White and Hamilton bought the springs as part of a consortium for a reported NZ$2.26m in February
Hot springs research and development consultant James White is the new managing director of New Zealand’s Maruia Hot Springs and has promised a world-class bathing and wellbeing attraction, as well as a “total renewal of the Southern Alps bathing experience which fits harmoniously into the surrounding mountains.”
South Islanders White and his partner, Kim Hamilton, are planning extensive revitalising and expansion of the open-air hot pools that will help Maruia Hot Springs “become the blissful New Zealand nature escape that it should be” he says.
While this is the first property White has co-owned and managed, he’s no stranger to the industry. He headed up research for the Hot Springs Alliance Group between 2013 and 2015, which identified best practice in bathing industry.
His research analysed how global natural hot springs create, deliver and capture value. And it involved him visiting 20 countries and 122 hot springs sites, as well as conducting more than 180 interviews.
White’s findings concluded that Australia and New Zealand are well-placed to be premier destinations for wellness activities.
The people behind Australia’s Peninsula Hot Springs (PHS), which is also undergoing a major expansion, are co-investors in the development which was acquired by a consortium for a reported NZ$2.26m (US$1.6m, €1.4m, £1.1m). PHS founder and CEO Charles Davidson sits on the board of the Australasian Spa and Wellness Association with White.
White and Hamilton have been rejuvenating what was a Japanese-style bath house at Maruia Hot Springs into two communal indoor bathing experiences. Other soon to be developed facilities include thermal massaging showers, heated stone beds, new changing facilities, relaxation lounges, a sauna, steamroom and more indoor relaxation experiences.
The outdoor and indoor bathing pools are fed from a natural 56?C mineral spring and the eco-resort generates its electricity from its own hydro-power station.
“Over time, I’m looking to apply the knowledge gained from the global hot springs research to transform Maruia Hot Springs into an innovative, world-class hot springs experience and destination,” says White. “Maruia Springs will be a multi-million dollar redevelopment to create an experience that’s in keeping with this magical location.”
Read more from this issue of Spa Business magazine
View contents of Spa Business 2016 issue 2
Editor’s letter: Who will own the well-life consumer?
It’s the wild west out there and there’s a land grab going on as interested parties make their play to own the well-life consumer. It’s not clear yet how this will pan out as the industry matures, or where spa stands in the pecking order, but the threats are clear
Spa people: Tyler Gage
Runa’s Tyler Gage working with Channing Tatum on an Amazon healing centre
Spa people: Todd Hewitt
For the first time in four years, Shangri-La appoints a global head of spas. Spa Business talks to Todd Hewitt, the man to fill the role
Spa people: James White
Thermal spa researcher and consultant to head up major overhaul of Maruia Hot Springs in New Zealand
Interview: Irene Forte
Daughter of hotelier Sir Rocco Forte and niece of designer Olga Polizzi tells Jane Kitchen why the Rocco Forte Hotel’s new spa concept is a family affair
Design: Natural wonderland
Neena Dhillon visits the striking new Keemala resort and spa in Phuket and finds out about its unique design
Science: Skin deep
Modern research is redefining the way we think about skin. Neuroscientist Dr Claudia Aguirre explains what the findings mean for spas
Promotional feature: Clarins
Clarins’ head of Spas, My Blend and Retail, Prisca Courtin-Clarins, talks about the strides the company is making in highly prescriptive skincare, and the development of hotel spa concepts with the My Blend brand
Promotional feature: Massage Heights
There’s a clear gap in the UK spa market for an affordable local offering that places an emphasis on top-quality treatments and services. Is Massage Heights, the successful US franchise chain, the solution?
Promotional feature: Neaumorinc
From a director of spa at Four Seasons to an entrepreneur who introduces exciting new beauty brands to five-star facilities, Shawna Morneau’s experience on both sides of the industry is enabling her consultancy to have an impact worldwide
Promotional feature: Dr Burgener Switzerland
Dr Burgener Switzerland to launch Haute Couture, a revolutionary skin treatment that personalises product and treatments to each person’s skin, using cutting-edge technology
Sensory zone: Set adrift
Niamh Madigan talks to researcher Justin Feinstein who thinks floatation could be a shortcut to meditation
Fitness: Defying gravity
The founder of AntiGravity® Aerial Yoga tells Niamh Madigan about the technique and a new suspension massage he’s developing for spas
Promotional feature: Gharieni
As Gharieni prepares to celebrate 25 years in the industry, founder and CEO Sammy Gharieni talks about the company’s culture of innovation, and how there will so many more exciting products to come
In today’s premium spa environment, every detail shapes the guest experience – right down to
the softness of towels and the freshness of linens. [more...]
White and Hamilton bought the springs as part of a consortium for a reported NZ$2.26m in February
Hot springs research and development consultant James White is the new managing director of New Zealand’s Maruia Hot Springs and has promised a world-class bathing and wellbeing attraction, as well as a “total renewal of the Southern Alps bathing experience which fits harmoniously into the surrounding mountains.”
South Islanders White and his partner, Kim Hamilton, are planning extensive revitalising and expansion of the open-air hot pools that will help Maruia Hot Springs “become the blissful New Zealand nature escape that it should be” he says.
While this is the first property White has co-owned and managed, he’s no stranger to the industry. He headed up research for the Hot Springs Alliance Group between 2013 and 2015, which identified best practice in bathing industry.
His research analysed how global natural hot springs create, deliver and capture value. And it involved him visiting 20 countries and 122 hot springs sites, as well as conducting more than 180 interviews.
White’s findings concluded that Australia and New Zealand are well-placed to be premier destinations for wellness activities.
