Experience the Wai Whakaora Restorative Journey—a two-hour, culturally rich spa experience inspired by Ngāti Whakaue and set by Lake Rotorua. Begin at the mauri stone, releasing stress and receiving a blessing to create space for calm and openness. Throughout the journey, pūrākau (stories) guide each therapy. Start with refreshing waterfall showers, followed by therapeutic saunas to unwind. Alternate between hot and cold therapies to energise your senses. Relax in mineral-rich geothermal pools, enjoy a rejuvenating hydrotherapy experience, and soothe your skin in the mud lounge with nourishing mineral-rich muds. Finish in the tranquil steam room, reflecting on this blend of relaxation and cultural enrichment. The Wai Whakaora Restorative Journey is more than just a spa treatment; it’s a deeply immersive, culturally enriching experience that connects you to the land, the heritage, and yourself. Leave feeling completely renewed, balanced, and reconnected to the beauty of Rotorua’s landscape and the stories of the Ngāti Whakaue people.
We were a group of five women from Sydney looking for a relaxing experience. This 2 hours delivered. From start to finish it was very relaxing and enjoyable and felt like a very unique, genuine experience From thermal pools, saunas to mud bath and steam room. We laughed and relaxed and walked out l walking in a cloud. Thoroughly recommend for groups of friends, male and female and/or couples.
What a wonderful relaxing and restorative experience. All the amenities were designed to create a serene and beautifully cleansing and mindful atmosphere
A truly restful and indulgent experience in an amazingly clean and uncrowded, relaxing environment. All the pools and saunas were indeed unique and worth spending time in. Marketing the experience as a guided 2 hour journey seems a slight misnomer as apart from the initial introduction and Karakia/blessing performed by staff, you are then free to explore all the saunas and pools at your leisure, without further involvement from staff. I was worried that I might feel "rushed" by having a 2-hour time limit, but it seems that this is maybe just a suggestion, because thankfully no-one was pressuring you to 'move on' at any point. Of course, like many attractions in Rotorua, the entry free is very significant for Kiwis. I'm sure that helps restrict the number of guests. But if it is an issue, possibly check the prices offered at Tours-Rotorua.com Then enjoy an amazing highlight of your visit to Rotorua!
Excellent experience, very relaxing. The 2 hours felt like only a few minutes!!!!!! All the staff were friendly and enthusiastic. Will definitely be back.
This place is amazing! Beautifully decorated a calming oasis. Staff was attentive and friendly. Massage was excellent. Highly recommend
So relaxing and beautiful overlooking the lake outside! It was nice to have the two hours to use as we wished to do the different experiences. The ice chip room was something new we had never done.
Loved 😍 an experience that I probably wouldn't do often loved the whole experience
From booking at the beginning with Jesse. Setting everything in place for our family event (Celebrating our Son's 21st Birthday - who is Severely Autistic). Jesse made the whole booking process easy to follow and understand. Our family of 15 pax was met by Jesse (who waited to meet our Family: ) before we commenced our journey into Wai Ariki. Our Birthday Boy (and our family) thoroughly enjoyed EVERY experience during our restorative journey....this part made our night.... Wai Ariki staff were waiting to sing a Waiata 'Birthday Song' to our Muriwai, with a cake, card & candle for him blow out (he loves blowing out candles) this absolutely made our experience even more special.
We had the most wonderful and satisfying experience here! I booked a massage with spa session for my parents. After mentioning via email that my parents do not speak English, the booking manager went above and beyond by giving me a chance to provide them a personal interpretation and spa tour. On the day of the appointment, all the reception team and the therapists were exceptionally welcoming, providing amazing service. My parents were deeply impressed by the serene ambiance, spa pools and massage experience. The facilities were very clean and tidy, complemented by a gorgeous view of the lake. I will undoubtedly book again on my next trip to Rotorua
The absolute best thing you can do in Rotorua or even NZ maybe. Well-travelled friend reckoned the best spa in the world. Surrounded by soft peaceful beauty, a comforting feast for the senses, the Restorative Journey is perfectly named. It does what it says. Be sure to listen to the short explanation from the guide and read the stories of each stage. The wellbeing will last long beyond the few hours you're there.
Listen to the instructions - go one way and not backwards through the experience. They also advise no jewellery which is a good point. It was amazing and I will definately go back when I am in Rotorua.
Absolutely stunning facility. my husband and I both loved it!! Highly recommend!!
I’ve been several times and it never disappoints. It is still as beautifully kept as it was when it opened. Spotlessly clean and the facilities are quality and it is amazing value for money. It has an ambience and wairua (spirit) of that makes it different from other offerings of a similar nature. The staff are lovely. I can’t recommend it highly enough. Thank you.
