Bathing under the stars
Maruia River Retreat
There are many luxuries in this world – but some would argue that nothing compares to the luxury of a hot bath under a night sky full of stars. Check out the locations below for those lodges, hideaways and huts for those addicted to alfresco bathing.
Evenings at Domu Retreat begin with an included dining experience that feels both generous and intimate. Toby and Sabina serve four seasonal courses that celebrate our local flavours.
After dinner, the night is entirely yours, sink into the spa and watch the stars wheel overhead or float in the saltwater pool while the sky turns silver.
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Maruia River Retreat is a getaway on another level. It is a wellness destination with seven luxury villas located on a 500-acre estate.
While only a small part of the retreat’s extensive offer, their Stoked Hot Tub has amazing views of the Maruia River as you sit below the canopy of the beech forest trees.
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Nelson City’s award-winning and only 5-star boutique hotel, Pihopa Retreat, is set in 5.5 acres of beautifully park-like gardens and borders the 2.4ha Bishopdale Reserve. A heritage site transformed into luxurious accommodation, it offers guests an extensive garden setting, luxury suites, inspired menus, and a large, heated pool complex.
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Okoro Villa offers the height of luxury on the fringes of Nelson—a haven of relaxed serenity, recreation, and well-being. This is a destination to reconnect and rejuvenate in the beautifully curated and furnished indoor and outdoor spaces. The design is dedicated to giving guests a sense of restfulness and tranquility. Features include a traditional sauna, plunge pool, outdoor shower, and cedar hot tub.
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Kimi Ora is a renowned and much-loved wellness eco-retreat for locals and visitors to the region. Perched above Kaiteriteri Beach, with spectacular views of the ever-changing estuary and the wider bay, Kimi Ora has chalets for every type of holiday, including in-room spa baths with views, full spa services, and a delightful outdoor/indoor pool environment.
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Located in stunning Golden Bay and set on 20 acres of native bushland, Drift Off Grid offers breathtaking views of the ocean and provides a unique glamping experience.
You’ll have the freedom to explore the gorgeous Tata Beach at your own pace, soak in imported vintage baths on the deck, and watch the sunset every day.
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Three self-contained cottages nestle in a wild natural setting on the shore of the beautiful tidal Waimea Inlet, with panoramic views across the estuary to mountains, vineyards, orchards and olive groves.
Located halfway between Nelson City and Abel Tasman National Park, this is a place where you can spend all day outdoors exploring the Nelson Tasman region or where you can be completely content moving no further than the deck.
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As a recent winner of Top Ten Small Stays, Abel Tasman Lodge in Mārahau has a lot going for it. A small but perfectly formed retreat with a focus on wellness, the lodge has delightful suites and chalets.
More importantly, the punga-fenced outdoor space allows for alfresco bathing amongst native gardens and views of the landscape beyond.
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Close to Richmond, but as far away as you could feel from anywhere, Rabbit Island Huts has very comfortable cabins on stilts, all with access to outdoor bathing.
Named for the adjacent island, the huts sit in wide-open converted farmland at the edge of the Waimea Estuary and offer excellent access to local attractions and adventures such as cycling Tasman's Great Taste Trail.
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Just north of Nelson and across the causeway at Cable Bay, Pepin Island Farm rises impressively above Tasman Bay.
Each of Pepin Island Farm’s huts is beautifully designed, with stunning views and outdoor baths and showers (Passage Hut, Rocky Point Hut, and Nikau Hut). It is a special destination.
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Part of a series of suites, cottages and houses of a delightful two hectare estate just outside Māpua, Kissing Gates is a small cottage within its own magical 1000sqm glade.
There, perched on the jetty above the private flax-edged lake, you’ll find a claw foot bath to beat them all.
Once profiled by TripAdvisor as one of the world’s most awesome glamping sites – now you know why.
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