Lifehouse Destination Spa Review

Okay place. Grounds are good. Like the food. Rooms and service are okay.

We just loved the place...
The spa was crowded and felt a bit small, but we were there on a bank holiday weekend, so it was much better than expected!
If you feel like walking, the gardens are breathtaking and feels like they go on forever..
Priceless, I'll certainly consider coming back.

My wife and I had a Spa day and afternoon tea booked; a present to my wife from my daughter, who, as a student, had to save very hard to afford it. On the morning, my wife woke unwell, with a high temperature. On phoning the Lighthouse I was advised (following referral to the manager) that it was not possible to postpone the booking, all we could do was move it into someone else s name. I am extremely disappointed in the Lighthouse for this decision; I would have thought that they would wish their guests to have a relaxing and enjoyable experience. It would not have been either enjoyable or relaxing for my wife had we turned up, nor for the other guests. I appreciate that it was necessary to contact the Lighthouse on the day, but I can see no plausible reason why it would have caused them an issue to have re-scheduled. If you are expecting outstanding customer service, I would recommend you go elsewhere.

Brilliant place to go to if you want to relax, take it easy and get away from everything. You soon get used to people walking around in the supplied bath robes. Overall an exceptional relaxing break.

Stayed for two nights for my 40th birthday, when we checked in the lady on the desk could have been a little more polite and not so robotic as if we were just another customer and she was reading off a script. The spa was lovely definitely a place to visit during the night it's far more relaxing. My massage was average, I was disappointed that unlike a true sweedish massage i had to keep my shorts on, I'm aware that the glutes are meant to be massaged but in this case that was a no! The breakfast was average, the team really needs to get there toasters under control as yesterday all we could get was burnt toast or it only done on one side! The room was ok nothing special, the towel rail was so hot it was dangerous and was like an iron to touch. The views and walks around the spa are indeed lovely along with Frinton and Walton beaches.

Came for a day spa experience, I had a facial and my partner had a massage, the treatments were great and the staff were very professional, the grounds are excellent as is the cleanliness of the premises.
Restaurant was well presented, had a vast range of Gin's on offer and the passionfruit martini, up there with the best. The food did not disappoint and was reasonably priced.
Would love to be able to give 5* however, on entry to the spa the jacuzzi had a headrest unscrewed and floating which I had to place to the side and report, staff placed back by hand but came loose again 5 minutes later. By 2pm I did have to report the headrest again, aswell as a face mask which had been on the floor a meter away from the jacuzzi for over 2 hours. The floor was not wiped down the whole morning leading to someone falling over, however once these issues were reported to front desk the response was very fast and all issues were resolved. The spa and its facilities were 5* and I thoroughly enjoyed the plunge pool. I would definitely return again in the future.

Great place!
Great Atmosphere!
Friendly staffs!
Amazing food!

Relaxed and enjoyable. Friendly staff, facilities amazing.

Just got back from 2night stay to celebrate our 11th wedding anniversary. Loved every moment. I had two treatments which were wonderful. Lovely breakfasts. Evening meal was made even better by lovely staff catering to my husband's allergy. They went out of the way to liaise with kitchen to tailor a meal for him, mine was absolutely spot on. Room was not bad, comfy bed, free WiFi, patio door straight into the gardens. Spa was lovely too but a few things needed repairing ..on the whole it's a very relaxing spa with excellent customer service.

We have visited 3 times now. Always nice. Could do with a bit of a make over but other than that we love it. Staff friendly, spa treatments always hit the spot and dinner and breakfast are fab.

No one ever answers the phone very poor customer service

I booked a spa bed and breakfast break for my girlfriends 21st birthday and Valentine s Day. Included in the deal was cream tea and a back, neck and shoulder massage for both. Also prior to arriving I had arranged for a birthday card to be in the room and a dessert brought out at dinner.

On arrival to the room there was no birthday card.



At dinner the dessert was forgotten.

The next morning we had our treatment. When we booked in at reception for a back, neck and shoulder massage the receptionist told us that this was not actually a massage! It was a wellness treatment for people with serious illnesses and is a touching treatment. This was not explained on the phone when I booked and we both looked like idiots stood there as two healthy 21 year olds!

This was meant to be a special weekend for Valentine s Day and my girlfriends 21st birthday but we ended up feeling conned, cheated and let down.

