Lifehouse Spa & Hotel toasts 20-month turnaround

The Lifehouse Spa & Hotel in Essex, UK, has capped a successful 2013 by sealing several industry accolades, two months after winning endorsement from Virgin Holidays for its corporate wellness programme.

The business was named among the top 6 British spas by the Sunday Times travel magazine, as well as being voted best rated spa by guests on laterooms.com.

Located in Thorpe Le Soken amid 12-acres of English Heritage-listed gardens, the retreat prides itself on aiding corporate wellbeing through a raft of dedicated offerings launched in 2013.

Businesses are able to reenergise their staff at the retreat, which believes in being able to improve engagement and performance following treatment, with those in attendance benefiting from tailored programmes making use of specific techniques, dietary suggestions and lifestyle tips.

Thorpe Hall Leisure, a company owned by Donald Emslie and Peter Murphy, purchased the Lifehouse Spa and Hotel out of the administration of Tangram Leisure in 2012, leading to a drastic upswing in fortunes over the past 20 months.

Operations director Brian Hunter credits the turnaround to the dedication of his 150-strong team, as well as "good-old fashioned hard work."

"We've got a wealth of experience throughout our business and by putting in common sense systems, a strong focus and lots of effort, we've reached the stage where recognition is starting to come, both from the industry and our customers," says Hunter.

"We're fully booked for the next two months - which is unprecedented for us - and are very excited about the opportunities shaping up in 2014."

The business has also benefited from a partnership launched last year, which sees Lifehouse working with Aromatherapy skincare brand DECLÉOR, which has created a bespoke treatment menu for the retreat.

In combination with DECLÉOR, the facility also provides naturopathic treatments including shiatsu, physiotherapy, life coaching, meditation, myotherapy, Australian Bush Flower Remedies and food intolerance testing.

Lifehouse is made up of 89 bedrooms and 35 treatment rooms, in addition to a spa boutique, café and restaurant using local produce.

The retreat also features a gym that makes use personal trainers and a dedicated ‘Energy Studio’ offering yoga, Zumba, circuits and a host of other classes.