Sometimes you need to step away to find your way back to yourself.
Phoenix Rise is a place to relax, reset and reconnect, set amongst five acres of peaceful grounds with spectacular views towards Mt Ruapehu.
Join us for an immersive women’s wellness retreat, gather family and friends for a few days away, or simply make Phoenix Rise your base for exploring the beautiful Ruapehu region. Come for the space. Stay for the experience. Leave feeling restored.
BOOK YOUR STAY
Accommodation at Phoenix Rise
Come together somewhere different.
Our character-filled accommodation offers a unique place for families, friends and groups to gather, with flexible accommodation across the historic Old Nurses Home, self-contained Doctors Residence and Garden Cabins.
Enjoy generous communal spaces, outdoor entertaining areas, mountain views and the freedom to make your stay as active or restful as you choose.
BOOK YOUR RETREAT
Retreats Relax • Reset • Renew
A different kind of time away.
Our two-night, three-day women’s wellness retreats bring together rest, reflection, creativity, nature and thoughtfully chosen wellbeing experiences.
Depending on your retreat, your experience may include equine-assisted learning, therapeutic Qi Gong, body wisdom, contrast therapy, floatation, art, pottery, mindfulness and time to simply slow down.
Your accommodation and meals are taken care of too. You do not need to arrive knowing anyone. You do not need to have everything figured out. You just need to arrive.
WHY PHOENIX RISE?
A place built around the possibility of beginning again.
Phoenix Rise grew from founder Sandy Waters’ own experiences of challenge, loss, rebuilding and resilience.
In 2006, Sandy purchased the former Nurses Home of the old Waimarino Hospital and began lovingly restoring it into what would become Snowy Waters Lodge. In 2026, the property begins another chapter as Phoenix Rise.
Inspired by the symbolism of a phoenix rising from the ashes, Phoenix Rise is built around renewal, personal growth and the belief that change does not always have to mean an ending.
Sometimes, it can be the beginning of something new…
THE PHOENIX RISE FEELING
Grounded. Warm. Reflective. Real.
Phoenix Rise is not about an intimidating luxury wellness experience or overly stuffy accommodation.
We believe wellbeing can look like a quiet cup of tea. Fresh mountain air. Reconnecting with family. Getting your hands dirty with clay. Standing quietly beside a horse. A conversation by the fire. Laughing with someone you only met yesterday. Or simply having an afternoon where nobody needs anything from you.
What we hope to bring you from time in our beautiful lodge and at our retreats:
“A space where I can really exhale….”