Beautiful grounds leading into the Spa, very friendly and professional staff who really seem to care about your stay and well being. The treatments are top notch and just what the doctor ordered to get rid of every day life grime. My wife first took me here as a birthday treat and I was sceptical, not really into the pampering but I have been back a few times now. Just try and stay awake while getting a massage with hot stones I dare you...

Really nice stay. Was a little late checking out but they were totally fine about it. Massage was excellent and the food was good

A spa with no soul the foyer is like a funeral home a bit snobby.

Amazing, relaxing, friendly what more can i say. It was such a wonderful place i would go again and again.

Stunning grounds, great facilities, friendly staff. Especially enjoyable on a sunny day

From the moment we arrived at this spa hotel, we found that every single member of staff were impeccably polite, professional and helpful. There was nothing that was too much trouble for them. If I'm honest, the decor in our signature room could do with an update. I haven't seen lamp standards or chairs like those in our room, since the 1960's!
But, putting that aside, the break was totally relaxing and the grounds around Lifehouse are spectacular ! We will definitely be returning one day

Was a lovely rest great facilities lovely 3 course dinner would like to go back again

Went for the blue bell walk and cream tea nice afternoon spent with friends the food is very good and the staff very pleasant

A bit of a disappointment treatments very basic weekend package didn't include any full body treatment no massage
And spa staff very poor at reception was left while they ignored me untill a male told them I was there. But they had been looking at me but carried on talking among themselves for 10 mins unable to sleep well as doors banging open and shut most of the night

This place is absolutely the place to be. Incredibly relaxing with so much relaxation perks. I would definitely recommend it. I couldn't sing their praises enough even if I tried. They are so warm and welcoming. The front of house staff are just incredible in the way they initially welcome.you into the Hotel/Spa. I went thre in Janyary of 2020 ( this year. ) I was only supposed to be staying there for just a couple of days but ended up increasing my stay for a whole week. Was hard to leave because they make you feel totally welcome. The staff are a breath of fresh air. From the kitchen staff to the front of house staff, from the spa resort staff to restaurant and bar staff. Even their management and manager ( Sarah Atri l) is incredibly nice, warm and welcoming. She makes you feel really welcome and like a part of the family. My room was even changed and upgraded for free after rye first night of.my initial room not having any heating. As soon as I came down after the first night and complained about it, it turns out that the radiator was just faulty. But the front of house staff ( Saskia and her other colleagues) were so incredible in the way they acted on the issue and just swiftly dealt with it by moving me to an even bigger room. The rooms has everything you could possibly ask for to make you comfortable. I would most definitely recommend Lifehouse as I couldn't sing their praises enough. I am already planning to go back there already for my Birthday in April/May 2020. That's how much I enjoyed my stay there in January.

An excellent venue. Good food good staff and excellent spa treatments

We have been three times to this spa, and I fell in love with the gardens and we always look forward to strolling around them as it's part of the therapy.The wet facilities are fabulous along with the hard working therapists. The last visit was spoilt by attitude of the bar person, who was rude to my friend . was also arrogant and un accomadating twice on our last visit. When we gave feedback about this, we was offered no sort of compensation. I am really sad about this as we feel we cannot return to the spa, such a let down.

Had a wonderful nights stay with my girlfriend. The facilities were excellent and the staff really friendly. Came back feeling very relaxed

Nice place for a few days stay or at least a nights stay .
A little disorganized when we arrived but a apology was forth coming . Nice environment with beautiful grounds . You are encouraged to use the dressing gowns provided to wear around the establishment.
We had a nights stay with use of main facilities and an extra afternoon tea with prosecco.
If I was being picky I dont think the afternoon tea was amazing value with 1x cucumber sandwich 1x ham sandwich 1x salmon & 1x egg , finger buffet size and a selection of small cakes . However all tasted nice .
The pool and facilities where ok & staff cleaning all the time we was using & bringing out clean towels . The spa reception I found to be abit unresponsive & didn't feel they wanted to communicate especially as we didn't know the format. Other staff in the building where polite & more helpful.

