A dragonfly hovers above the reed-fringed pond. I’ve been told the water is absolutely freezing but, in true Nordic spirit, I have spent a sweaty 15 minutes in the Finnish cabin sauna psyching myself up to take the leap. I hesitate but then just jump. The shock of the cold hits me like a crisp left hook and makes me gasp out loud. It’s a mad plunge in and out. But afterwards I feel more awake than I have in ages.
This is Glass House, a minimalist spa retreat dropped in the Essex countryside that feels surprisingly Scandi, with its stark white façade, clean aesthetic, cubic design and glass walls. Meditating in the geodesic dome and relaxing in the hot tub overlooking the quiet gardens, you would never for an instant imagine you were this close to the M25 and Tilbury Docks. It feels a world apart.
Garden-facing rooms
Slickly contemporary, fresh-faced design with a pinch of zen rules at the Glass House Retreat. Spaces are drenched with light, with pops of personality in shades of teal and mustard, rich velvet sofas and naturalistic art. This streamlined look is echoed in the guest rooms.
My premier double room is airy, spacious and designed in a muted palette of greys, with geometric print fabrics. There’s no unnecessary frippery or fuss, just everything you need for a fantastic night’s sleep including electric blackout blinds and two king-size beds that are float-on-clouds comfortable. The early morning walk around the grounds at 7:45am sounds tempting but so does a lie-in.
There are some little touches like vegan, eco-friendly Damana products, fluffy robes for tiptoeing down to the spa and herbal Twist Teas that are a healthy step-up from the usual morning brew.
Holistic wellness
Many places bill themselves as wellness retreats, but Glass House is the real deal, looking as though it has been teleported in from Scandinavia or the Alps. With impeccable eco credentials that include rainwater harvesting, solar panelling and ground source heat pumps, Glass House has had a serious hand in putting Essex on the green spa map in recent years.
A holistic approach to wellness underpins the ethos here. Treatments were largely booked out during my Saturday stay, but at a glance you can choose from everything from energy-boosting Shiatsu matcha massage to signature treatments with Mediterranean-inspired massage candles, deeply relaxing lava shell massages, hyaluronic facials and baobab seed exfoliation.
Healing time
Treatments, however, are just tip-of-the-iceberg stuff. Glass House understands that health and healing are not just skin deep. Cue daily classes channelling mind and body which skip from strength conditioning to aqua, dance, BoxFit, HIIT and aerial yoga. For more mindful moments, there is everything from anxiety-relieving sound baths to stress-busting meridian mindfulness and 1:1 life coaching sessions.
In between classes I squeeze in relaxed time with swims in the skylit indoor pool and steams in the detoxifying Himalayan salt block sauna. Though the retreat is apparently fully booked, the atmosphere is calm and rarely crowded.
I also manage to snag a last-minute spot in the cryotherapy chamber. With widely touted benefits from reducing inflammation to boosting the immune system and regenerating cells, I am ready to again embrace the power of cold. Wearing just a swimsuit, crocs, hat, gloves and face mask, I enter the second chamber for three minutes, stomping around at a frosty -130°C to get endorphins flowing. My skin prickles in the subzero temperatures but, as with the icy pond, every fibre of my being feels utterly alive.
There is no such as thing as miracle overnight cures but even after a night’s stay at Glass House I notice differences in my wellbeing. My energy levels are up, my posture is improved and I am breathing more deeply. What wonders a week would work, I think.
Flavourful healthy eating
Food is an integral part of Glass House’s holistic approach. The glass-walled bistro is right at the heart of the retreat. This is where breakfast is served in the morning. Choose from the likes of gluten-free pancakes with berries and maple syrup, chia pots with coconut yoghurt or granary toast with smashed avocado and poached eggs. There’s coffee in the rooms should you want it but most switch to herbal teas, green juices and smoothies for an extra morning boost.
Other meals bigging up freshest ingredients are also served in the intimate bistro, with options ordered in advance. I had a wonderfully fresh tuna Niçoise for lunch. Dinner was spring rolls with peanut dipping sauce followed by a nicely spiced saag aloo with chicken and a super-smooth avocado-chocolate mousse. Nutritionally it was bang on the money, but it tasted so good that there was no obvious sacrifice. And if you fancy picking up tips on how to make similar food back at home, there are cookery demos at 4:00pm in the afternoon.
The Details
Glass House Retreat, Harrow Road, Bulphan, Essex, RM14 3BP, England.
Tel: +44 (0)1708 983590
Website: www.glasshouseretreat.co.uk
Email: hello@glasshouseretreat.co.uk
The Glass House is about an hour’s drive from London. Coming from the north, turn off the M25 at junction 29 onto the A127 towards Southend. Alternatively, if you’re coming from the south, turn off at junction 31 and take the A13 towards Southend. Head towards Bulphan, turning right on to the A128 and take the 3rd exit off the roundabout. Turn right onto Church Road leading onto Fen Lane. Glass House is on the corner of Harrow Road and Fen Lane on the left-hand side.
The nearest Underground station is Upminster, which is on the District, London Overground and C2C lines. From here you can take a taxi or Uber to the retreat which is around a 15-minute drive.
Type of Hotel: Wellness Retreat and Spa Hotel
Number of Rooms: 21 rooms and suites (superior double, superior king, premier double and premier suite). Wi-Fi is complimentary.
Price Band: Moderate to expensive.
Insider Tip: Check the special offers page on the website for packages.
Fact Box: The Refresh package including an overnight stay in a superior room with full use of the facilities, daily classes, a 25-minute treatment, three-course dinner and breakfast costs from £280 single occupancy and £434 for double occupancy. To book a spa treatment call +44 (0)1708 983590 or visit the website. It’s wise to book treatments well in advance. You can also download the Glass House Retreat ap to schedule your bookings. And note that the retreat is for adults only (minimum age is 18).
Reviewer’s Rating: 10/10
Author Bio:
Kerry Walker is an award-winning travel writer and guidebook author.
Photographs courtesy of Glass House Retreat
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