Imagine FINALLY reading your favourite books without distractions.
Escape to Martinborough
A whole weekend away with other book nerds who get why you pack five books for a two-night stay.
Youβll read, youβll rest, youβll eat (LOTS), and you might cry about a fictional character - itβs all part of the retreat experience.
When? Friday, 20 Feb - Sunday, 22 Feb 2026
Where? Martinborough, Wairarapa, New Zealand
Most people pack their holidays full of sightseeing, activities, and alarms.
Us readers? Weβre dreaming of slow mornings, long chapters, belly-laugh conversations with fellow book lovers, and food so good it deserves a paragraph of its own.
Let me set the sceneβ¦
You pull into the driveway and immediately feel like you've stepped into a different world. The gorgeous Martinborough villa welcomes you through its doors and you're so glad you came.
As you unpack, you start to get excited about what the weekend holds. Pages devoured in cosy corners, conversations about fictional crushes and plot twists - it feels luxurious and comfortable.
Itβs exactly what you needed.
You can't help but feel spoilt, pampered, looked after, and truthfully? You know you deserve it. With every meal catered with homemade Italian dishes, lavish platters and delicious snacks, you can't remember the last time you ate so well (and didnβt lift a finger in the kitchen).
By the end of the weekend, you feel like you've been living someone elseβs story.
You feel rested, restored, and travelling home with you are the memories that will be forever tucked inside the pages of another book you remember fondly. Not just because of the story, but because you chose to read it while choosing yourself.
AS SEEN IN
A reading retreat is a getaway for book lovers, like you and me.
Weβre all juggling a million things and secretly wishing we had more time to read instead ofβ¦ folding laundry.
A book retreat is an escape from all that: A weekend to slow down in a stunning setting, chat about your favourite reads with fellow book nerds, and indulge in authentic Italian foodβright here in New Zealand.
For a whole weekend, there are no obligations and you can keep yourself busy with books (see what I did there? π) .
What is a reading retreat?
βIf you're someone who struggles to shut the door on daily distractions and carve out precious time to truly immerse yourself in the pages of your favorite authors, this is your sanctuary.β
- E, retreat guest
When was the last time you did something just because it made you feel good?
Not because it was productive. Not because it ticked a box.
But simply because you wanted to curl up with a book, dream of fictional crushes, and feel completely at ease in your own skin?
Whatβs included:
Two nights of luxe living in boutique accommodation thatβs as cosy as your favourite novel (and twice as hard to leave).
Authentic Italian food, handmade with love from fresh, locally-sourced ingredients - just like Nonna would, if she hosted book retreats (I am Nonna π ).
Snackable treats designed to be enjoyed one-handed (because the other should never have to leave your page).
Fun non-alcoholic drinks - youβre welcome to bring your own alcoholic drinks to enjoy with dinner.
Welcome gifts curated for book lovers
The chance to meet fellow readers who get it and might just become lifelong book besties.
3 months of membership for BWB book club
β¦and a few other (literary) surprises!
Wait, thereβs more.
Book fair
Swap, trade, and share your favourite reads with others at our own little book fair. Find hidden gems, make recommendations, and get some fresh books for free (βcause new books are expensive).
Blind date with a book
Choose a book based on a brief description without knowing the title, author, or plot beforehand. Itβs a great way to discover new books and step outside your comfort zone!
Device sitting service
Let me look after your phone so you can keep distractions (*uhm TikTok*) to a minimum. Enjoy a temporary break from the digital world knowing your device is safe and secure.
What our guests are saying:
ROOM OPTIONS
The Austen Suite
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Classic, refined, and perfectly poised β much like the woman herself. If youβve ever dreamed of retreating to the English countryside with a stack of hardcovers and zero obligations, this queen bedroom is for you.
Unavailable - someone else has already snatched this one up! -
$2100 NZD (single occupancy)
$1550 NZD per person (double occupancy)
Bringing a friend? Just add them during the checkout process!
Green Gables
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Cosy and sun-dappled β this queen room is made for dreamers, letter-writers, and anyone whoβs ever wished they lived in a storybook cottage. Bonus points if you bring a floppy sunhat and a strong opinion on raspberry cordial.
