1432 ReviewsProperty Location With a stay at Lifehouse Spa & Hotel in Clacton-on-Sea (Thorpe Le Soken), you'll be within the region of Beth Chatto Garden and St. Osyth Beach. This 4-star hotel is within the region of Old Harwich Lighthouse and Alton Water. Rooms Stay in one of 89 guestrooms featuring flat-screen televisions. Relax and take in garden and courtyard views from the privacy of your room. Complimentary wireless Internet access keeps you connected, and digital programming is available for your entertainment. Private bathrooms with bathtubs or showers feature designer toiletries and complimentary toiletries. Rec, Spa, Premium Amenities Relax at the full-service spa, where you can enjoy massages, body treatments, and facials. If you're looking for recreational opportunities, you'll find a health club, an indoor pool, and a spa tub. Additional features include complimentary wireless Internet access, gift shops/newsstands, and a fireplace in the lobby. Dining Grab a bite to eat at the hotel's restaurant, where you can enjoy drinks at a bar, take in a garden view, and even dine alfresco (weather permitting). You can also stay in and take advantage of room service (during limited hours). Business, Other Amenities Featured amenities include an Internet point, a computer station, and audiovisual equipment. Guests may use a train station pick-up service for a surcharge, and free parking is available onsite.
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Frinton Road, Thorpe-le-Soken,Clacton-on-Sea,GB,United Kingdom Property Location With a stay at Lifehouse Spa & Hotel in Clacton-on-Sea (Thorpe Le Soken), you'll be within the region of Beth Chatto Garden and St. Osyth Beach. This 4-star hotel is within the region of Old Harwich Lighthouse and Alton Water. Rooms Stay in one of 89 guestrooms featuring flat-screen televisions. Relax and take in garden and courtyard views from the privacy of your room. Complimentary wireless Internet access keeps you connected, and digital programming is available for your entertainment. Private bathrooms with bathtubs or showers feature designer toiletries and complimentary toiletries. Rec, Spa, Premium Amenities Relax at the full-service spa, where you can enjoy massages, body treatments, and facials. If you're looking for recreational opportunities, you'll find a health club, an indoor pool, and a spa tub. Additional features include complimentary wireless Internet access, gift shops/newsstands, and a fireplace in the lobby. Dining Grab a bite to eat at the hotel's restaurant, where you can enjoy drinks at a bar, take in a garden view, and even dine alfresco (weather permitting). You can also stay in and take advantage of room service (during limited hours). Business, Other Amenities Featured amenities include an Internet point, a computer station, and audiovisual equipment. Guests may use a train station pick-up service for a surcharge, and free parking is available onsite.
Rating from 1432 reviews
Sleep Quality
RoomsServiceValueCleanliness 
WilburSmith1 on 20/11/2017 13:05
I have to be honest I was deeply disappointed by the whole thing. I believe the hotel has really come down in standards since even 6mths ago (but then we did visit during the week).
My main problem I have with most spas is the over-crowding. You have enough overnight guests staying which you don't have enough public space for, but instead they cram in a load of "Day Spa guests" ...... it's really just not acceptable. You're paying - you expect a seat in the bar and one around the pool as a given....
We arrived (x3 of us), the queue to check in was ridiculous. Once we checked in we were too early (but told if we paid £25 more we could go In and use the spa facilities? Err we are staying...) We went to the bar area which is far too small for the amount of guests. Luckily we just beat the lunch rush and had a seat, but I never took my coat off the whole time as it was cold in there.
We then after lunch went to collect our keys and were informed that we were on opposite sides of the hotel. Even though we booked together. So that meant that one person was on their own the opposite side of the hotel - even though I had asked many times via phone and email to be next to each other, and to top it off - my TV didn’t work.
We changed and heading down to the spa. In the spa there wasn’t one spare bed. As one of us was pregnant this was highly inconvenient as she couldn’t use the sauna, Jacuzzi, steam and had no where to sit, so we left and went upstairs for a tea and a chat (The refreshment bar was shut – and again it was freezing). We were told to go to their "lovely relaxation area upstairs" which serves "complimentary dried fruit, water and magazines" It's freezing cold up there - no blankets and a bowl of sultanas is what they mean !!!
The treatment itself was very nice, I have no complaints about that (nor do my friends), but again everywhere was cold.
