Grand Designs NZ Castle Transformed into Luxury Wellness Retreat

From an extraordinary heritage restoration to a seven-day sanctuary, Earnscleugh Castle in Central Otago is entering a remarkable new chapter.

A magnificent New Zealand castle featured on Grand Designs NZ has been transformed into an exclusive luxury wellness retreat, complete with a MasterChef-winning chef, a world champion freediver and a yoga instructor who once performed alongside Frank Sinatra and Cher.

Located in the spectacular Central Otago region, approximately an hour from Queenstown, Earnscleugh Castle is now home to Sanctum 7, an intimate seven-day wellness experience designed around relaxation, exceptional food and the simple pleasure of slowing down.

For Australian viewers who watched the castle's extraordinary restoration on ABC on 15 October 2026, there's now an opportunity to experience this remarkable property firsthand.

From Grand Designs to a Luxury Castle Retreat

Restoring a historic castle is no small undertaking, as owners Ryan Sanders and Marco Creemers discovered during their ambitious renovation of Earnscleugh Castle.

The Category 1 heritage-listed property, dating from the 1920s, sits among 30 acres of landscaped gardens, with views towards Central Otago's dramatic mountain ranges.

Their restoration journey became the subject of the opening episode of Grand Designs New Zealand Season 10, revealing the challenges and rewards of bringing an extraordinary historic building back to life.

But the castle's transformation didn't end with the renovations.

Drawing on his own experiences of burnout after years of balancing business, corporate responsibilities and family life, Ryan developed Sanctum 7 as a place where guests could genuinely disconnect from everyday pressures.

Rather than demanding fitness schedules or intensive wellness programmes, the retreat embraces a gentler philosophy centred on rest, nourishment and personal wellbeing.

Seven Days of Rest, Luxury and Restoration

Sanctum 7 accommodates a small group of adult guests, with nine beautifully appointed suites available within the castle.

Each seven-day retreat includes six nights of accommodation, personalised wellness experiences and meals prepared by a private chef.

Guests can begin their mornings with yoga in the castle's elegant ballroom, enjoy guided breathwork sessions, explore the gardens or simply spend an afternoon reading in the library.

The property also features a heated saltwater swimming pool, spa, Finnish sauna and ice bath.

For those wanting to explore beyond the castle, guided walks introduce guests to the surrounding Central Otago landscape, while evening stargazing sessions celebrate the region's exceptionally clear night skies.

Importantly, participation is flexible. Guests are encouraged to enjoy the experience at their own pace, with plenty of time left deliberately unstructured.

Dining with MasterChef New Zealand Winner Aaron Brunet

One of the retreat's most appealing features is its culinary programme, led by Aaron Brunet, winner of MasterChef New Zealand.

As Sanctum 7's Chef-in-Residence, Aaron prepares breakfast, lunch and three-course dinners throughout the retreat.

His approach celebrates plant-based cooking, using seasonal ingredients grown on the estate or sourced from local producers.

Menus are designed to be nourishing without sacrificing flavour or indulgence, with fish available on request.

Meals are served in the castle's magnificent Grand Dining Room, where guests gather around an oak dining table dating from 1900.

Aaron also hosts a cooking workshop, sharing practical techniques and ideas that guests can take home.

An Extraordinary Team of Wellness Specialists

Beyond the beautiful surroundings and exceptional dining, Sanctum 7 brings together an impressive team of twelve specialists.

Former world champion freediver and Guinness World Record holder Kathryn Nevatt introduces guests to breathwork techniques, drawing on her extensive experience in breath control and performance.

Yoga instructor Barbara Dawson brings an equally fascinating background. Before dedicating herself to yoga, Barbara enjoyed a professional dancing career that included performing alongside Frank Sinatra, Cher and Sammy Davis Jr.

Other specialists include naturopath and medical herbalist Asti Renaut, sleep psychology expert Margrethe Helles and herbalist Loran Verpillot.

Guests can participate in herbal remedy workshops, sleep discussions, massage treatments and guided relaxation sessions.

It's an unusually diverse programme that combines established relaxation practices with personalised wellness experiences.

Experience the Castle Beyond the Retreat

For those who love the idea of staying in a historic castle but prefer to organise their own itinerary, Earnscleugh Castle also offers exclusive private bookings.

From 1 November 2026, outside scheduled Sanctum 7 retreat dates, the entire castle can be reserved for private groups, with a minimum stay of three nights.

These exclusive stays are suitable for family gatherings, special celebrations, corporate retreats and leadership events.

Experiences can be tailored to the group, including private dining, wellness activities and opportunities to explore Central Otago.

Sanctum 7 Retreat Dates and Prices

The upcoming Sanctum 7 retreats are scheduled for:

• 29 November 2026

• 17 January 2027

• 7 February 2027

Further retreats are planned monthly, with dates announced through to mid-2028.

Prices start from NZ$8,499 per person, depending on the season and accommodation selected.

The seven-day experience includes six nights of accommodation, all meals, return Queenstown Airport transfers, daily yoga, selected wellness treatments, workshops and guided experiences.

Flights are not included.

For retreat details, availability and reservations, visit Sanctum 7.

Getting to Earnscleugh Castle from Australia

Earnscleugh Castle is located at 754 Earnscleugh Road in Central Otago, approximately one hour's drive from Queenstown Airport.

Australians can travel to Queenstown and take advantage of the retreat's included return airport transfers.

For guests seeking an especially memorable arrival, helicopter transfers to the castle grounds are also an option.

With its remarkable architecture, peaceful surroundings and thoughtfully curated experiences, Sanctum 7 offers a distinctive alternative to the traditional luxury wellness escape.

And for anyone who followed the castle's restoration on Grand Designs New Zealand, the opportunity to stay inside this extraordinary property makes the experience even more appealing.