The Story Behind The Villa
About
Us
A home, a clinic, and a quiet commitment to skin: this is the story of The Villa Retreat and Leeanne Whiting, the woman who built it from the ground up.
Where it all
began
The story of The Villa Retreat started in 2002, when Leeanne turned her dream of owning a clinic into reality in her beautiful 1900s home.
Running her business from home allowed Leeanne to focus on personalised care and establish a welcoming atmosphere. Through the years, her outstanding professionalism and hospitality transformed the clinic into a space unlike any other, one that reflects Leeanne’s personal style and deep commitment to her clients.
What began as a quiet ambition has grown into one of Christchurch’s most trusted skin destinations, built not on volume but on relationship. Every client who walks through the door is treated as an individual, with treatments shaped around their specific story and skin.
Nearly a quarter of a century later, that same home in Spreydon remains the heart of the practice: a quieter alternative to the clinical white-box salons found elsewhere in the city, and a reminder that skin care, done properly, takes time and trust rather than volume. It’s a philosophy that has kept clients returning for decades, and one that continues to shape every decision The Villa Retreat makes today.
Our
philosophy
Built on two unwavering beliefs: the power of proven science and the importance of personal connection.
We are intentional in our practice, choosing only clinically-backed products and treatments that we trust to deliver real, lasting results.
This commitment to efficacy is then paired with a deeply personal approach. We take the time to listen and understand, creating a bespoke journey that honours your unique skin story.
It is this union of proven results and nurturing care that guides every step of your quiet transformation with us.
Leeanne
Whiting
Founder, Esthetician & N.A.S.A. Qualified
Leeanne Whiting is the heart and soul of The Villa Retreat. With over two decades of experience, she has built a practice grounded in genuine expertise and an unwavering commitment to the people who trust her with their skin.
Her approach is intentional. Every treatment is considered, every product is chosen for a reason, and every client is given the time they deserve. It is a place where you are truly listened to.
Leeanne holds a N.A.S.A. Qualification and a Diploma from NZQA, and is a Gold-Certified Dermapen Authorised Treatment Provider, one of a small number of practitioners in New Zealand to hold this distinction.
Twenty years in, Leeanne’s approach remains as considered as it was on day one: every face is different, and every treatment plan is built around the person in the chair, not a script. Clients return not simply for results, but for the quiet consistency of being properly seen and properly cared for, visit after visit, year after year. It is this steady, personal standard that has made The Villa Retreat a fixture of Christchurch’s skin care community, and one Leeanne Whiting continues to hold herself to with every appointment.
Industry
recognition
Leeanne’s commitment to excellence has been recognised at the highest level of the New Zealand beauty industry — the cumulative result of two decades of dedication, craft, and care.
- 01Rising Star of the Year2025 · NZ Beauty Industry Awards
- 02Runner Up · NZ High Performance Practitioner2025 · Probeauty Awards
- 03High Performance Practitioner (×2)2025 · Probeauty Awards
- 04Gold Dermapen Authorised Treatment Provider2025 · Dermapen World
- 05IMAGE Skincare Certified ProviderAdvanced Laser & Institute