Maruia River Retreat (just south of Murchison)

When is the last time you truly relaxed and let yourself be totally taken care of? When is the last time your mind and your body had a total reset and you were able to be at peace and feel nourished in all ways?

Maruia River Retreat is almost exactly equidistant between Christchurch and Nelson in New Zealand’s South Island. While it does have its own airstrip, so travelling in by helicopter or light plane is optional, most guests arrive by car, travelling from the south through the verdant Lewis Pass, from the north via Murchison, or from the West Coast along the stunning Buller Gorge.

Originally established in 1989 as a mecca for fly fishermen, the Retreat is orientated towards its 1.5km of Maruia River frontage, each villa with its own clear view of the river. On a clear day the brown trout for which the river is famous can even be seen from the villas.

The Retreat has been lovingly enhanced and developed over the past seven years to encompass a broader theme of wellness by Lasse and Cristina Holopainen.

The couple emigrated from the Phillipines after senior corporate careers in the finance and electricity sectors and establishing and leading a very successful network of yoga schools. Lasse and Cristina bring their awareness of the stresses of leadership and business combined with their understanding of the power of physical and spiritual balance to the Maruia River Retreat in an intentional way, catering for those who are seeking clarity, mental escape, grounding, and connection to place.

Heartfelt attention to detail

Every aspect of the property has benefited from their heartfelt attention to detail and care. The level of service from the moment of arrival is exemplary and genuine. Luggage is transported to guests’ individual villas while they enjoy a welcome from the owners, and are introduced to their personalised retreat itinerary which includes forest bathing, a guided forest walk, sauna, and pre-booked wellness treatments.

Singles, couples, and small groups are all catered for with a maximum of 12 guests at any one time ensuring everyone has ample privacy and an opportunity for a pre-dinner conversation with a cocktail in the sumptuous guest lounge if they wish.

Meals are expertly and thoughtfully prepared by Lasse. Presentation of every element is designed to be part of the experience of mental relaxation. This extends to the feeling of towels and linen, the exquisite bespoke scent in the shared lounge spaces by the stone fireplace, the handcrafted pottery for pouring sauces, the form of the bowls which nestle into your hand as you eat, and the placement of each and every visual element in the breakfast, lunch, and dinner presentation.

This is a place that nourishes in every way. Meals are made and served with refinement. The contents of the menu are gently adjusted each day to allow for seasonality, availability from the retreat’s garden and hives, and the chef’s choice of offerings. This includes freshly baked breads, honeycomb from hives on the property, and the freshest of fish, seafood, and meat. Vegetarians and those with other dietary requirements are also provided with meals to delight.

Local wines and spirits are served but attention has also been paid to providing a comprehensive range of non-alcoholic choices. This is a place of balance and all aspects of the dining and hospitality experience on offer are mindfully selected.

But it’s the stillness and the natural environment that is at the heart of the experience. The sound of the swiftly flowing Maruia River and the native bird life accompany you throughout each day of nurturing presence here; while swimming in the outdoor magnesium pool or forest bathing in the stream-fed outdoor spa, or stepping out of the infrared chromatherapy sauna nestled amongst the beech trees – every activity and setting invites you to be at one with the surrounding native forest environment.

A Love Affair With New Zealand Nature

In some ways the Maruia River Retreat is a love affair with New Zealand nature. This is particularly evident as Lasse or Cristina guide guests on a forest walk. The majority of the property has been assessed as only twenty percent depleted from its natural state, meaning that the guided walk is a journey back in time.

Both Cristina and Lasse are gifted storytellers and convey a compelling living history of the Retreat environment, its trees, its plants, and the impact of man and natural events. Their ongoing efforts to tread lightly and be as self-sustaining as possible are clear in their sustainable energy creation, food choices, and innate resourcefulness. Every element reveals their dedication to being stewards of this place. They know that their time will one day be part of the ongoing legacy of care that others have shown before and others will show in the future.

For now, guests arrive to be truly on retreat from the busy world and immersed from arrival to departure in what Māori would call the ‘mauri’ or energy of Maruia.

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