Spend an overnight stay here with a 25 minutes treatment and 3 course meal and breakfast. 5* for the fabulous food, dinner and breakfast. Lovely clean large room with a patio area, which we paid extra for. Beautiful gardens that we took a very long walk around after breakfast the next morning. Lovely Friendly staff!
The only thing I can fault here was that our treatment was at 4 and dinner at 6.45, which by the time we unpacked we had to rush
We did try to change dinner time but it was already booked. Next time we well check this to book later times. It would also been helpful to either tell your guests the classes that are going on or put a time table in your arrival pack so we could have planned our days to get the most from the fantastic facilities you have to offer. Thank you for a lovely time.

Out room was bright and spacious, with a great view into the historic gardens surrounding the complex. The spa facilities were okay but very busy! A refreshment bar, which signs claimed to be open from 9am til 5.30pm was unmanned, with a curtain drawn on the two occasions we visited around 3pm & 4.30pm.

(Definitely worth booking therapy treatments ahead of arrival, as there were no slots available for over 24h when we arrived!)

Love this place , rooms are nothing special but the facilities and gardens are amazing

Terrible service, food, decor and lacking in cleanliness.

Lovely venue. Food great. Pricey though but good for a getaway without the kids.

My best friend and I visited here a while ago. We weren't blown away to be honest. Some areas looked tired and needed some updates and TLC. The area around the jacuzzi felt and looked like we were on a holiday camp. A big black wall dominated the room which made you feel really depressed (really could have done with a calmer colour). The noise levels were crazy loud.
The pool area was a stark difference - a much lower ceiling, but so calm and peaceful. The pool itself was a good size to swim gentle lengths or trend water chatting with friends.
Our massages were good and general atmosphere around the rest of the building and grounds were calm and relaxing.
We had a lovely garden room with our glass doors opening up to a small patio. The room was spacious and we liked the layout of the twin room. Which gave each person their own area instead of sleeping alongside each other. Beds were comfortable and it seemed clean.
Unfortunately the bar and restaurant weren't great in the evening. The food was ok, not amazing. Service was a bit slow, although friendly. We went to the bar after dinner to relax and look over the grounds. The barman was on his own and was so busy handling orders for the restaurant that the bar customers had to wait a long time. Not his fault, but apologised for the wait none the less. More staff is definitely needed. The lounge area of the bar is no where near big enough to accommodate the amount of guests the hotel has. We decided after half an hour to go back to our room. Which is disappointing.
Overall, it was nice with a few points that need correcting. The only time this would be value for money is when you manage to find a deal. I definitely wouldn't pay full price to come here.

Treatments were very good, we had the romantic couple package which included the salt scrub, massage and facial. The food was dissapointing and more 3 star hotel than health spa. I have been to better spas and with a wider range of facilities and a more comprehensive health menu.

Not a place to relax. En route to the spa the locals display protest signs about Lifehouse spa developments which didn t give a great feeling to start with. My partner booked flowers as a surprise for me to be in the room on arrival however More

Lovely experience, very good facilities in a beautiful setting. Food very tasty, at all breakfast, lunch & dinner. All staff very pleasant, especially the spa girls. Would definitely recommend, appropriate for young adults to the elderly.

Only thing stopping 5* was the room cleanliness (cobwebs, marks on ceiling etc).

Peaceful with good food amd drink options and treatments were perfect.

Hotel, bar and restaurant good. Spa disappointing. Busy and noisy. Grounds lovely.

So relaxing but drinks are greatly overpriced. Have the Chateaubriand though, it's the best steak ever. Also spa facilities are excellent.

Room fantastic big comfy bed, food very good with a fantastic choice set out by ugo a top chef. And the spar so relaxing with pleasant staff throughout the hotel. Will be back

Fantastic spa and facilities!! I have stayed here three times and will be going back. I did the Fast n Lean detox plan, which was great. The wellness coordinators Maria and Sue were really helpful and supportive. Meals were delicious and the service was outstanding! I highly recommend it...

Had a fabulous day with my friend Tracey at the spa.
Everything was perfect from the treatment to restaurant. Staff are very friendly and professional especially my therapist Debbie.
Had a back massage which was amazing.
Will definitely be back.
This was my 3 Rd visit. Just love it!

