The spa’s the star! Essex, Suffolk and London spa days
It won’t be long before the Oct half term and you’re frazzled juggling kids with work. Quick – book a date with a mate and head straight for one of these Essex Suffolk and London spa days.
Lifehouse Spa, Thorpe-le-Soken
First on our Essex, Suffolk and London spa days is Frinton’s Lifehouse. A Scandi-style spa/hotel, it’s set in 130 acres; ideal for a post-swim stroll. The spa has a long list of Clarins and Elemis treatments, plus experiences like sound baths and facial acupuncture. There’s also an OPI Prosecco and Nail Suite, and even a Relaxation Room if you fancy a nap. Oh and a swimming pool, hydrotherapy pool and thermal suite with sauna, steam rooms and salt inhalation.
Muddy treatment: Their Made for Life Rose Quartz Wellness Facial uses cooling Rose Quartz ‘Gua Sha’ crystals and organic balms and oils to smooth lines and reduce puffiness (£109, 75 mins).
Glasshouse Detox & Wellness Retreat, Bulphan
Glasshouse has been designed with every health and fitness need in mind. Here the emphasis is on reconnecting with yourself, whether you want to get fit, improve your diet, or just recharge those batteries. Your stay can be as intense or relaxed as you like, with fitness, detox, spa and weight loss tech. Nothing’s enforced – it’s not a bootcamp – with Glasshouse offering fitness classes, juicing and plant-based raw food diets; personal training and spa treatments.
Muddy treatment: Kick a detox off with Colon Hydrotherapy, a cleanse to remove waste; boost metabolism, aid digestion and increase energy (£120, 60 mins).
AIRE Ancient Baths, Covent Garden
Next on our Essex, Suffolk and London spa days is this London gem. The blue plaque says it’s JM Barrie’s former home, but we’re going underground to AIRE Ancient Baths. Not your traditional spa day, this candle-lit underworld is unique. The water chambers vary in temperature from 10°C to steamy, and there’s also a Floatarium for a self-applied salt rub. Don’t panic spa devotees: there’s also treatments – think massages, salt rituals and more.
Muddy treatment: The Orange Garden Experience includes a massage with their Orange Garden oil, followed by a Gua Sha face massage. All that plus a cooling hydrogel face mask and scalp massage (£225, 135 mins).
Bulgari Hotel Spa, Knightsbridge
The Bulgari Hotel spa offers world-class facial and body treatments along with an indoor pool, saunas and steam rooms. A million miles away from the busy streets above, there’s also 11 treatment rooms including the fancy Onyx Spa Suite, with two side-by-side treatment beds and large hydro massage tub.
Muddy treatment: The Ojas Surrender & Revive Ritual is a full body experience to decompress and detox. Including a foot massage, Himalayan salt scrub and Indian head, face and body massage, there’s also yogis twists, guided breath work and mindful meditation (£370, 120mins).
Agua Spa at Sea Containers, South Bank
The Agua Spa is another must on your Essex, Suffolk and London spa days list. Think luxe treatments amid a backdrop of ceiling-to-floor silk curtains and Tom Dixon sculptures. It’s not fully-loaded with facilities, but there’s enough to hit the wellness spot. We’re talking Art Deco steam room, Glamour Room for beautifying, futuristic spa lounge and seriously special treatments.
Muddy treatment: Opt for the Diamond Luminous Facial from Natura Bisse Cocoon, which corrects pigmentation and signs of aging (£160, 75 mins).
The Gainsborough Health Club & Spa, Sudbury
In need of a breather? The Gainsborough‘s just the ticket. For starters it’s in an idyllic setting, just outside the beautiful town of Clare. They also have some brilliant and budget-friendly spa offers – check them out here. You could easily spend a full day having treatments, enjoying afternoon tea, soaking up the sun and gliding up and down the pool.
Muddy treatment: The [Comfort Zone] Sublime Anti Aging Facial is designed to enhance radiance and firmness. Experience a double peel treatment, rejuvenating lifting mask and massage to reduce wrinkles and revive skin (from £97, 70mins).
Aqua Sana Spa, Elveden Forest
Center Parcs’ Aqua Sana Spa has had a massive makeover and is now a thing of beauty. The multi-million pound refurb includes a forest-inspired design, 25 new wellness experiences, and facilities across six zones. Soothe aching feet in the Japanese onsen-inspired footbaths, or go on a journey through the seasons in the immersive Forest View. You can also get cosy, enjoying panoramic woodland views inside The Nest.
Muddy treatment: The Tree of Life Ritual is a body massage using rhythmic and invigorating movements combined with grounding techniques to let go of any negative energy, followed by an uplifting facial (£110, 50mins).
Riverhills, Ipswich
Riverhills is a boutique health club in Bramford that’s a retreat from the stresses of modern life. In 2023 there was a terrible fire that meant the pool, saunas, steam room and hot tub burned down, but in a case of the phoenix rising from the ashes the business reopened just eight weeks later. It now offers indulgent treatment-based spa days with lunch and access to the new mud serail chamber. Keep your eyes peeled for updates – the pool area’s being rebuilt and will be bigger, better and even more luxurious than before.
Muddy treatment: A massage or facial, gin and afternoon tea? Hell, yeah! Their Fishers Gin Inspired Spa Day starts with a gin cocktail/mocktail and talk before you create a botanical tea using the same ingredients. Next is a 30 min facial or massage, before scoffing a gin-inspired afternoon tea (from £105).
Weavers’ House Spa, Lavenham
Weavers’ House Spa at The Swan at Lavenham dates to the 15th century. A bespoke service with a curated treatment collection, it isn’t large and flashy – think more of an intimate place to relax. From the spa boutique to the vitality pool and garden it’s ideal for a spot of pampering, be it a few hours alone or celebrating something special with your close circle.
Muddy treatment: It’s got to be the Lazy Lunch package: a one-hour treatment plus two hours’ use of the heat and relaxation suites followed by lunch at Brasserie 487 (£135).