My Red Letter Day at Champneys (Champneys Health Resort Tring)

Member Name: Cat19

Product:	Champneys Health Resort Tring
Date:	24/06/09 (93 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Good swimming pool and range of included classes and activities

Disadvantages: Champneys Tring is the most expensive of the Champneys resorts

On Christmas day last year my husband presented me with a Red Letter Day gift voucher entitling me to a Spa Day at one of various Health Spas located throughout the UK. After several months of not quite getting round to it, I finally decided to make use of my voucher a few weeks ago. I chose Champneys Tring purely because it is in Hertfordshire, like me. This is a residential resort, but as I did not reside, I cannot comment on the accommodation in this review.

Reservations~~

My reservation was made through the Red Letter Day website and so at the point of booking I had no direct contact with Champneys themselves. However a few days later I received a pack of information directly from the Spa; this included confirmation of my booking, some information about the facilities, treatment list and practical advice covering such things as the provision of robes and slippers. It is recommended that additional treatments are booked well in advance and there was a booking form for me to fill in and return for this purpose.

My Red Letter Day package included a 25 minute facial, 25 minute massage and a pedicure. I knew that I would wish to book a couple of additional treatments but in typical fashion I did not get around to sending back my booking form and didn't even look at the treatments list until the day before. Only then did I decide to phone and see what they could do. If you are in a similar situation, use the resort's direct line, I initially used the 0845 number on the website and after making endless selections to automated messages was told by a recorded message to fill my form in and send it back. *sigh*

I thought the treatment menu was very comprehensive, a good choice of facials and massages and also more what I shall call holistic therapies such as acupuncture, reflexology, shiatsu and Indian head massage. Hypnotherapy and clairvoyant consultations were available too, the latter something I have never seen offered in such an establishment before.

Unfortunately, I had left it too late to take my pick from the menu, I was told that a "specialist" massage (i.e. in my case a Swedish massage) needed to be booked about two weeks in advance, I didn't even book the whole Spa day two weeks in advance. That said I did find the Spa receptionist as accommodating as she could be, she juggled my schedule around as much as she could and managed to make my 25 minute massage into an hour and book me in for Indian head massage as well. No complaints from me, although perhaps it would have been better if I had organised myself a bit sooner.

Arrival~~~

Arrival did not go smoothly. First of all I underestimated how far Tring actually is from my home, I was very worried that I would miss my first appointment at 10am so whilst stuck in stationary traffic I made a quick call and they once again juggled my schedule so I had an 11am start. I then found the spa very difficult to locate and ended up being taken (by my satellite navigation system) down a single track that stopped dead at the edge of a field. Across the field I could see Champneys. After a 15 point turn, I headed back to the nearest main road and I somehow managed to find an entrance although it was not the rather grand looking main one. I entered the building through a side door and then had a long walk to the front desk, asking for direction at least five times along the way.

I have since seen on the website that if using satellite navigation one should use a given street address and not the postcode. Excellent advice.

At front desk I was checked in very quickly, given some slippers and my itinerary for the day and was advised that somebody would be along shortly to take me on a tour. A couple of minutes later and my guide turned up to take me around.

I was shown all the essentials like the changing rooms, treatment reception, swimming pool, dining room etc but I did subsequently find it quite difficult to navigate my way around and a little map might have been useful! I am not known for my natural navigation skills so do not want to labour that point though. My guide also advised that most people will spend the day in robe and slippers and there was no need to get dressed in-between treatments or for lunch. My first impressions were good, everything looked very modern and as if it were newly refurbished (I have no idea whether it was or not) and the decor was tasteful, a pale lilac being the predominant colour.

Included activities and facilities~~~

I had about 45 minutes before my first treatment and decided to start with a quick swim. I was miffed to find there were only four loungers around the pool, all of them taken, although there were some upright hard back chairs for putting stuff on. The pool was excellent, 25 metres long and very wide. Unfortunately after a few lengths I got chucked out as an Aqua class was due to start, I would have liked to join the class but it would have run over my appointment time so I could not. Later in the afternoon I returned to the pool and had it all to myself until three young teenage girls turned up. I was quite surprised to see such young girls to be honest, I usually think of these places as adult only sanctuaries. Between the swimming pool and changing room areas, there are sauna and steam rooms, although I did not use these.

Likewise I did not use the gym, but I did take a look. I didn't really like it, the machines looked very close together and some people might not like the floor to ceiling glass wall along a busy corridor meaning everyone walking past can admire those working out.

There were classes throughout the day, a very good selection of toning, CV, yogic and aqua workouts as well as outside jogs, walks and treks around the grounds. I would have liked to have joined some classes but my treatments schedule did not permit it. If I were going back, I would probably have fewer treatments and enjoy some of the included activities instead.

Treatments~~~

The majority of treatments last 25 or 55 minutes and start on the hour or at half past. The result being a five minute changeover for both therapist and client and a schedule running like clockwork with no overruns and generally nobody is left waiting around. Guests are asked to go to the treatments reception lounge and are even told in advance where they should sit to await the therapist and help them find you. Certainly with 15 therapists all turning up at the same time, it did make finding the right person a little bit easier.

I had a different therapist for each of my treatments and found them all to be professional and friendly and I enjoyed the treatment. The rooms and beds were comfortable, quiet and the music relaxing. Last time I went to a health spa, I was given a list of the products that were used and directed to the shop, but they did not do that here.

The only treatment I found a little disappointing was the pedicure, this literally comprised a foot soak and application of nail varnish. No foot or calf massage or even hard skin exfoliation, which I thought was unusual. My experience was not helped by the presence of the three young girls I had met at the pool earlier. One of them was having a treatment so all three were hanging around, being very loud, zooming around the room on chairs with wheels, banging into people and none of the staff asked them to behave. I don't necessarily require peace and quiet during a pedicure but this was a bit much.

Refreshments~~~

Lunch was included on my spa day and my itinerary suggested I should make my way for lunch at midday. I duly did so and the restaurant was quiet at this time, but getting busier by the time I left. A three course lunch was available; soup or salad for a starter, a hot and cold buffet for main and fruit for dessert. I thought the food was very pleasant and naturally, healthy.

Later on in the day I decided I would like a latte and there is a cafe serving drinks and also snacks for purchase if you do not have meals included in your rate. There were not many people in here, my latte cost £3.

Costs~~~

I do not know what my Red Letter Day package cost and decided it would be impolite to ask my husband. For the purposes of dooyoo I have investigated costs but to be honest there is a bewildering range of packages, prices and special deals available.

I have ascertained that Tring is the most expensive resort in the Champney chain. By way of example, I saw the following deals, all of which were cheaper at other Champneys resorts: £145 for Spa day including two 25 minute treatments and lunch, £95 without the treatments; £159 for two days one night, meals, activities but no treatments; £419 for two days three nights including all meals and five treatments.

Individual treatments at Champney's were around £40 for the 25 minutes and about £70 - £90 for the longer treatments.

Conclusion~~~

I was very pleased with my day out at Champneys Tring, so much so that I have suggested to my husband that we go back together another time. I was particularly pleased with the swimming pool and I thought the timetable of activities and classes was excellent and would tempt me away from the treatment rooms next time. The packages can get expensive, but once I can locate the right deal we will be back and probably for an overnight stay next time.

Summary: A very enjoyable but quite expensive bit of pampering.