Author: samantha

With an abundance of fun things to do and sights to see, Rotorua is the ultimate destination for your next getaway. While Rotorua may offer a ton of attractions catering to families, there’s actually a lot which are perfect for couples too! From natural thermal spas, to romantic tree walks and adrenaline activities, Rotorua has it all. We’ve put together a selection of ideas to help plan your next couples weekend escape in Rotorua.

Learn about Maori Culture

Why not add a cultural dimension to your Rotorua trip with an authentic Maori cultural experience. If there is any place to immerse yourself and learn about New Zealand Maori culture, it has to be Rotorua. Visit Whakarewarewa: The Living Maori Village for a truly authentic experience ⁠— here you will have the opportunity to see cultural performances, sample geothermally cooked Hangi and  learn about Maori traditions and the way of live of how early Maori settlers used to live.

Holiday Inn Rotorua hotel guests can enjoy 50% admission at Whakarewarewa: The Living Maori Village, located right next door- Simply ask one of our friendly staff at check-in for your discount voucher.

Explore the Redwoods Forest 

The famed Redwoods Forest has received an increased attention during the past year with the Royal’s trip to Rotorua, and for good reason. Whether you choose to walk across 700 metres of canopy bridge or maybe mountain biking if your preferred mode of transport, there are various ways you can see the majestic Redwoods Forest.

Redwoods Treewalk 

Regardless of what time of the day you choose to visit The Redwoods Treewalk, you won’t be disappointed by this unique ecological experience. See the majestic redwoods from a whole new perspective as you walk across the series of canopy bridges. During the night time the forest illuminates by this spectacular display of bespoke lanterns created by sustainable champion, David Trubridge.

Mountain Biking

Did you know that Rotorua is home to some of the world’s best mountain biking trails. Whether you’re a beginner or mountain bike extraordinaire, there are many great tracks to suit all abilities. Don’t own a bike, no problem. Our friends at Mountain Bike Rotorua have you sorted with bike hire during your stay in Rotorua.

At Holiday Inn Rotorua we are lucky enough to be located a short drive away from the spectacular Redwoods forest.

Relax at a Geothermal Spa

Treat yourself to some obligatory relaxation time with a unique Rotorua geothermal spa experience. Whether it’s Polynesian Spa or Hells Gate, there a number of natural spa complexes in Rotorua which offer the ultimate pampering experience, not to mention a number of natural health benefits.

Play a Round of Golf

While Rotorua may not bee known as golfing destination, it’s not everyday you can play on a golf course surrounded by dormant thermal areas in the picturesque surroundings of Whakarewarewa. Enjoy a unique golfing experience teeing off at New Zealand’s only geothermal golf course.  The Arikikapakapa Rotorua Golf Club offers premier facilities with a full 18 hole, 70 par course.

Visit the Lakes of the District 

Beside the many geothermal attraction on offer, Rotorua is also famous for it’s river and lakes. Whether its an icy swim, fishing, water sports or a picnic by the lake, there are many ways you can enjoy the lakeside and take in the stunning views. With 20 lakes on offer within 20 miles of Rotorua’s centre, the choice is yours.

Lake Tarawera

Located just 20 minutes from Rotorua town centre, discover the wonders of the stunning Lake Tarawera. This is one of the largest and deepest lakes of the region. On your way, be sure to stop by the Buried Village of Te Wairoa to learn about the history of the Mount Tarawera 1886 eruption, one of New Zeeland’s greatest natural disasters.

Where to Dine?

Chapman’s Restaurant 

When in search of an energising breakfast you don’t have to travel far. Simply roll out of bed and head downstairs to Chapman’s Restaurant, located in the lobby area of Holiday Inn Rotorua. Serving everything from your cooked breakfast classics, pancakes, fruits, cereals, pastries, and more, there’s something for everyone.

Eat Streat 

Located in Rotorua’s town centre, Eat Streat is one of Rotorua’s coolest spots for a bite to eat where you’ll have plenty of cuisines to choose from.

Stratosfare Restaurant

If you’re looking for a dining spot with a view, take the Gondola atop Mount Ngongotaha to Skyline Rotroua’s Stratosfare Restaurant and Bar. 

Ready for your next Weekend Getaway?

Discover the Joy of Travel at Holiday Inn in a weekend retreat to Rotorua — but not just any retreat, a full-on deluxe escape where you live a couple days like royalty because you deserve it!  Book on of our Deluxe Rooms and enjoy the enjoy the additional luxuries of expansive views, larger floor space, new contemporary décor and premium in-room amenities.

Find out more

Matariki is almost here! This year,  from June 25 to 28, Matariki (the Pleiades Star Cluster) will once again rise in Aotearoa’s winter skies. For those of you who do not know what Matariki is all about, this occasion signifies the start of the Māori New Year (Te Tau Hou Māori), paving the way to a month of celebrations and festivities throughout New Zealand.

