A hotpools complex with plenty on offer. Four pools that are part of a holiday park and can be accessed independently. The 3 thermal pool range in temperature from 37-40 degrees. The complex has a well maintained retro feel. There are private pools available. Looking forward to visiting again and spreading the word about this hidden gem. A rural setting and close to Matamata.
Rating: 9/10
Sheryldeen McCollum - Hamilton
07th May 2017

When I arrived I asked what time they close. I was told 9pm. I asked would we have 5 min to ba able to change. No problem was the answer even if we stayed longer it would not be a problem. There is a clock however not enough light to see it from the other side of the pool late at night. Then suddenly the lights went off. I ended up hurting myself in the dark as a result I have a light concussion and whiplash. Saddest thing is not even a sorry from the owner as we should know what the time is. I had overseas guest with me and they are both fire officers. They thought it was rather strange the pool was not checked if it was empty. We have been visiting there for 40 years although not regularly lately however this attitude I have never experienced before. The middle pool needs some maintenence also.
Rating: 2/10
Marjo - Lichfield New Zealand
15th February 2017

yet again superb service lovely weekend and the condition of the grounds and pools seem to be getting better and better i love this place this time we took three kids with us and they also absolutley loved it on a lighter note the other guest were very tolerable of three very excited kids and were happy to have a natter or offer advice on where to get a good meal this hot pools is only getting better and better for us thanks guys we will be back really soon
Rating: 10/10
clint and mel mcisaac - auckland
1st December 2013

It was epic as, best stay ever loved the free candy. Very good for price. The owners are kik bak as. Defientiley going bak. Also their son Kendall is really helpful and very kind 2 me.
Rating: 10/10
Mathew Johnson -
19th March 2012

Visited on the weekend. . Having read the reports on this site I asked if I could see the pools first. Very clean and the changing rooms were spotless. Mineral water always stains brown and this was the stain that was viewed on the rim of the pool. The mineral water is simply a darker colour. Sure it could do with a coat of paint but the entry fee is every modest and it is clean. I enjoyed my visit
Rating: 7/10
Jacqui - Auckland
11th November 2008

The most beautiful place to relax. Totally tranquil. So affordable! Ramaroa private pool is heaven and addictive. The owners are very friendly peaceful people, who are unobtrusive masters at sharing their slice of heaven and ensuring you are getting all that you want. Well worth the drive from Hamilton to cure my troubled back aches. Better than any physio or back treatment I've ever had. It really works overnight.
Rating: 10/10
Sharleyne - Hamilton
11th July 2007

I went there last week. I went to their private pools. I won't say that they are the best but it is some sort of cool.
Rating: 3/10
Zoe - New Zealand
9th July 2006

I really enjoyed these hotpools. They are value for money and one of the cheapest Ive been too. I really enjoyed the private pool the most. Very nice atmosphere with lush green vegetation to great as you make your way down the grove to a hidden pool that reminds me of ancient roman ruins. I really dont know what racheal was talking about. I find them better than the Te Aroha pools and the Waingaro ones. As the Te Aroha are too small and expensive with only a short time period to use them, while the Waingaro ones lack showers, privacy, and is set up for rugby heads and pool parties... not an atmosphere I like when I want to relax.
Rating: 7/10
Catherine - Hamilton
30th March 2006

The large pool was a bit too cold for a winters evening swim. 2 really nice hot pools, one quite deep and one quite shallow.
Rating: 8/10
Alice Aged 11yrs - Matamata
24th July 2005

We stayed in the cabins (number 2) this week for 3 nights as far as accommodation and facilities go.....for the price not bad the bunk was super squeaky so put the mattress on the floor for my son to sleep on no big deal.the showers were shocking in that block but the ones by the kitchen were better,I guess a fair bit of upgrading is needed to be honest, in saying that we enjoyed the atmosphere of the place and found the service good. I guess the question is would we go back....definitely. As for the pools we didn't do the private pools I thought $10 per person for 30 mins was a bit steep and i am tight so we only used the outdoor ones, are they the best in the country?....no but they are still nice and we all enjoyed them.
Rating: 7/10
Colin and Stacy Sherman - New Plymouth
10th January 2014

not overrated not pretencious but exactly what we needed drive down from auckland was beautiful or cabin was very clean and tidy as much as this place is very modest to look at.It must of been our best weekend away for a good number of years we really appreciated the lovely husband and wife team running the place they were so nice as were all the other guest yes its a little out dated yes some parts could use a little lick of paint but couldnt all of us.
Rating: 10/10
clint and melissa mcisaac - auckland nz
19th October 2013

Love this place for a mini break. Casual, relaxed and friendly. No fuss. Plenty of options to swim without crowds, easy access to all amenities and reasonably priced for a family break. Maybe starting to need a little spruce up in the amenity block and unfortunately there was a problem with a few flies this year. We were assured it was a one off and we have never experienced them before. The team seem to be friendly and motivated to help.
Rating: 8/10
Raewyn B - New Zealand
8th May 2013

