13 Hot Springs in New Zealand Worth Booking

1.Polynesian Spa Pavilion Hot Pool Bathing (12+ yrs)

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 376 reviews · 1 day · from $29Our pick

At Polynesian Spa in central Rotorua, you can spend a day moving between seven hot mineral pools reserved for ages 12 and over. Soak in acidic Priest Spring pools, soften your skin in alkaline Rachel Spring pools, try the 1.3-metre stand-up pool, and walk the foot reflexology path. Towels, swimsuits, and lockers cost extra.

“Just what the doctor ordered. Relaxing and soothing. Staff very friendly and helpful. Pools were amazing,showers were awesome. Definitely coming back when in town again.”

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2.Polynesian Spa Rotorua: Deluxe Lake Spa Hot Spring Bathing

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 358 reviews · 1 day · from $47

Spend a day at Polynesian Spa Rotorua’s family-friendly Deluxe Lake Spa, soaking in four shallow Rachel Spring alkaline pools and one Priest Spring acidic pool beside Lake Rotorua. You also get a cold plunge, heated recliners, indoor lounge, towels, lockers, showers, toiletries, and hairdryers. The $47 entry is best for a quiet half-day of hot-cold relaxation.

“Beautiful surroundings adjacent to Rotorua lake. Water in all pools very shallow. Relaxing event and booked a couple’s massage.”

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3.Polynesian Spa Rotorua: Deluxe Lake Spa Hot Spring Bathing

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 227 reviews · from $49

Spend up to four hours at Polynesian Spa’s family-friendly Deluxe Lake Spa in Rotorua. You get four Rachel Spring pools, one Priest Spring pool, a cold plunge, heated recliners, premium changing rooms, towels, lockers, and lake views. Pools range from 36°C to 41°C, with shallow 0.7-meter water suited to relaxed soaking.

“Very nice facility with numerous relaxing pools and great views. Clean and sufficient locker rooms. Recommended if you need some relaxation.”

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4.Polynesian Spa Rotorua: Pavilion (12+ yrs) Hot Pool Bathing

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 154 reviews · from $31

At Rotorua’s Polynesian Spa Pavilion, you can spend the day moving between acidic Priest Spring pools, alkaline Rachel Spring pools, a lake-view pool, and a reflexology walk. Admission is for ages 12 and up, with changing rooms, showers, storage tubs, towel hire, and lockers available. The experience is self-guided and unhurried.

“The pools were an amazing place to visit in Rotorua. Very central location and great hot pools. Definitely a place to reccomend.”

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5.Wai Ariki Hot Springs and Spa Restorative Journey (2hrs)

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 73 reviews · from $108

At Wai Ariki Hot Springs and Spa in Rotorua, you’ll follow a guided Māori wellness journey inspired by Ngāti Whakaue. Over two hours, move through saunas, cold plunges, mineral pools, hydrotherapy, a self-applied geothermal mud lounge, and a steam room. The experience is for ages 16 and older, with robes, towels, and lockers included.

“I visit a lot of spas and this has been one of my favorites by far. The view from the pools is incredible. Even if you skip doing a treatment, it is still worth a visit!”

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6.From Auckland: Rotorua Māori Village & Hot Springs with Haka

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 58 reviews · 12 hours · from $236

Travel from Auckland in a small group of up to 11 with guides such as Huzefa, Matt, or JJ. Visit the living Māori village of Whakarewarewa for geothermal sights, local stories, songs, and a Haka, then spend two hours at Polynesian Spa. Bring swimwear and allow about three hours each way for the road journey.

“Great trip! Very informative with a friendly helpful guide. Really enjoyed it!”

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7.Lakefront Hot Springs & Spa – Luxury Māori Wellness

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 58 reviews · 2 hours · from $104

At Wai Ariki Hot Springs & Spa, you’ll follow the two-hour Wai Whakaora Restorative Journey beside Lake Rotorua. Expect Māori blessings, waterfall showers, saunas, hot and cold pools, hydrotherapy, a self-applied geothermal mud treatment mixed with honey, and a final steam room. Athena is noted for her warm, attentive service.

