We are open every day (including Christmas and Public Holidays) from 8am to 11pm with the last pool entry at 10.15pm (spa therapies 10am to 7pm). Our mineral pools are open and spa therapies available under all weather conditions.
What are your admission prices?
Please refer to our Prices page for a full list of the admission price for each bathing area.
What age is a child? Do you have family passes?
Children are aged from 5-14 years. Infants and children under 5 years are free of charge, babies are required to wear swimming nappies. Adults are classed as 15 years and above. We offer a family pass to our Family Spa. A family consists of two adults and up to four children.
Where are you located?
We are located in central Rotorua on the lake end of Hinemoa Street. For a map or directions click here.
Do you have car parking?
Free onsite car parking is available.
Do we have to book to use the pools?
Bookings are not required to use the pools (including Private Pools). However, bookings are essential for Lake Spa Retreat Spa Therapies
Does the admission include access to all the pools? How long can I visit the thermal pools?
We have 27 pools in four bathing areas that are priced accordingly – Lake Spa, Adult Pools & Priest Spa, Private Pools, and the Family Spa. There is no access from each area into the other complex bathing pools. There are no time limits for bathing in any of our areas, excluding the private pools which are available for 30 minutes hire.
Are towels and lockers included?
Towels and lockers are included in the entry price for guests to the deluxe Lake Spa bathing pools and Lake Spa Retreat Spa Therapy. For all other areas towels can be hired at a cost of NZ$5.00 per item with a NZ$5.00 deposit, or can be purchased new from the Spa Essentials Shop. Storage tubs are available for your possessions, secure lockers for your valuables can be hired for NZ$5.00.
Can I hire swimsuits and swimming shorts?
Yes, swimsuits and swimming shorts for adults are available for hire for NZ$5.00 per item with a NZ$5.00 deposit. A large range of swimsuits are available for purchase from the Spa Essentials Shop.
What can I wear in the pools?
Swimwear has to be worn when bathing in the pools. Rash shirts, board shorts or other clothing using synthetic fabric such as lycra, nylon and polyester are permitted. Cotton shirts and pants including underwear are not permitted to be worn in the pools at any time. Babies must wear swimming nappies. Swimwear is not obligatory in the Private Pools.
Can I use a Private Pool on my own?
No, the Aquatic Facilities Guidelines state that pools that are not in public view must have a minimum of two adults per pool. An adult is aged 15 years and above.
Can I leave my children unattended?
Children under 8 years of age must be actively supervised by a caregiver aged 16 or over, this means you must be in the water with your child at all times and be able to provide immediate assistance. Children under 12 years of age must be accompanied by an adult.
Do you have changing rooms and do they have showers?
Yes, changing rooms and showers are available in every bathing area at the spa.
Benefits of the mineral waters have been reported for many years. Please refer to Our Water for further information.
What are the white particles in the pools? / Why is the water cloudy?
The clarity of the mineral water can change with atmospheric conditions or variations in the mineral solids suspended in the water when the temperatures are lowered. The most active minerals are sulfur, silica and iron oxides. These bond together as the water cools and may become visible, either in the form of milky water or white particles in the water.
How often do you change the water?
All pools meet stringent water quality standards. The law states that we must change the water in our mineral pools every 4 hours. We meet these legal requirements, and in some pools the water is changed every 3 hours.
Contrary to our geothermal mineral pools, the family pool is not emptied daily, but water is maintained constantly by the filter and chlorination plant to the purest level.
During the day there is a constant supply of fresh mineral water entering the pools. All pools are emptied, cleaned and refilled with fresh mineral water over night.
What are the risks of contacting amoebic meningitis?
Polynesian Spa has implemented measures to guarantee bathers that every safety measure is in place. These measures meet all NZ Standards and RDC Geothermal Safety Bylaw 2008 regulations. Regarding Elimination of Amoebic meningoencephalitis risk; firstly it must be understood that the pathogenic protozoa that causes the disease does not exist in geothermal water (because the amoebae cannot survive in water above 90°C). The hazard occurs wherever warm water is in contact with soil, or soil particles. As all pools at Polynesian Spa are separated and isolated from soil or soil contamination, there is no risk ofAmoebic meningoencephalitis in Polynesian Spa pools, and swimmers can and do put their heads underwater.
Is it ok to have a hot mineral soak if I am pregnant or have a small baby?
We recommend that pregnant women are cautious when bathing in hot mineral water. We recommend soaking in the low temperature alkaline pools and ensuring a high intake of fluids and breaks in between. Some pregnant women choose to only soak their feet in the water. We do not recommend pregnant women bathe in the acidic Priest Spa pools.
Infants can soak in the mineral pools although we recomend keeping them in the lower temperature pools to ensure they do not overheat, they must be supervised at all times.
Spa therapies – our Tropical Mama Pregnancy Massage is perfect for mothers-to-be.
I am allergic to sulphur based drugs. Can I still bathe in the pools?
We strongly recommend not bathing in the mineral pools as skin reactions may occur.
Does the mineral water affect your jewellery?
Mineral water will tarnish silver jewellery and some gold. Please remove all jewellery before entering the pools. If your jewellery has contact with the water and does become tarnished you can have this cleaned at a jewellers.
Do you have wheelchair access to the pools and changing rooms?
Yes, Polynesian Spa is wheelchair accessible; however we do not have hoists into the pools.
Do you offer group discounts?
For groups of more than 15 people we offer a 10% reduction on hot mineral bathing.
