Matrix Fitness partner with first purpose-built wellness retreat in the uk
The Glass House, in Essex, has been designed from scratch and
built by industry experts from the ground up. It’s a visionary retreat,
with an all-inclusive approach to detoxing, health and wellness
The Glass House was purpose-built to deliver a bespoke retreat experience
The concept was the creation of family-run construction company, Jarvis Development Group, which has successfully ventured into the spa and hospitality market with this innovative architectural creation, complemented by eco-friendly solar panels, a ground source heat pump and rain water recycling technology.
Russell Jarvis, from The Glass House comments: “The Glass House began as a passion project for Joy, our mother, who has been visiting wellness retreats for years. Whilst her experiences were always inspiring, she felt there was room for improvement – many sites were a bit pushed for space and had limited facilities.”
“Other retreats are converted or renovated buildings, they have to use the space as best they can and are therefore restricted in their design. Being able to plan The Glass House Wellness Retreat from scratch has allowed us to create an impressive building not only of architectural significance, but also purpose-built to deliver a premium, bespoke retreat experience.”
Nestled in seven acres of countryside just an hour outside of London, facilities include a heated leisure pool, a Cryotherapy chamber, a spa and salt block sauna, eight treatment rooms, a communal lounge and dining area, a large fitness studio and a fully loaded gym.
“The gym is at the core of the Glass House experience.” Russell continues. “With the help of Matrix Fitness, we have created a hyper-versatile fitness suite, offering visitors everything they need for a full body workout. Our entire design has been carefully considered so it was vital that we partnered with an equipment supplier who could give us state-of-the-art equipment, optimised to give our members the best results.”
The install included Matrix 3xe cardio gym equipment with intuitive app-based interfaces and touchscreen displays, Matrix Versa Duels, a range of pin loaded resistance machines that incorporate advanced biomechanics for a natural, smooth, efficient workout experience, and the Matrix Connexus columns were installed in both the gym and in the studio to provide the best in functional training and built-in-storage solutions. The gym also incorporates Matrix Fitness lifestyle graphics on the walls.
Nigel Tapping, head of Sales – Hospitality Sector at Matrix Fitness adds: “The Glass House Wellness Retreat is an exciting tailor-made, eco-friendly build. A project built from concept to completion that has been thought through with the end users experience in mind at every step.
Premium fitness suites and versatile gym designs are playing an increasingly vital role in the spa and hospitality sector and it has been fantastic to collaborate with the Jarvis family to provide a cutting-edge fitness experience to its visitors.”
To find out more about The Glass House Wellness Retreat visit www.glasshouseretreat.co.uk or to learn about how Matrix Fitness can transform your fitness experience visit www.matrixfitness.co.uk
Read more from this issue of Spa Business magazine
View contents of Spa Business 2020 issue 1
Editor's letter: Time to shine
As spas reach peak revenues, now’s the time for our industry to act as a catalyst in working out how we measure the impact of an experience and the ‘return on wellness’ says Spa Business' editor Katie Barnes
Promotional feature: TechnoAlpin
If you want to deliver a hot and cold experience as part of your wellness programme, adding a snowroom will introduce a delightful and more gentle form of cold therapy, as Sara Brenninger explains
Trends: Spa Foresight™
Climate emergency, gen alpha and brain optimisation are among Spa Business’ latest trend predictions
Promotional feature: The Wellness
Investing in children’s facilities gives a spa and wellness offering a competitive edge, as well as helping the next generation achieve their potential, explains Mohammed Ibrahim, CEO of industry design and consultancy practice, The Wellness
Promotional feature: RKF Luxury Linen
As a symbol of luxury, innovation and quality in the world of spa and hospitality, much of RKF Luxury Linen’s success comes from its highly client-centric design process, says CEO Riadh Bouaziz
Design: Heat of the moment
From giant golden eggs and converted ski lifts to rustic, hand-crafted huts, we showcase the latest in heat experience design and innovations
Le Atelier by C.O.D.E. doesn't offer a standard bespoke service, it provides a highly
customised approach to designing massage beds and loungers in high-end wellness
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Matrix Fitness partner with first purpose-built wellness retreat in the uk
The Glass House, in Essex, has been designed from scratch and
built by industry experts from the ground up. It’s a visionary retreat,
with an all-inclusive approach to detoxing, health and wellness
The Glass House was purpose-built to deliver a bespoke retreat experience
The concept was the creation of family-run construction company, Jarvis Development Group, which has successfully ventured into the spa and hospitality market with this innovative architectural creation, complemented by eco-friendly solar panels, a ground source heat pump and rain water recycling technology.
Russell Jarvis, from The Glass House comments: “The Glass House began as a passion project for Joy, our mother, who has been visiting wellness retreats for years. Whilst her experiences were always inspiring, she felt there was room for improvement – many sites were a bit pushed for space and had limited facilities.”
“Other retreats are converted or renovated buildings, they have to use the space as best they can and are therefore restricted in their design. Being able to plan The Glass House Wellness Retreat from scratch has allowed us to create an impressive building not only of architectural significance, but also purpose-built to deliver a premium, bespoke retreat experience.”
