Detoxing at The Lifehouse Spa (and win a two night Juice Cleanse for 2!)
I have such good intentions when it comes to eating well and treating my body kindly. I fully mean to not eat ice cream for breakfast and to go for lots of runs in the mornings… but it just doesn’t seem to pan out that way.
And it’s not that I can’t do it, or that I’m avoiding it – I just forget. I forget to exercise. I forget to eat healthily. And I forget to not eat ice cream for breakfast. So, when the Lifehouse Spa invited me to try out their detox wellness break, whereby I would have to stick to their schedule and menu… and not have the opportunity to eat ice cream for breakfast, I jumped at the chance.
The Lifehouse Spa is in the sweet little village of Thorpe-le-Soken – right next to Frinton-On-Sea and only 90 mins on the train from Liverpool Street; I felt myself relax as soon as I set foot on the train. Their staff picked me up at the other end (and will do the same for you if you ask them in advance) and 3 minutes later I was there, checking in and being shown to my bright, large room, overlooking their beautiful grounds – all 130 acres of it.
The Lifehouse Detox is one of their most popular health and wellness breaks. It promised a ‘3 night cleanse with a professionally structured regime of juices, superfood salads, ‘raw’ foods, broths and soups (wheat and dairy free) to improve digestive health and overall energy levels giving you a glowing complexion and better sleep patterns.’
I was excited. I had my itinerary and my first port of call was my consultation with Sue Davis, the Lifehouse Spa’s resident Naturopath and the font of ALL KNOWLEDGE. This would be my first of three meetings I’d have with Sue, who would track my progress, check in on me and how I was feeling, and generally be my point of contact throughout my 3 night stay…
She gave me my menu for the next three days, the fitness class timetable ( I was encouraged to take part in as many classes as I liked) and I then had a tour around the spa and its facilities… and I tried to remember where everything was! (If you know me, you’ll know this is no easy feat. I needed a map to find my way around high school. No joke.)
I woke up on the first morning, to water with fresh lemon waiting for me outside my room. I was to drink this upon getting up every morning, in order to set my body on the right track right at the beginning of the day.
Breakfast on my first day was a beetroot, celery, carrot and ginger juice and fresh fruit. I then headed straight to the spa and relaxed until lunch. Swimming, sauna, plunge pool, steam room, salt inhalation… you name it, I did it. 
After lunch I had my first of three treatments – an Ishga 55 Minute Body Wrap – designed to eliminate toxins, reduce cellulite, boost energy and improve skin tone. It was just lovely… and I may have fallen asleep…
Dinner was a kale and broccoli juice and a plate of seasonal greens… and by 7pm, I was ready for bed! By 8pm I was asleep (amazing!) and I was awake at 7am the next day, refreshed and ready for juice, body brushing and spa! On my second day, all three meals were just a fresh juice and a soup. I could have had two more juices or smoothies in between the three meals, but miraculously I didn’t feel like I needed to or wanted it. I was drinking enormous amounts of water and swimming my socks off…
I was officially being powered by juice and the feeling was great. At 2:30pm I had an Ishga Body Massage and afterwards I conked out in the Relaxation Room… heavenly.
I had another lovely early night and was again up early for my water and lemon and breakfast… I’d graduated to Bircher Museli, (which was very exciting) and felt refreshed and glowing for my final treatment – reflexology.
Then it was back to the spa for my last opportunity to swim and sauna before lunch, my final consultation and home.
And chocolate mousse for dessert! I couldn’t believe it. I whooped for joy (silently) but interestingly, I couldn’t eat even half of it. It was delicious, but I could feel that my body just didn’t want it or need it… I was feeling clean inside. And I could see it in my eyes, my skin, and all over my newly brushed body.
After my final consultation with Sue, I was whisked to the station, jumped on the train and was home in a couple of hours, feeling refreshed, full of new knowledge about the workings of my body and the way it reacts to food, definitely a little lighter and with buckets of good intentions to not eat ice cream for breakfast ever again.
Thank you Lifehouse Spa – you’ve changed my eating habits forever.
Lifehouse Spa & Hotel
Frinton Road, Thorpe-le-Soken,
Clacton-on-Sea, Essex CO16 0JD
WIN A 2 NIGHT JUICE CLEANSE FOR TWO AT LIFEHOUSE SPA!
Juice Break
Perfect for cleansing, detoxing and kick-starting your weight loss plan this 2 night retreat is about keeping it simple – just delicious and nutritious freshly pressed juices and time for you to completely relax.
How to Enter
1. (Compulsory) Leave me a comment below with your favourite spa treatment!
And for three additional entires:
2. Twitter: RT my tweet and follow me (@poppy_loves)
3. Head over to my Facebook Page and follow the instructions on my competition post
Terms & conditions
Prize winner must be aged 18 years or over.
Prize must be taken Sunday to Thursday only, subject to availability.
Prize is non transferrable and no cash alternative
Prize excludes any other spa treatments, food and beverage or incidentals not specified in the Prize.
Prize valid until 6 Months after winner is announced
Comp ends Sunday 10th May, midnight, UK time.
I will contact the winner on the 11th May – if I don’t hear back within 10 days I will select another winner, so please keep your eyes peeled on your junk email book as well!
Lisa Godfrey
I love a nice facial
Beth Wade
I love having a body massage.
Maria Webster
An aromatherapy wrap, absolutely heavenly!
Katherine L
Sounds fab, would be a great time to give up electronics as well and completely relax and revive!
Katherine L
Got carried away there! My favourite treatment is a deep tissue massage
Antonia Robinson
I love a facial, such a treat!
Tiffany Watkins
I love a head massage, sends me in to complete relaxation!
