Polynesian Spa

After a long day of sightseeing, the perfect end is to soak in the waters of the Polynesian Spa.

They have various offerings - family pools, private pools, spa treatments and adult pools including the priest pool. The adult/priest pool is just for adults and offers seven hot mineral pools with views of Lake Rotorua. The pools are fed with hot mineral spring water from two different springs. There are 3 cascading, marble-lined pools (38˚C to 39˚C) which feature alkaline water.
The three Priest Spa pools (39˚C to 42˚C), offer special thermal bathing in acidic water from the Radium hot spring, long renowned for its therapeutic properties. The Priest Spa was named after a catholic priest, who in the late 1800’s gained great relief from arthritis when bathing in the hot spring waters.

I loved this infinity pool effect. Very calming to lie in the pool and look out at Lake Rotorua and watch the birds.

Each pool is separated from the other and gives a sense of privacy.

History of the Polynesian spa:

• The alkaline pool Whangapipiro (later re-named Rachel Spring) and acidic pool Te Pupunitanga (later called the Priest’s Bath) have been known and used by Maori for generations.
• 1878: Father Mahoney, a Catholic Priest from Tauranga who is disabled with arthritis, soaks in the waters and is ‘cured’- Te Pupunitanga is re-named The Priest Pool.
• 1882: Pavilion Bath, the first bath building in the new Government township of Rotorua is built on site of Priest’s Bath. It falls down two years later.
• 1887: Pavilion Baths are re-built under the supervision of engineer Camille Malfroy and in 1896 a women’s swimming bath is added.
• 1901: Duchess Bath, built nearby, is opened by the Duchess of York.
• 1930: Both the Pavilion Bath and the Duchess Baths are demolished.
• 1931: Ward Baths open on site.
• 1972: Ward Baths close, ending New Zealand Government involvement. Polynesian Pools Ltd, a private New Zealand family-operated company leases the property and begins developing the site starting with thirteen pools.
• 1983: A new entrance foyer is created and a gift shop and café added.
• 1987: Radium & Priest Hot Springs are redesigned and landscaped.
• 1992: The Family Spa is upgraded and the old mineral pool chlorinated. Two new mineral pools and a water-slide are also added.
• 1995: Lake Spa is opened by the Minister of Tourism.
• 1996: The name is changed from Polynesian Pools to Polynesian Spa.
• 2000: Lake Spa Retreat spa therapy wing opens.
• 2003: Radium & Priest Hot Springs close and new Priest Spa pools open.
• 2007: Old private pools are demolished and new cascade pools, private pools, adult changing rooms and group tour entrance are opened by the Minister of Tourism.
• 2010: Two dual spa therapy rooms have been added. The Spa Essentials Gift Shop is upgraded and the main foyer has been enlarged to allow better visitor flows.

http://www.polynesianspa.co.nz/