The Spa at Hanmer Springs, New Zealand

Sponsored by The Spa at Hanmer Springs July 30, 2019

Located in the New Zealand alpine village of Hanmer Springs, The Spa boasts a stunning mountain backdrop. Connected to Hanmer Springs Thermal Pools & Spa, it offers guests the opportunity to relax in the therapeutic waters before indulging in one of many spa treatments. Surrounded by picturesque mountains, forest parks and native bushland, it is the ideal setting to completely relax and reconnect.

The experience

Hanmer Springs village offers many world-class accommodation options for travellers, all within a short walk from The Spa, ranging from five-star hotels to boutique spa retreats and B&Bs.

Within the village, the jewel in the crown is Hanmer Springs Thermal Pools & Spa, where visitors can spend a day relaxing in one of more than a dozen natural thermal pools, including therapeutic mineral pools, aqua therapy pools and play areas.

The water in the thermal pools started as snow and rain falling on the Hanmer Springs mountains almost 180 years ago. It seeped into the greywacke basement rock and came to rest in a reservoir some two kilometres underground, where it is warmed by heat radiating from the earth’s core. Today, that water is drawn to the surface and used for bathing and heating purposes.

The thermal pools are connected to The Spa, offering guests the flexibility and convenience of the ultimate relaxation experience. The Spa offers dozens of sublime beauty therapies, tailored massage treatments and pampering spa services. The wider village boasts activities for the adventurous soul, with superb mountain biking, jet boating, bungy jumping, horse riding and quad bike tours.

The treatments

The thermal pools are the perfect place to start your Hanmer Springs spa experience. Bathing in thermal spring water has therapeutic benefits and the natural warmth and restful atmosphere help you relax and unwind.

The Spa itself offers the full gamut of spa treatments and experiences, including a full range of massage therapies administered by a team of experienced therapists. Body treatments using both natural and scientifically proven cosmeceutical products and spa experiences utilising the latest technologies and techniques are also available. Included among the luscious treatment options are the Vichy shower, hot stone therapy and private thermal pools and saunas.

Vichy treatments feature an invigorating warm waterfall that gently massages you as you lie on a specially designed, handcrafted massage table. The rain shower exfoliation and massage involves a full-body exfoliation before drifting away under the warmth of the Vichy rain shower as the healing hands of your therapist work in symphony with the waters to gently massage and guide you to total relaxation. Utter bliss.

On another level, you might want to try a coffee bean exfoliation. This treatment starts with a stimulating exfoliation using coffee beans and then once you have showered and relaxed, you can enjoy the application of warmed body butter to hydrate your skin.

Other body treatments include a detox body cocoon, thermal gel wrap, soothing sugar scrub, deep-tissue massage and reflexology.

The Spa also offers a full range of beauty treatments including waxing, manicures and pedicures. You might like to try a “seasonal” facial — a fruit-inspired treatment that is vitamin based in spring/summer, and mineral based in autumn/winter. Another treat is the eye contour treatment, which is specifically designed for the eye contour area and helps to immediately reduce signs of fatigue and ageing with long-lasting effects.

The Spa boasts individual and couples massage rooms, the Vichy spa room, hydro-storm room, private saunas, private thermal pools, a relaxation lounge and pedicure and manicure room.

A retail area with a wide variety of items including aromatherapy candles and beauty products is also on-site.

The food

There are dozens of world-class cafes and eateries within minutes of The Spa, situated in the centre of Hanmer Springs Village, including fine dining, international cuisine and family restaurants. The Tea Kiosk within the thermal pools facility offers a wide range of international food, authentic oven pizzas, Western cuisine and family-friendly meals.

Getting there

You’ll find The Spa connected to Hanmer Springs Thermal Pools & Spa on the right-hand side as soon as you drive into Hanmer Springs village. It’s just a short 90-minute drive from the South Island gateway of Christchurch. The Spa is within 10 minutes walking distance from major accommodation providers in the village, making it an ideal spot to indulge yourself, before taking in a bit of boutique shopping and dining at one of the dozens of cafes and eateries. For those on a day trip, there is plenty of free parking surrounding The Spa and the compact village.