We didn’t bother going back into the pool area afterwards as it was just full – (though i have been told by management they added 15 new loungers - like thats a good thing.... you lay like sardines)... it's not relaxing at all... in fact its stressful. So we had no option but to return to our rooms.
We got ready for dinner and headed down. The seats in the bar (material ones were damp) so I got a towel and sat on that… they were the last 3 seats in the bar area…. Again not enough seating for those staying. If all of the above wasn’t bad enough when we asked for vodka and tonics in a round goblet glass, we were rudely told by the bar manager, that those glasses were for Gin drinkers only. I really thought he was joking – but he refused to give us the glass we wanted…. Which is just so pathetic.
The dinner was nice and the waitress lovely and again the breakfast was nice, but the toast machine was just carnage - too many people - trying to toast their own bread on one rubbish toaster….
And to finish - we were faced with the dreaded line for check out.
Overall the experience was way below average - save yourself the money and stay at home in the warmth.
Lisa B on 19/11/2017 18:06
I stayed at Lifehouse Spa and restaurant overnight this weekend. Check in time is 3pm and on arrival we found that my spa treatment had been booked for this time. (Their system wasn't working properly when I booked). I left my mum to check in and went up for my treatment where I was told I would be given a robe and gown. My treatment was fab but no robe or gown appeared.
When we got to our room, we found the bath had black hair in it (mums a redhead and I have highlights so it wasn't ours). Our tv was also not working. We called down to reception and left a message as nobody answered. The tv was re-booted and the bathroom cleaned again. We were given a voucher for a glass of prosecco as an apology. The room was fab but, we had a light that had a mind of its own and the nozzle attachment for the hairdryer did not stay attached.
The restaurant was fab as where the staff and food. While I feel it's still lovely, parts of the building and staff desks are looking tired and could do with being replaced. I'd definitely go back again but hope it would be a more positive experience!
SLW44 on 19/11/2017 14:45
Positives:
- Every single member of staff was very attentive and friendly.
- Evening meal was lovely.
- Grounds are absolutely beautiful.
- Treatment area is nice, relaxation room afterwards was lovely.
- The back, neck and shoulder massage I had was very professionally done and very relaxing.
- Spa area was clean and tidy and relaxing. - Sub loungers were readily available in the evening when we arrived.
- Room was clean and tidy. Nice view over the grounds. Comfortable bed.
Negatives:
- Breakfast was cold and a bit bland.
- I expected the spa area to be larger, just two rooms, one housing the pool and another housing the jacuzzi/sauna/steam room. Have been to other spas with a lot more facilities.
- The view in the spa is blocked. It would have been lovely to have floor to ceiling windows looking out over the beautiful landscapes in the pool area (as it is in the jacuzzi room) rather than just looking at a whitewashed wall. An opportunity wasted, especially as this is where most of the sun loungers are.
- The bedrooms were slightly bland.
All in all, it was a lovely relaxing get away from real life for a night but there was not much there to keep you occupied for any longer.
Dan R on 16/11/2017 23:33
Stayed two days here with my wife as a treat and it was very enjoyable. Spa is set in picturesque grounds and it's very nice to take a walk around.
Room was perfectly fine, comfy double bed, decent TV and shower, usual collection of toiletries etc.
Restaurant is very nice, good steaks, seafood dishes and desserts. Lot of health food options if that's your jam but I can't speak for them. Special mention for the bar and some very attentive bar staff, good selection of whiskies and a very good selection of gins.
All the Spa stuff was also very good, we stayed mid week so there was plenty of room in the pool and saunas etc. Plenty of fresh towels etc. Both my wife and I had massages and again no complaints.
It's easy to find by car and it's about half hour walk from Thorpe le Soken train station if you're heading back to London.
rosieWestYorks on 15/11/2017 22:20
However you would never know as most of the building is very modern , nice big bedroom , usually bits and bobs in the room . Spa area lovely and relaxing , though found it too be a bit too dark ....could be a hazard moving from jacuzzi to pool and steam rooms as was dimly lit . Had a facial and it was heavenly , very professional . Great shop full of lovely products , very helpful staff . Dining room modern with friendly restaurant staff , good menu with plenty to choose from . Good breakfast . Enjoyable stay .
