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AIBU?

Fecking spa days!!

48 replies

louloutheshamed · 20/02/2014 20:17

I know IA probably BU but....

I turned 30 in november. Ds 2 was 9 weeks old. I got a voucher from some friends for a spa day, which, having a non-sleeping ebf baby and a three year old, I forgot about, until last week when dh reminded me that it was probably about to expire - I checked and it had to be used before the end of feb. So I rand up and they could fit me in today.

It was for 2 people and it could only be used Mon-Thurs so dh couldn't come, and all my friends are either at work during the week or also have small children. So I asked my mum if she could come and she took the day off work. Ds1 went to pils and we had to bring ds2 with us. I did mention that fact that we would have a 5mo baby with us when I rang to book.

Drove for 45 mins to the hotel in the middle of nowhere. The spa was not accessible from the reception with a pushchair we had to be escorted through the management offices to get there. Then we were greeted by two 'therapists'' aged approx 19 who were lovely but seemed a bit out of their depth when faced with the logistical nightmare presented by ds2.

They explained that we were both entitled to two half hour treatments and told us what we could choose from. I asked if we both needed to have the treatments at the same time, as really one of us would have to have the baby whilst the other person had the treatment, but they said no, we had an hour slot booked so we would both need to have them at the same time to fit them in. I suggest that ds might in a month of sundays sit in his pushchair and watch, but no can do as room is up more stairs. So I suggest that we each forgo one treatment so that we only have one each and take it in turns to hold the baby - this seems a bit too much for them to comprehend - why can't the (not sitting yet) baby just sit on the plush grey sofa in the corner whilst we have our simultaneous treatments, they ask. We spend so long trying to suggest solutions but the two therapists seemed v out of their depth and just concerned that they wouldn't get through their appointments in time, that in the end I ended up having a massage whilst my dm jiggled ds2 who by that stage was getting hungry.

It was probably the least relaxing massage I have ever had, what with the antsy baby, nervous therapists and leaking boobs, and that's aside from the general spa day awkwardness of having to shuffle naked under towels, and wander about wearing naff hotel robes and slippers amongst perfect strangers.

Afterwards we went in the pool and had a little splash around with ds who enjoyed that for about 20 mins before he got tired and needed a nap....

so, moral of the story is, don't get your friend with an ebf baby a mid-week spa voucher for her birthday...

irnonically, get home and get a text from my friend/colleague who is trying to organise another colleague's leaving do....what do I think to a spa day....? Grrrr

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SirChenjin · 20/02/2014 20:20

Spa days are the work of the devil - it was officially announced by Westminster earlier today. Both spa days and baby showers should be consigned to Room 101 imo - awful things.

YANBU.

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arethereanyleftatall · 20/02/2014 20:22

Yabu to take a 5 month old to a spa day. That's bonkers.

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curiousuze · 20/02/2014 20:25

YABU to take the baby - that was nuts!

I went on a spa weekend with my husband at 8 months pregnant. I'd never been to a spa before. The staff were horrified - I couldn't go in the sauna, steam room, the indoor jacuzzi, the outdoor hot tub or get an aromatherapy massage. All I could do was hippo about in the pool and occasionally have a 'rainforest' shower. Gutted.

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louloutheshamed · 20/02/2014 20:27

I know it was bonkers, but it was take the baby or not go, and it felt like a terrible waste of a present not to go....

(Baby is ebf, not yet on solids)

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emsyj · 20/02/2014 20:30

I love spas, but they don't mix with babies. It was a rather thoughtless gift. I wouldn't have been able to use it either. I probably would have re-gifted it (and felt sad).

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HadABadDay2014 · 20/02/2014 20:31

I would have been pissed off with a baby at a spa.

It's a very rare treat for me and to have a baby crying and doing what babies do would spoil it.

I would have just not gone.

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pamelat · 20/02/2014 20:32

I would have left baby with inlaws too, even if it meant a shorter day. Then id pump thdere for later too?