Nestled in seven acres of countryside just an hour outside of London, facilities include a heated leisure pool, a Cryotherapy chamber, a spa and salt block sauna, eight treatment rooms, a communal lounge and dining area, a large fitness studio and a fully loaded gym.
“The gym is at the core of the Glass House experience.” Russell continues. “With the help of Matrix Fitness, we have created a hyper-versatile fitness suite, offering visitors everything they need for a full body workout. Our entire design has been carefully considered so it was vital that we partnered with an equipment supplier who could give us state-of-the-art equipment, optimised to give our members the best results.”
The install included Matrix 3xe cardio gym equipment with intuitive app-based interfaces and touchscreen displays, Matrix Versa Duels, a range of pin loaded resistance machines that incorporate advanced biomechanics for a natural, smooth, efficient workout experience, and the Matrix Connexus columns were installed in both the gym and in the studio to provide the best in functional training and built-in-storage solutions. The gym also incorporates Matrix Fitness lifestyle graphics on the walls.
Nigel Tapping, head of Sales – Hospitality Sector at Matrix Fitness adds: “The Glass House Wellness Retreat is an exciting tailor-made, eco-friendly build. A project built from concept to completion that has been thought through with the end users experience in mind at every step.
Premium fitness suites and versatile gym designs are playing an increasingly vital role in the spa and hospitality sector and it has been fantastic to collaborate with the Jarvis family to provide a cutting-edge fitness experience to its visitors.”
To find out more about The Glass House Wellness Retreat visit www.glasshouseretreat.co.uk or to learn about how Matrix Fitness can transform your fitness experience visit www.matrixfitness.co.uk
Read more from this issue of Spa Business magazine
View contents of Spa Business 2020 issue 1
Editor's letter: Time to shine
As spas reach peak revenues, now’s the time for our industry to act as a catalyst in working out how we measure the impact of an experience and the ‘return on wellness’ says Spa Business' editor Katie Barnes
Promotional feature: TechnoAlpin
If you want to deliver a hot and cold experience as part of your wellness programme, adding a snowroom will introduce a delightful and more gentle form of cold therapy, as Sara Brenninger explains
Trends: Spa Foresight™
Climate emergency, gen alpha and brain optimisation are among Spa Business’ latest trend predictions
Promotional feature: The Wellness
Investing in children’s facilities gives a spa and wellness offering a competitive edge, as well as helping the next generation achieve their potential, explains Mohammed Ibrahim, CEO of industry design and consultancy practice, The Wellness
Promotional feature: RKF Luxury Linen
As a symbol of luxury, innovation and quality in the world of spa and hospitality, much of RKF Luxury Linen’s success comes from its highly client-centric design process, says CEO Riadh Bouaziz
Design: Heat of the moment
From giant golden eggs and converted ski lifts to rustic, hand-crafted huts, we showcase the latest in heat experience design and innovations
People taking GLP-1 weight loss medications such as Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro and Zepbound
may be losing weight, but they’re also becoming less physically active, according to new
research presented at the ENDO 2026 annual meeting of the Endocrine Society
Abu Dhabi-based investment firm Mubadala Capital has made a binding, fully financed
€1 billion
offer to acquire Pierre and Vacances SA, the European holiday resort operator behind the
continental European Center Parcs business.
Global retreat trade show, Synergy The Retreat Show, has launched a resource called The
Source, which hosts an open-access online Transformation Series programme.
The Standards Authority for Touch in Cancer Care (SATCC) charity has announced its first five-
day Living with Cancer and Beyond retreat, which will be held at Carden Park Hotel and Spa in
Cheshire, UK, between 1 and 5 September.
Patmos Aktis, a Luxury Collection Resort and Spa, has opened in Greece, with a renovated and
rebranded wellness offering called Ansana Wellness and Spa.
The Mauna Kea Beach Hotel, an Autograph Collection property in Hawaii, US, has opened its
22,000 sq ft indoor-outdoor Spa at Mauna Kea as the final step in the property’s overall
renovation, which has cost more than US$180 million (€166 million, £140 mill
The UK spa review and discovery platform for consumers, the Good Spa Guide, has announced
it will host the Good Spa Guide Awards 2026 during an event on 16 November at Sopwell House
Hotel in St Albans, UK.
Eighty-four per cent of consumers now say wellness is a top priority in their lives, with this
percentage increasing year on year, according to a preview presentation of McKinsey’s Future of
Wellness 2026 research report.
Mass protests have been taking place since Monday 1 June in Albania over the development of
a luxury resort by Donald Trump’s daughter Ivanka Trump and her husband Jared Kushner.
Global Wellness Day (GWD) marked its 15th anniversary on Saturday 13 June 2026, with the
theme: #JoyMagenta – a celebration of the healing qualities of simple gestures and activities
that spark joy.
Le Atelier by C.O.D.E. doesn't offer a standard bespoke service, it provides a highly
customised approach to designing massage beds and loungers in high-end wellness
environments. [more...]
+ More featured suppliers
COMPANY PROFILES
Subtle Energies With 30 years of clinical research, Subtle Energies is widely recognised for its
authentic wellness [more...]