Unavailable - someone else has already snatched this one up!
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$2100 NZD (single occupancy)
$1550 NZD per person (double occupancy)
Bringing a friend? Just add them during the checkout process!
Bedposts & Betrayals
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Spicy reads go here. With a king bed worthy of a dramatic love triangle and enough space to spread out your entire TBR, this room is for the bold. Perfect for reading steamy chapters under the covers, gasping at plot twists, or journaling about your favourite book boyfriend.
Unavailable - someone else has already snatched this one up!
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$2400 NZD (single occupancy)
$1700 NZD per person (double occupancy)
Bringing a friend? Just add them during the checkout process!
Itinerary
The weekend is whatever you want it to be: All activities are encouraged, but nothing is mandatory.
Choose solitude or shared time with other readers.
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Arrive any time from 2pm.
Thereβll be welcome snacks (of course), a little bookish gift waiting for you, and Iβll give you a quick tour of the house.
After that? The place is yours.
That evening, weβll gather for a delicious Italian-style dinner - a relaxed way to ease into the weekend and get to know each other. Donβt worry, no awkward icebreakers or forced fun facts. Pinky promise. -
Help yourself to a buffet-style breakfast whenever youβre ready to emerge from your reading cocoon.
The day is completely open to whatever you feel like doing: read in your favourite nook, take a walk, sneak in a nap, or dive into deep book chats with someone equally obsessed with fictional characters.
In the evening, dinnerβs on again: homemade, hearty, and best shared. Or, if youβre deep into a story and donβt want to break the spell, you can have your meal delivered to your room. Zero judgement. -
Another help-yourself breakfast, then a gentle morning to soak up the last bit of retreat magic.
Weβll share a light lunch as our final meal together before it's time to grab the tissues & say goodbye to everyone.
Checkout is by 2pm.
Take a peek inside our last retreat!
When most of your life revolves around looking after others, let me look after you for a whole weekend.
Hi, Iβm Hanna!
Originally from the north of Italy, I now live on the beautiful KΔpiti Coast of New Zealand - and Iβm your host!
Busy With Books was born out of a simple idea: what if reading could be the centrepiece of connection, self-care, and joy?
Through in-person reading retreats and a cosy online book club, Iβm creating spaces where book lovers can slow down, switch off, and finally read without interruption - or guilt.
And because I grew up in an Italian family where food was love, youβll always find a good meal (or a delicious recipe) as part of the experience β€οΈ
FAQs
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You're free to read WHATEVER books you want, we don't discriminate.
While I don't dictate which books you read, I will be bringing along some of my favourites in case you don't want to decide or run out of books to read.
We'll also have our own little book fair, so bring any old books you want to swap with others!
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No, you will need to make your own travel arrangements. Wellington airport is a 1.5h drive from our accommodation and offers flights from all over New Zealand.
We'll also have plenty of parking available if you choose to travel by car.
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Nope, and that's fully on purpose. This is a time (and space) for you to do whatever you want. If that means staying in your room in your PJs all day, go for it!
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While I do my best to accommodate dietary needs, I canβt guarantee an allergen-free environment, as the kitchen isnβt exclusively under my control. I am not able to cater for a gluten-free diet at this stage.
If you have specific dietary requirements, please email me at hello@busywithbooks.com before booking. -
Not much, really!
Comfy clothes, books (obviously), maybe a water bottle to stay hydrated? The rest will be provided by me, including main meals, snacks, non-alcoholic drinks, linen, and towels.
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Absolutely not.
This is a weekend for you to relax and unwind without distractions: no stopping to prepare meals, cleaning up after other people or taking care of other everyday chores.
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This retreat is designed for women and anyone who identifies as female or non-binary. We welcome LGBTQ+ guests and aim to create a safe, supportive, and inclusive space for everyone.
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We welcome all book lovers aged 18 and above.
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This retreat is a solo adventure! We donβt allow couples because we want to create a relaxed, social space where you can fully unwind, meet fellow book lovers, and maybe even make a new bookish bestie. Itβs a weekend just for you!
Soβ¦are you coming?
STALK ME ON INSTA
