All are taking visitors again since the Government shut down emergency housing in December. Many are now refurbished.
The Copthorne has total land of nearly 40,000sq m and its four storeys feature 136 rooms, suites, conference areas, a restaurant and bar.
This also includes about 14,000sq m of undeveloped land. This could be used for construction, expansion or other options.
Colliers brokers Mark Rendell and Simon Clark, who were selling the property via negotiation, said the property could be sold vacant or on a short-term lease to the existing hotel chain.
Rendell said buyers had a chance to secure a high-profile position in one of New Zealand’s most popular tourism destinations.
“This property is perfect for developers, investors, accommodation providers, or groups seeking a large, centrally located project,” Rendell said
He said the large floorspace and landholding meant the property could be refurbished and used as a hotel. It could also become a retirement or residential complex, subject to the relevant consents.
Rendell said Infometrics data showed Rotorua was rebounding following the challenging post-pandemic period.
The Copthorne Hotel on Fenton St is for sale. Photo / Supplied
He said tourism expenditure in the Rotorua district increased by 4.4% in the year to September 2025 compared with a year earlier.
This outpaced the national figure of 2%. Total tourism expenditure in those 12 months was approximately $806 million, up from $772m the year prior.
Total guest nights in Rotorua also increased by 6.4% during this time.
The data supports comments Bay of Plenty Hospitality New Zealand branch president Reg Hennessy has made.
He said last month that his business, Hennessy’s Irish Pub, was doing better than before the pandemic because of the number of international visitors.
Meanwhile, Kāinga Ora is hoping to recoup money by selling the 2six5 on Fenton site.
Kāinga Ora bought the site in 2021 as part of an “urgent Government response” to meet emergency housing need in Rotorua.
It paid $8.1m when the property was estimated to be valued at about $4.3m.
Kāinga Ora spent a further $3m renovating the buildings to bring them up to transitional housing standards.
The former Boulevard Motel site, later operating as a Kāinga Ora transitional housing premises called 2six5 on Fenton, will be demolished and the land sold. Photo / Kelly Makiha
It now intends to demolish all the buildings and sell the site vacant.
Kāinga Ora Waikato and Bay of Plenty regional director Mark Rawson said last week that demolition planning and assessment work had started.
Wylie Court on Fenton St is undergoing a major reinvestment. Photo / Kelly Makiha
Fenton St’s Wylie Court did not become emergency housing. It is being revamped by having the grassed area at the front replaced with rooms.
Rotorua Lakes Council records show the motel has a consent to build 34 rooms, an additional carpark and a new pool fence.
The owner could not be contacted for comment.
Kelly Makiha is a senior journalist who has reported for the Rotorua Daily Post for more than 25 years, covering mainly police, court, human interest and social issues.