In Rotorua, activities range from adrenaline-pumping adventure to indulgent relaxation and fascinating cultural experiences, and the choice of events in Rotorua is just as varied. In the coming months, this popular visitor destination will host mountain biking, a relay race, and events that celebrate the diversity of New Zealand culture. And then there’s the Rugby World Cup 2011!

The Galaxy Travel NDuro Winter MTB Series 2011 on Sunday 14 August is said to be New Zealand’s most popular mountain bike series and it takes place on one of New Zealand’s best mountain biking trails in Rotorua’s Whakarewarewa Forest. There are events for everyone from beginners to professionals – and there’s a spot prize of a Queenstown MTB trip for two!

In September, get your rugby supporters gear out and support your favourite team at Rotorua International Stadium. Catch Fiji vs. Namibia on Saturday 10 September 2011 or watch Samoa vs. Namibia on Wednesday 14 September. If you’re visiting Rotorua outside these dates, head along to the Rugby World Cup Official Rotorua Fan Zone at Rotorua Energy Events Centre and watch the action of the Rugby World Cup on the big screen.

Cultural Rotorua comes to the fore in October 2011 with the Rotorua Deepawali Festival on Saturday 1 October. Deepawali means ‘row of lights’ and is celebrated every year by Hindus around the world. A perfect family activity, this free event includes yoga workshops, clothing and jewellery stalls, Indian food and an Indian cultural show (reserve your free tickets for the cultural show by emailing rotorua.deepawali@gmail.com).

The following weekend continues the celebration of culture in Rotorua with the HI-TEC Rotorua Ekiden Relay on Saturday 8 October. In this popular event, teams of six competitors run a relay race but instead of carrying a baton, runners wear a traditional tasuki sash! More than 2,000 runners are expected to participate and there are spot prizes to be won.

Later in the year, Rotorua visitors can also look forward to the Royal New Zealand Ballet performing Sleeping Beauty on Wednesday 7 December and Thursday 8 December 2011.

Whether you’re visiting Rotorua to compete in one of these exciting local events or want to mix and mingle with Rotorua locals while experiencing a slice of culture, make sure you book your Rotorua accommodation early. Ambassador Thermal Motel is situated in the centre of town, so it’s the perfect base for exploring Rotorua. Guests will find clean, comfortable and good-value motel accommodation ranging from studios to large motel units, and amenities that include a heated swimming pool and spa pool, and two real Rotorua mineral pools – great for relaxing after a busy day experiencing Rotorua’s activities and events! Book online or call 0800 479 581 (within New Zealand) or +64 7 347 9581 (international) to find out more about this popular Rotorua motel.

It’s time to pull on those running shoes! The famous 47^th Lion Foundation Rotorua Marathon, which takes runners on a circuit of scenic Lake Rotorua, is scheduled for Saturday 30 April 2011 and this year it doubles as the New Zealand Marathon Championships.

Few marathons take runners past such stunning landscapes as the Lion Foundation Rotorua Marathon. Starting in Rotorua’s Government Gardens, outside the Energy Events Centre, the race will lead through central Rotorua, around Lake Rotorua, and back through stunning Princes Arch to the Government Gardens. New in 2011 is the Rotorua Half Marathon, which shuttles runners and walkers to the far side of the lake to take on the second half of the course, or you can take part in the Asics 5km or 10 km Fun Runs (or walks); there’s something for everyone!

All competitors in the Lion Foundation Rotorua Marathon will receive a souvenir t-shirt and all marathon finishers will receive a finisher’s medal. And when you take part in this iconic event, the whole of Rotorua comes out to support you! Locals cheer from their front gates and keep you hydrated at the Drink Stations, others assist you with your race number and a cuppa at the Energy Events Centre. The team here at the Ambassador Thermal Motel will be doing their bit too! We’ll do what we do best: providing you with comfortable accommodation right in the centre of Rotorua! We promise to shake your pillows extra-well for the nights before and after the big day and wish you the very best of luck!

Rotorua is famous for Maori culture and scenery that ranges from geothermal features to sparkling lakes, but on Saturday 2 April 2011 all eyes will be on the 3,500 cyclists tackling the Avanti 100K Flyer biking event from Rotorua to Taupo in New Zealand’s Central North Island.

The race takes riders through stunning countryside (okay, Rotorua’s scenery does come to the fore after all!) on country roads, private forestry roads and parts of the world-famous Ironman course, giving participants a chance to see some beautiful New Zealand scenery that’s off the beaten track. The Avanti 100K Flyer finishes inside the Taupo Events Centre and with over NZ$100,000 worth of spot prizes at stake it’s definitely worth coming in first! The race is open to everyone with a bike, with options ranging from solo and relay to tandem riders.

And whether you join the Avanti 100K Flyer as an individual, with your partner or even as a group with your friends, Ambassador Thermal Motel invites all of you to stay the night! Conveniently located in central Rotorua, we’re the perfect choice for your Avanti 100K Flyer weekend. Enjoy our delicious breakfast before the race and relax in our genuine mineral pools, heated swimming pool or spa pools afterwards!

If you are arriving early in Rotorua, we can recommend plenty of other activities to keep you entertained until the bike race. How about discovering the Rotorua Museum, delving into Maori culture at Te Puia or taking a ride on the Skyline gondola? Or get into the mood for the Avanti 100K Flyer with the First Timers Workshop on bunch riding and more on Thursday 24 March or the Carbo Boost Buffet on Friday 1 April 2011!

Welcome to the new website for Ambassador Thermal Motel. We have accommodation to suit everyone. Come and experience this fantastic accommodation in the heart of Rotorua. We look forward to seeing you soon!

Your hosts Phillipa and Mike Mahony