Koukoulee is a health and wellness destination based on Waiheke island. It’s an easy-going break to meet you where you are at and regain your mojo.
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Koukoulee offers private luxury yoga retreats on Waiheke, events and corporate wellness at some of the island’s most stunning locations. Every little detail is thoughtfully tailored to your intentions and planned to help you focus on the important stuff - your wellness. Rather than pressuring people into impossible stereotypes, our retreats celebrate authenticity. Our whole reason-to-be is about s
haring a gentle, balanced and optimistic break from the norm. We thoughtfully and intentionally slow-down and break the pattern by feeding the body and soul, so you get some sanctuary and leave feeling inspired and better than before. Think boutique accommodation rather resort or retreat complex. We have a range of self-contained luxury accommodation for your group with spa/swimming-pool, private lounge, dining, kitchen, bedrooms with luxury linen and toiletries. Think delicious, gut-loving recipes that are big of flavour and light on your digestion. Our filling and creative menu of balanced vegan meals, will have you inspired to take a few recipes home. Think totally bespoke. No two breaks are the same. Our ‘triage’ approach diagnoses exactly what you wish-for and tailors a made-to-order event. We’ll curate a personalised accommodation, staff, menu and activity package to meet your group dynamics and needs. Koukoulee was founded by Vassia Simou. As a ‘burn-out’ survivor, Vassia’s wellness philosophy is that every once in a while, we need to reset so we can see the big picture. Taking time-out to ‘find your happy’ is a joyful and fun experience. Vassia has spent the last three years building a large team of hand-picked, incredible individuals who are experts in their fields of yoga, Pilates, chefs, PTs, beauty therapists, and masseurs. These passionate specialists put their soul into their craft. What they do is more than a job to them. Vassia has worked in marketing and events for over 12 years but she gets a real kick when bringing people together, creating beautiful experiences and seeing the smiles on their faces. In Greece - where she comes from - it’s called ‘filoxenia’.
21/08/2025
Our Island Glow Facial special runs for just 10 more days. If you haven’t booked in yet, now is the time 🥰
Vassia’s last appointment for a while will be this coming Tuesday and this will be the last weekend she is taking bookings (for a while at least). If you’d like to experience her facials — combining deep skin treatment and sculpting massage — this is your final chance for now 🌿
A traditional facial…
✨ Focuses mostly on surface-level skincare — cleanse, exfoliate, mask, moisturise.
✨ Leaves your skin glowing (for a while), but your body and mind are often left where they started — still carrying the tension of the day.
A Koukoulee holistic facial…
🌿 Begins with deep, grounding breathwork to help your nervous system shift from “fight or flight” into “rest and digest.”
🌿 Uses a fusion of sculpting facial massage, lymphatic drainage, and fascia release to soften expression lines, reduce puffiness, and free up stuck tension in the jaw, temples, and neck.
🌿 Works with your whole body’s stress response, calming the mind while reviving the skin.
🌿 Pairs advanced techniques with hormone-safe, NZ-made natural skincare — so what’s absorbed into your skin is as gentle and safe as the touch that applies it.
Class spotlight: 🌙 Restore Nidra — Wednesdays at 6pm Koukoulee
Halfway through the week, your body and mind are ready for a pause. Our new Restore + Nidra class with Satya is designed exactly for that.
We’ll begin with two restorative poses — supported, calming shapes that allow the body to release tension and soften. From there, you’ll be guided into the practice of Yoga Nidra — a deep meditative state of rest that quiets the mind, restores the nervous system, and leaves you feeling grounded and renewed.
Students often describe Nidra as “rest that feels better than sleep.” Whether you need to slow down, recover, or simply reset mid‑week, this class offers a nourishing sanctuary.
✨ Why relaxation massage - whether face or body - should be on your monthly routine?
🤍 Let’s start with the basics - Slow touch heals.
🥰 When we slow down — with presence and intention — something shifts. It’s not just relaxation… it’s your nervous system learning how to feel safe again.
🌿Gentle massage calms the fight-or-flight response, helping the body move into rest-and-digest — the place where real release and healing can happen.
🪷If you notice yourself clenching your jaw, holding tension in your shoulders, or bracing through the day, it’s not “just stress.” It’s your body protecting you — until it feels safe enough to let go.
