Lake Ōkareka - Spa Pool & Log Fire, Sleeps 12

Summary:

The former lakeside general store, this character 5-bedroom home sleeps 12, just minutes from Lake Ōkareka - one of Rotorua's quietest, most sought-after lakes. Soak in the spa pool on the deck, warm up by the log burner in the upstairs lounge with its lake and hill views, and spread out across two living areas and three patios. 2 bathrooms plus a separate toilet mean no morning queue, and the flat, fully fenced section - rare in this steep, bush-clad area - has easy parking for the boat.



The Space:

This home has a story behind it. It was once the Lake Ōkareka General Store, converted some years ago into a spacious two-storey house, and it has kept its generous proportions - so there is room to spread out, with two separate living rooms, five bedrooms, and three outdoor patios. It sleeps 12, which makes it a natural fit for two or three families travelling together, a group of friends, or a big family get-together.



Upstairs is the heart of the home. The open-plan living room has a tan leather lounge suite, a freestanding log burner for cooler evenings, and big windows that frame the lake and the hills beyond - the outlook everyone gravitates to. It opens onto a deck, one of three separate outdoor areas. The kitchen is built for a crowd, with a large freestanding cooker, stone benchtops, a dishwasher, a coffee machine, and an island with breakfast-bar seating. The dining table seats the whole group, and there is a relaxed reading nook with built-in shelving and a few nods to the old store's history on the walls.



Downstairs is a second living room - a comfortable retreat with a large sofa, a fireplace and a TV - which opens out to the lower patio. This level connects to the spa and the main entertaining deck, so the two living areas give everyone somewhere to land, whether that is the whole group together or the kids in one space and the adults in another.



The four double bedrooms are quiet and well set up, two of them opening directly to a patio, and a fifth room with two sets of bunks sleeps four - ideal for the kids. Heat pumps keep the rooms comfortable through the seasons. There are two bathrooms - one downstairs off the master with a toilet, shower and double vanity, and one upstairs with a shower, bath and vanity - plus a separate toilet alongside the upstairs bathroom, so even a full house of 12 is not queuing of a morning.



Outside is where this home really comes into its own. The main deck has a large spa pool and an outdoor dining setting, framed by a clipped hedge with rolling hill views behind. A second patio sits on the other side of the house, fully fenced off from the road, and the third is the deck off the upstairs living room. Best of all, the whole property sits on a flat, fully fenced section - a real rarity in this steep, bush-clad pocket of Rotorua - with plenty of room to park a boat or trailer. The home is set over two levels, so there are stairs between the floors.



Guest Access:

Guests have exclusive use of the entire property - all five bedrooms, the bathroom facilities, both living rooms, the kitchen and dining area, and all three outdoor patios including the deck with the spa pool. The section is flat and fully fenced, with ample off-street parking, including room for a boat or trailer. There is firewood on hand for the log burner.



The Neighborhood:

Lake Ōkareka is one of Rotorua's loveliest small lake settlements - a quiet, friendly community wrapped in native bush, just over the hill from the city. The home sits just behind the local fire station, moments from the lake itself, where you can swim, kayak, paddleboard, or launch a small boat from the reserve. A boardwalk winds along the lake's wetland edge, and walking tracks lead off into the surrounding Ōkataina forest. You are also right among Rotorua's best-loved spots: the Blue and Green Lakes are just up the road, the Whakarewarewa Redwoods Forest and its mountain-biking and walking trails are a short drive away, and the historic Buried Village of Te Wairoa is nearby. It is the kind of place where you can have complete peace and still be 15 minutes from town.



Getting Around:

A car is recommended here - Lake Ōkareka is a settlement rather than a town, so you will want your own transport to make the most of it. The drive into central Rotorua takes around 15 minutes, where you will find supermarkets, restaurants, the geothermal attractions and the lakefront. The Blue and Green Lakes, the Redwoods Forest and the Buried Village are all a short drive away, and Rotorua Airport is roughly 20 minutes on the far side of the city. The flat, fully fenced section means easy parking and plenty of space to leave a boat or trailer - a real bonus in an area where flat ground is hard to come by.



Interaction with Guests:

We'll be available by message, phone call, or email during your stay. We can also pop around for personal assistance if needed. We like to make sure you have everything you need while still leaving you to enjoy the peace and privacy of the property.