Very good. So relaxing and peaceful
The whole booking process was so personal and easy! Was able to pay over the phone and talk through all of the treatments to get the perfect one! Our guide Karen was so welcoming and calming. Showers us through the stunning facilities and the history and intention of the designs. Courtney and Amber were our massage therapists who had the hangs of angels! Checked in for pressure and carried it through the whole treatment. We got to choose our desired/ preferred scents and oils and was by far the best massage either of us have had! 5 stars is not enough and will be bringing family and friends back, as well as just a treat for ourselves when we need a break from life and feel rejuvenated and relaxed. If you have the opportunity to go… GO! You will not regret it!!!
Amazing experience. Wish I could come here once a month
I had a fantastic experience at Wai Ariki. The timing was perfect, as I visited around sunset, and I love sunsets. The views were beautiful, and I really enjoyed the entire seven-step restorative journey. It was a wonderful way to relax after my long international flight from New York to Auckland and several busy days exploring Auckland and Rotorua. I especially appreciated the thoughtful accessibility accommodations. As a deaf visitor, I was provided with a transcript on a tablet for the guided introduction, which was very helpful. I was also able to follow Sina's explanations using my speech-to-text app. Having both options made the experience much more accessible and allowed me to fully enjoy the experience. The staff were welcoming, thoughtful, and attentive throughout my visit. It was clear that a great deal of care went into creating a meaningful and relaxing experience. For those looking for a quiet, adults-only wellness experience, Wai Ariki is an excellent choice. I highly recommend it to anyone visiting Rotorua and looking for a unique wellness experience that combines relaxation with Māori culture and traditions.
It felt fitting to spend the shortest day of the year in Wai Ariki’s geothermal waters, making our way through the 7-step restorative journey. At the end, we felt very relaxed and rejuvenated. There weren’t so many people such that it felt too busy or crowded (except for in the salt sauna where another gaggle of guests were talking loudly and not paying heed to the sign of it being a quiet space). The different pools were wonderful to move between, adjusting to the different temperatures. The fact it was a wintery day was perfect; it was cold, yet so lovely to watch the rain fall immersed in the geothermal waters. The attendants kept the pool spaces extremely clean and tidy, and I saw them disinfecting the mud bath loungers between guests. However, the reason I have 4 stars and not 5 was because of the state of the ladies’ changing rooms - particularly the showers. The latter were not as clean, and had not been prepared between guests. Make sure to bring a pair of aquatic shoes!
Experience wise I think they did a good job , especially going as a Big group , they did a good job managing as . The thing about Wai Ariki being diffrent from others is the way they imlemented the maori heirtage through the buildings , which inlcudes the sculptures , the floor and the the way the building is constructed . Fees wise i think pay about 175 PER PERSON is worth it for 2 hour experience which provided towels and essentials .
Absolutely awesome experience from the time we stepped into this amazing place. The pools, sauna and change in temperatures for the spiritual journey, wow. Next morning, I feel very relaxed and not so many aches n pains in the body. Highly recommend it, just immerse yourself in the experience ❤️❤️ NB I feel 3 hours would be better, super proud to be a kiwi and to be able to enjoy our local heritage
A wonderful evening and experience. 2 .5 - 3 hours would be perfect with the time needed in the saunas and mud rooms. But otherwise fantastic overall.
My facial was fantastic. I took advantage of the bathing add on the soak in the pools before the treatment. Karen was so helpful in guiding me through the bathing/treatment process. Kaitlyn spent 90 minutes giving me the best facial I’ve ever received. My time spent here was definitely a highlight of our New Zealand vacation.
Our family of four (children 19 and 21) did the 2 hour restorative journey and it was well worth every penny. We went in the evening and had a magical experience. The facility is beautiful, right on the lake and there are several saunas and hot pools to enjoy. The ice treatment and cold water bucket over the head produced lots of laughs. The jet bubble pool was our highlight. And the body mud bake at the end was a perfect way to end the evening.
What a great experience. Beautiful helpful people , from the time you enter the building. Such a gorgeous establishment. Everything just flowed from start to finish and 2 hours was a great amount of time.
My wife and I were celebrating our 38th wedding anniversary, we thoroughly enjoyed the whole experience, the tour guide Tyla through to the first 5 showers, then into the sauna rooms, then into the pools and then the mud room, fantastic setting and building
We booked in here for the 2hr Restorative Journey after doing the Rotorua Half Marathon. It was fabulous from the moment we arrived. Friendly informative staff, beautiful clean facilities & the showers, saunas, ice room, pools of all temperatures & the mud & steam room finale were all magical. We left 3 hours later fully revived without any marathon aches. We will return.
