Rotorua accommodation close to capacity for long weekend

Okere Falls beer fest has a full programme. Photo / Stephen Parker

Rotorua accommodation is at a premium going into the long weekend with booking sites showing little availability on Saturday and Sunday nights.

Martin Althuizen from Executive on Fenton said most Rotorua accommodation providers were looking "pretty good" for the Queen's Birthday break.

"As of Thursday 86 per cent of rooms across the city had been booked and the phones are still ringing," Althuizen said. "We [moteliers] had a meeting last week and a few people were saying they wished they had a few extra rooms for the long weekend."

He said most motel owners were looking forward to the weekend providing the weather was good.

"I believe it's supposed to be fine until at least late Saturday."

Althuizen said May in general had been a quiet one.

"I have my own theory on that. Because May started with a long weekend and now finishes with one, people didn't plan any holidays in Rotorua in between."

Aura Accommodation owner Nick Fitzgerald said he had one room available for Saturday night.

"Saturday and Sunday nights are definitely in high demand. This is very good indeed and I suspect it is the same Rotorua-wide," Fitzgerald said.

"May hasn't been particularly good for late-week-leading-into-the-weekend phone calls but our phones are still ringing now for the long weekend."

He also hoped the weather would be good for the three days.

Rotorua restaurants and cafes also look to be in for a busy weekend.

Giovanni's Restaurant and Pizzeria owner Deep Kumar said the restaurant was pretty full both Friday and Saturday nights.

"We're always busy during the weekends but, during long weekends we tend to have more people coming in off the street and almost always end up staying open a little longer," Kumar said.

Rotorua plays host to a number of events throughout the weekend including the Okere Falls Store Strong Beerfest on Saturday evening.

This is the fifth annual Okere Falls Strong Beerfest and a few changes have been made this time around according to organiser Kimi Chater.

"We've combined everything to make a fuller Saturday night which is more suited to winter," she said.

"The Beer Tasting and Platters night was held on Thursday, locals' night is Friday and the Beerfest is Saturday evening. Marquees are up, the bonfires will be going, we have a great night of music lined up and will be showcasing a lot of beers crafted by the country's up-and-coming breweries."

Also included on the events list are a book sale, bands, a lakefront market, an exhibition and a singles walk in the Redwoods.

Weather for the long weekend:
Friday – Fine spells with early frosts. Chance of showers from the afternoon. Northeast breezes with a high of 13C and an overnight low of 5C
Saturday – Cloud increasing with a few evening showers. Easterly winds with a high of 13C and 9C overnight
Sunday – Rain with possibly heavy, thundery falls and northeasterly winds. A high of 13C and 10C overnight.
Monday – Rain, possibly heavy easing to showers with Easterlies dying out. A high of 15C and 9C overnight.