We’re giving away a two-night stay for up to four guests at Retreat East, the idyllic country complex perched in the heart of Suffolk. The winner and their guests will have full use of the spa facilities, a daily continental breakfast, an indulgent afternoon tea, one private yoga session and daily use of the bikes.
Occupying 35 acres of prime Suffolk countryside, Retreat East was once the site of a working 16th-century farm before it was converted into a smart spa resort by owner Dominic Richards. The clear skies, fresh air, seasonal produce and friendly faces this part of the country offers has long made it a favourite of city dwellers in need of respite.
Winners can choose from a range of spacious quarters; the Cow House, the Stables, the Sett, the Burrow or the Roost. Each barn is unique, with the site’s architecture overseen by Richards – a graduate of The Prince of Wales’ Institute of Architecture. The cow house is the oldest barn with two bedrooms and an open-plan, double height living space. Elsewhere, the sett is one of the newer two-bedroom field barns, where evenings are best spent enjoying home-cooked meals in the charming dining area.
Food is an integral part of any stay at Retreat East. Mornings start in the great barn, where breakfast spreads consist of English muffins topped with house-cured salmon and ham hock, avo-adorned sourdough and cooked Suffolk breakfasts for the hungriest of early birds. Seasonal produce comes from local artisans and the kitchen gardens, meaning menus frequently change under head chef Adam Spicer – think wild Suffolk bass with crispy oysters and tartare sauce, Creedy Carver duck in a cherry sauce, and indulgent salted caramel tarts.
Retreat East was created with wellbeing in mind, with guests re-entering the modern world with life’s stresses gently eased out by expert practitioners. Facials tackle pollution damage, restore glow and turn back the years using a range of natural ingredients, while full-body treatments melt away muscle tension and detoxify the skin. Aside from the treatments, many guests opt for a soak in the outdoor jacuzzi hot tub taking in the calm of the surrounding countryside.
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