There will be accommodation for 22 guests at a time at the intimate retreat
The concept is rooted in seasonality - including a fifth season called springrise
The programming and treatments will be rooted in Estonian healing traditions
Amber Gauci-Ward will lead Eha's operational launch as GM
A new wellness destination called Eha is due to open in Q3 of 2026 on Estonia’s Hiiumaa Island, which is home to a UNESCO-protected biosphere reserve.
Co-founders Eva Maran and Sonni Aswani have created the retreat with support from global hospitality experts Think Hospitality Consulting. The ethos of the retreat is rooted in sustainability, seasonality and community.
Surrounded by the Baltic Sea, two-thirds of the island’s terrain is forested. There are also beaches and rare biodiversity.
The intimate destination will have only eight suites and three forest cabins for accommodation, housing up to 22 guests at a time.
The minimalist Nordic-style buildings have been designed by architect Tiit Trummal, with interiors by Studio Argus, UNT+Co and Vaikla Studio.
Maran told Spa Business: “Choosing Hiiumaa was never a strategic decision on a map – it was a homecoming. My grandfather was born on this island, and its forests, storms and long horizons have shaped my sense of what true restoration feels like.
"We kept Eha intentionally small because we wanted every guest to feel held by the land, not crowded by it," added Maran. "In a place this quiet, with skies this dark and nature this present, intimacy isn’t a luxury detail; it’s the condition that allows real transformation to happen.”
Spa
The holistic spa will have treatment rooms as well as indoor and outdoor pools with views of nature.
Thermal suites will include multiple saunas (both indoors and outdoors).
There will be a mindfulness studio for group and individual sessions.
The spa will also have technology-free zones to support digital detoxification and promote rest.
Concept and programming
The wellness philosophy for the distinct retreat programmes incorporates nature and the rhythm of the island’s five seasons: summer, spring, autumn, winter and springrise.
Springrise is described as “a hidden hinge in the year,” and the programming is designed to be gentle yet transformative – recognising a transition period for recalibration and looking forward to the next season.
Guests will be guided through season-related activations and rituals for movement, nutrition, rest and reflection. Wellness director Kai Laus, from Estonia, will lead the programmes.
During the autumn retreat, for example, activities will include thermal rituals, breathwork workshops, aerial yoga, Tai Chi and functional nutrition classes exploring fermentation, medicinal mushrooms and mindful eating.
Treatments will be inspired by Estonian healing traditions, with rituals such as whole-body peat wraps from the island’s mineral-rich wetlands, birch sauna ceremonies, wild herb foraging and dawn mist walks. Sound bathing, journaling and meditation will also be on offer.
The sound journey at the retreat has been curated by a company specialising in immersive audio experiences called Olo. The bespoke soundscapes will reflect the nature of the island.
The culinary programme will be guided by Green Michelin Star chef Peeter Pihel. A Green Michelin Star is awarded to those specialising in sustainable gastronomy. The organic kitchen garden’s seasonal food will be accompanied by ingredients produced and foraged locally. These include wild seaweed, fermented forest berries, garden herbs and seasonal vegetables.
Amber Gauci-Ward
Amber Gauci-Ward, a wellness professional known for her experience in transformational wellness retreats, has been appointed as general manager for Eha.
She has international experience in operational innovation, neuroscience, somatic practice, biophilic design and the management of community-centred wellness destinations. Most recently, she oversaw the launch of Verdala Wellness Hotel in Malta.
As GM, Gauci-Ward will lead Eha’s operational launch and curate the strategy for guest experiences.
Gauci-Ward told Spa Business: “Eha gives us the opportunity to design a guest experience built around presence, clarity and genuine personal support. The opportunity to steward a retreat so intentionally designed, from its architecture to its rituals to its relationship with the local community, is incredibly meaningful to me.”
Pricing
Five-night retreats are £5,000 (US$6,350, €5,850) per person, based on double occupancy. This price includes all dining experiences and a curated programme of holistic wellness treatments.
The entire retreat will also be available for exclusive use upon request.
