Chef-hosted luxury wellness retreat opens in New Zealand

Hosted by an internationally renowned chef, Domu Retreat celebrates “doing nothing at all” and focuses on digital disconnection.

A new boutique wellness destination has opened on New Zealand’s South Island, offering travellers the opportunity to disconnect from the constant digital chaos. Domu Retreat is perched on an elevated coastal ridge with sweeping views of the Abel Tasman National Park and Tasman Bay with just six suites accommodating twelve guests. The retreat is adults-only and encourages visitors to switch off from the digital world and immerse themselves in mindfulness, fine dining and the natural beauty surrounding them.

What is Domu Retreat all about?

Created by internationally acclaimed chef Toby Stuart, a culinary expert with experience working in more than a dozen Michelin-starred restaurants across five countries, and his wife Sabina Bronicka-Stuart, a yoga practitioner, the resort takes its name from the Polish word for home, calling upon Sabina’s heritage.

The name ‘Domu’ reflects the retreat’s ethos: offering the sophistication of an international luxury lodge while fostering the warmth and intimacy of staying in a friend’s home. Domu Retreat centres around shared meals in a “dinner and discourse” format, where chef Toby prepares four-course seasonal menus in an open kitchen. Every evening, guests gather at a single long table with Toby and Sabina and are invited to engage with each other and the chef as they dine. Guests can expect local produce at its finest, from spearfished butterfish to South Island game and organic meats sourced from nearby farms and boutique suppliers. A compact, carefully curated wine list, including organic labels and Cloudy Bay vintages, complements the culinary offerings.

Days at Domu Retreat are defined by choice. Morning yoga and meditation sessions, hosted by Sabina, are optional, while the magnesium swimming pool, heated plunge pool, wood-fired sauna and massage room offer ample opportunity for restorative relaxation. Guests may also enjoy quiet reading, bathing in the view, or simply doing nothing at all – luxury here is defined not by activity, but by freedom from obligation. The retreat’s approach to wellness and mindful indulgence is a deliberate contrast to the pace of modern life: no TVs in the rooms, no schedules to follow, only time to reconnect with self, others and nature.

Rates at Domu Retreat start from NZD $2,000 (AUD $1,766) per night for two guests, inclusive of breakfast, aperitif with canapés, chef-hosted evening meals, morning yoga, and full use of wellness facilities. Lunch and wines are available at an additional cost.