- Covid-19 health & safety
We are a small boutique property which means we are able to deliver our entire offering, while meeting all Government Covid-19 health and safety guidelines. From May 1st 2022 we do not require a vaccine certificate to enter the facilities. Face covering is required while being inside.
- What are your opening hours?
We are open 5 nights a week – from Thursday at 3 pm until Tuesday 11 am. (Except of school holidays. We are open 7 day a week over school holidays only). Our reception is open from 8 am until 9 pm on the days we are open.
- What bathing facilities do you have?
Maruia Hot Springs is proud to provide bathers with an authentic, natural and pure thermal mineral water experience. Immerse yourself in geothermal waters that have naturally risen to the earth’s surface on our site for centuries. There are 4 natural hot pools, Steam room, Dry Sauna, Infrared Sauna, Thermal showers, Cold plunge pool, Zen lounge. Please refer to Experience for more information.
- How hot are the pools?
The temperature of the pools varies from 42°C to 38°C depending on the pool and the time of the year. We control the amount of geothermal hot water entering each pool and let ambient temperature do the rest. In summer cold water Is increased to allow the pools to cool further for comfort of guests.
- What time is the check-in and check-out?
The resort accommodation check-in starts at 3 pm. The check-out is at 10am. You have unlimited access to the bathing facilities from the check-in until 9pm on the day of the check-out (except of Tuesdays when we close all facilites at 11 am). The mineral pools are open all night for your convenience.
- How long can I stay?
With the general admission for $45 you may enjoy the facilities up to 3 hours. The day retreat pass allows you to stay the whole day from 8 am until 9 pm. If you are staying overnight the check in starts at 3pm and you may stay until 9pm on the day of your check out. Please note we close all facilities at 11 am on Tuesdays and we reopen on Thursdays at 3pm (except of school holidays when the resort is open for 7 days a week).
- What is the equipment of the resort rooms?
All our rooms are newly renovated including the bathrooms. The rooms are equipped with a kettle, cups, glasses, and mini fridge. Please enjoy the complimentary house-made teas, coffee and milk. Our Superior Garden view rooms are also equipped with a Nespresso coffee machine and TV (we encourage our guests to fully relax and enjoy our remote location without phone coverage, internet or TV. Therefore, the only room type with a TV are Superior Garden view rooms).
All towels and robes are prepared for you in the room.
- Do the glamping pods have an ensuite or cooking facilities?
No. There is a shared toilet block for the campground. Showers are available by the hot pools. There are no cooking facilities in the glamping pods, nor in the campground due to high fire risk. All our guests are more than welcome to dine in our restaurant or order a platter in one of the lounges or at the deck. All towels and robes are prepared for you in the glamping pod after checking in.
- Are your camping sites powered?
Maruia Hot Springs is an off-the-grid eco-resort. The whole resort is powered by hydro power and therefore all of our campsites are unpowered.
- Can I bring my dog?
Our resort including the campground is part of The Department of Conservation land and therefore dogs are not allowed in our campground or on the river bank and trails. If you are coming with your dog, you may camp in our main parking lot by pre-arrangements.
- What is the Wellness Program and who can access it?
Our wellness program is included in all our overnight stays. Our complimentary wellness calendar contains wellness activities for our guests to enjoy during their stay. Included are our guided ‘signature sauna infusion’ with home-made treatments, daily wellness, yoga & meditation classes and a guided nature trail walk. Bookings of activities are essential. Make sure to pack your yoga pants, swimsuit, jandals and suitable walking shoes.
- Do you have WiFi available?
Given our remote location WiFi is available via satellite and is available for purchase online on your device. Please note there is no phone coverage in our resort.
- Is your restaurant open?
Yes, our restaurant is open for breakfast between 8 – 10 am, lunch between 12.15 – 2pm and dinner from 6 pm. Dinner bookings are essential. Snacks, beverages are available throught the whole day. You may find the menus here.
- Do you cater for dietary requirements and allergies?
Yes, our menus cater most of dietary requirements – gluten free, dairy free, vegetarian & vegan. Please inform us of any specific allergies ahead of time so our chefs can make sure they meet your requirements.