Dawn Adams
I Love a Diamond Peel, not as painful as it sounds, I can actually feel my skin breathing for days after.
Michelle Marusic
Favourite must be a massage to make me float away, fully relax and forget my troubles after a stressful year
Nicola
How funny, I was there and posted about Lifehouse about this time last year! Had a great time.
As for my favourite treatment – it has to be a facial!
Nicola // pink-confetti.co.uk
emily omara
deep tissue massage
Miranda | Miranda's Notebook
The spa looks amazing but I have to say I absolutely *love* your suitcase!! xxx
Amanda Ellis
I don’t think you can beat a massage you can really get out the aches, pains and stresses of the day during one.
renna Creighton
The lifehouse spa looks amazing. I’d love to go.
I do love a good facial, but, a full on body massage with an exfoliation and body mask is brilliant.
Rennasdiscoveries
Julia Linsley
My favourite is a facial its a rare event for me so I do enjoy it and my skin always feels fabulous following it
Rita Mistry
My favourite treatment is a head message, it makes me relax and it feels so good. Thank you for this fab opportunity, myself and my husband could do with a juice cleanse.
Astra Booth
Aww, I’d be happy with any treatment as I’ve never visited a spa before. Lifestyle Spa looks fantastic; you’ve really captured its tranquility and luxury feel. I can’t say I’m not drawn to the idea of that super detox food as much as I am to the beauty treatments; the food you’ve described is just mouth watering! As always, a super, high quality review with photography to match. Well done you 🙂
Lizzy T
I love a neck and shoulders massage – takes all the stress and tension away.
nikki
my Favourite Spa treatment is – to have a Sauna, and then a full body Massage- – Yummm! 🙂 p.s. Ta Poppy! xo
Amy
This place sounds idyllic, I would love to go.
L-Dubs
Gosh looks amazing!! Literally my dream short break. My favourite spa treatment is a good long massage….after lots of lounging in pools, saunas, hammams…..mmm lovely!
samantha tomes
My favourite spa treatment is a facial as my skin gets clogged up so easily and I feel so relaxed and my skin feels amazing after I’ve had one 🙂
lauren
oh man- this makes me CRAVE canyon ranch in the US. it is a gorgeous spa/resort all about getting healthy. i spent my spring break there my senior year of college getting pampered with thai massages, amazing classes and delicious healthy food. definitely love a good, strong massage… but a clarifying facial is hard to beat.
really hope i can win to shed the post-baby weight that will be hanging around me come 4 weeks from now! xo
Jan Beal
A back, neck and shoulder massage is my favourite
Saskia West
Body wraps are my all-time fave!!
David
Indian head massage…all those stresses and troubles disappear!
Rose
Full body massage 🙂
Hollie
Hi Poppy! My favourite spa treatment would have to be a full body scrub, perfect for getting your skin summer ready! It gives you the most luminous glow and feels really great too. Love your blog, especially the foody posts xx
Amanda
Full body massage is my favourite until mate indulgence x
Suzannah
Can’t beat a good facial!
Rachel Lee
A relaxing facial
Suzi
I love a massage.
Carly
Aromatherapy hot stone massage! 🙂 x
Andrea Petersen
WOW!! What an amazing, amazing gift. I’ve always wanted to go on a healthy weekend break like this but they just seem so expensive when you could be out eating and drinking! You’ve tempted me more than ever though… Lots of love, Andrea xxx
http://www.andreaspassions.com
charlotte weston
a full body massage and also the private pool
Annette Benjamin
My favourite treatment is a body wrap that includes a foot and head massage. Absolute bliss!
Liz
I like a full massage
Harri
My Favourite spa treatment is facial to leave my skin looking glowing and refreshed!
jayne Wenlock
I have only been lucky enough to have had the lighthouse experience once but it was amazing I loved the massage treatment
Jodie McHiggins
Back & neck massage to un do all the knots of everyday living leaving me ready to tackle it again
Riina Hilton
I love to have a relaxing massage X
Zoe
Love this article been thinking about going to lighthouse for a while and this has swung it I think. My fave spa treatment has to be a full body massage I think as always feels super indulgent. Zx
annmarie cope
Favourite spa around my favourite treatment is a facial. X
Freya Crossley
Favourite treatment is definitely a hot stone massage, think I’m in need of one! The menu looks fab!
Katrina
I love a massage, such a nice treat!x
Laura H
Loving the review, the pics look fab- especially the food! My favourite treatment has to be a neck and shoulder massage. So relaxing!
Melissa W
Favourite spa treatment has to be a body wrap! Especially when it’s combined with natural ingredients!
Ruth-Anne C
My favourite treat is a back massage, works wonders on all of my knots and sends me off into a relaxing dream. 🙂
Sara
Hi Poppy, Great review and what a lovely suitcase! 😉
Glad you posted this because another new mum and I are looking for a getaway like this. Nothing beats a great, deep tissue massage, a soak in a hydrotherapy pool and healthy eating (that we don’t have to cool!) to revive a sleep deprived body and mind. 🙂 Brilliant review. x
Holly J T Fernandez
Hi Poppy. Great post! I’ve been looking into this retreat for a while so it was great to read your experience. Sounds like it would be worth spending out on this. As for a treatment i do love a full body massage. Thanks. H
Natalie Crossan
A facial is my davourite 😀
Natasha Davids
I go to a spa every year as a treat to myself. This looks amazing!
I also did a juice cleanse myself earlier this year and felt amazing!
My favourite treatment is the indian head massage!
Heather Harris
My favourite treatment is The Rose Massage at the Travaasa in Austin – inspired by Janis Joplin – best spa experience I have had!
Lisa Revgewick
Sounds wonderful and rejuvenating. My favourite treatment would be a deep tissue massage.