Maruia Springs Thermal Resort

My partner and I had the best weekend away ever in our life at the Maruia Springs. We only stayed a few days before the previous reviewer stayed (perthgarbo from Perth, Australia), on 18-19 of July 2009. I think if you are expecting a fancy resort accommodation with 5 stars, you may get disappointed. Because Maruia Springs is so isolated from everywhere and because of the environment, what they can do about the electricity and water pipe would be limited. They are eco accommodation. We did experience about the tab water coming out like a little bomb but we didn't mind as long as we get water. Standard Room is what you get if you don't spend so much cash. We stayed in the Mountain View room and we didn't hear any noise because there was no upstairs or downstairs. It's not Maruia Spring's fault that the Ladies's Japanese Bath was closed due to the bore temperature was low. As you see their website, their hot water is 100% from nature source, there is no way the Maruia Spring can control the temperature to heat it up. You need to accept what nature give you and shouldn't forget that nature let you alive. There was a nude person in the Male bath? It is normal and that's how it is in Japanese Onsen (hot spring). "Exposing" is a wrong term to use if you are at the Japanese style Onsen. You are not supposed to wear swimming tongs. There is a sign just before you enter the bath. However, I do agree with you that you feel that was inappropriate to do if the bath was unisex. But again, this wasn't the Maruia Spring's fault and this person should have considered more. Just for your information, in Japan, if there is an unisex Onsen, people are still all naked. It's not erotic - it's just nature human being. It's also different culture that you should accept. Also, if you are staying at the Japanese style accommodation and restaurant, ordering Kiwi food is just wrong. They're Japanese restaurant so that's what they're good at. If you ordered a Salmon dish, of course it's "fishy". I guess European people don't know how to enjoy fish so they always cook too much and eat like a robber. You get different impression depending what kind of food culture you grew up. I feel if you cannot accept the Japanese style way of enjoying the Onsen (hot spring), why are you going there? Onsen isn't hot pool, it's a hot bath in nature source. We had incredible time at the Maruia Spring Thermal Resort last weekend and we promised to go back there again. And we will go back there at the end of next month for my partner's birthday. It was just peaceful and best place to relax and be away from our busy life. Staff were very professional manners and kind with heart, which was very nice and important as in customer services. Food was fab. We have nothing to complain but were a bit shame about the Bore temperature was low. We are wishing the temperature will go up again and will visit there soon.