I found there a lack of verbal information when booking in. The Spa and Hotel seem to work separately. FYI both the room Safe and Spa lockers need a Band to work but No one told us also the ladies locker room is the other end of the facilities. That apart Comfortable room, very warm no heating controls. Food very good but to much Fish for people that dislike it so menu limited. Massage excellent Jacuzzi and Area seemed very dark to me.

Lovely place with really helpful staff. Our arrival was delayed by an accident. In spite of the spa having a very busy weekend, they moved our treatment bookings without any fuss or angst. I would really recommend a visit.

Had a fantastic day here had 2 Express treatments lovely buffet lunch and swim sauna salt room ...fab fab time

Nice and modern spa hotel with plenty treatments to choose from. Spacious rooms with average hotel wifi, very nice gardens to take a long walk and the overall service is great. Pool and thermal lounge are very nice too, however loungers could be renewed. The food offering is ok, but could be a bit more on the healthy side - lasagna was a bit greasy. Definitely book a table for dinner in advance, as they do not have enough space to accommodate all guest.

Lovely night away. 4stars as check in could have explained the hotel and spa a bit better and they need more water available. Loved my facial and dinner was great. Will be returning.

Excellent Spa Day. Afternoon tea very nice. Spa and gardens very peaceful and relaxing.

Lovely place for some r & r. Food prices are a bit high though.

Beautiful place, would recommend, and will be returning.

Nice surrounding and very helpful staff...worth a visit and sample what's on offer!!

Very good , very relaxing. Excellent food & friendly staff

I brought a package for me and my wife for a Christmas present just before Christmas

So best not book at Christmas as the ramp the prices up,
Reception is friendly and quick service,
When we went to my room I had made a mistake and booked a twin not a double,
(my mistake ) I called reception who passed me to the manager who I found very rude and just kept saying it was ur mistake booking it so sorry we can't help you,
So tried to book treatments but all booked up so great experience NOT,
Spa pool packed with people like so not very comfortable,
Very noisy in there and dark,
I would not recommend this place feels run down and didn't feel clean, nothing much to do in there and definitely did not feel relaxed after spending a day in there,
Then came the meal
Waitress was lovely think her name was Olivia,
Starters was nice main meal average nothing special,
Went to room after and bed was not comfortable at all as it was a single bed as they would not change my room for me and my wife to a double,
Then we for breakfast omg disgusting, I'm one of these people that hates seeing food go to waste, I could not finish the breakfast off, I had sausage bacon scrambled egg beans mushrooms, EVERYTHING Cold,
I will never be going back to the lifehouse and would not recommend this place,
I give a 5* to the waitress and 1* for everything else,
I did not know this waitress as I'm saying it was only her service I found lovely.
0* for everything else

Overpriced for what it is. No sunbeds available. A little tired.

Very nice environment. A lot of land to cover. The hotel itself is lovely. Spa is relaxing when not busy. The actually treatments are ridiculously EXPENSIVE!!! Very peaceful and quiet.

Was really looking forward to the gift my sister had bought me. A night for two at the life house with 3 course dinner and breakfast. When me and my daughter got their was dealt with by a lovely woman Paulette who registered us. We could not get into room till 3 so we went and had lunch but staff ignored us whilst we stood waiting to be seated and then service at table was not great. Big confusion over a southern comfort and lemonade. Then 3pm was told room not ready and girl was very abrupt. I complained and manager very nice and apologised and gave us a complimentary drink with our dinner. Treatments we had, facial was lovely but massage not so good and girl was very off. Felt like I was on a factory line. Paulette should be allowed to train other staff in good customer service as training is needed. Sunday was relaxing but I wouldn t pay to go back. I have been to better places. And room wouldn t pass 4 in a bed standards. A few hairs lose in the room.

Easy to access location, very smart, high quality feel to the place

I recently joined Lifehouse as a gym/swim/spa, member. Having visited many times and stayed overnight before, I thought membership would be good. The swimming pool and spa facilities are excellent, and they have an impressive selection of treatments as well. The hotel rooms are good, and the quality of the restaurant and bar food is great.

The spa facilities are absolutely wonderful! Clean, calm, and inviting. We had a lovely room overlooking the courtyard. Very much enjoyed our bathrobes and slippers! The hidden sanctuary experience was incredible - we left feeling incredibly relaxed with absolutely glowing skin! The restaurant was lovely with delicious food and lovely staff.

