Spa Places in the News
Three New Pools Open At Polynesian
Spa's Historic Hot Springs - New Zealand
Three new mineral bathing pools have opened recently
at Rotorua’s award-winning major tourist attraction, Polynesian
Spa.
Managing Director, Martin Lobb, said the three new pools
have already been very well received by clients.
The culmination of 18 months planning and construction,
the three new pools, which replace the famous Radium and Priest hot
springs closed by the company last year, have been built at a higher
level, allowing clear views over Lake Rotorua.
“Unfortunately, the old Radium and Priest pools,
which were first constructed in 1931, were becoming increasingly hard
to maintain and the new pools make much better use of the wonderful
view across Lake Rotorua.”
Dubbed the ‘Priest Spa’ the new pools are shallow,
passive bathing pools for adults.
“The new Priest Spa pools are kept at different controlled
temperatures between 39oC and 42oC.
The new development has been called ‘Priest Spa’
after a Catholic priest, Father Mahoney, who visited the spa in the
late 1800’s and bathed in the curative waters to relieve his arthritis.
“They’re certainly a first-class addition to
the suite of bathing options we have available at Polynesian Spa.”
Rated as one of the top 10 spas in the world by readers
of Conde Nast Traveller magazine in May this year, Polynesian Spa now
provides clients with a choice of 28 different bathing pools and unique
spa therapies in the Lake Spa Retreat.
“There’s been a complete transformation of the
entire area out there and the feedback we’ve been getting is very
positive indeed.”
The first pool in the new ‘Priest Spa’ suite,
located 150 mm below the main deck leading off the main adults’
mineral pool, is covered by a terracotta tile roof offering clients
protection from the weather.
Set at a lower level and partially surrounded by a volcanic
outcrop and sinter terrace, pool two, is the hottest of the three new
pools, while the third pool is located at an even lower level close
to Lake Rotorua.
All pools offer first-class views over Sulphur Point in
Lake Rotorua.
Mood lighting for night time bathers, a new outdoor cold-water
shower cubicle and a gazebo relaxation area, complement the new area.
Mr Lobb said thermal spring water is pumped from the Radium
spring and passed through a hydrogen sulphide scrubbing plant before
making its way to the new pools.
The historic flume-ways that discharge the spring water
into the Lake have also been retained.
“Visitors can still view the historic Radium and
Priest pools from the new deck that has been built over part of them
and there is also an interpretive display panel highlighting their historical
significance.”
“Many existing native trees and plants have been
used in the new development and all new plantings are indigenous,”
he said.
Polynesian Spa has hosted over eight million visitors
since it began operation in 1972.
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