It's a real shame that the segregated Japanese Bathhouse is no longer the same under the new owners. It used to be so relaxing and traditional. Prices are a bit steep too now.
Rating: 2/10
Fred Leverton -
03th August 2017

Unfortunately the springs were not to what you would expect. One was closed for cleaning, which if it was anything like the one left open was in desperate need of it. One would expect algae with natural springs, one would not expect to lose sight of your feet within said algae. There was clearly a slip mat there once upon a time, no longer, and the one "safety rail" was rickety and would potentially cause more harm then good.
Rating: 1/10
Not that pleased - New Zealand
07th January 2016

Natural hot pools beautiful setting, no chlorine :) Hot concrete floor in changing rooms (lovely) Does have black algae - very natural and shows pools are not chlorinated. Lovely service. We are lucky to have these Japanese pools here in NZ I will come here again and again.
Rating: 8/10
Christine Comber - Aotearoa
7th December 2013

The location is beautiful, the one night stay was awesome it was simple and had really good customer service the food was really good, but we made the mistake to order too much and unfortunately couldn't finish it. the stay overall was very basic and very relaxing, we will defiantly visit again.
Rating: -/10
James V-N - Christchurch, New Zealand
6th January 2014

excellent. had a great time. Pleasent staff . nice and quiet lovely setting. We will be back.
Rating: 10/10
kaz - NZ
14th June 2013

We have been regular visitors to the Maruia Hot Springs over the last 20 years. We have not been for the last 2 years due to circumstances (we have been badly affected by the Chch earthquakes). We made a special effort to take my father, who is visiting from the UK. Our visit on (27.01.13) was more than disappointing. I have to say I was disgusted with the state of the pools and facilities. Weeds and filth abound. The grounds were overgrown and generally unkempt. The shower facilities were dirty and the floor was covered in slippery mud deposits. Dead flies and spiders hung from cobwebs on the shower roof that was cracked and obviously rotting in places. I should imagine that the floor was a result of the excess sediment in the pools. I realise that these are natural springs and that a certain amount of natural matter is present in the water but the pools were a mass of slimy "seaweed" type floaties and at 39 degrees were almost unbearable. It does nothing to enhance your relaxing experience when you are surrounded by lumps of sediment, one of which was so big it looked like a dead cat floating in the pool. Surely removing the larger deposits with a pool net would not be too hard. I don't think pulling out a few weeds and some general maintenance would be too hard. The $19 entry fee per peson should more than pay for maintenance. I won't be visiting again .
Rating: -/10
Lynda Williams - Christchurch, New Zealand
29th January 2013

The Dinner meal was awesome and the service was very helpful but unfortunately I was dissappointed with my room at $159 I expected something more than 2 1/2 stars. The ladies bath house was nice and relaxing. So go for dinner but stay else where.
Rating: 5/10
Donnella Henrikson - Morrinsville NZ
30th March 2012

We recently escaped Christchurch for a night away at Mauria. We arrived early, thinking we could use the pools until 3 when check in was scheduled. When arriving at 9am, the room was available, and we were given the keys straight away! Everyone was so friendly and happy to help. The private spa's were incredible, with windows you could open looking out onto the lightly snow covered mountains and river. The Japanese room was a highlight, as was the amazing massage we both had. Both my partner and I couldn't talk higher of the food, especially dinner, well presented, great portions and fabulous tasting food! Ate far too much, but couldn't resist. The outdoor thermal pools were so much more peaceful and private than some other thermal pool resorts in the South Island, and having them available 24 horus a day was ideal. Thankyou so much Mauria for such a wonderful experience, we will definately be back!
Rating: 10/10
Rachel -
3rd July 2011

It is a nice place after all. Expensive to stay, not much to do besides the excellent thermal pools. Miles better than Hanmer Springs which is a bitter disappointment.
Rating: -/10
LEUNG, Chi Keung - Australia
21st April 2010

