I visited a luxury wellness retreat 25miles from London and here's why you should too

From an outdoor pond, exquisite spa and treatment offerings, and a daily timetable packed with wellness activities such as yoga, meditation, and fitness classes, the Glass House retreat in Essex is the perfect place to take some time out from the stresses of day-to-day life. Located just 25 miles from central London — about a 40-minute drive — the purpose-built spa hotel is a safe haven of tranquility and peace.

As soon as I stepped foot in the white-cubed retreat, I was embraced by the calming interiors and dulcet tones of acoustic covers of popular music as I sat down on one of the lounge’s deep velvet sofas. Having been offered a welcome juice health shot and a tour of the stunning facilities, I immediately put on my swimsuit, fluffy white robe, and slippers and headed outside to enjoy the hot tub, natural pond, and Finnish sauna.

I was a bit wary of taking a dip in the cold-water oasis, but found it surprisingly refreshing and calming to be in natural water.

My next task was to earmark which activities I would attend. There was so much to choose from, including aerial yoga, Pilates, HIIT classes, and mindfulness.

I settled on a fitness class in the gym, some meditation and a food demonstration for my first day, and by the end of my three-night stay I had tried almost everything the retreat offered.

This included the 7:45am guided walk around the Essex countryside, which I was impressed to learn was being led by the retreat’s owner, Joy Jarvis.

On the hour-long walk she explained that she built the spa based on her own experiences of spas and wellness retreats, wanting to create the best possible holistic experience for guests.

And it’s clear she’s achieved that in the six years since it opened, having won countless awards for its state-of-the-art facilities, high-quality amenities and friendly team.

From the beautifully decorated bedrooms to the exquisite treatment rooms, to the wellness room and hideaway for hotel guests, every detail has been perfectly thought out and keep to a high standard of cleanliness.

I was only meant to stay at the retreat for two nights, but I ended up extending my stay as I wasn’t ready to leave the serenity of Glass House.

Joy was also a strong advocate of cryotherapy, and her glowing account of its benefits made me feel more confident about entering the freezing chamber.

And when I came out, I’ve never felt anything like it. I felt rejuvenated, calm and like I’d just been pumped full of endorphins. It was as if my worries had been expelled from my body; it was quite surreal.

There’s one aspect that deserves a review of its own: the food. You select your menu the night before - as all of the ingredients are sourced fresh each morning to avoid food waste - so it was a test of my memory and a nice surprise when the food came.

From pancakes dusted with cinnamon and served with fruit to a burrata salad and from crumble to fresh fruit, everything I ate was picture-perfect and divine.

Everyone I spoke to was raving about the quality of the food, which left you feeling nourished and with impressive snaps to post on your social media.

There was also a kitchen with an array of complimentary herbal teas that you could help yourself to throughout your stay.

The retreat used to be an alcohol and caffeine-free zone that offered only plant-based meals, but management has recently changed its policy to include meat and fish options as well as the opportunity to purchase wine and coffee.

In the weeks since the retreat, I’ve been telling anyone and everyone just how worthwhile a visit to Glass House is.

If you need some TLC, a gentle pampering, or just some me time, I cannot recommend this retreat enough.

The Glass House retreat offers a range of packages, from a couple of hours of relaxation during a Spa Day or Spa Breaks at the incredible hotel.

Until Monday, vouchers for stays of two nights or more are currently 15% off, and one-night weekend stays are 10% off. Vouchers are valid for use until 24/12/2025.

One-night spa breaks start from £280 for one person and £243 for two people, depending on the day of the week and the package you choose.

I'd recommend staying for at least two nights to make the most of all of the facilities and classes on offer.