Millennium Hotel Rotorua announced last week it had completed its two-year, “multimillion-dollar” refurbishment.
All 228 rooms and suites, the club lounge, corridors and alcoves had been remodelled in the “hotel’s largest upgrade in nearly 20 years”, a statement said.
The final stage included a makeover of the club lounge, which had reopened for the first time since 2020.
A newly refurbished deluxe room at Millennium Hotel Rotorua, with a private spa. Photo / Supplied
General manager Pipiana Whiston said guests were enjoying the “expanded luxury offerings”, especially the club lounge.
She said this showed travellers were seeking out “luxury comforts, personable service, and add‑ons that will elevate their stay”.
“Every aspect of this project has been designed with our guest in mind and Rotorua at its heart, blending local identity with world-class hospitality.”
Whiston told the Rotorua Daily Post in January the level of demand this summer had outstripped the past five years.
Regent of Rotorua
Bruce Garrett, managing director of hotel management service Brook Serene, said its Regent of Rotorua boutique hotel returned to pre-Covid occupancy levels by 2023 and had been maintained since.
The hotel opened its new $5m wing comprising 12 rooms in February 2024, taking its total number of rooms to 47.
Garrett said its new wing helped to meet the growing expectations of its guests and enabled it to host more than 3000 extra visitors annually.
The Regent of Rotorua boutique hotel’s premium wing, which was completed in 2024. Photo / Supplied
Garrett said it refurbished its 15 classic wing rooms in 2024 and its 10 annex wing rooms last year.
“We spent over $50,000 per room, giving a total of well over $1.25m for the 25 rooms.”
Garrett said it also upgraded its outdoor pool area last year.
This year, it would be refurbishing its reception wing, including 10 rooms and the club lounge, he said.
“Our owners are committed to continuing to invest in Rotorua and focusing on enhancing our guest experience.”
Sudima Rotorua
Sudima Hotel founder and chief executive Sudesh Jhunjhnuwala said booking levels at Sudima Rotorua had strengthened steadily in the past 18 to 24 months, with occupancy tracking “close to pre-Covid performance”.
“The remaining gap largely reflects the slower return of the Chinese inbound market to New Zealand; however, this segment is steadily rebuilding.”
Jhunjhnuwala said the domestic market was expected to continue its gradual growth.
“All other key markets are now at – or exceeding – pre-Covid levels. The recovery has also seen a shift in mix, with higher-yielding international visitors leading growth, particularly from Australia and North America.”
Jhunjhnuwala said the hotel had benefited from “significant reinvestment” in the past two years, with further refurbishment planned in winter.
Recent work included refurbishing selected guest rooms, refreshing shared spaces, and maintenance and technology improvements.
Pullman Rotorua
Pullman Rotorua general manager Robert Andren said the hotel had experienced “strong growth” since opening in 2020 – Rotorua’s first five-star international hotel – and was forecasting further growth.
The hotel was planning upgrades to its public spaces, including a refresh of Barrel & Co restaurant and work on meeting and events facilities in the second half of the year, he said.
Pullman Rotorua opened in 2020 as the city’s first five-star international branded hotel. Photo / Tessa Chrisp
It was also exploring adding a new outdoor leisure area designed to “complement Rotorua’s strong geothermal and wellness identity”.
“These initiatives reflect a long-term commitment to the property and to maintaining Pullman Rotorua’s position at the top end of the local market.”
Arawa Park Hotel Rotorua
Arawa Park Hotel Rotorua general manager Rajesh Dahiya said its transition to the EVT hotel family’s Independent Collection in 2022 “repositioned the property”, with investment in targeted guest rooms and conferencing upgrades.
The return of international visitors and strong domestic conference demand had driven Rotorua occupancy rates in the past two years, Dahiya said.
By the numbers
RotoruaNZ’s commercial visitor accommodation dashboard showed 63.6% of accommodation units in Rotorua were occupied in December.
Lodge rooms/villas had the highest occupancy rate at 75.9%, followed by hotel rooms at 73.1% and motel units at 68.8%.
RotoruaNZ chief executive Andrew Wilson said occupancy data showed there was “clear and growing demand for quality accommodation in Rotorua“.
“It’s fantastic to see operators investing significantly in their properties to meet that demand.”
RotoruaNZ chief executive Andrew Wilson pictured in 2024. Photo / Laura Smith
Their investment confidence signalled that Rotorua “continues to be a must-visit destination that is positioned for sustainable growth”, he said.
Wilson said Rotorua, Auckland and Wellington were part of a $2m campaign targeting visitors from China, Hong Kong, Japan and South Korea.
The Trip.com North Island campaign launched in December and would run until May, with early results showing “strong engagement”.
In January, the campaign generated 5779 direct flight bookings into Auckland International Airport, 8052 hotel bookings, 1222 attraction bookings, 260 tour bookings and 772 car rental bookings North Island-wide, Wilson said.
Wilson said $2.5m was allocated to attract Australian visitors from the eastern seaboard in the “find your north” campaign, involving 15 North Island destinations.
He said early indicators were positive, with increased air bookings, accommodation stays and activity participation across the region.
Wilson said Expedia reported Rotorua room night bookings increased 15.8% during the initial campaign period.
The Rotorua Daily Post also attempted to contact Rotorua’s Ibis and Novotel hotels for this story.
Megan Wilson is a health and general news reporter for the Bay of Plenty Times and Rotorua Daily Post. She has been a journalist since 2021.