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 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.

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.