Manawa Retreat sits in Whitecliffs, New Zealand, roughly an hour's drive from Christchurch and close to Mt Hutt ski field, established in 2024 as a sanctuary for peace, connection and healing. Accommodation is built around seven cosy sleeping pods, each with a queen bed, accommodating up to 14 guests, designed to blend modern comfort with natural surroundings; the property also has walking trails, a bonfire area and a flying fox across its grounds, positioning it as much a nature-immersion base as a wellness retreat.
At the heart of the on-site offering is a contrast-therapy setup: a dry-heated sauna reaching up to 110°C and fitting up to 15 people, a seasonally heated pool held at 28°C year-round, and a spa alongside a cold plunge — giving guests the classic hot-cold rotation used to support recovery and circulation. These recovery facilities are complemented by a dedicated yoga room and tranquil walking paths across the property, meant to encourage guests to slow down and reconnect after activity-filled days, whether that's skiing at Mt Hutt, hiking the Rakaia Gorge Walkway, or exploring nearby alpine trails. Nourishing, retreat-style catering — continental breakfast, packed lunches and wholesome dinners — is built into most stays, with private chef bookings also available for group visits.
Beyond individual stays, Manawa runs structured programming, including a one-day Manawa Day Retreat combining a morning movement session, a nourishing lunch paired with a nutrition chat, guided cold plunge and sauna contrast therapy, and an afternoon of yoga and sound bath before a closing wholesome dinner. Multi-day retreat packages typically bundle accommodation, meals, scheduled workshops and full access to the property's wellness amenities, with retreats generally encouraging a digital detox — Wi-Fi is limited or absent by design, so guests are encouraged to unplug fully during their stay. The property is also available for private hire, hosting weddings, corporate retreats and family gatherings alongside its standard wellness offerings.