June 22, 2012
Rest and Rehab at Essex's Lifehouse Spa & Hotel
Mark Thompson READ TIME: 3 MIN.
ESSEX, England - The Lifehouse Spa & Hotel is located within 12 acres of English heritage gardens at Thorpe-le-Soken, Essex. A series of courtyards and glazed corridors links the contemporary spa hotel to the existing elements and gardens of Thorpe Hall. With a minimum age restriction of sixteen years, the atmosphere is one of calm spaciousness and tranquillity.
There is no need to pack a lot to enjoy a stay at this casual and relaxed environment where you choose what you want to eat and drink.
The Lifehouse is an hour and 20 minutes by train from London's Liverpool Street with a free shuttle service from Thorpe-le-Soken station. The Spa is a ten minute drive from the traditional seaside town of Frinton-on-Sea and is an ideal location for exploring the south coast of Essex.
The Spa specialises in health and well-being with over 30 treatment rooms, an 18.5 metre salt water swimming pool, salt inhalation room, sauna and steam room, hydrotherapy pool, and comprehensive gym.
Lifehouse specialises in weight loss and detox programs and has a full treatment menu including full body massage, facials, manicures, and pedicures. Specialist treatments include physiotherapy, shiatsu plus fitness, life coaching, stop smoking, and holistic therapy sessions.
The 89 bedrooms are decorated in contemporary styles. Floor to ceiling windows look out over the gardens or surrounding countryside. Each room comes with :
Guests can opt for upgrades to Garden Rooms with outside patios or more spacious Signature rooms with additional amenities. Room rates include including continental breakfast (cooked breakfast available as an option), access to the spa facilities, use of the bath robe, slippers and, of course, a complimentary rubber duck.
Lifehouse's main dining area is Water Lilies restaurant with a menu that will surprise those who think spa cuisine cannot be exciting and filling. As well as a full dining experience with a wide range of dishes, there is the option of light bites at the bar and outside on the terraces.
Drinks are also available in Orchids and the Strawberry Tree juice bar which specialises in nutritious smoothies and health drinks.
Lifehouse's 13 acres of listed gardens were laid out by Viscountess Marie Evelyn Byng, when Lord Byng bought Thorpe Hall in 1913. Marie employed a host of renowned gardeners, nurserymen and designers, transforming the landscape and introduced many new botanical species to the gardens.
Queen Mary, Churchill and Rudyard Kipling were regular visitors to Thorpe Hall and its famous gardens.
Today these well-tended gardens are a place of tranquillity and inspiration for guests. Two ponds, a walled rose garden, rock gardens and acres of open woodland and heath make this an exciting bonus for any visitor.
Brian Hunter, Operations Director at the Lifehouse says, "We provide guests with a winning combination comprising unique contemporary award winning spa, fine dining and a truly relaxing atmosphere all set in one of the finest gardens in the region."
"The Lifehouse Spa & Hotel is also an ideal base for exploring England's stunning East Coast including the nearby sandy beaches and tradition English seaside ambiance of Frinton-on-Sea."
LINK: www.lifehouse.co.uk
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A long-term New Yorker and a member of New York Travel Writers Association, Mark Thompson has also lived in San Francisco, Boston, Provincetown, D.C., Miami Beach and the south of France. The author of the novels WOLFCHILD and MY HAWAIIAN PENTHOUSE, he has a PhD in American Studies and is the recipient of fellowships at MacDowell, Yaddo, and Blue Mountain Center. His work has appeared in numerous publications.
