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WELCOME TO MARUIA RIVER RETREAT

NEW ZEALAND’S NATURE & WELLBEING DESTINATION

Shenandoah, Nelson-Tasman Region, Top of the South Island, New Zealand

Ideal for those wanting a relaxing and well-paced holiday inspired by nature and the outdoors with good fresh food, thoughtful care and relaxed luxury and comfortable accommodations in a private nature estate.

If you are looking to explore the best of New Zealand, Maruia River Retreat is within 1-2 hour drive to three of New Zealand’s most diverse National Parks - the Abel Tasman National Park, Kahurangi National Park and Nelson Lakes National Park with bucket-list attractions and activities.

With only 7 villas and up to 12 guests in our 500-acre estate, we recommend booking ahead of time.

Our remaining available dates for this Summer and Fall season are April 25-28 and May 9-13, 2024.

Now accepting reservations for next season: September 2024 to May 2025.

Qualmark Gold Level Certification : Boutique & Lodge Category - Four Star plus

Experience pure moments at Maruia River Retreat.

Seven luxury villas within a 500-acre private rainforest estate and wellness resort and a 100% Pure New Zealand native beech forest.

Situated along the magnificent Maruia River and protected by mountains from the east and west, the Maruia River Retreat is a stunning boutique lodge and private nature resort focusing on Relaxed Luxury Wellness Holidays. We are an adults-only resort.

Fly in, take a guided scenic transfer tour or self-drive - any way you arrive, it will be a stunning journey.

Just 2 hours from the Nelson Airport, 2.5 hours from the Marlborough Airport or 3-hours from the Christchurch International Airport. To reach us, enjoy a private chauffeur-driven service or self-drive through the beautiful countryside of the South Island of New Zealand.

 

We invite you to experience pure moments at Maruia River Retreat.

Come and stay with us. Accepting reservations for next season from September 13, 2024 until May 12, 2025.

 


Guests are welcomed with a sense of being far away from the clutter of everyday life, and invited to find shelter at the core of what is truly beautiful and peaceful.

“Maruia” (ma-roo-ee-ah) – Maori, adj. meaning “sheltered or shaded”

Chosen by Condé Nast Traveler as one of their recommended Places to Stay for rainforest luxury resort experiences.

Listed in International Traveller as one of the Most Luxurious Places to Stay in New Zealand.

Featured by Broadsheet Australia as one of the Serene Sanctuaries in New Zealand

Recommended by Cuisine Magazine as one of the Top-Class Retreats in New Zealand.

Featured in Vogue Magazine Travel Issue for Regenerative travel destinations.

 
 
 

A PRIVATE 500-ACRE RAINFOREST ESTATE

within steps from your villa

Find us at the Top of the South Island, New Zealand

Taking its name from the stunning river valley it is nestled in, the Maruia River Retreat lies at the heart of an extensive natural estate encompassing a pristine native Beech forest, long-established gardens, walking trails and terraced paddocks at the top of New Zealand’s breathtaking South Island.

Maruia River Retreat is a convenient 2 to 2.5-hour scenic drive from Nelson and Blenheim, 3.5 hours from Christchurch and right in the center of New Zealand. Truly in the middle of nowhere, yet in the center of everything wonderful that New Zealand has to offer.

At its essence, Maruia is an incredible place for the human spirit; ideal for cultivating inspiration, motivation, connection and togetherness. The complete Maruia experience invites visitors to dine on gourmet meals, admire the outstanding views and rest in the privacy and comfort of self-contained villas; elements that are shaped by the changing seasons. The refurbished luxury villas are beautifully designed with a thoughtfully appointed minimalist approach, reflecting our ethos of simple and essential basics executed with fine attention to detail.

 

relaxed luxury HOLIDAYS AT

MARUIA RIVER RETREAT

CHOOSE BETWEEN A RECONNECT WITH NATURE PACKAGE OR INDULGE IN A PERSONAL RESTORATION RETREAT.

We are a place for rest and wellness recreation.

We are are boutique lodge with private villas and not a hotel nor a fly-fishing lodge. We offer a full suite of wellness facilities, spa and massage treatments, private wellness workshops, outdoor activities such as white water rafting and guided walks, including introduction to fly fishing guided lessons as an optional extra for our packages.

 

With only 7 private villas within our 500-acre nature estate, we offer guests a truly tranquil escape and a deep sleep experience. Our self-contained villas are beautifully appointed with attention to detail. They feature new Italian kitchenettes, super king beds or 2 King single comfortable beds, luxury linen, choice of pillows, and lush bath robes.

Nurture your body, mind & soul. Relax and recharge in the heated magnesium pool with jets, the outdoor hot tub and saunas, join us for top-quality yoga classes, meditation and sound healing sessions or visit our beautiful spa for a massage and spa special treatments with highly-experienced local therapists. Maruia River Retreat is the perfect place to reset and boost your wellbeing.

There’s more to explore within our rainforest and the nearby surrounds. Nelson-Tasman is the outdoor adventure capital of New Zealand. You can go on guided forest and bird walks, Great walks, river rafting cruises and kayak activities, bike tours plus visits to local attractions such as the Abel Tasman National Park, Kahurangi National Park, Nelson Lakes National Park, Maruia Falls and the West Coast.

Our dining experiences are intended to nourish and delight and to make sure you are well-fed. We offer a relaxed dining experience with an omnivore menu with meat, seafood, with vegetarian and vegan options, with fresh ingredients sourced from our gardens and the best local growers. 3-course dinners are served nightly. The ever-changing nature of our valley and estate inspires our offering.

 

WHAT’S NEW

 

Cuisine Magazine - From New Zealand to the world

“If you’ve ever had that feeling of wanting to escape your day-to-day and be transported somewhere that feels like it’s a million miles away, Maruia River may be exactly what you’re looking for.”

Read more here

Maruia River Retreat Luxury Wellness & Eco Retreat Guided Nature Walks

SLEEP AMONGST THE TREES AT THESE DREAMY FOREST SPOTS

“Two hours from Nelson, Maruia River Retreat lies deep inside 200ha of untouched Aotearoa, on the river, surrounded by beech forest and protected from the east and west by mountains.”

Read more here.

Split Apple Yoga Retreat Nelson Tasman Paradise Maruia River Retreat Luxury Wellness & Eco Retreat

NELSON TASMAN PARADISE IN THE SOUTH

“Rejuvenate at Split Apple Retreat, an internationally award-winning wellness retreat in Motueka or unwind with a massage or yoga class at Maruia River Retreat in Murchison.”

Read more here.

New Zealand Guides Nelson Tasman - Maruia River Retreat Luxury Wellness & Eco Retreat

GO TO GUIDES NELSON TASMAN

“Cristina and Lasse Holopainen bought Maruia River Retreat in 2018 transforming it from a fishing lodge into a world-class wellbeing destination complete with seven luxury villas and a yoga shala.”

Read more here.

 

 

Antidote to our busy modern lives

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

We attended the Breath Of Life workshop with Lasse and totally recommend it. This workshop is the perfect antidote to our busy modern lives, and I needed it more than I had realised. Total attention to detail. Service was impeccable and faultless, but welcoming and unpretentious. Can’t wait to go back.

Meg B. (Jan 2020)

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