We booked a two night stay at Maruia springs for a quiet, romantic getaway. I am amazed at some of the negative comments here, especially from some of the people who have only ever placed one comment, and it is negative. Nothing nice to say? Say nothing at all is my motto. Our experience was exactly what we wanted. We were not scabby with getting the cheapest room in the joint – we opted for the ‘eco package’ which saved us some money on the better quality rooms. Room was very nice, quite spacious and the heating worked very well. We noticed there was a wall heater in the bedroom, another in the bathroom and a spare small fan heater in the wardrobe – needless to say we were not cold. Our room was soooo quiet; we did not hear a peep from anyone or any other room. The whether was dreadful – we knew it was going to be prior to booking the night before, but we still did. Snow to ground was predicted and true to form, it did, in amongst unrelenting rain and a very cold snap of about 2 degrees… This made for a very cosy and romantic 2 nights and days in, doing a whole lot of nothing… exactly what we signed up for. There is no TV. There is no radio. Internet is unreliable as it is satellite as is the phone… This is clearly on their website. The hot pools are at the demands of the environment and the elements and out of the control of the operators – we found them very nice during our stay, the outside one was very hot and we could not stay in too long. The indoor one was perfect and quiet. Dinner at the restaurant was great. Both nights they had a constant flow of tables and the service was great. We ordered the hot pot – was great. We stuffed ourselves the first night, determined to finish it – the broth was something else. Was so good that we had it the next night too but were not quite able to finish it this time. I can not imagine someone who goes to a Japanese restaurant and orders Lamb Shanks – can someone explain that to me? We have been to the springs before and we noticed that the restaurant and the rooms have been done up – very nice, neat and tidy. Oh – one very bad mishap – ordered a Panini in the Café the first day and I was forgotten… Once they realized their mistake, the apologized, corrected it quickly and offered both my wife and I two free coffees, gratis… We declined as the apology was heartfelt, genuine and was all that was required really. All-in-all, a wonderful getaway and was everything that we were expecting and wanted. We will return and we do recommend to many travelers who want a genuine experience.
Rating: -/10
Alex - Methven New Zealand
28th October 2009

As NZ'ers in Aus we travel nz annually for a month - Maruia Springs s one of the few places in NZ that makes me embarrassed to be a NZer (parts of Queenstown do as well).. overpriced, tacky... sure the surrounding environment is great but the actual springs themselves - we went October 2007 - that day one pool less than tepid, one so hot you couldnt get in, thus the third had everyone in it... if you want a great hot natural spring go to Miranda
Rating: 2/10
Lynda H - Western Australia
6th October 2008

A very disappointing weekend. Friday 11 and Saturday 12 July 2008. Arrived to uncleared driveway covered in snow. Checkin was polite but no help was offered in carrying bags through snow to the room as you couldn't drive any further than main reception it was quite a 'haul' to the Mountain Veiw units. The pools were just warm on the Friday night but the Utase-yu...waterfall was cold, not hot as it states in the maruia web site description. The meal in the restaurant was pleasant even though the open fire did little to warm the air. The food was tasty and well presented on the Friday night. The unit was basic, generally clean except for the very dirty skirting board surrounding the whole bathroom. Not only did it appear to not have been cleaned for a long time but the towel rail positon meant that your towels would hang over the dirty ledge! I also noted that the wall beside the toilet had splashes over it...another obvious that it hadn't been thoroughly cleaned. Now onto the Saturday...yes we had a pleasant continental breakfast again in barely warm surroundings in the main building followed by a day of total lazing around reading as the rain continued to pour down constantly, and we had a very nice massage. We actually booked another for Sunday morning before we hit the road (we cancelled that though after the following disappointments). Another pleasant dinner on the Saturday night but service this time was poor with the waitress forgetting to bring one of the dishes. Off we went then to have an evening session in the pools. We hadn't used them during the day with the rain coming down so hard. The pools were VERY COLD! Couldn't stay in long at all so we went to the Bath House...only to find the womans inside door wouldn't open..no luck getting in there. The mens was...barely warm again and the water from the showers was cold too! Forget their 'traditions' you have to get something for your money..so my lady came into the mens for about 10 minutes of luke warm natural waters (there was no-one else in there...we know why..because it wasnt very relaxing). Oh well, back to the warm unit to have wine from the little 'juice' glasses that are provided for your drinking pleasure...no, expensive wine just isn't the same from a kiddies glass! Bed was comfy, just as well because we got up in the morning to no hot water in the unit at all...ok so there was a jug for coffee making...just as well that we could boil it and add to the little bathroom sink to have a good old victorian sponge bath! We told management about the water problem and while we had breakfast we assumed it would be fixed...but no such luck. So our bags were packed, the massage cancelled and the bill sorted. The bill, well again it was unpleasant to find that we had been charged for a 'package' weekend twice but due to our hassles they would discount one! That's hardly called a discount. More negotiating found that we were charged considerably more for the massage we had each, we finally got the charges sorted and a discount for the lack of using the pools and unable to shower! Other problems noted...hazards everywhere..power cords through walkways, a transformer directly outside the most commonly used door to the main building sheltered from the rain by an umbrella!, signs that were incorrect, heaters in units undersized to cope with the weather, services not available in several areas, no kitchen cloth or tea towels for cleaning up the coffee bench in unit...am I supposed to use my facecloth to wipe and dry my coffee cup??? The website says the unit standards include a dining table and chairs...I didn't see any...nor was there even a plate or knife to dine with! All the kitchen unit had was 2 coffee cups, 2 little glasses, 2 tsps, fly spray and a rubbish bin...oh and a fridge that we had to prop the front up so our wine bottles didn't roll out when you opened the door. On returning, I got on the web site to see just what inspired me to book into this 'resort' in the first place...only to discover so many misleading statements. Not to mention that the package we were given but not actually what I booked included private spa time...that wasn't even mentioned to us during our stay...the 3 course meal...well again when we ordered that wasn't mentioned. We thought we were paying for everying individually and only had mains and a side dish...yet we were put under a 3 course package? Obviously this is a very badly run destination that we won't be returning to nor recommending. TARGET on TV would have a wonderful time picking on this place.
Rating: 2/10
Steve Parkins - Nelson NZ
13th July 2008