Very beautiful spa. You are looked after well from the moment you walk in the door. Lovely pools, and fantastic massage. Highly recommended.
This was a marvellous morning in our busy 4 week trip. Spotlessly clean. Loved the mud. Very restful. We had the platter afterwards which was very tasty. There's a nice gift shop. Highly recommended.
This was the best thing I’ve done for my wellbeing, my mind, my body and I would fly all the way from Australia just to do this experience again…
This was a real treat. I think it's a bit pricier than other options but youn get what you pay for. I even enjoyed the ice bucket challenge!
The best spa experience I’ve ever done. Perfect from beginning to end. Just relished every moment. I suggest you take your time and relax and enjoy everything. An absolute must.
From start to finish the 2 hr Restorative Journey was heaven. We left there feeling relaxed and my skin felt gorgeous.
A great experience, we came here when staying in the area for the night. We were given a tour of our experience before starting. The different saunas and pools were very relaxing, followed by the mud bath at the end. We left relaxed and would return again.
Amazing and very relaxing. Bring a clean pair of clothes for after your time in the spa and an extra bag for your wet swim suit. Wish I had time to come back and do it again.
Our bodies were so tight and had lots of knots from traveling; this place came as just perfect. Yes, it is a bit pricey, but it provides upscale spa experience with less crowd and more space. Each sauna and ice room were amazing. I loved that I could do cold plunge here and there. Also, the sulfer pools, hydro pool and herb pool were perfect to relax and hop around. Lastly, the mud room and steam sauna were perfect for my skin. The locker room was clean and the shower amenity was good. I thought 2 hours might not be enough; but it actually was. I think 2.5 hours would be perfect. I loved the fact that it was not crowded at all from 3 PM to 5 PM; we enjoyed the lake view and amazing hot pools.
Peaceful, rejuvenating. Fun. Immersive. The spa is an experience from the beginning to the end. Clean and restorative
This experience was so relaxing and rejuvenating at the same time. Would highly recommend this. Wish I could do it every day.
An experience not to be missed. A 2 hour guided journey which entailed our host explaining each of the stages and the meaning behind each. I could have stayed longer than the 2 hours as it was one fabulous relaxing experience after another. 10/10 value for money
The visit was a birthday present. I would not have considered myself a spa person but I enjoyed everything: the saunas with ice baths, the pools, the mud and steam. The view from the pools is gorgeous. The staff was friendly and helpful. They explained everything and then left you to go at tour own pace. A relaxing experience, will do again.
2 hours is the perfect amount of time. They limit the number of visitors so it feels calm and lots of room. Highly recommend. The little Cafe has refreshing items for afterwards. Great to schedule after long flights to New Zealand.
I am not a spa person and this was just amazing. The journey is explained thoroughly before you start and the quality of everything you come into contact with is exceptional. The variety of experiences is excellent and within the two hours (no one chases you out) you have plenty of time to properly experience and enjoy all aspects of the hot, cold, aromatic, mineral,bubbly and muddy treatments. Left the experience thoroughly relaxed and in need to a good nap!
Fourth time here. Restorative journey always so good for my hauora-wellbeing. Love it.
We spent a chilled hour in the hot pools at night, soaking up the minerals and massaging ourselves under the jets. We had a late time slot so we had the pools virtually to ourselves. The staff were friendly and helpful. Towel and robe included. A very calming experience.
We did a couples package that was the 2hr journey and a private thermal pool with platter. The whole experience is pure class, this play must have cost tens of millions to build such a luxurious place here. Adults only which is great. A MUST DO
Originally visited one of the other spas locally which was outdated so we left and visited this one instead which is clean and modern and very comfortable I would fully recommend, The start of the directed introduction was strange, it had a Mauri spiritual side to start which I’m sure some people would would enjoy , but was strange for us
As someone who has visited hot springs all over the world this was definitely one of the best experiences i've had. I loved the 7 step journey and the whole atmosphere was perfect. Loved how it wasn't too busy, really felt I could unwind and disconnect here.
This was 100 percent amazing, healing like i’ve never experienced and the Maori cultural grounding and presence was beautiful
More than just hot pools, this experience was the highlight of our holiday. Facility itself is modern and beautiful. There was no time pressure at all and the way they stagger groups means you never feel crowded. The price is such amazing value when you consider what each of the parts of the experience would cost if you did them individually at a day spa. There were no children which helped the relaxing vibe of the place also. I left feeling completely relaxed and enjoyed every moment. I will recommend this experience to anyone. Don’t just do the pools, you’ll regret it!
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!
Private pool was contaminated with skin flakes, told pool was not used that day and Theyre drained at night. Not hygenic
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