Split Apple Retreat

The Split Apple Retreat Center was the highlight of my 3 week stay in New Zealand. I consider it one of the most special wellness-based resort lodges I have ever been to, as well as the most unique luxury lodge of the 5 that I have stayed at in New Zealand over the years. It is my top recommendation for family and friends interested in New Zealand travel. Split Apple combines the refinement, attention to detail, and customer care that is expected at all high end resorts while infused with a personal warmth and peaceful energy. The lodge owners, Lee Nelson and Anne Pen Lee ("Pen") , have mastered the art of hospitality management. I've never experienced a hotel that combines such high sophistication with a spirit of genuine caring for the guests. Lee who has a wealth of knowledge about the immediate environs helped us to organize daily itineraries based on our interests, while Pen, an absolutely brilliant chef, fortified us with delicious, health-focused breakfasts and dinners which were enjoyed at set times each day with the other 4 guests on premises. The setting overlooking the Tasman Sea is spectacular. The minimalist Japanese aesthetic of the lodge is serene and beautiful. And, Lee's Asian art collection on display throughout the lodge is impressive. The "zen" energy at Split Apple is palpable. In an effort to get to know our preferences, Lee spent time chatting with us from the moment we arrived. He provided a tour of the "house" and shared details about all the wellness offerings there. We arrived after a 4 night outing in Abel Tasman Park so were primarily looking for a few days of blissful R&R which we found in abundance. Lee took time to understand what types of massage we preferred and selected therapists from his roster that could deliver the perfect experience for us. I splurged for the 2 hour massage and must say it was the VERY BEST, most unique, indescribable massage experience I ever had! There are no words for its healing and transporting effect on my mind and weary hiker's body. The meditation experience using and auditory binaural beat technology was extremely special as well. Add on my daily dips in the salt water infinity pool and FAR infrared sauna and I had no desire to ever return home! Pen took an interest in our food preferences and integrated some of our favorite things in her menus. There are too many examples to list but the dinner on the last night of our visit was a 5 course Japanese-inspired meal, including a spectacular sashimi plate. We had told Pen that Japanese was our favorite cuisine so she artfully capped off our 3 night visit with a meal to remember! Her thoughtfulness extended beyond her delicious cooking. Actions speak louder than words and who else would think to slip a fresh, perfectly ripe fig from her garden into your hand before your morning hike...or pack two perfect soft boiled eggs "to go" on the morning of departure because there was no time to eat breakfast??! I cannot stress enough how SPECIAL this place is! I realize that this is a long review but Split Apple has won my highest praises. It exceeded my very high standards and expectations for 5 star travel. I promise that you will be equally love struck if you stay there!

LST L. · March 2026 · via Google

Split Apple Retreat is appropriately named. It is certainly an amazing retreat perched above the Tasman Sea. Surrounded by the natural beauty of panoramic water views and adjacent to Abel Tasman National Park the views off the deck where you eat the most delicious breakfasts and dinners is both panoramic and unobstructed by anything man made. It’s one of the very special spots in the world inclusive of treatment rooms, meditation areas and an infinity pool. The proprietors Lee and Pen are warm and welcoming and so is every member of the staff. With only three rooms you feel more like family than a “hotel” guest. We are grateful for being able to visit and can’t wait for our next visit to Split Apple.

Jeff T. · February 2026 · via Google

We have been here for all of 5 hours and already felt compelled to write a review because this place is, in a word, transcendent. Lee and Pen have an incredible meditative oasis located on perhaps the most picturesque slice of land the South Island has to offer, with Marcus and JJ bringing the most outstanding guest experience one could ever ask for. Truly an outstanding getaway, a wildly Elysian escape accented by delicious and thoughtfully prepared meals (by Pen herself!), chirping birdsong, and the subtle whisper of the waves down below. Absolute must stay.

Andrew O. · December 2025 · via Google

In a class of its own. This beautiful, boutique property only has three rooms which are modern and well-appointed. The place is beautiful with breathtaking and unparalleled views of the bay and Abel Tasman. But that's not what makes Split Apple Retreat so special. The owners (Pen and Lee) and the staff (JJ, Markus, and others) create a warm, inviting and relaxing environment that invites you to relax, be present and really enjoy this experience. And while others have said this, allow me to repeat. The food that Pen prepares is phenomenal. Split Apple retreat is 10/10 at every measure. Well done team!

David K. · November 2025 · via Google

Wow, what a magical place! We only had two nights there, and honestly, that just wasn’t enough. This spot has so much to offer! Even after such a short stay, we left feeling totally refreshed and inspired to amp up our health game—can’t wait to try out new healthy recipes at home! Lee and Pen have poured so much love, mindfulness, and expertise into every detail. From the mind-blowing views right from the comfy bed to the delicious anti-inflammatory meals, everything was spot on. The saltwater pool was super refreshing, and the meditation room, equipped with special wave technology, made slipping into a meditative state a breeze. But honestly, it’s Lee and Pen who make this place extra special. Staying with them felt like hanging out with old friends—you know, the kind you can chat with all night long. Pen whipped up amazing breakfasts and dinners daily in her kitchen, and Dr. Lee shared his wisdom on functional medicine, guiding us on our healing journey. Our time there was truly transformative, and we can’t wait to go back and dive even deeper into the serenity and wellness they offer.

Natalia B. · March 2025 · via Google