Many thanks to the following staff who made our stay extra special:
Richard who picked us up from the station
Alba and Sarah who were the hidden sanctuary therapists
Olivia who was a particularly friendly and helpful waitress

We will definitely be returning, worth every penny!

Treatments are great but that's about it. For the price you pay maintenance of the place and quality of the place are very poor not high standard like you would expect. The electric towel rail in our room was hanging off the wall, dirt in the shower and a cheap plastic shower mixer. There was some kind of tape on top of the bathroom door with little dead insects on it. Staff are just as laid back as the people having their time there. Checking in and out takes a very long time. We phoned and booked treatments before going, we was given time our treatments were but that is not the case they are allocated when you arrive which don't help when you have other things planned. When we queried the times we was asked to go back and check at 8.30 in the morning, there was space and we could change them but if not we would get a refund. Glad to say there was space available. You can take at least 10 minutes off your treatment times for waiting around and the question they ask you which you have filled in on a questionnaire. Well over priced for what you get.

Nice place, reception a bit disorganised , and the hotel is a bit confusing at first with narrow corridors all painted the same colour, no wonder they give you a map to find your room! the hotel could do with an update and the room looked tired and in need of a refurbishment, but overall a pleasant 1 night stop .

Lovely swimming pool and spa facilities. Treatments great. Grounds beautiful and calming

Fantastic stay. So chilled and relaxing that even a flat tyre and a call out from green flag on the drive home couldn t phase us and turn our mood! Particularly recommend the hidden sanctuary experience for couples... absolutely wonderful, thank you to the two fabulous ladies that took care of us for the this luxurious three hour treatment. We couldn t recommend enough, and I have literally told anyone who will listen that they need to visit

The venue was lovely and the spa had everything you needed, only slight issue I had was the service was slow. We will be going back later this year

It was my third time visiting here, I just simply love the place! It s peaceful, tranquil and I feel completely relaxed when here. A real get away from it all experience. Stayed overnight with some friends and we all had a great time, really enjoyed the Spa area (although it can get a little busy), we had a fabulous evening meal and a great breakfast. Everyone is keen to go on another stay very soon! First rate

Had a great time here, couldn't fault a single thing. The staff are lovely and the whole place is spotlessly clean. Our room was lovely and the food in the restaurant was delicious as well. Stayed for one night and it's very quiet and peaceful. The spa facilities are excellent and if you visit the spa between 07:00-09:00 or later in the evening then it isn't too busy. It was quite busy during the middle of the day, but you can just go and do something else while you wait for a specific room/activity. Thank you very much, will definitely visit again. (If you live around Southend/Chelmsford it takes about an hour and 10 to get there - simple drive down the A12)

Edit:
Revisited in 2020 and as a new year resolution I am now a Vegan. The options available were excellent for Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner. The dishes were not lacking in flavour and the rooms and services were just as good as last time. Thank you very much again!

Very relaxed environment, the staff are lovely and very attentive. The restaurant turns out superb dishes. There is a very large range of treatments available and not too expensive. All in all, I will be coming back for another stay at some point in the future.

Went for afternoon tea. Tea good but felt uncomfortable surrounded by people in dressing gowns, especially the one who's gown kept falling open. Sorry.

Absolute joke of a place. Went there for an anniversary, booked the Garden Suite when arrived given 2nd floor, not ground with no Garden rooms to give. Likewise oredered the celebration package prior to arriving, when we arrived in the room it wasn't there. When I enquired at reception they said it would be sorted immediately. We received the prosseco with no ice bucket and and unfortunately they had run out of chocolates. The room was premier Inn standard, too expensive for what you are getting. Requested an Iron, never arrived. The dinner experience was horrendous we arrived at 8pm recieved our starters @ 8:55 and our mains @ 10pm had to ask for the desert to be sent to the room. The food was of good quality. The grounds are beautiful, however the customer service was atrocious seriously for the price somewhere else in Essex like Downhall Spa would be a better option.

A lovely place with a well appointed ambience. Sweet and well thought out rooms. The grounds are splendid to enjoy.

Absolutely disgusted.

