Ingrid Eriksson and Corvin Roman’s floating destination at Limehouse Marina is ideal for couples or friends seeking indulgence in east London
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Life on the water has its own pace.
This is sometimes true for businesses as much as for those who make their home afloat.
The story of the Maria Alexander Spa Boat began around three years ago.
Built and fitted-out to exacting specifications, the vessel has a treatment room for two and an open-plan spa space for up to four guests.
This features a sauna and a hot tub that manage to feel connected to the water outside, despite being in near seclusion.
While the boat has spent around two years cruising the canals of London, its offering constantly refined and its location changing, the couple behind the venture have now found their curated craft a more permanent home at Limehouse Marina.
It’s been a lengthy voyage, but there’s a sense that this is the dawn of a new chapter for the spa, which offers an experience like no other on the capital’s waterways.
The boat is a joint venture between Ingrid Eriksson and Corvin Roman.
The former has an extensive background in spas and the latter in insurance, teaming up on the foundation of their burgeoning relationship to create a floating haven of relaxation.
The facility accommodates up to four guests and offers multiple options, but the most popular package is the two-hour Private Floating Spa Treatment for two including a 30-minute massage.
stepping on board
“We greet customers at the entrance to the marina, take them to the boat and then show them around the spa,” said Ingrid.
“Then they have a little foot soak, some organic herbal tea and simply relax for a while.
“When they’re ready, we show our guests through to the massage room where we deliver a half-hour masage that’s focussed on relaxation.
“Afterwards, our guests are free to use the spa facilities, take a sauna and enjoy the hot tub. They can even open the doors at the front of the boat to see out while they’re soaking.”
The purpose-built spaces are designed for privacy so guests feel as though they have the whole boat to themselves – however, Corvin, Ingrid or staff can be summoned via small brass hand bells should anything be needed.
“We created something that we thought we’d enjoy ourselves,” said Corvin, who along with his partner helps deliver treatments on the Maria Alexander Spa Boat.
“At the start, I didn’t want to get involved with a business I didn’t properly understand, so I studied massage at the City Lit.
“Part of what we’re offering is that the vibe here is different to other spas.
“When we did our research, we couldn’t find anything else like it.
“This isn’t a space where you’ll find people who are just hired therapists.
“Ideally we always want at least one of us to be here – we want to be talking to customers but also making sure they have space to relax. It’s about looking after people.
“Visiting a spa is about slowing down – put it on the water and you have the best of both worlds.
“We might now be in a marina, but you still feel the movement of the water, you hear the rain on the roof and the calls of the birds.
“You can hear the bells of St Anne’s Limehouse, but once you’re inside you can close yourself off from the world.”
Ingrid added: “We’ve curated the whole experience.
“Spas can be quite impersonal but here we wanted to create something more romantic, a calmer offering.
“We tested it with friends and people in the industry to make sure we were getting the spa journey right and we believe we’ve now done that.”
developing the offering
Built in Liverpool and craned into the water at Watford, the Maria Alexander was fitted out in Tottenham before travelling along the canals of the capital.
The vessel’s sauna is wood-fired to a toasty 90ºC and its hot tub features powerful jets for various kinds of massage.
Guests are supplied with oatmeal-coloured robes, matching towels and small batch UK-made cleansing products.
Typical refreshments provided include tea and dried fruit, although the couple have plans to widen this offering in the future.
“We’re looking into offering afternoon teas and other catering options such as light meals, depending on the package,” said Corvin.
“We have the facilities on board to do this.
“We usually ask groups of more than two to contact us directly to discuss their requirements so we can tell them what’s possible.
“Usually our bookings are for couples or two friends, but we do have three or four people sometimes.
“While we don’t allow children on board, we can accommodate babies by arrangement if needed.”
Ingrid added: “It’s a complete experience focussed on relaxation.
“It’s perfect for couples or friends. One of the things we wanted to make sure of was that there’s no waiting around.
“Sometimes when you visit a spa there can be a long period of time before they’re ready to offer your treatment.
“Here, because guests have the boat to themselves, we don’t have that issue.”
refinement and evolution
While the core offering remains, the couple are constantly working to refine and evolve the experience, tweaking the interior design and adding extra shine to proceedings.
Plans for the future include potentially partnering with local hotels and developing other spa boats to deliver different treatments.
Corvin said that while running a floating spa presented a range of challenges not faced by land-based businesses, it also had many advantages and it was a pleasure to offer guests something unique.
He said: “People who have been to other spas are often not sure what to expect, so it’s amazing when they tell us it’s spectacular and unlike anything they’ve tried before.”
tired + tested: Maria Alexander Spa Boat
It’s clear from the moment of arrival at the Maria Alexander Spa Boat that this is something different.
There are floating saunas in London, perhaps even boats offering spa treatments, but nothing as considered as this vessel’s offering.
After slipping shoes off, enjoying a quick tour of the facilities (including an incinerating toilet), we change into our swimwear, don our robes and indulge in a foot purifying foot soak with plenty of time to sip cool water and relax.
When we’re ready, we go through to the calm, relaxing treatment room where there’s just room for a massage for two.
Snuggled under towels, Corvin and Ingrid come through and deliver a slow relaxing massage which leaves a warm, lingering tingle.
The pressure is subtle rather than intense, enough to get the nerves firing without stressing the muscles too much.
Then it’s back to the spa and we’re left on our own to enjoy the offering.
After an intense burst in the sauna, with scented water to boost the humidity, it’s time for a cold shower and then a lengthy soak in the hot tub, our bodies soothed by the potent jets as we relax.
Gazing out at the other boats while gently bobbing along and then looking up to the clouds through the vessel’s skylight is a rare pleasure.
At £200 for two people, the quality and attention to detail here makes the experience a steal.
The boat has been finished to a very high standard – akin to the best spas one might find in high-end hotels.
The fact you can find such an experience on a boat in Limehouse simply adds to the charm of the offering.
Jon Massey
***** (5/5)
key details: Maria Alexander Spa Boat
The Maria Alexander Spa Boat is located in Limehouse Marina, a few minutes on foot from Limehouse DLR and is within walking distance of Canary Wharf.
The spa is only open by appointment with pre-booking essential.
Find out more about the offering here
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