Eha retreat sets out to redefine Nordic wellness

A new wellness retreat is to open on Hiiumaa Island in Estonia next summer.

Eha is described as a soulful, sustainable approach to seasonal living. The wellness retreat will be on Estonia’s Hiiumaa Island, a Unesco biosphere reserve.

Encircled by the Baltic Sea, Hiiumaa is one of Europe’s quietest islands, with some of its darkest, clearest skies. Guests will embark on a journey of renewal, guided by a philosophy deeply rooted in nature and the rhythm of the seasons.

Eha will have just eight suites and three forest cabins, each with views of the forest or the sea. It is designed by architect Tiit Trummal, with interiors by Studio Argus, UNT+CO and Vaikla Studio. The brief was to embrace understated Nordic design and harmonise with its surroundings.

Wellness at Eha

The wellness offer at Eha is to be led by Estonian-born wellness director Kai Laus. Five distinct retreat programmes will be designed to align body, mind and spirit with the island’s five-season rhythm – summer, spring, autumn, winter and springrise.

Each retreat will guide guests through movement, nourishment, rest and reflection,to help foster vitality that lasts beyond departure.

Programmes will blend Estonian and ancestral healing traditions with evidence-based practices including thermal rituals, nature immersion and breath-led movement.

Ancient Estonian healing offerings will include sacred peat wraps and birch branch sauna ceremonies as well as dawn mist walks and wild herb foraging.

Facilities will include a holistic spa with private treatment rooms for bespoke therapies inspired by Estonian traditions, using locally sourced organic products; a mindfulness studio; thermal suites with indoor and outdoor saunas; and indoor and outdoor pools overlooking the surrounding nature.

There will also be technology-free zones to encourage full disconnection and rejuvenation.

Sustainability principles

Designed for 22 guests, Eha will be nature-first sanctuary with zero-waste principles.

Its core philosophy will be rooted in sustainability, seasonality and community with immersive programmes and transformation deeply anchored in nature.

Green Michelin-star chef Peeter Pihel will curates seasonal farm-to-table menus using the retreat’s kitchen garden, line-caught sustainable fish and produce from local farmers and foragers.

EHA is collaborating with OLO, which is designing the acoustic architecture and sonic environments for the retreat. OLO’s work spans 23 sound zones where audio is woven into the architecture, room purpose and landscapes, creating a unique environment where sound itself becomes both therapeutic and architectural.

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