Sitting within the Pacific Rim of Fire, Rotorua is a geothermal wonderland with bubbling mud pools, clouds of steam, and natural hot springs perfect for bathing and relaxing in. I put the mud all over my skin and then let it dry. Hell's Gate vs Polynesian Spa. The natural mud pools in Rotorua are the source of the mud for the skin care range below. We went to both places and think that the Polynesian Spa was very nice. Hells Gate Mud Baths & Sulphur Spa State Highway 30, Tikitere, Rotorua Hells Gate geothermal attraction is the home to a unique Rotorua Spa Experience - The historic Mud Bath and Sulphur Spa where Maori have been bathing in the geothermal muds and sulphur waters more than 700 years and European settlers have been for more than 150 years. Rotorua has a strong tourism industry based around the many natural mud pools, geysers, & thermal mineral pools. Afterwards, I washed it off in the shower and headed to the sulphur springs. The Rotorua Mud Festival will take place in downtown Rotorua and include a mud-arena, spa and wellness experiences, and education and historical story-telling. Located in one of Rotorua’s most active geothermal zones, Hells Gate features mud bath treatments that leave your body rejuvenated and skin smooth. Hells Gate Mud Baths & Sulphur Spa State Highway 30, Tikitere, Rotorua Hells Gate geothermal attraction is the home to a unique Rotorua Spa Experience - The historic Mud Bath and Sulphur Spa where Maori have been bathing in the geothermal muds and sulphur waters more than 700 years and European settlers have been for more than 150 years.

Worst spa ever. Why not try the mud bath at Hellsgate and then go to the Polynesian Spa at night (go for the really nice part). Polynesian Spa.
Over time, the event is forecast to attract a significant number of domestic and international attendees, which will generate strong economic returns for both Rotorua and New Zealand. Treat yourself to a 1-hour therapeutic mud bath and sulfur spa package at Hells Gate Geothermal Park.

In Rotorua tourists can go the Polynesian spa pools and have a therapeutic mud bath. The mud bath was super fun! Polynesian Pools: Rotorua's premier hot pool and spa complex at the edge of the lake has a treatment called 'mud indulgence therapy' - it's like a mud bath, but in a less messy form QE Health Geothermal Spa: Located at The Bathhouse within Rotorua Museum, this spa makes individual mud baths on request. Nestled on the shores of Lake Rotorua lies Polynesian Spa – a geothermal bathing and soul soothing retreat, where you can experience wellness sourced from Rotorua's very own backyard.
Escape to Polynesian Spa and unlock nature’s gift in Rotorua.

Note that I did end up to the Polynesian Spa later on in my Rotorua stay, and it was HORRIBLE!!! They are open late at night (ie relax in the hot pools watching the stars).