Champneys Springs

Stayed for one night in June 2024 on a business trip. The good bits: - Lovely setting, peaceful surroundings - Warm and efficient welcome and check-in - Gym is well-equipped and maintained (used it), spa looked clean (didn't use it) - Generally young staff are friendly and spectacularly efficient (almost scarily so) That's about it for the good bits. Now on to the less good bits: - Hotel sections are tired with stained and threadbare carpets, battered woodwork, stained and patched paintwork - Standard room was extremely hot with no means to turn the heating down, and windows only open a couple of inches. I imagine it being unbearable in warmer weather - Room fittings were Travelodge grade, all heavily worn and in need of replacement. Paintwork stained, door hinges misaligned, a tiny TV from about 1997. Thin, solid mattress (which I was OK with) without a proper topper so it still had a gap between the two halves. Only one bedside table (slightly weird) - Room was not clean, cobwebs all over the walls and corners (I've never stayed in a room with so many that I felt inspired to take a photo), dust on most surfaces, dirty headboard - Restaurant is fixed price menu and must be booked in advance for both dinner and breakfast. The 'back' restaurant where I was seated was absolutely devoid of atmosphere, I'd be heartbroken if that had been a supposed romantic dinner for two. Service was too fast, I had three courses in front of me within 30 minutes of arrival - Sat down and then had to prise each item of cutlery off the sticky table. Made the mistake of putting my phone down, then had to prise that off too and clean it - Food was very poor for the money. A refrigerated caesar salad with what I strongly suspect was tartare sauce from a jar on it was weird. The lamb biryani was a small rice slop that was exactly like a dehydrated camping curry, it had the taste and texture of scooping the contents of a microwaveable pie into some cold rice and stirring it up. Paid an £8 supplement for a cheeseboard that had 3 small under-ripe pieces of cheese, a few biscuits and grapes and (even more weird) a small pot of mint jelly - Breakfast was a small, limited buffet of reasonable quality. Any cooked options are extra, and it's a really peculiar menu without any classics on it. As I left disappointed I noticed other guests coming from the main restaurant with warm porridge, which would have been nice to know about before I gave in on the food I didn't bother complaining at the time, the staff were doing a very efficient job of the things they did well and this presumably isn't there fault; and reception was closed when I did try to have a word. Definitely wouldn't stay again for what it cost - the spa looks great, but if all the rooms are like this, avoid staying.

We had a really relaxing and much needed weekend here; I can't wait to go back! PRO'S - The staff were all very friendly and helpful. - The hotel room was a decent size, clean and comfortable - The food was overall quite nice. I liked that a lot of it was healthier and there was a good selection to choose from - The atmosphere here is lovely, and just so comfortable - We did a couple of thr classes which were really great - The gym was nice- quite small but clean and well maintained - The grounds were lovely - We didn't manage to use the pool as we found that we filled all of our time and didn't get round to it - The treatments were wonderful CONS - The hotel seems to be quite hard to get hold of; we've had to email/try calling numerous times and haven't gotten very far - There needs to be more staff to make drinks. The staff at the bar/cafe, not only make the drinks for here but also for the restaurant. There was quite often only one staff member on the bar; they were very busy and were quite often being chased to see where people's drinks were (we had to wait about 45 minutes for one of our drinks) - I had 2 spa treatments (one after the other as they couldn't combine then which was fine). It was a bit of a pain that I had to go through the same questionnaire at the start of both treatments. I really didn't like that immediately at the end of the first treatment, they sat me down and immediately went through loads of products to try to sell me. I'm not a fan of being 'sold' too anyway but I hadn't even left the treatment room and it completely ruined my zen state. After my second treatment, the next lady said she had some recommendations for me but I explained that I'd just been told loads so she thankfully made it very brief. This sales pitch at the end of every treatment is very off putting, and though I'll be visiting again, I will only have one treatment if they're still being told to upsell at the end of every treatment.

We had a very relaxing and chilled day. Breakfast on arrival was tasty and light. Just what we wanted before doing a yoga and a Pilates class in the morning. Both were very good. Lunch was delicious and healthy and we used the pool and jacuzzi areas in the afternoon. There is only a sauna and steam room, so choose a different Champneys if you want more poolside spa areas. There were plenty of places to relax and chill in between with views and blankets but despite being a quiet area, it was occasionally rather noisy. Overall a great day. Just what we needed. The staff and service were good, especially Sasima in the cafe area who was super friendly and kind and looked after us really well.

I'd decided to treat myself to a spa day having never been before. Location, building and grounds are beautiful. I was greeted by Peter at reception who was very friendly, and gave me a tour. On arrival, I at breakfast (fruit, croissant, yohugrt/granola, salmon/soft cheese on bread, tea/coffee) and then went to get changed. Female changing rooms are lovely and cosy, with plenty of space. I did swimming, went into the large hot tub, sauna, and was able to relax on a lounger around the pool for a couple of hours. Lunch was a help yourself buffet (salad with a great selection of dips, jacket potato, pasta with two different sauces, chicken dish, rice dishes). I then had a massage treatment which was absolutely amazing, and spent the rest of my day relaxing on the sofas reading and drinking. I will be looking out for more spa day offers they have on

