15 BEST Hotels in Rotorua 🛎️ [2023]© Regent of Rotorua
15 BEST Hotels in Rotorua 🛎️ [2023]

15 BEST Hotels in Rotorua 🛎️ [2024]

© Regent of Rotorua

Where to Find the Best Hotels in Rotorua

So you’re looking for a place to stay in New Zealand’s coolest “hot spot”, a town rich in Maori culture, adventure activities and brimming with geothermal activity. Choose some of the city’s most premium accommodations by staying in the hotels in Rotorua. Sure, many hotels have similarities, for instance, spa baths or heated pools thanks to the readily available geothermal activity, but where they differ is in their cuisine, self-catering facilities, character, location and extra unique touches. We go through some of our favourites in this list of the best hotels in Rotorua.

While you’re here, don’t forget to plan some awesome experiences with the 25 Best Things to Do in Rotorua and the rest of your trip with The Complete Travel Guide to Rotorua.

1. Regent of Rotorua – The Best Hotel in Rotorua

A fabulous design-driven hotel in Rotorua is the Regent of Rotorua. This 4.5-star hotel is conveniently located in central Rotorua and offers a chic and contemporary style from its furnishings to its food. Choose from a range of rooms from the intimate “Cutie Room” for couples or solo travellers to the spacious “Two-Bedroom Executive Suite” with designer furniture. A stay here includes WiFi, access to an outdoor heated pool, a private mineral pool, mini gym, lounge and wine bar, as well as the Regent Room restaurant serving sharing plates and tapas. This hotel also ranks highly in Where to Stay in Rotorua: 50 Best Accommodations in Rotorua.

Check Regent of Rotorua out:

Regent of Rotorua© Regent of Rotorua

2. Black Swan Lakeside Boutique Hotel – The Best Luxury Hotel in Rotorua

A stylish retreat on the shores of Lake Rotorua, Black Swan Lakeside Boutique Hotel is well worth considering for a special occasion or “just because”. Bask in the views and enjoy elegant spaces throughout the property. The one acre of manicured grounds consists of rose gardens, sweeping lawns, an outdoor pool, a “secret grotto” and a sandy beach with a private jetty. As for your room, enjoy modernly appointed “Lakeview Suites” with full glass sliders to bask in those views or perhaps opt for more space and added tranquillity in one of the “Garden Suites”.

Check Black Swan Lakeside Boutique Hotel out:

15 BEST Hotels in Rotorua 🛎️ [2023]© Black Swan Lakeside Boutique Hotel

3. Quest Rotorua Central – The Best Apartment Hotel in Rotorua

For a hotel where you can cook your own meals and experience the conveniences of home, look no further than Quest Rotorua Central. The apartment hotel provides contemporary high-quality serviced apartments with everything you need for a home-away-from-home stay in the city. All apartments have a kitchen here, from the stovetops of the compact studios to the full kitchens with an oven and a full-size fridge. There’s an opportunity to splurge here too with spa pools and breakfast/dinner deliveries available. For more self-catering stays, check out the 10 Best Self-Catering Accommodations in Rotorua.

Check Quest Rotorua Central out:

15 BEST Hotels in Rotorua 🛎️ [2023]© Quest Rotorua Central

4. Pullman Rotorua – The Best Five-Star Hotel in Rotorua

Towering high in the heart of Rotorua city, Pullman Rotorua boasts five-star luxury to go with its five-star views. While there’s a range of standard hotel-style rooms to choose from, its “Executive Suites” with 180-degree vistas of the lake and city, as well as a luxurious freestanding bathtub, that are the most impressive of its selection. Outside of your room and through the elegantly modern halls and foyers, you’ll find the farm-to-table cuisine of the Barrel & Co. Bar and Grill and indulgent treatments at Massage Eden Lifestyle & Wellness Spa. Check out more upscale stays in the 18 Best Luxury Accommodations in Rotorua.

Check Pullman Rotorua out:

15 BEST Hotels in Rotorua 🛎️ [2023]© Pullman Rotorua

5. Jet Park Hotel Rotorua – Rotorua Hotel with a Spa

What we love about the Jet Park Hotel Rotorua is how extremely catered to each traveller type the hotel is. The “Standard Double” rooms are a fantastic economy option for couples or for solo travellers seeking their own space, while the “Family Room” comes with age-appropriate toys and pillows for the little ones. Those seeking luxury or a bit of pampering will love the “Executive Suite” with a corner spa bath and fluffy robes or get that home-away-from-home experience in the “Apartment”, ideal for a long stay. Facilities at Jet Park include free car parking, free WiFi, children’s indoor and outdoor play areas, a spa, swimming pool, bike wash and storage, and a boutique cafe.

