Brackenridge Country Retreat & Spa

We kicked off a girls' getaway in Martinborough with a spa day, and my three daughters and I had an absolute ball. Sheryl and the team made it feel special, and Sheryl worked her magic to fit us all in so the day went without a hitch. The treatments were fantastic, thanks Eileen and Asha! Between them, we sprawled on the comfy lounge couches, chatting and chilling out. Lunch was great too, with a cheese platter, wine and juice. An amazing day, thank you, Sheryl, Eileeen and Asha. You guys are awesome, and I hope I've spelt those names right! Nga mihi ki a koutou 😊

The beautiful grounds made Brackenridge a perfect setting for a summer garden wedding. We got married there in November, and Bridget, Sue and the team handled the day with care and professionalism, so we could relax and trust them to look after us. Guests could stay on site and enjoy the extra facilities, which was great. We'd happily recommend Brackenridge for a wedding or a weekend away, and we hope to come back for a stay ourselves.

I stayed here in 2024. The welcome platter and complimentary wine were lovely, and probably the best part of the visit. The beauty spa was a letdown, especially for the price. After product was slapped on, I was mostly left alone while the staff chatted to each other. During the body cocoon, even a head or foot massage would have made a big difference for what it cost. I also wanted an early morning swim, but there was a used tampon at the bottom of the pool. I couldn't get a response from reception or the caretaker. When I raised these things at checkout, nobody showed any sympathy. I came hoping to unwind and treat myself, but Brackenridge let me down across the board. I left feeling dismissed and ripped off.

We stayed two nights in January 2026 while attending a wedding. The staff were very friendly, and I'm sure they would have dealt with problems if we'd raised them before leaving. We didn't have the energy to complain during the busy stay, so I mentioned things only as we departed. Studio 18 needs a deep clean. At a four-star resort, cleanliness should be a given, and I've stayed in backpackers with higher standards. The bathroom was the main problem: a rusty-looking tub, black mould or grime around the shower window corners, a cracked floor tile that looked like an infection risk, and a toilet brush covered in loo roll. The tiles, grout and silicone looked awful. Worst of all, old underwear was wedged between the sink and wall, with dirt and cobwebs over it. If you lost your knickers in studio 18, reception might still have them. At this price and rating, none of this is acceptable. The resort has the makings of a fantastic place, and I can see why people respond with “oooh, very nice” when they hear you're staying at Brackenridge. But the reality felt sad: beneath the glossy website and photos, it seemed like a tired relic of better times. We chose the accommodation because we could park beside our room, due to a non-visible mobility or health issue. There are dedicated spaces, but parking was a free-for-all. On our last night, an arrogant guest refused to move their ute from studio 18's spot, and there were no other spaces unless we took someone else's. We wouldn't do that. The resort can't control human nature, but having to leave my car by the entrance road after that interaction left a sour taste. I heard through the Martinborough grapevine that the resort may have been sold. If that's true and potential new owners are reading, please pay attention to the details expected of a four-star resort. Don't neglect the simple things. We won't return, as the Wairarapa has much better options. This review keeps disappearing, which is interesting, and it never got a response like the positive reviews.