The Only Way Is a luxurious spa day in Essex

The runaway success of TV's The Only Way Is Essex has given an insight into the life and loves of Essex girls, in particular their penchant for beauty treatments and luxurious spa days.

But few people would ever associate the county of Essex with the latest spa trend on the block – destinations spas. That's to say these venues are not hotels with spas, but residential spas, which to the seasoned spa-goer, is not the same. Guests find that the whole experience is much more informal and friendly with better facilities and a very high level of professional expertise for the treatments proposed.

Experiences at these sort of luxuriously furnished destination spas with a wealth of activities are now outselling traditional spa days by two to one, according to one online retailer of luxurious spa days.

Intotheblue.co.uk has been offering spa days and overnight stays at the Lifehouse Destination Spa in Essex since the resort opened in January 2011 and has been an immediate success. Activities manager Darren Dray commented: "This new concept has come straight in to be the best selling of all our luxurious spa days on Intotheblue.co.uk. Customers like the fact that it isn't just a spa attached to a busy hotel, clients are only there to enjoy the spa and the treatments, so it's the ultimate way to relax and unwind."

The company has had only positive feedback from customers who have been to the spa, which cost £30 million to build and is nestled in listed historical landscaped gardens in Thorpe le Soken. One client, Michelle, enthused: "We had a great day. Everything is lovely and new. The staff were really friendly and the restaurant does a great variety of food."

This is the first true luxury destination spa to open in Essex and the centre has seen a deluge of clients who have already become loyal to the brand, with many making return visits to the spa within six months of their first stay or day pass experience.

Facilities are second to none, with 35 treatment rooms, 15 manicure and pedicure stations, 89 guest rooms, gym, outdoor fitness circuit, yoga and pilates studio, swimming pool, thermal spa area, relaxations areas, make up bays and hairdresser, all set in 130 acres of classic English country gardens.

Notes for editors:
Into the Blue offers luxurious spa days and overnight stays at the Lifehouse Spa in Essex. A day pass for one is currently on special offer at £65 per person, down from £75 per person, with a voucher for two at £125 instead of £150. An overnight break costs £290 for two people sharing a room, whilst a two night short break or weekend is offered at £500, down from £580. The experiences include unlimited access to the thermal spa area and lunch for the day spa clients, and full board breakfast, lunch and dinner for those staying at the spa.

About Into the Blue:
Into the Blue is a specialist experience activity gift voucher company that started life in 1996 as an off-shoot of Air Displays International Ltd (operator of the world-renowned Biggin Hill Air Fair), offering flying activities and lessons.

Since then, the company has added a whole range of different activities to the portfolio of activity gift voucher experiences, which now totals in excess of 800. All experiences are available to buy directly from intotheblue.co.uk or by calling 01959 578100.

The company continues to evolve the range and believes that there is a perfect experience suitable for every individual and for every occasion.