If you’re in Rotorua during Martariki, why not join in with family and friends and take the time to reflect on the past, celebrate the present and look towards the future. Here’s how you can celebrate Matariki in Rotorua:

OGLOW - Winter Solstice
Saturday, 22nd of June 2019 l 6:00-10:30pm

Returning for another year, Rotorua’s iconic zorbing attraction, OGO, is hosting an ‘OGlow’ Winter Solstice event in celebration of Matariki. As the sun sets on the 22nd of June,  for one night only you will have the chance to experience the thrill of rolling downhill in a giant inflatable ball in the dark!  Not only will OGO be offering an awesome discount offer off ride, they will be hosting a BBQ provided by their friends at Terrace Kitchen. While this may not be the conventional way Matariki is celebrated,  the occasion is about togetherness and bringing family and friends after all.

Limited sales, make sure to secure your tickets here.

Celebrate Matariki with Chapman’s
Open for Dinner Buffet 5:30pm-10:00pm daily

Loved by locals, Chapman’s Restaurant is the perfect place to bring together whanau and friends for delicious kai under one roof. From roast carvery, chilled seafood, sensation salads, and of courses we couldn’t forget about the mouth water dessert buffet and make-your-own ice cream station- there’s something sure to satisfy every age and taste bud.

Find out more here.

Colour the Night
Various Locations l Thursday 11 July, 5.30pm to 8.30pm

Stay tuned and lock this date in your calendar; Rotorua’s annual one-night Winter Matariki arts festival is just around the corner. Enjoy a night full of creativity, performances and music, as local artists take to the stage and open their doors for ‘Colour The Night’. Previous years saw over 2,000 attendees on the night with over 200 local artists/ performers, and we expect this year to certainly live up to the hype.

Stay turned for the full event programme closer to the date.

Want to know what else is happening for in Rotorua this Matariki? Find out more here. 

Discover the joy of Rotorua this Autumn

With the summer crowds coming to an ease, autumn is a magical time of the year to experience all that Rotorua has to offer. From the changing colours and falling leaves to the plentiful sights and outdoor activities to keep you on your feet, here’s our Rotorua seasonal guide collating our favourite things to do during the autumn months.

Explore the Redwoods

Here at Holiday Inn Rotorua, we are lucky to have the Redwoods (Whakarewarewa Forest) right on our doorstep. There are various ways you can choose to explore this majestic forest, whether it be by foot, mountain bike or even walking along a 20 m tall suspension bridge, the choice is yours.

Mountain Biking
While Rotorua may be home to over 160 km of Mountain Biking trails, the Redwoods (Whakarewarewa Forest) is by far one of our favourite natural playgrounds to explore. With a diverse network of tracks,  mountain biking is the perfect way to see Rotorua’s stunning native surroundings.  You don’t have to worry about being a mountain biking pro to experience Rotorua’s world class mountain biking tracks, there are track for all ages and abilities.

And because we know that many of our guests are here to test the grounds of Rotorua’s world class mountain biking trails, Holiday Inn Rotorua has fantastic mountain biking facilities, including a dedicated biking washing station and secure bike storage area inside the hotel. Better yet, after a long day of mountain biking you can warm up and soak your muscles in our geothermally heated pool. 

Don’t have your own mountain bike? Our friendly neighbours at Mountain Bike Rotorua have bikes available for hire for both adults and kids.

[Image Source: Redwoods Treewalk]

Family Fun

With the Easter school holidays coming up, Rotorua is a great destination to spend some quality time with the family. In fact, families staying at Holiday Inn Rotorua can get more out of their Rotorua stay with our VIK (Very Important Kids) programme, providing exclusive discounts at some of Rotorua’s top family attractions.

aMAZEme
The aMAZEme maze is a fantastic outing for the whole family and the perfect backdrop for a bit of friendly family competition. Get lost as you navigate your way around the 1.4km of hedges. After you successfully find your exit, head to the McGregor’s Garden for play time with some adorable rabbits in the small animals enclosure. 

[Image Source: Velocity Valley]

Velocity Valley

If you’re looking for a thrilling experience one quite like no other, look no further than Velocity Valley Adventure Park. Sample a selection of adrenaline pumping experiences, including Bungy Jumping, the Swoop sky swing, Velocity Valley’s jet sprint experience, Freefall Xtreme (New Zealand’s only wind tunnel) and the world’s only Shweeb – a human powered monorail racetrack.

Unique Rotorua Experiences

Whakarewarewa: The Living Maori Village
Rotorua is quite possibly the best destination to immerse yourself in the heart of Maori culture and tradition. Learning about the traditional Maori way of life can be a great educational experience for the whole family. Witness Whakarewarewa’s resident kapa haka group in action, see cultural performances, sample traditionally cooked hangi and enjoy a leisurely nature trail through the Whakarewarewa geothermal fields.

Upon check in at Holiday Inn Rotorua, ask one of our friendly staff for your 50% off voucher for Whakaewarewa: The Living Maori Village.

Hells Gate
Not only is Rotorua’s unique geothermal landscape spectacular to look at, but it can do wonders for your skin with its healing mud properties. Play and bathe in mineral enriched mud at Hells Gates– there’s no spa experience quite like it. If you’re not keen on getting muddy, they also have sulphurous spas for similar healing benefits.