Check Jet Park Hotel Rotorua out:

 Jet Park Hotel Rotorua© Jet Park Hotel Rotorua

6. Rydges Rotorua – The Best Rotorua Hotel for Families

Located near the Whakarewarewa Redwoods Forest and a short drive from many of Rotorua’s attractions, the Rydges Rotorua is a convenient hotel option for making the most out of the tourist attractions. It’s a great value option for families where kids stay and eat for free, while couples and groups of friends will have no qualm with the simple yet fresh “Standard”, “Superior” and “Deluxe Rooms”. Visitors who are into sports will appreciate the on-site gym, heated swimming pool, spa and mountain biking facilities. There is free car parking, while guests without a car can make use of the complimentary shuttle service into the town centre. For more family-friendly stays, best sure to check out the 20 BEST Family Accommodations in Rotorua.

Check Rydges Rotorua out:

Holiday Inn Rotorua© Holiday Inn Rotorua

7. Prince’s Gate Hotel – The Best Rotorua Hotel for Couples

The Prince’s Gate Hotel radiates elegance and class. If you’re not popping in for their acclaimed high tea, then at least stay in one of only 50 luxury rooms and suites with traditional decor, luxurious bathrobes, Sky TV and some with a kitchenette. In true Rotorua style, guests have access to thermally heated pools, as well as a private hot pool and sauna. Find time to dine at The Dukes Bar and Restaurant with modern European meals, a “Taste Indigenous New Zealand” degustation experience, and high tea in the afternoons. For alternative romantic stays, take a look at the 15 Most Romantic Accommodations in Rotorua.

Check Prince’s Gate Hotel out:

Prince's Gate Hotel© Prince's Gate Hotel

8. ibis Rotorua – Cheap Hotel in Rotorua

Looking for harmless hotel rooms in central Rotorua for a reasonable price? You can’t go too wrong with ibis Rotorua. The budget hotel brand does it again with its selection of sleek and comfortable hotel rooms that are perhaps a little cramped, but who’s complaining at these prices? Make dining easy by adding breakfast to your tariff and/or dine at the I-Restaurant with a crowd-pleasing burger and pizza menu. What’s more, the hotel is super central with just a short stroll to the lakefront and Rotorua’s restaurants. Check out more budget options (where you’ll find much lower room prices) in the 20 BEST Budget Accommodations in Rotorua.

Check ibis Rotorua out:

15 BEST Hotels in Rotorua 🛎️ [2023]© ibis Rotorua

9. Novotel Rotorua Lakeside – Hotel in Rotorua City Centre

Stay in a contemporary 4.5-star hotel in the heart of Rotorua. While the Novotel Rotorua Lakeside is only moments away from Rotorua’s dining precinct, Eat Street, it offers a fabulous bar and restaurant with a lake-view terrace. As for the rooms, relax in the earthy-toned interior with large picture windows allowing natural light to fill the room. The hotel offers three types of suites and five types of studios, from simple “City View” or “Lake View King Rooms” to luxurious “Suites” with corner rooms available, as well as an espresso machine, pillow menu, audio docking station, ensuite with spa bath and more. Extra facilities at the Novotel include a fitness centre, babysitting and an indoor heated pool.

Check Novotel Rotorua Lakeside out:

Novotel Rotorua Lakeside© Novotel Rotorua Lakeside

10. VR Rotorua Lake Resort – Rotorua Hotel with a Swimming Pool

A tranquil retreat on the shores of Lake Rotoiti and a 15-minute drive from town, VR Rotorua Lake Resort is well worth considering for something a little different. The lodge-inspired resort hotel spans seven acres of manicured gardens, including a swimming pool, spa, sauna, dining room and 42 rooms and suites. Lake-view and garden-view rooms are available with a king layout, while your more luxurious offerings like the “Executive Suite Spa Rooms” and the “Executive Suites” are also worth considering. Not only can you enjoy quiet days playing giant chess on the lakefront or unwinding in the spa pools, but dining at The Grill is a must with award-winning beef and lamb dishes.

