Nau mai, haere mai ki Maruia River Retreat.
Welcome to Maruia River Retreat.
Discover New Zealand’s Top Wellness Experience.
Heal with nature at Maruia River Retreat, a 5-star luxury wellness resort at the top of New Zealand’s South Island in the Nelson-Tasman region.
Set in 500 acres of untouched native forest, its seven villas offer unmatched privacy, luxe creature comforts and epic landscapes.
Ideal for honeymooners, couples and solo travellers seeking quiet luxury, restorative stays and a truly authentic New Zealand nature experience.
Wellness activities include guided walks, private forest bathing, therapeutic yoga, saunas, hot tubs, magnesium pool swims, spa treatments and highly-rated cuisine.
The perfect stay along the way on your South Island road-trip.
5-star Boutique Hotel and Lodge within a stunning landscape and forest reserve.
Heal with nature at New Zealand’s # 1 Wellness Experience.
Private, quiet and crowd-free: Only 7 private villas and 12 guests
Offers the best-value vacations - all-inclusive rates with luxury accommodation, fresh meals, nature immersion experiences with top-quality service.
Now accepting one-night stays and open all days in NZ Spring and Summer.
One of New Zealand’s 5-star regenerative tourism destinations, powered by its own renewable energy sources.
“Maruia” (ma-roo-ee-ah) - Maori, adj. meaning “sheltered or shaded”
We are a 100% New Zealand family-owned and owner-operated business since 2019.
““Magical place in NZ’s South Island - wellness, nature, food and happiness.”
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— Lauren, solo traveller, TripAdvisor
Upcoming events
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![A man and woman standing outdoors in front of lush foliage. The man is wearing a zip-up sweater, and the woman is wearing a dark sweater, with her arm around the man's shoulder. They are smiling at the camera.]()
Couples Wellness Retreat: Spring Renewal with Lasse & Cristina
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![A woman smiling and laughing with her hand resting on her chin, standing in front of a city skyline with sunlight behind her.]()
Self-Love Women's Retreat: Step into your Power this Spring
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![A woman standing barefoot on a balcony, looking at lush green foliage and trees in the distance.]()
Personal Restoration Retreats: Solo & Couples
Planning a South Island road-trip?
We are perfectly located along the way.
Maruia River Retreat is a must-stay destination for a 100% Pure New Zealand nature immersion experience.
Just 2-hours from Nelson, Blenheim and the West Coast and 3-hours from Christchurch and Kaikoura.
Maruia River Retreat is the perfect base at the top of the South Island of New Zealand and the gateway to exploring the Nelson-Tasman region and the West Coast.
Your villa lies at the heart of an extensive natural estate, offering you a comfortable stay - encompassing a pristine native Beech forest, long-established gardens, walking trails and terraced paddocks at the top of New Zealand’s breathtaking South Island.
Rated by Qualmark as a 5-star Boutique Hotel and Lodge, Gold Sustainable Tourism Business Award and consistent 5-star guest reviews, Maruia River Retreat offers quiet luxury in the one of the most beautiful and undiscovered parts of New Zealand.
Learn more about Maruia River Retreat.
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![Aerial view of a rural hillside with multiple houses surrounded by lush green trees, under a cloudy sky with mist.]()
Condé Nast Traveller: Top Rainforest Retreats
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![A house on a hillside surrounded by lush green trees and plants, with a blue sky and white clouds overhead.]()
Vogue: Pioneering Regenerative Travel
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Cuisine Magazine: Top Class Retreats
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![A person in a pink swimsuit relaxing in a small round hot tub on a wooden deck, surrounded by green trees, as seen from above.]()
Luxury Travel Magazine: Best Luxury Retreats NZ
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![An aerial view of a residential area with multiple houses surrounded by dense trees next to a river or lake.]()
Neat Places NZ: Best Wellness Retreats NZ
For relaxed luxury holidays in 100% Pure New Zealand nature.
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Modern Luxury Accommodation
Comfortable and designed for deep sleep, relaxed lounging and a tranquil escape. Fully-refurbished with Super King or 2 King Single beds, pillow choices, premium linens, a reading and dining lounge, kitchenette, heated bathroom floors and towel racks with luxurious bath amenities, robes, and a balcony with sweeping river, forest and mountain views.
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Our Friendy Forest & Nature Estate
Step into the magical forest with nature trails within steps from your villa. Heal with nature by just being there. Learn about NZ culture, flora and fauna with our guided forest walks and go on your own walks within the nature trails in the property. Nearby attractions include river rafting, kayaking and day-trips to the West Coast and Murchison.
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Food & Dining Experience
Our food is one of the top two favourite memories that guests remember and talk about. We offer an omnivore menu and well-balanced delicious meals with the best of local produce and ingredients with fresh bread baked daily. Kiwi Outdoor Oven nights by Chef Lasse is the most-awaited dining experience each weekend.
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Yoga, Spa & Wellness
Your stay includes nature immersion experiences such as daily private forest bathing session in our saunas and hot tubs, yoga, breath-work and sound bath classes, heated magnesium pool soaks and swims and therapeutic treatments in our 24×7 Wellness Center with a purposeful-built Yoga Chalet and reading library.
Just for a moment. Experience pure moments at Maruia River Retreat.
“My happy place.” - Ross, 6th time returning guest.
Our Blog
Maruia River Retreat is a 5-star Boutique & Lodge and awarded the GOLD Level Certification for the Sustainable Tourism Business Criteria under the Boutique & Lodge Category by Qualmark.
Qualmark's Sustainable Tourism Business Criteria has become the first in New Zealand to gain GSTC-Recognized Status from the Global Sustainable Tourism Council, meaning members can be confident that achieving Qualmark certification meets global standards of sustainability.
I am one with The Forest, and The Forest is with me.
I find myself chanting like a Jedi as I sit alone in a hot tub, bordered by a stand of native beech trees and the fast-flowing Maruia River. I have discovered forest bathing.