jacuzzi, so we can't provide a review of those.