Trying the hot pools to get warm during a Kiwi winter

Staying warm in New Zealand during the winter months can become quite a chore.  Going to the Mount Maunganui Hot Salt Water Pools recently was a great way to warm up after a day of working and coming home to a cold house.  Back home, I am used to going inside any building in the winter to find warm relief due to central heating, or a fire in the fireplace at home.  Here in New Zealand, when I came home after work the first couple of days, I was trying everything to get warm including layers of clothing, blankets, and turning on the heater.  None of these ideas resulted in immediate warmth which is why I thought that jumping in a hot pool was the perfect solution.

I found the pools to be extremely relaxing.  At this time of the evening there were no children, but about fifteen other adults. Each pool is a different temperature, which was convenient to have options.  Three water spouts in one of the pools acted as a great massage device, and the salt water was very cleansing. 

While the pools seem well-maintained and quite refreshing, I felt that the entire facility could use at least a paint job.  It had a very outdated look, and reminded me of our city pool back in my hometown (Jasper, Indiana) when I was seven years old.   A plus was that I only had to pay six dollars to get in (the resident fee), which I found to be very cheap. 

I was glad to find that there were fresh water showers in the changing rooms to rinse off the salt water, which were surprisingly warm.  Despite the warm showers, when I walked into the changing room, my first instinct was to turn around and walk out.  Obviously I was freezing when I got out of the pool, but then I walked into a wet and dark changing room that didn’t make things any better.  Even after I dried off and changed clothes, I found that I was right back to where I started - cold.  

I am not sure if I will be going back to the hot pools anytime soon, unless I am desperate for a warm soak instead of getting into the bathtub.     

Location: 
Adams Avenue
Mount Maunganui
Bay of Plenty, New Zealand
Main phone:  +64(7)575-0868
Opening hours: Mon-Sat 6am-10pm, Sun and Public Holidays 8am-10pm
Resident Admission:  Adult: $6.00  Child: $3.10
Non-resident Admission:  Adult: $9.50  Child: $7.00

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