I am aware that the new management has only been in control for slightly over twelve months but would that not be enough time to get cleaners who actualy know how to clean? Filth on the top of the walls that has obviously been there for years! Cobwebs in the bedroom and toilet, coffee rings on the table, dirty oven, walls and floors, mould on the ceiling and wardrobes, musty smell, large pieces of paint flaking off and the cups were very badly stained brown (easily removed). The toilet seat was almost completely off on one side (how could the cleaners not notice and simply tighten) along with a whole lot of other maintainance issues such as a hole in the wall from rot that I could mention. I do realised that if the camp has been neglected for many years that it is an ongoing job for the new owners to get things up to scratch but a lot of things could be done with little to no cost that would make all the difference. One thing that concerned me in the regards to safety was that the fire alarm was removed, although it was still in the room minus the battery but maybe more importantly the fire extinguisher had not been checked and recharged in 10 years! A major breech of the regulations. On the plus side, the owners are lovely, the grounds were well maintained and the linen and towels etc were all clean and fresh.
Rating: 7/10
Paula -
1st May 2012

UNDER NEW MANAGEMENT Your new hosts are George and Rachel Helms We took over on the 21st feb 2011 This weekend we are taking out the bamboo from around the pool to stop the leaves going into the pool. We are planning to repaint all the buildings inside and out. Revamp the toilets and showers. We are very friendly and helpful and looking forward to seeing and looking after you. Ps new rule for the pool for children. If they say they have had a good swim they get a free lolly!
Rating: -/10
HELMS -
3rd March 2011

very very basic for the cost, if I knew I had to stand in a pool, I would have stayed home & used my own spa pool
Rating: 1/10
Lorraine -
9th May 2010

I have been going to opal springs for 40 years now, and have seen many changes over the years . I have read many reports here and saddened by some of them. This is an old campground that hasn't had a major revamp, the price charged reflects the camp condition, If you want to have security guards , staff in uniform, pool attendants then dont go here. This is not a $ 40 dollar a night camp ground, its a $12.00 with free pools thrown in. Parents look after their own kids, there are no nannys here to do it for you. The mineral pools are cleaned every 2nd night and the main pool is a tepid pool chlorinated and filtered. These pools have lots of plant, scrub, etc all around it and its a windy site, so leaves do get into the pool . Its not a pristine glow in the dark camp site and the price reflects this. I have had many really enjoyable evenings soaking in these pools, talking to the other campers. Its a friendly social evening ritual. I do notice a difference in those that camp and those that rent the cabins, a totally different breed of people. I have seen many arguments at this park over the years many petty but mostly caused by cabin renters forgetting that the campers go there for peace and quite and a fun friendly environment. The things some cabin renters do have shocked me to the core many times, and that they believe they own the place because they are there with a few family over a few years. I do enjoy this park, the price is right, and Dave and Gwen do the best they can but they cant please all the people all the time, so there will always be conflict. I have told many friends about this park and will continue to do so. Its a central area so once the tent caravan is set up, you can safely leave it and go away each day and visit many places within an hours drive.
Rating: 6/10
Don leitch - Auckland
18th March 2009

What a grotty place, pools looked green, rubbish laying around pools also had some in pools, bits of stuff flowting in water, walls falling with rot into pools, worst of all you can see a scum line around the middle pool, no life guards or staff member to be seen anywere, This place is not for me and i will never go back. Yuck!!!!!
Rating: -/10
Peter - Hamilton
27th October 2008

We as owners would like to respond to comments made in this column, the sentiments expessed by some are quite amazing and completely opposite to the comments made to us personally from our many customers. these customers have helped us build the business up over the last several years and introduced many more new customers and friends, we can only presume some people are unhappy with being asked to comply with Holiday park rules including those covering pets. We also don't think people should take offence to inquires regarding stolen property, taken during the night from outside of some of the accommodation. We are not in the habit of accusing people, only asking if anything may have been heard. It is stated that this family have come here many times over the last 15 years, well, we have only been here for the last 3 1/2 years, their family names may have changed several times but are not known to us, where as all of our regulars know us by name and communicate regularly. Some people just like to think they can stay a few times and own the place, then get upset when asked to respect the facilities and follow the rules. We sometimes need to have the park looked after by temporary managers ( we also have family issues to deal with) and although they may not have our experience , they do have our support
Rating: -/10
dave -
13th May 2008

Never coming back again, Gwen (the owner) is a nasty person with no confict resolution skills, seemed to be quite judgemental, treated us as though we had germs, spoke down to my wife and scared our little fellas 7 & 5, one of whom is so shy and quiet it's hard for us to get him to speak out, he cried and cried because she was so nasty to us, I hope she reaps what she sows, never again. Cheap and nasty beds, ended up sleeping on floor!! Dirty cabins, pools disgusting.
Rating: -/10
jarrod wong - auckland
7th April 2008

I had a fun holiday camping at Opal Hotsprings with my children. They loved the big pool and I loved the two natural outdoor public pools. The temperature of the big pool was a little cool for my liking, but it was an awful lot better than cold bathing! I liked the fact that two of the pools weren't chlorinated. The private Ramaroa pool was booking for the experience.
Rating: 6/10
Diana - Auckland
24th April 2007

This is a very special place, the Ramaroa pool, a completely private pool set in rustic ruins of the original pools. We make a trip probably once a month, on our own or with friends & family. Reasonable at $8 for a half hour but often I book two spots. Has a different character day to night, day you can see the the water is perfectly clear, the setting is very rustic and surroundings bushlike. At night its feels like you're in a different world, very peaceful and relaxing, a torch and candles are a good idea for extra lighting. There is also private spas/pools and the large pool area but these are nice/average. Book ahead for Ramaroa, esp weekends & holidays.
Rating: 9/10
Wendy - Te Awamutu
5th September 2006