Sandhāna Retreat — Local services in Waiheke

Before beginning our New Zealand/Australia adventure, my friend and I elected to stay a few days in Waiheke Island to decompress from jet lag. We found Sandhāna Retreat through an online search, and we contacted owner-operator Donna.

From the start, Donna was wonderful, offering detailed instructions on how best to reach the island by ferry from Auckland and how to navigate to her home once we arrived. There, we found Sandhāna to be beautiful: clean, spacious, modern, and especially well-appointed (right down to “help yourself if you forgot these”-style toiletries offered in the bathroom). The addition of a backyard sauna and the house’s stones-throw location from a beach were fabulous. Plus, public transport ran nearby.

But what really rendered the experience as cut above was Donna herself, who made us feel instantly comfortable and welcome — was kind enough to drive us to a winery our first day and the starting point of a hike on another — and who made a point of cooking breakfast tailored to our tastes using superb ingredients.

We enjoyed many wide-ranging conversations with Donna (which suited us) and she especially distinguished herself when I received sudden news that my sweet, old cat back home had succumbed to her illness. Donna was beyond kind and compassionate (she too is a cat lover) and her heartfelt consolation made my sadness infinitely more bearable.

People so often take the time to write negative reviews when things fail to meet their expectations while leaving satisfying experiences unspoken. It is my sincere hope that prospective guests of Donna and Sandhāna Retreat take my words of praise to heart. We literally could not have asked for a better experience. Sandhāna is now the benchmark all future stays are measured against.

Kimberly Hughes,...

A group of us, recently had the pleasure of experiencing a retreat and overnight stay at Sandhāna, hosted by the wonderful Donna. From the moment we arrived, Donna’s warmth and hospitality made us feel instantly at home. The space she has created is nothing short of magical – serene, beautifully maintained, and thoughtfully designed to promote relaxation and well-being.

Donna’s attention to detail and genuine care for her guests set this retreat apart. She went above and beyond to ensure our comfort, providing personalised touches that made our stay truly special. The facilities, including the sauna, cold plunge, and spa pool, were top-notch and added an extra layer of luxury to our experience.

The special dinner and cake Donna arranged for us were delightful, showcasing her dedication to making our stay memorable. Her ability to create such a welcoming and nurturing environment made it easy for us to unwind and fully immerse ourselves in the retreat’s offerings, which included a cacao ceremony, yoga, breathwork, meditation, contrast therapy, and sound healing.

I highly recommend Sandhāna to anyone seeking a rejuvenating escape. Donna’s passion for her work shines through in every aspect of the retreat, and I am incredibly grateful for the unforgettable experience she provided for me and my friends. If you’re looking for a place to relax, recharge, and feel truly cared for, Sandhāna is the perfect destination.

Thank you, Donna, for your exceptional hospitality and for creating such a wonderful sanctuary. We can’t...

I've just came back from my second retreat with Donna and it was utter bliss! I really loved my first "Spring" retreat in November last year and so much so that I invited a couple of other friends to Donna's "Autumn Equinox" retreat. It was a blissful day with nourishing practices of cacao ceremony, reading cards, sound bath and healing with Osher, organic home grown food by her friend, ice bath and infrared sauna finishing with restorative yoga nidra. I was lucky enough to be able to stay at Donna's for the night and it was a fun night full of conversations and laughter. Donna is such a special person and she has made such a wonderful "home" away from home at Waiheke. She keeps upgrading her home (last year she just added the ice bath, and this time around she added the spa!) and everything is beautiful and high-spec. I am almost reluctant to do a google review because I want to keep Donna and Sandhana for myself! But I know that it's more important to share her gifts and her space to other people so everyone can get the benefit as well :). I'm booking my next...