Hanmer Springs TOP 10 has been woven into the community fabric for decades. Owners Jacqui and Dean, both Canterbury locals, have kept the Park in their family for around 40 years. On-site managers Martin and Liesl have also called the Park home for the Past seven years, and they wouldn't want to be anywhere else.
They’ll tell you they have the best backyard in New Zealand, and that they love sharing it. From mountain biking the local hills, to walking the Heritage Forest trails or summiting Mt Isobel, they know Hanmer Springs inside out. And after a day of exploring, they’ll be the first to recommend a soak in either the Hanmer Springs Thermal Pools or a wood-fired hot tub at the Park, and they’ll share their top picks for the best cafes and restaurants in town. For Martin and Liesl, working at the Park isn’t just a job, it’s about building lifelong connections. They take genuine pride in remembering returning guests favourite rooms or campsites, and even how they take their coffee. If you’re lucky, Martin might even treat you to his “joke of the day” while making your morning flat white.
That same care extends to their team, who operate more like a big whānau than coworkers. Staff dinners at Martin and Liesl’s place are a regular tradition. The menu often features Liesl’s famous roast lamb or chicken, and is always a hit with the 20 or so staff gathered around their table.
Their passion for hospitality and the local environment is at the heart of every hiring decision. While the Park strives to employ locals, Hanmer’s seasonal nature means the team often includes transient staff. Still, every team member embraces the local lifestyle and sprinkles a bit of alpine magic into every guest’s stay.
Whether you’re staying for one night or a week, the team at Hanmer Springs TOP 10 hope you leave with full hearts, Memories for Life™, and a little bit of their Local at Heart spirit.
To learn more about the locals behind the Parks, click here.