I brought my wife for her birthday, discussed everything with reservations on the phone, there was 4 treatments in total organised so we had an hour for lunch, when we arrived the treatments were changed so that we didn't have enough time for lunch without having to rush and be under pressure, on top of that they put an hours treatment at 14.30 even though there was another hours treatment at 3, in the end I had to cancel 1 of my wife's treatment to make sure we had enough time to have lunch without having to rush.

I specifically asked for staff to bring my wife prosecco when she went for her treatments alone, they said they were more than happy to, didnt happen. They asked if I'd like them to come out witch candles for her birthday at dinner, didnt happen.
We sat in the restaurant a total of 4 times, 3 of those 4 times I had to send food back.

Then, the cherry on top, at reception checking out, the treatment we didnt have, the others I had already paid for and the things that I'd paid for that were in the package, food etc they tried to charge me for.

Shocked disgusted absolute joke. Livid.

Two day break with my Daughter.
Food excellent. Treatments are very good.Grounds stunning.
However the lounge with Bar not impressed ordered coffee and waited 15 mins.
Next day ordered fruit drink which should have come with straw - no straw so a trip to the Bar. Also ordered tea - came with teapot and sugar - no milk so another trip to Bar and then realised no teabag so yet another trip to the bar.
Also they had new sofas and chairs being put into the lounge and removing old furniture whilst guests were having drinks and resting. My daughter and other guests were asked to move so they could change the furniture over!!
SWIMMING POOL - not very inviting, looked dirty, pools of water round the edge and by the door as you come into the pool area.

Many of the staff were very nice, won't be returning and would not recommend.

Poor restaurant service as the restaurant is understaffed, meaning very long waits for coffees, food and drink.
We did speak to the reception about this and they apologised and discounted a couple of drinks from our bill. However as the service was so slow we missed our desserts in the evening (which were pre paid) and our coffees in the morning so a couple of drinks didn t seem enough as compensation, but it s what we were offered.

The treatments we had were excellent and the staff giving them were very professional but the venue as a whole was a let down.
The venue doesn t give you the feeling you re feeling of seclusion you want on a spa get-away.
The rooms are big and spacious with a large comfy bed and big curtains to close off the room. However you lose the feeling of seclusion quickly as they let in a lot of noise from the surrounding corridors and joining rooms.

As a whole we felt like the price of the spa weekend was too much and left feeling a but underwhelmed. If we went back it would only be for day treatments, the rooms are just too expensive for what you get.

What an amazing day we spent at the Spa, so relaxing with friendly staff who couldn't do enough for us. My husband and I needed to recharge the batteries and a day of relaxation, a delicious lunch then the fabulous Treatment for Couples in the Hidden Sanctuary was just what was needed. A totally private 3 hours of treatments, a full body exfoliation, a private relaxation pool and a full body massage were just what we needed. Lovely touches like green tea and fruit served whilst relaxing in the pool were just perfect.

Bought afternoon tea for a dear friend of mine. Very disappointed. Four quarters of sandwich each, one salmon and cream cheese, one ham one egg n cress the last one was only cuecumber oh yes n tasted like margarine. Cakes has no taste at all. The only good thing was the bread. Although my friend said hers was hard on the edge. Really really disappointrd as this was my present to her for her 90th birthday. No one came and asked us if everything was ok. Ive had afternoon tea at the Orsett Hall in Orsett...so much bettet.

Such a beautiful place. Lovely garden!
However the service at this place does not match the beauty you get... I book my mum a night here and a spa day with afternoon tea. They didn't give her enough tea or after her anymore.
My mum and dad didn't get to have their treatment done together (treatment wasn't that great to top it off). They offer my mum a drink but didn't come back? For the price you are paying you think it be a lot better. This isn't the first spa they been too.
Driving from London to have a relaxing weekend was a disappointing for my parents and for my pocket.
First time my mum ever complain about a gift I got her.

A lot of spa I sent her to was cheaper and you get A lot better service and food. Waste of time driving and spending that much money on a place that don't give you enough TEA and make u feel like your being ignored!! Only good time thing is the garden and flowers very pretty.

Went for a couple's spa day had a great time, the couple's message is highly recommend

Had a very lovely weekend relaxing in the spa. I had a super treatment with Alba. The buffet lunch was lovely and the evening meal delicious, Lewis looked after our table fabulously. The hotel is great and set in beautiful grounds. I couldn t have been more happy with the whole experience. Thank you.