Rating: 9/10
anonymous -
11th May 2008

LOCATED ON THE WEST COAST NOT MARLBOROUGH!!!
Rating: 8/10
Pete - ChCh
18th April 2008

After reading the lengthy and intensely negative review I feel compelled to defend Maruia. I spent a lovely afternoon there in December. It was charming. The smiling staff were very friendly and helpful. The pools were more natural when compared to Hanmer and had so much more character. My lover and I found it was a very romantic experience and we long to return together to rent a private bath in the winter someday. As for the sandflies, they seem to be a South Island/New Zealand wide phenomenon, not exclusive to Maruia. These less commercialized, laid back pools are a gem.
Rating: 9/10
V. - Canada -
1st February 2008

We had a wonderful weekend away at Maruia Springs. Having never been there before, it turned out to be everything we hoped it would be and more. The pools were wonderful (and open 24hrs! for in-house guests), the accommodation warm and comfortable, and the staff very helpful. We'll definitely be going back!
Rating: 10/10
Amy and Jason - New Zealand
29th July 2007

After two long years of hard graft we were looking forward to a relaxing holiday which included Maruia Thermal Resort............BIG, BIG MISTAKE. At a distance the resort looks great including their website pics. but at a closer look the upkeep of the accomodation is appalling. Our chalet (no.5) was cramped and in need of some basic TLC. The wash basin was cracked and crazed and totally unhygenic, so was the toilet unhygenic, which was badly stained beneath the water line. The paintwork on the woodwork was second rate, but the price of the accomodation wasn't, they are asking five star rates for two star service. The shower unit is woefully small, so if you are a little on the large side you will be constantly knocking the water control off or knocking the water either onto hot or cold. The service in their resteraunt has little to be desired too, being the only eatery for miles around you are at their mercy! There were four of us for dinner, two of our main course orders arrived before the starter, which finally arrived ten minutes later with the waitress stating "It went to the wrong table, no worries", then TWENTY FIVE minutes later the other two main courses arrived. There was no management available to talk to until the morning of the next day, and when informed that one of the owners was on site and we asked to see her, she didn't want to see us! We eventually were recompensed 10% (the price of the starter!) and offered a voucher of $60.00 to use for a free spa at the resort!! We fully recommend that anybody wanting to unwide and relax at the Maruia Springs Thermal Resort NOT to waste their money and time there but to go to Hamner instead, which by the way has no sand flies that are ready to attack you the moment you are in the open! PS. Be warned, if you do risk going to the resort, the rocks that lead to the pools are very, very slippery.
Rating: -/10
anonymous - New Zealand
20th May 2007

Best hot spring on NZ. Wonderful Japanese experience.
Rating: 10/10
Laura and John - Auckland
23rd October 2006

Absolute Bliss. Is this the best hot spring in NZ? I think so. First time there we arrived almost by accident - it was snowing and we were thinking, how are we going to cross Lewis Pass? We saw the springs and checked into a room - then sat outside having a hot soal as the snowflakes fell around us. Gorgeous. Loved the Japanese Bath House also - the luxury of sploshing around in hot water as you look out over the mountains. Mwah!
Rating: 10/10
Duncan Stuart -
19th April 2006

Does it get any better ? We stayed for a couple of days at the Hotel around Xmas 2004. The spectacular scenery - blue skies & clouds rolling down the mountainsides - is enhanced by the creation of japanese style rock pools, plunge pools & the bath-house which is so tranquil & traditional japanese it all works together so amazingly to lift the spirit to the next level... In the evening we booked the full-on banquet by the master chef from Japan at the restaurant attached to the Hotel. Amazing experience - we hooked up with a couple from Wellington in the pools earlier & spent an evening of fine wining and dining at value-for-money pricing which puts our Auckland restaurants to shame...
Rating: 10/10
David Woodhouse - Auckland, NZ
13th August 2005