Might be worth complaining to spa as they knew yiu had baby but didnt plan accordingly?

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formerbabe · 20/02/2014 20:33

YABVU...why would you think to take a baby to a spa? What did you think would happen?!

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Slainte · 20/02/2014 20:36

Why not leave baby with your DM and go by yourself? I'd love even a half days peace. I think you were BU bringing the baby with you.

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louloutheshamed · 20/02/2014 20:36

yeah I know, I would just hate to think that a present had gone to waste. I should have regifted but I left it too late.

Pool was full of kids as half term so don't think other clients were pissed off with baby.

I wont be doing it again in a hurry!!

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Capitola · 20/02/2014 20:38

I loathe spa days, in particular a Champneys spa day which is particularly cheap and nasty. I have had about 8 bought for me, each one has been slightly shitter than the last.

But a spa day with a baby in tow was only ever going to be a disaster.

(Like ciriousuze, I was bought a 'Beautiful Bump day' and got there only to be told I couldn't do anything or use anything.)

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mewkins · 20/02/2014 20:38

I hate spas. I have missed many a hen weekend because of this!

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HadABadDay2014 · 20/02/2014 20:38

If the only complaint you do make is what if a disabled person wishes to use the spa, if a buggy is a problem then a wheel chair would also.

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formerbabe · 20/02/2014 20:39

Someone should open a spa with a creche...that would be awesome!

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newtonupontheheath · 20/02/2014 20:41

It took me 6 months to use a massage voucher I got bought for my birthday for a salon just up the road. My phone died whilst I was in there and I returned home to a stressed out dh, who didn't know I'd be quiet as long as I was, with one dc swinging off each leg. I was relaxed for all of the 2 minute walk back to the car.

Lord only knows what would happen if I went for the day!

You are crazy to have taken the baby, btw, but I appreciate it is tough with ebf babies. What else can you do!!

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caketinrosie · 20/02/2014 20:41

I'd have tried to get them to agree an extension on the date. I totally get why you went, I'd have been annoyed if I'd bought you it and it had gone to waste. I'm sure your friend thought it would be a lovely gift but I agree a total nightmare in your shoes, and you were laugh out loud crazy to put yourself and everyone else through tiny baby at spa day. But again unless you left your norks at home what choice did you have! I love spas and hope to your the uk finding my favourite ever spa but at the mo in too skint Grin

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RescueCack · 20/02/2014 20:43

Spa with a creche would be amazing. I love spa days, but HATE Champneys. It is the worst one I've been to.

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WhoKnowsWhereTheTimeGoes · 20/02/2014 20:44

I'm so glad I've never been given spa vouchers!

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curiousuze · 20/02/2014 20:45

It's a tricky one - sometimes places will let you negotiate and reissue a voucher for you for a different date.

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PurplePidjin · 20/02/2014 20:45

If you couldn't manoeuvre a push chair around, wtaf do they do if someone comes in using a wheelchair?!

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JeanSeberg · 20/02/2014 20:45

Thank Christ I've never been on a spa day and plan to keep it that way.

Spa days on MN seem to be the go to suggestion for the woman neglected by partner don't they. As if it weren't bad enough being married to a useless twat...

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lazyhound444 · 20/02/2014 20:46

They're over-rated anyway. Everytime I've been on one, I came home more stressed than when I went in.

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RiojaHaze · 20/02/2014 20:47

I went to the Aqua Sana spa at Center Parcs when I was heavily pregnant and it was brilliant. The only room I couldn't go in was the super hot sauna but there were loads others. Highly recommended!

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KiwiBanana · 20/02/2014 20:50

Oh it sounds like your friends were trying to be thoughtful, do they not have children themselves?

Consider it a lesson learnt and never attempt again!

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MrsDavidBowie · 20/02/2014 20:51

You are all going to the wrong spas.Smile

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