Just over a year ago, The Times in London named Aro Ha Wellness Retreat in New Zealand as one of the 'Top 25 Hotels to Watch in 2014'. The magazine's prediction was spot on, as Aro Ha has earned glowing reviews and a string of award nominations by the global media in its first year of operation.
Conde Nast Traveller readers heralded Aro Ha as '#1 Destination Spa in The World', and ranked it at number eight in the 'Top 100 Hotels & Resorts in the World', making it the only Australasian resort in the top ten. The retreat was also named as the 'Best New Property to Visit' by Luxury Travel Magazine and earned second place for 'Best Wellness Retreat in the World' by Virgin Australia. In addition, it was nominated for a Spa Finder 2014 Wellness Travel Award and three AsiaSpa Baccarat Awards including 'New Spa of the Year', 'Destination Retreat of the Year' and 'Spa Cuisine of the Year'.
“We are humbled and grateful for the recognition received in our first year of operation,” says Damian Chaparro, co-founder of Aro Ha. “At the end of each retreat, we look into the glowing faces of our guests and see the profound results of our program. That glow is what we are all about.”
The eco-chic luxury retreat is located 45 minutes from Queenstown on the shores of Lake Wakatipu, and is protected by soaring alpine peaks. Along with producing more than 90 per cent of its power needs onsite, it supports environmental education, uses New Zealand’s first renewably sourced heating scheme and grows its own organic fruits and vegetables.
Aro Ha has also been featured in Wallpaper*, Harper’s Bazaar, Gourmet Traveller, Centurion Magazine, Australian Women’s Weekly, New York Weddings, The Daily Mail, DestinAsian, South China Morning Post, Travel + Leisure and Australian Financial Review Life & Leisure.