Stayed for two nights as a solo visitor. Venue: Located in the Leicestershire countryside, there was ample parking and the venue was beautiful. There was a small path around the hotel to walk around and also tennis court and ?football pitch on site. There were gym facilities and classes as options. The venue had plenty of choices when it came to spa treatment. There was a large swimming pool, a hydrotherapy pool (max 8 persons at a time) and a smaller hydrotherapy pool. On the female side (inside the changing rooms) there was a sauna as well as a steam room. I was a tad apprehensive about being a solo visitor but to my relief, there were plenty of other solo visitors staying over too, and the establishment was generally welcoming. Room: I was on the first floor of a superior room (I had emailed the establishment to ask that they put the usual twin bed together to make a double bed) Room was very large and had a little balcony overlooking the courtyard. Room was quiet and pleasant however the phone signal and hence phone internet was non existent in the room and also throughout the venue (apart from this one sofa area at the back of the lounge that had some signals ) Champney did provide wifi but as it was unsecured I didn't use it. Food: Booked on a deal for two nights with full board (Breakfast lunch and dinner included) Drinks aside from water incurred additional charges and anything purchased eg cake/ drinks from the bar had an additional 5% service charge applied for information. The staff were all professional. Catrina was so helpful - many thanks in deed for actually walking me around and showing me all the foods that catered for my allergies :D I was impressed with the offerings as they catered for eg dairy free and also gluten free. Massimo and Libby were also both very lovely. Breakfast was continental such as fruits cereals bread yoghurt and boiled eggs. Lunch was buffet style with a variety of options such as grilled chicken, chickpea curry, tofu noodles, fruit salads, salmon and olives. Dinner was a three course concept and there was an allergen menu provided alongside for reference if required. Therapy: I booked a Swedish massage which was pleasant. The venue also had a few shops on site which sold Champney products alongside wellbeing books, snacks, Elemis and Clarins. It was a good stay and I would recommend the establishment.

STAFF: All the staff were truly delightful and went out of their way to be helpful and cheerful (except for one, see notes under ROOM). FOOD: Lunch buffet was nice with plenty of choice. The hot dishes could have been hotter, but overall very good. Dinner looked impressive but failed to deliver. Scallops were very nicely presented, but were undercooked and stone cold. The duck was well cooked but it and the veg were not seasoned and the sauce lacked any flavour. Desserts clearly made hours previously and was just bland. My French 75 cocktail was horrid. Proportions of gin to champagne was off and I seriously doubt it was champagne. The other ingredients are lemon and sugar, so why a huge chunk of orange was plonked in the glass is a mystery. I didn't drink it and it was removed from my bill at checkout. Breakfast ok, I would have paid extra for a full English, but it was turkey sausage and bacon??? Yuck! FACILITIES: No issues, I enjoyed them. TREATMENTS: Massage and facial, both very nice. ROOM: Found hairs in bath on arrival, housekeeping wete in the corridor, so I politely asked if she could help. She said not one word, just pushed past me with a cloth and a spray, wiped hairs away and pushed past me on her way out. So rude and totally unnecessary. Room was not cleaned very well, stains in bath and mould on bathmat. Huge cobwebs on windows, window didn't shut properly, curtains didn't close due to curtain rail, so no real privacy. Curtains falling apart, pretty disgraceful. Room itself was large and bed comfortable. Two comfy chairs and a footstool. No plugs by bed which was an issue as I have specialist equipment I use at night, however Rob at reception arranged for an extension lead for me. Gratuity added to drinks etc, Inc coffee, then when you are leaving the add an extra £5 for additional gratuity and £2 for an unspecified charity. I guess they bank on the fact that people may be too embarrassed to ask for it to be removed. I was happy to pay the additional £5 but I choose what charities I donate to on a regular basis, so I asked for that to be removed. So, a mixed bag. Would I return? Yes, I probably would, but would eat my evening meal elsewhere.

Fabulous couple of days we will be back. Food and rooms excellent. Thought it was good value for money - staff excellent apart from miserable lady in cafe. Everything very clean great gift sale on in the shop. Hope to go again soon in 2025 especially when a warm day so outdoor fascilities can be used.

The spa was great however the rooms were not... There was a lot of amazing aspects of the spa which we were really impressed with, however the rooms were lacking. The value of the package was okay but that was because I had purchased during a deal and was able to get discount on top of that You do get a 3 course dinner, cold breakfast (porridge was supposed to be available too but for some reason was not) and a buffet lunch included during this package with use of the spa from check in at 1pm and use until 4pm the next day. There is a sauna and a steam room in the ladies side of the spa (unsure on what is in the mens) and then there is an additional sauna pool side. Main pool was very spacious with a jacuzzi on the side (this wasnt open for most of the time we were there for what ever reason, the water from the jacuzzi would go into the main pool any way so cant think of a reason as to why this would be) however temperature lacked. The hydrotherapy pool was in a different room and had an 8 person limit on it, I have seen smaller hydrotherapy pools with more max people? The walk to the rooms... the corridors had a weird and off -putting smell, the actual bedroom itself did not have full length mirror, the tv that was stuck to the wall was tiny and very out dated, and the beds were so uncomfortable and the mattresses obviously needed replacing because you could hear the springs every time the smallest movement was made... which lead to a very restless night. There was a drinks station but there wasn't even any bottles of water in the room. the bathroom was okay and there was some small amenities, but the shower leaked and the drain in the sink must have been blocked to a certain extent because it took ages to drain. For the price paid, quite unimpressed, probably wouldn't return to stay again but potentially go for a spa day

What a lovely relaxing 5 days we’ve had. The staff are friendly, helpful and just amazing as nothing is too much trouble. The treatments we had we just so relaxing…I even fell asleep! The only disappointment was we didn’t see the Norther Lights last night. Looking forward to seeing everyone again next year.