AIBU to say this is not a spa and I want a partial refund?

Yabu. Hotel spas are like you described. You lucky they offering you a free return as you left meaning the people who were going to do your treatment were left out of pocket. I bet they not happy about that especially this close to Christmas. You should have done your research on the type of spa you wanted.

I voted YABU asking for a partial refund.

i’d want a full refund 😡

I agree with most other posters; you should have done more research. If booking on a spa-booking website, check photos/reviews facilities/services are offered and then check on the hotel's own website too; reviews, photos and facilities. If ever unsure give them a call to double check.

I would take the January day, it should be pretty quiet at that time of year, particularly mid-week day.

It happened to us once, we were sold a private, adult only swimming pool and spa with comfortable seating and a waiter per “cabin”.
I booked a cabin for my husbands birthday weekend, and we checked in on Friday night. Saturday morning we are awoken by loud screaming and music coming from the pool area.
Yep, local children (anyone who had an address within 10 miles) could use the facilities for a minimal price on the weekends. None of it was advertised and therefore I went ballistic at the front desk.
we got a total refund for the whole weekend.

Our gym and spa is mobbed in January when everyone is on a health kick and bored.

Sounds pretty standard to me, the last few hotel spa days I have been on were similar, one had a children's hour which was the same time we turned up 😱
If its part of a general hotel it seems to be the set up now, unless you go to an exclusive spa.

I’ve worked in hotel spas. I always advise people to research before spending the money. Most hotels are set up like this. I will always politely explain that we can’t be held to account for an ‘expectation’ when situations like this come up.

I would push harder, depending on how it is advertised. I also went to a spa like you described, was really annoyed that they didn’t have enough loungers. I didn’t complain because I didn’t pay much and I could see from the photos it might be a bit cosy.

You should at least get a full refund for the treatments and afternoon tea you didn’t get.

You should have called them in advance and checked the facilities were suitable and to your expectation before parting with £250. Presumably the treatments were in a private room not by the side of a public swimming pool?

Theyve met their obligation by saying you can go back again at a quieter time in January. If you already had the treatments you are unlikely to get those repeated. The therapists are often self-employed so they would be giving you additional therapies for free?

I think the fact that the “spa part” wasn’t that luxurious is covered by the fact that £250 for three treatments, lunch and afternoon tea is a pretty good price in itself. Then you can also go for a swim or use the gym within that price. I don’t think it’s unreasonable!

All depends on whether it was false advertising? I do lots of research, look at reviews etc before booking.

Maybe go back on a schoolday in January, do then hopefully there wouldn't be any children and probably generally quieter.

Agree with others that this is a quite a common set-up. I think you were unreasonable to go without having your treatments and I think the hotel could quite legitimately refused to refund a portion for treatments and food which is going to make up the majority of that £250.

You always need to check hotel pool times for children’s access if you’re doing a hotel style spa. To get what you wanted you really need a standalone spa.

If you had paid a lot more you might have a case but that sound like a good deal for £250

Spa is a very loose term, you really need to research it properly before you go

That’s what lots of spa days are like in hotels, unless you’re in the very top luxury bracket.

I think there are a lot of places like this. So I don't think you will get very far.

Sounds shit; but it’s one of either your fault for not looking at what they offer, or theirs for false advertising. the word ‘spa’ in itself has a variety of meanings none of which are includes relaxation room, jacuzzi, hydrotherapy pool with jets etc etc . I think the onus was on you to check - I always do!

It depends on how it was advertised and what facilities they claimed to have.

If they said they had multiple rooms, private spa access to sauna, jacuzzi, steam room etc and they don't, and you can prove that was what was sold to you by the advertising then I'd say you should get some sort if refund

Exactly this.
I am a member of that type of gym/spa. It is attached to a hotel and is open to hotel and gym members, and you can also buy a day pass. The 'spa' area has a sauna, pool, jazuzzi, treatments. It is busy and noisy. I would not go there for a relaxation day, it is completely different from other 'spas' I have been to which were a lot quieter.

The facilities are all listed on the website and before I joined I went for a look round to see if it was what I wanted. It's fine for me as I go there to swim and have a quick sauna.

I have a membership at a hotel gym. On Saturday afternoons, kids are allowed in the pool. I always feel bad for the spa day people! Always do your research!!

Sorry but I think YABU. Plenty of hotel spas are set this way, it shouldn't really be a surprised. Usually you can see this in the reviews.

Also 250 for all day access, 3 treatments and 2 meals is very cheap IME. Any decent spa around me would only include access + 1 treatment for this price, and maybe 1 meal in some cases or unlimited soft/hot drinks.

Not a spa to me, but probably enough to not contravene trade descriptions in my opinion. I agree with others that you should have done some research, I assume the facilities are listed on their website. I know of places where having a phone in the place is clearly prohibited.

It was busy or others were noisy is not enough grounds either, and I cannot see that a bank chargeback for not having the services would suffice.

I realise that will be of little comfort to you.

If it’s in a hotel, it’s probably a bit crap

I agree with others that you need to do your research. I've been to several spa days over the years and they vary a lot in quality (and price). You probably won't get a refund unless the facilities listed on the website were actually incorrect. Lesson learned for next time!

The latest spa me and DH went to was like that - big country house but more health club vibes than a spa - we arrived and there was aquarobics going on in the pool! They welcomed us like it was a spa, and the changing rooms were spa not leisure Center, but from then on it was leisure centre vibes, where people go every week and chat for hours rather than a spa. Didn’t think to ask for a refund as felt like we’d probably just got the wrong impression when booking but actually maybe we were missold. Worth a shot I guess OP!