Maruia Hot Springs Resort

Indulge your body and soul at Maruia Hot Springs Resort. This wellness venue is tucked away on the western end of the Lewis Pass, a scenic mountainous road that weaves its way from the east to the west coast of the South Island of New Zealand.

The experience

A visit to Maruia Hot Springs Resort is a truly off-the-grid experience. This unique property is entirely hydro-powered, with its own generator producing electricity for everything from the saunas to the heating. Internet is provided by satellite and cell phone service is not available, allowing you to truly disconnect with the world and reconnect with the mountainous landscape and yourself.

And reconnection is certainly made easy with the range of services Maruia Hot Springs Resort provides. The wellness program and day spa offer you many opportunities to rejuvenate your body and mind with a variety of treatments. Visitors can enjoy a day pass or, for the best Maruia Hot Springs experience, book a one- to three-night stay at the resort in one of the luxury hotel rooms, the cosy glamping pods or at the venue’s self-contained campground. To get the most out of your wellness experience, the resort team recommends a stay of one or two nights.

The treatments

The treatments at Maruia Hot Springs Resort are a sensory experience. The natural mineral springs rise to the surface at a temperature of approximately 56°C and are then directed into the pools for guests to enjoy.

Feel connected to the majestic Southern Alps and the verdant vista as you immerse yourself in one of three outdoor geothermal mineral pools. Guests also love to indulge in the warmth of the hot springs while gazing up at the dreamy, starry night sky. Should inclement weather coincide with your stay, an indoor thermal spring is also available.

The bathing experience at Maruia Hot Springs Resort is pure and chemical-free — yet it’s not the only way you can treat your body at this venue. The guided signature sauna infusion is a must. Discover the benefits of hot and cold therapy from a sauna master while enjoying a hot rock sauna infused by essential oils, then refresh your body with a cold plunge ritual. Finish off the experience with a homemade natural mineral clay mask for a whole-body treat that will invigorate and rejuvenate. Of course, the hot rock sauna is available for independent use too, along with the infrared sauna and a steam room.

All pools and saunas are open 24 hours a day for enjoyment at your convenience. A comprehensive wellness program is also available, allowing you to essentially build your own wellness retreat. All overnight and day retreat bookings are able to access a calendar of wellness activities, with daily yoga classes and homemade face masks and body scrubs on offer. The day spa is open from 8am to 9pm and offers a variety of treatments, from relaxation and traditional massages through to indulgent facials. You can truly treat your body from head to toe.

You’re also invited to move your body and get up close and personal with the picturesque forest, or visit the rocky shores of the Maruia River bed via an on-site trail walk. Alternatively, you can sink into one of two relaxation lounges, complete with roaring fires in the colder weather, and simply watch the world go by.

The food

One of the highlights of a visit to the Maruia Hot Springs Resort is the food. Enjoy delicious meals served direct to your table in the modern restaurant that overlooks the stunning Maruia River and forest.

The small team of in-house chefs has used fresh, organic ingredients from local suppliers to create a menu inspired by the venue’s Southern Alps surrounds. Start the day with the purple wholemeal pancakes from the breakfast menu, nourish your body at lunch with a treat from the ocean such as the hot-smoked salmon, and indulge your body at night with a meal that will take you on a journey of local culinary delights.

Most dietary considerations are catered for and the restaurant is also fully licensed.

Things to remember

Maruia Hot Springs is a hidden gem, located deep in the Southern Alps.
As a result, the resort does request
that guests keep the noise down to ensure the tranquillity of the retreat remains uncompromised.

Packages that include meals, treatments and private spa options are available on their website.

Extra costs

One-day retreats at the Maruia Hot Springs Resort start from $75 per adult, overnight glamping pods from $199 and hotel rooms from $269, and include unlimited access to all bathing facilities and the relaxation lounges. The signature sauna infusion and activities in the wellness calendar are included for no additional charge.

Any meals or treatments not included in a package will incur additional costs. Any extra beds or persons added to a booking will also incur an extra charge.

Getting there

Maruia Hot Springs Resort is located on Highway 7 in the Lewis Pass National Park on one of only three mountain highways through the Southern Alps. It is a two-and-a-half-hour (192km) drive from Christchurch Airport along the same road used to access the popular Hanmer Springs Thermal Resort.

Maruia Hot Springs Resort is a picturesque one-hour (78km) drive from Hanmer Springs or 45 minutes (69km) farther along the highway from the turn-off to Hanmer Springs when travelling from Christchurch.

For more information visit maruiahotsprings.nz