“C’était vraiment super , 2h c’est court tant il y a de chose à faire . Je m’attendais à un bain de boue mais il te donne un bol de boue mélangé avec du miel . En vrai l’activité est top au final et le prix est vraiment correct. Je recommanderais plutôt de rester 2h de plus”

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8.Ex Auckland: Rotorua Māori Village with Haka and Hot Springs

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 55 reviews · from $245Top rated

Leave Auckland at 6:00 am in a small air-conditioned vehicle for Whakarewarewa Māori Village, where local guides share Māori customs, stories, and a haka among steaming geothermal pools. After a scenic Rotorua drive, spend two hours at Polynesian Spa’s Deluxe Lake Spa before returning to Auckland. Guides such as John Paynter and Huzefa are known for thoughtful care.

“The hot springs are very beautiful. The tour guide was very friendly and knowledgeable. This is one of the must do trips if you are visiting Auckland. For the Polynesian SPA, carry your swim clothes. There is also an option to rent”

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9.Polynesian Spa Rotorua: Family Hot Pools and Freshwater Pool

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 17 reviews · 1 day · from $18Best value

Spend a full day at Polynesian Spa’s Family Pools in Rotorua. You get a 33°C freshwater pool, a small hydro slide, and two Rachel Spring mineral pools at 37°C and 40°C. Lifeguards supervise the pool area, and changing rooms, showers, lockers, and hire towels are available.

“It was lovely experience. My Family loved it.. We will visit again next time.. Thanks”

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10.Wai Ariki Hot Springs & Spa 1hr Restorative Bathing

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 16 reviews · 1 hour · from $59

Spend one hour at Wai Ariki Hot Springs and Spa near Lake Rotorua, moving between mineral, hot, herbal, hydrotherapy, and 12°C cold pools. An English-speaking guide introduces Māori healing traditions, with a blessing at the start and finish. Towels, lockers, water fountains, parking, and shelter are included, but robes, food, and transport are not.

“Kia ora Silvia, Thank you for your wonderful feedback! We’re thrilled to hear you had such an awesome experience at Wai Ariki Hot Springs and Spa. We look forward to welcoming you again soon. Ngā mihi,”

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11.‘Thermal Path Tour’ Geothermal half day Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 15 reviews · 4 hours · from $89

Join a small group of up to eight for a four-hour Rotorua geothermal outing with local guide Stephen, also known as Steve or Steven. You’ll see a huge hot water lake, Rainbow Mountain’s crater lake, the region’s largest active mud pool, and Te Manaroa Spring before finishing at Waikite Valley Thermal Pools.

“The tour was amazing! Thank you for sharing all of your knowledge …we had a blast!”

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12.Auckland: Wai-O-Tapu, Maori Haka & Hot Springs Rotorua Tour

★★★★★★★★★★3.8 · 5 reviews · 12 hours · from $233

Travel from Auckland to Rotorua with a guide, visit Lady Knox Geyser and Wai-O-Tapu, watch a cultural performance at Whakarewarewa, then relax at Polynesian Spa. Guide David has been praised for his helpful commentary and local stop. Expect a long 12-hour day with plenty of walking and no meals included.

“Me and my husband went and we got to learn tons of interesting and amazing things about Rotorua and the sites we saw but also about New Zealand's early history, we loved knowing what our beloved Kiwis are called that name. It was wonderful to spend time at the spa, one of the most beautiful spa's we have ever visited. The view is just stunning. Our guide David was enthusiastic, knowledgeable and always ready to help us with anything we needed. He also showed us a place visited more by locals than turists and it was wonderful. This is a must do activitie!”

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13.Secret adventure kayaking to natural hot springs

★★★★★★★★★★3.8 · 3 reviews · 2 hours · from $74

You’ll paddle Lake Rotoiti for about 65 minutes with a guide, then visit a secluded natural hot spring reached by kayak. Lance leads the trip, with safety gear, warm clothing, communication equipment, and a short van transfer supplied. Expect Māori history, birdlife, mountain views, and a small group of up to 10 people.

“Great activity for the whole family. Lance is a real pro with a lot of experience and took us to an excellent hot springs along the lake.”

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