- Is your café closed?
Yes, our café is closed. We do not sell any takeaway coffees or snacks
- Do you accept cash and all debits and credit cards?
Our business is completely cashless since September 2021. We accept a majority of credit and debit cards (except of amex),
- Can I bathe if I have a medical condition?
Depending on your medical condition, we do recommend that you obtain medical advice from your doctor before entering the pools, to ensure that it is suitable and recommended for you. If in doubt, contact a manager for their opinion.
- Is there disabled access to your facility?
No, unfortunately we do not have a disabled access to any of our hot pools.
- Do you have private pools?
Yes, we do. The 45 min private spa experience comes with bubbles & chocolate and fresh towels. You may hire the pool for $75pp. Or if you are staying with us overnight you may book the private spa for extra $45pp.
- Where does the water come from?
The hot mineral spring waters flow from a natural filtration geothermal spring under its own pressure, from where it is pumped to the pools through a pipe that goes across the river. The water that surfaces is estimated to have been deep within the Earth for more than 100 years. The water rises to the surface under its own pressure at a temperature of approximately 54-60°C.
Maruia Hot Springs is a sulphur spring with a pH of 7.3. The water contains a range of naturally occurring minerals, other than sulphur it also has calcium, magnesium, potassium and many others. The gentle aroma surrounding the pools comes from the sulphur content. For more information refer to the Mineral Content page.
There is up to 500,000l of fresh water per day flowing through the pools. So our guests are always sitting in the fresh water in our pools. Our water is untreated, no nasty chemicals.
- What is this black stuff floating in the water?
Black/white Algae can be seen in our pools; these algae are the formation of the minerals and harmless bacteria that the natural hot water is full of. It forms in the process of the water’s cooling stage. The algae are good for the human body, we encourage you to rub it on your skin as they are known to soften and revitalize. Algae benefits also extend to inflammation and pain relief. Algae contains anti-inflammatory compounds like omega-3 fatty acids and chlorophyll. The algae are also part of the super food group, they have the same properties as Spirulina.
The Algae in the pools are the evidence of Non Treated (Chlorinated) water from the hot springs source.
In Japan, the algae are called “Yu no Hana” (the flower of Hot springs) and dried algae are sold in the sachet for the bathers as a souvenir for the Hot Springs visit! It is used for bathing at home.
- What are the health benefits of bathing?
- improves sleep
- reduces stress & anxiety
- improves circulation
- helps with arthritis and sore muscles and joint
Refer to the Mineral Content page
- Can I wear my jewellery in the hot pools?
The minerals in the water can tarnish jewellery and loosen stones. However yellow gold is generally fine, we recommend taking all jewellery off before entering the hot pools.
- Will my swimwear discolour if I bathe in the mineral hot pools?
The mineral water can give swimwear a slight discolouration. For this reason, we do recommend that guests bring darker coloured swimwear.
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- Can I bathe whilst pregnant?
We recommend that pregnant women are cautious when bathing in hot mineral water and only soak in lower temperature (38°C) hot pools, while ensuring a high intake of fluids and breaks between. We do not recommend to pregnant women to bathe in pools above 40 °C. Some pregnant women choose to only soak their feet and/or have a lots of breaks so they avoid overheating their bodies. As all pregnancies are different please consult with your midwife/Dr prior to arrival.
For pregnant women who’d like to enjoy a therapy, we do offer pregnancy massages and facials.
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- Do you provide towels, robes and lockers?
Towels, robes and lockers are available for our guests staying in our rooms, glamping pods & day retreats.
Anyone can hire towels, robes or lockers at reception for an extra charge of $18 for all three. Towel/$6, locker/$5, bath robe/$12. We take car keys as deposit for locker key. Your car keys are safe with us. 🙂
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- Can you do anything about the sandflies?
Due to our location we have no control over the natural fauna found in Lewis Pass. Sandfly repellent is available for purchase in reception and complimentary sandfly repellent is available by the hot pools (next to the water station). Please note that sandflies are active throughout the warm days. There are no sandflies at night, when it rains or in winter season.
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