💆♀️This is why we work slowly in our treatments.Through intentional touch. Through listening, not forcing. Through showing your body it can soften.
This August has been all about facials — and I’ve loved seeing so many of you experience the power of holistic skincare.
But don’t just take my word for it… here’s what some of our clients have been saying 🥰
"I come out of Vassia's facials floating on air!
Her face massages are incredible for resetting the nervous system, increasing blood flow and draining the lymph nodes.
She has a gentle, relaxing energy and tries to provide what each individual needs rather than give a blanket service.
I have enjoyed each and every one.", Rowena B.
✨ Locals’ August rates are available until the end of the month — no code needed.
More than skincare — our facials are a ritual for your whole self.
Through breath, touch, and technique, they ease tension, activate the parasympathetic nervous system, and bring your skin (and body) back into balance.
Cami, our massage therapist is taking a well-earned break this August — so I’m focusing on what I love most: delivering holistic, results-driven facials.
To mark the shift, I’m offering special August facial rates — just for this month.
✨ I’m only opening a few hours each day, with space for just two appointments/day — so spots are limited.
I’d love to treat you.
🧖♀️ Book now via the link in our bio x
29/07/2025
More than skincare — our facials are a ritual for your whole self.
Through breath, touch, and technique, they ease tension, activate the parasympathetic nervous system, and bring your skin (and body) back into balance.
Our massage therapist is taking a well-earned break this August — so I’m focusing on what I love most: delivering holistic, results-driven facials.
To mark the shift, I’m offering special August facial rates — just for this month.
✨ I’m only opening a few hours each day, with space for just two appointments/day — so spots are limited.
What a week it’s been! But we are open again tomorrow with more space to move, stretch and breathe 🥰Book yourself in or just pop in to see us and say hi 🤍https://www.koukoulee.com
08/07/2025
🌿 A few updates from us 🌿
Hi everyone! Just a little heads-up from us as we head into a busy few weeks — plus a gentle nudge to book ahead if you’ve been thinking about it:
🛠 We’ll be closed 14–18 July while we move the wall and expand the yoga room! Classes will resume Saturday 19 July in our new, bigger space — can’t wait to welcome you back. And we will be sharing some exciting celebratory offers next week!
💆♀️ Cami is going on holiday 5–26 August, so if you’ve been meaning to book a massage, now’s the time! Book in this week and then 19 July to 2 August.
💛 I will still be offering facials throughout August — perfect for a winter skin reset. The quieter season is a great time to come in — cosy, calm, and unhurried.
🍂 Last chance to try the Autumn Renewal Ritual — our most popular seasonal treatment! It’s coming off the menu at the end of this week, so book in now if you’ve been curious.
Or DM us with any questions
Thanks for supporting local this winter! x
29/05/2025
🌿 These aren’t your usual facials.
At Koukoulee, we do things a little differently. Our facials mix relaxing massage with serious skin results — think lymphatic drainage, fascia release, sculpting, and LED therapy, all wrapped into one calming treatment. We use NZ-made skincare that’s natural and hormone-friendly, because what goes on your skin matters.
At Koukoulee, we’re all about balance in our wellness journey. Our Strength Classes are designed for those who want to build strength in a welcoming, relaxed environment—without the intensity of traditional gym settings. If you’re looking for a workout that’s focused on your individual progress, not competition, you’ll feel right at home.
We create a space where you can grow stronger both physically and mentally, at your own pace, with a supportive community. 🌱✨
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We offer wellness retreats and morning yoga events at some of Waiheke’s most stunning locations. Our yoga studio in Oneroa is open for daily classes and one-off events and workshops. Looking for a private session for your group? We can organise yoga & brunch (or just yoga) at your space for your group.
We have created an extensive yoga teachers network on the island and work with some of the best accommodation providers. Get in touch :)
Koukoulee was founded by Vassia Simou. After a long and tiresome period, she realised that stopping to take a breath is more important than chasing goals - for the mind, the soul, the people around us and even work. Yet we barely do it.
Koukoulee aims to become your excuse to jump on the ferry from Auckland and in 35 minutes find yourself in a beautiful location on Waiheke Island, practising yoga with other likeminded people.
Vassia has worked in marketing and events for over 12 years but she gets a real kick when people come together, by creating beautiful experiences and seeing the smiles on their faces. In Greece - where she comes from - it’s called ‘filoksenia’.