Check VR Rotorua Lake Resort out:

15 BEST Hotels in Rotorua 🛎️ [2023]© VR Rotorua Lake Resort

11. Best Western Braeside Rotorua & Conference Centre – Rotorua Hotel with Private Hot Pools

Located in a leafy suburb of Rotorua, the Best Western Braeside makes a great retreat from the day’s adventures and is within walking distance of attractions like the Skyline Gondola. The hotel offers a range of facilities including a heated outdoor swimming pool, spa area, minigolf, children’s playground a games room and a trout stream for fishing. You can pick up food from the on-site Brook Bar & Bistro. As for accommodation, all rooms have a kitchenette, while some rooms have a private hot tub, a stream view and a balcony. Due to its motel-like facilities, we also list this one in the 15 BEST Motels in Rotorua.

Check Best Western Braeside out:

Best Western Braeside Rotorua & Conference Centre© Best Western Braeside Rotorua & Conference Centre

12. Sudima Hotel Lake Rotorua – Rotorua Hotel on the Lakefront

With an idyllic location on the shores of Lake Rotorua yet only a short walk from the city centre, the Sudima Hotel combines convenience and luxury. Treat yourself to the on-site spa, do a few laps in the heated pool and enjoy the hotel’s Okareka Restaurant and Bar serving Kiwi dishes along with lake views. There are three room types to choose from, including “Superior Rooms”, “Superior Plus” and “Family Rooms”. Families may find services like babysitting useful too.

Check Sudima Hotel Lake Rotorua out:

Sudima Hotel Lake Rotorua© Sudima Hotel Lake Rotorua

13. Millennium Hotel Rotorua – The Best Rotorua Hotel for Business Travellers

Enjoy a pampered stay in the “Deluxe Rooms” and “Club Rooms” of the Millennium Hotel Rotorua, complete with a private outdoor spa pool. Alternatively, the “Superior Rooms” with the option of a lake view provide a more affordable option for solo travellers, couples and families. Downtime at the Millennium can be made up using the on-site spa, fitness centre, gym or pool or opt for wining and dining at the ultra-sleek Bar Zazu or casual Brasserie Poolside Restaurant. The Millennium also has a fine dining venue, Restaurant Nikau. For more dining recommendations, don’t forget to check out The Food Guide to Rotorua: Places to Eat & Food Tours.

Check Millennium Hotel Rotorua out:

Millennium Hotel Rotorua© Millennium Hotel Rotorua

14. Arawa Park Hotel – Three-Star Hotel in Rotorua

Boasting some of the largest hotel rooms in Rotorua, Arawa Park Hotel certainly provides ample space for couples, families and business travellers. The 4.5-star hotel has 135 guestrooms, 95 of which feature a spa bath. The central meeting point of the hotel is in the airy Atrium Restaurant, which serves crowd-pleasers, as well as a grill menu. Other amenities at the hotel include a bar, gym and conference rooms.

Check Arawa Park Hotel out:

best hotels in Rotorua© Rydges Rotorua

15. Wai Ora Lakeside Resort – Rotorua Hotel with Spa in Room

Wai Ora Lakeside Spa Resort is the place to unwind, rejuvenate and indulge in Rotorua, boasting a fabulous day spa and an award-winning restaurant. There are two room options, either the “Deluxe Room” which opens up onto the resort’s swimming pool or the “Superior Suite” with a private balcony and double spa bath. Contemporary fine dining can be experienced at the award-winning Mokoia Restaurant which serves Pacific Rim cuisine, as well as grill dining.

Check Wai Ora Lakeside Spa Resort out:

WaiOra Lakeside Spa Resort© WaiOra Lakeside Spa Resort

More Hotels in Rotorua

Now that you know the best hotels in Rotorua, check out what awesome things there are to do, as well as alternative accommodations:

Finally, if there’s anything we’ve missed, you’re likely to find it in The Complete Travel Guide to Rotorua.

Author

Laura S.

This article was reviewed and published by Laura, editor in chief and co-founder of NZ Pocket Guide. Since arriving solo in New Zealand over 10 years ago and with a background in journalism, her mission has been to show the world how easy (and awesome) it is to travel New Zealand. She knows Aotearoa inside-out and loves sharing tips on how best to experience New Zealand’s must-dos and hidden gems. Laura is also editor of several other South Pacific travel guides and is the co-host of NZ Pocket Guide’s live New Zealand travel Q&As on YouTube.

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