Blue Baths
Blue Baths
4.5
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Monday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Sunday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
About
The Blue Baths is a beautiful heritage listed Bathhouse located in Government Gardens, Rotorua. An iconic feature of the city, the art deco Blue Baths daringly offered mixed sex bathing for the first time in a public facility in New Zealand, way back in 1931. Nowadays visitors can take a self guided gallery tour of the Museum or a dip in the historic geothermally heated pools. The building is also used as a venue for weddings and other special events. In the Lido Lounge (once the Adult Pool) seasons of original, homegrown theatre feature throughout the year. Summer 2106 see's The Choice (Jan 23 - Feb 26) directed by Jennifer Ward-Lealand, storm the stage. A cleverly scripted parody of the current cult of TV talent shows, The Choice showcases an outstanding line-up of kiwi talent. Än Auckland theatre critic says "Wickedly written, slickly performed and cleverly directed to parody the current talent show phenomenon that dominates our airwaves, The Choice is undoubtedly the funniest show I've seen for a long, long time. In fact I can't remember the last time we laughed so much until we wept. And yes they were definitely tears of joy watching the brilliant cast on stage at The Choice at the Blue Baths in Rotorua" Sharu Delilkan - Theatre Scenes.
Duration: 1-2 hours
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4.5
130 reviews
Excellent
81
Very good
30
Average
12
Poor
2
Terrible
5
Kathy
565 contributions
Jan 2020
We visited the Blue Baths while touring the Government Gardens in Rotorua. The building surrounding the pools is a prominent feature in the gardens, with it's lovely Spanish mission-style exterior and art deco arches. The beautiful blue pools contain geothermally heated water. At the time we visited, the pools were open for public bathing from 10 to 6 daily for $11 per person.
Written 16 May 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
David Y
Willingham, UK19 contributions
Sept 2018 • Couples
We found this excellent swimming pool by accident while walking in the public gardens near the currently closed Rotorua Museum.
As described by other reviewers the baths look Roman in style on the outside and after collecting our swimming gear from our car and paying the very modest entrance fee we found the inside also looked Roman.
The inside pool has previously been filled in and is used as an events venue. However the outside pool is still in use and we had a great swim. There was only one other couple using the pool and another gentleman came in to use the plunge pool at the side.
The water is chlorinated but is heated geothermal you by an adjacent hot spring. The temperature is pleasantly warm in the main pool and is hotter in the two side plunge pools, ideal for relaxing tired muscles.
Why this pool is not better advertised is surprising. The nearby Polonesian Spa seems to get all the publicity. Why not try the Blue Baths instead.
As described by other reviewers the baths look Roman in style on the outside and after collecting our swimming gear from our car and paying the very modest entrance fee we found the inside also looked Roman.
The inside pool has previously been filled in and is used as an events venue. However the outside pool is still in use and we had a great swim. There was only one other couple using the pool and another gentleman came in to use the plunge pool at the side.
The water is chlorinated but is heated geothermal you by an adjacent hot spring. The temperature is pleasantly warm in the main pool and is hotter in the two side plunge pools, ideal for relaxing tired muscles.
Why this pool is not better advertised is surprising. The nearby Polonesian Spa seems to get all the publicity. Why not try the Blue Baths instead.
Written 3 October 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
seniortrend
London, UK68 contributions
July 2018 • Family
We have travelled as a family for a long time. We have travelled individually for work and pleasure. Sometimes - quite infrequently, we find something that is really special.
The Blue Baths are really special. Hot chlorinated water in a 1930’s building building.
Hot baths, not so hot baths and seeped in history of those who have been there before.
There are parts that are a little cracked and worn which is to be expected, but this took me back more than any time than studying at Cambridge and living in a college built in the 1600’s.
Such a great place to go.
The Blue Baths are really special. Hot chlorinated water in a 1930’s building building.
Hot baths, not so hot baths and seeped in history of those who have been there before.
There are parts that are a little cracked and worn which is to be expected, but this took me back more than any time than studying at Cambridge and living in a college built in the 1600’s.
Such a great place to go.
Written 30 July 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
tinylyss
Rotorua, New Zealand265 contributions
Sept 2016 • Couples
Tried blue baths hot pools for the first time and it was a good experience but is the lAst place i'd go for hot pools.
Pros:
1. Quiet since the place is not usually busy and packed
2. You can actually swim in the pool since it's not geothermal water unlike the other hot pools
3. Cheap!
Child: $6
Adult: $11
Family: $30 (two adults two children)
Cons:
1. Water is not hot enough as compared to the other hot pools
2. No private pools
Pros:
1. Quiet since the place is not usually busy and packed
2. You can actually swim in the pool since it's not geothermal water unlike the other hot pools
3. Cheap!
Child: $6
Adult: $11
Family: $30 (two adults two children)
Cons:
1. Water is not hot enough as compared to the other hot pools
2. No private pools
Written 8 September 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lesley D
Wellington, New Zealand31 contributions
July 2017 • Couples
We agree with the reviewer that said that these baths are so under promoted. If you want to avoid the pricy mud-pool,spa etc sites, where you can pay over 100 dollars for a relaxing experience, here, for $11 each we had exclusive use of the facility, until later in the afternoon we were joined by a child having a swimming lesson, plus parents. There is a good sized, very warm swimming pool (warmed by thermal heat but not thermal water) and two thermal hot pools (full sulphur pong). It's like a step back to the 1940s, very relaxing and in the centre of Rotorua.
Written 7 July 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Didi1945
Canberra, Australia24 contributions
Nov 2016 • Family
I'm very sad to say that the Blue Baths, which could be one of the main attractions of Rotorua, are dismal. Run down and neglected, the original signs are there but faded nearly out of recognition, and the surfaces (floors, paintwork, tiles ...) desperately in need of love and care. It is a tremendous waste of a national treasure. I'm sorry to be so negative, but I'm hoping it will rouse some civic pride and result in sympathetic restoration.
Written 7 November 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
John K
Brighton, UK2,431 contributions
We went to the Polynesian Spa first and the queues put us off. So a short walk to the Blue Baths and wow. NZ$11 each and we had the baths to ourselves. The two side pools were the hottest I have ever experienced in NZ. We had a very relaxing few hours enjoying the pool.
Written 22 February 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
RonLaw
Palmerston North37 contributions
July 2012 • Couples
The blue baths is a pretty cool and unusual venue. Once the diving pool, now filled in and roofed over with a funky retro feel.
Superstars is a fun show. It starts just OK with entertaining impressions, but gets better and better... at 11pm when we left they were still rocking out on various classic hits.
Superstars is a fun show. It starts just OK with entertaining impressions, but gets better and better... at 11pm when we left they were still rocking out on various classic hits.
Written 16 July 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jocej
12 contributions
Apr 2012 • Friends
SAdly this was not able to be viewed unless you were swimming. A pity as I had remembered this from my childhood
Written 18 April 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi Jocej,
Thanks for your review. This is an operational venue and due to health and Safety reasons we do not let visitors walk around the building unless they are heading straight through to the pools to go swimming.
Written 12 September 2012
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
catsongea
Wellington, New Zealand229 contributions
Mar 2011 • Business
I was in Rotorua for a conference and we went to the Blue Baths for a cabaret evening. We had a fabulous time. They have theme evenings here which are well worth attending. Food was good, entertainment was good. The night we were there they had dancing after the show with a live band. This is a great place to go in the evening in Rotorua to be entertained. I know you have to attend a Hangi, but once you have done that, come here the next night.
Written 16 February 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
One adult with two primary school agecd children, what pool would be recommended and the cost pleade.
Written 11 October 2017
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