The people behind Australia’s Peninsula Hot Springs (PHS), which is also undergoing a major expansion, are co-investors in the development which was acquired by a consortium for a reported NZ$2.26m (US$1.6m, €1.4m, £1.1m). PHS founder and CEO Charles Davidson sits on the board of the Australasian Spa and Wellness Association with White.
White and Hamilton have been rejuvenating what was a Japanese-style bath house at Maruia Hot Springs into two communal indoor bathing experiences. Other soon to be developed facilities include thermal massaging showers, heated stone beds, new changing facilities, relaxation lounges, a sauna, steamroom and more indoor relaxation experiences.
The outdoor and indoor bathing pools are fed from a natural 56?C mineral spring and the eco-resort generates its electricity from its own hydro-power station.
“Over time, I’m looking to apply the knowledge gained from the global hot springs research to transform Maruia Hot Springs into an innovative, world-class hot springs experience and destination,” says White. “Maruia Springs will be a multi-million dollar redevelopment to create an experience that’s in keeping with this magical location.”
Read more from this issue of Spa Business magazine
View contents of Spa Business 2016 issue 2
Editor’s letter: Who will own the well-life consumer?
It’s the wild west out there and there’s a land grab going on as interested parties make their play to own the well-life consumer. It’s not clear yet how this will pan out as the industry matures, or where spa stands in the pecking order, but the threats are clear
Spa people: Tyler Gage
Runa’s Tyler Gage working with Channing Tatum on an Amazon healing centre
Spa people: Todd Hewitt
For the first time in four years, Shangri-La appoints a global head of spas. Spa Business talks to Todd Hewitt, the man to fill the role
Spa people: James White
Thermal spa researcher and consultant to head up major overhaul of Maruia Hot Springs in New Zealand
Interview: Irene Forte
Daughter of hotelier Sir Rocco Forte and niece of designer Olga Polizzi tells Jane Kitchen why the Rocco Forte Hotel’s new spa concept is a family affair
Design: Natural wonderland
Neena Dhillon visits the striking new Keemala resort and spa in Phuket and finds out about its unique design
Science: Skin deep
Modern research is redefining the way we think about skin. Neuroscientist Dr Claudia Aguirre explains what the findings mean for spas
Promotional feature: Clarins
Clarins’ head of Spas, My Blend and Retail, Prisca Courtin-Clarins, talks about the strides the company is making in highly prescriptive skincare, and the development of hotel spa concepts with the My Blend brand
Promotional feature: Massage Heights
There’s a clear gap in the UK spa market for an affordable local offering that places an emphasis on top-quality treatments and services. Is Massage Heights, the successful US franchise chain, the solution?
Promotional feature: Neaumorinc
From a director of spa at Four Seasons to an entrepreneur who introduces exciting new beauty brands to five-star facilities, Shawna Morneau’s experience on both sides of the industry is enabling her consultancy to have an impact worldwide
Promotional feature: Dr Burgener Switzerland
Dr Burgener Switzerland to launch Haute Couture, a revolutionary skin treatment that personalises product and treatments to each person’s skin, using cutting-edge technology
Sensory zone: Set adrift
Niamh Madigan talks to researcher Justin Feinstein who thinks floatation could be a shortcut to meditation
Fitness: Defying gravity
The founder of AntiGravity® Aerial Yoga tells Niamh Madigan about the technique and a new suspension massage he’s developing for spas
Promotional feature: Gharieni
As Gharieni prepares to celebrate 25 years in the industry, founder and CEO Sammy Gharieni talks about the company’s culture of innovation, and how there will so many more exciting products to come
People taking GLP-1 weight loss medications such as Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro and Zepbound
may be losing weight, but they’re also becoming less physically active, according to new
research presented at the ENDO 2026 annual meeting of the Endocrine Society
Abu Dhabi-based investment firm Mubadala Capital has made a binding, fully financed
€1 billion
offer to acquire Pierre and Vacances SA, the European holiday resort operator behind the
continental European Center Parcs business.
Global retreat trade show, Synergy The Retreat Show, has launched a resource called The
Source, which hosts an open-access online Transformation Series programme.
The Standards Authority for Touch in Cancer Care (SATCC) charity has announced its first five-
day Living with Cancer and Beyond retreat, which will be held at Carden Park Hotel and Spa in
Cheshire, UK, between 1 and 5 September.
Patmos Aktis, a Luxury Collection Resort and Spa, has opened in Greece, with a renovated and
rebranded wellness offering called Ansana Wellness and Spa.
The Mauna Kea Beach Hotel, an Autograph Collection property in Hawaii, US, has opened its
22,000 sq ft indoor-outdoor Spa at Mauna Kea as the final step in the property’s overall
renovation, which has cost more than US$180 million (€166 million, £140 mill
The UK spa review and discovery platform for consumers, the Good Spa Guide, has announced
it will host the Good Spa Guide Awards 2026 during an event on 16 November at Sopwell House
Hotel in St Albans, UK.
Eighty-four per cent of consumers now say wellness is a top priority in their lives, with this
percentage increasing year on year, according to a preview presentation of McKinsey’s Future of
Wellness 2026 research report.
Mass protests have been taking place since Monday 1 June in Albania over the development of
a luxury resort by Donald Trump’s daughter Ivanka Trump and her husband Jared Kushner.
Global Wellness Day (GWD) marked its 15th anniversary on Saturday 13 June 2026, with the
theme: #JoyMagenta – a celebration of the healing qualities of simple gestures and activities
that spark joy.
In today’s premium spa environment, every detail shapes the guest experience – right down to
the softness of towels and the freshness of linens. [more...]
