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Original poster

Has Champneys improved?

12 replies

Goingtothegym · 19/03/2025 18:55

Going on a 1 night break to Champneys Tring soon (special offer) and getting a bit freaked out by some negative reviews! Some people seem to love it though. Any recent experiences to share?

OP posts:
ChompandaGrazia · 19/03/2025 22:58

I went to Harlow about a year ago. I’m afraid to say I was not impressed. It was nothing like as fancy as I had been lead to believe. The room was nice enough but the was a leak in the roof outside our door. Everything was rather tired. The breakfast and lunch was fine but the evening meal was dreadful. It was fine, but not as special as it has been made out.

SwornToSilence · 19/03/2025 23:04

Champneys HENLOW (not Harlow) is a beautiful building set in a dreamly location surrounded by fields... but the loveliness ends there. I went into the pool, and it dyed my highlights green! (OK, this was 20+ years ago) but still, I looked like the swamp monster. I was livid with them. Lots of others were complaining about the same thing. Breakfast was dull, and the number of 'junior' beauty therapists was a joke; they do lots of student training there. My Aunt used to work there back in its heyday when it was Henlow Grange, but left in 1981 when the Purdews took over (Stephen Purdew is an utter buffoon btw and hated by the locals)

Foxgloverr · 19/03/2025 23:16

Everything is a bit tired and they are constantly trying to upsell which gets annoying. But I had a lovely little relaxing break and enjoyed myself anyway. Like a lot of things, it just depends on your attitude. Some people like to complain and find fault with everything.

I haven't been to the Tring one.

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tougholdbirdy · 19/03/2025 23:20

I went to Forestmere on a day pass last year. Very disappointed compared to to previous visits. They now charge for hot drinks, previously included, ditto most classes. The range and times of classes was quite poor also. Thassotherapy not available anymore. Not bothering again .

ChompandaGrazia · 21/03/2025 17:39

SwornToSilence · 19/03/2025 23:04

Champneys HENLOW (not Harlow) is a beautiful building set in a dreamly location surrounded by fields... but the loveliness ends there. I went into the pool, and it dyed my highlights green! (OK, this was 20+ years ago) but still, I looked like the swamp monster. I was livid with them. Lots of others were complaining about the same thing. Breakfast was dull, and the number of 'junior' beauty therapists was a joke; they do lots of student training there. My Aunt used to work there back in its heyday when it was Henlow Grange, but left in 1981 when the Purdews took over (Stephen Purdew is an utter buffoon btw and hated by the locals)

You are right. Henlow not Harlow. I’ll blame autocorrect or something.

BellissimoGecko · 21/03/2025 17:43

Hmm. I last went some years ago and it was very tired. I think all the Champneys spas are riding on their reputation from the past. They all need a vast amount of money injected into them. They can’t compete with some of the newer spas such as the Aqua Sana ones.

FusionChefGeoff · 21/03/2025 18:02

I went to Tring a few months ago and it was heaving plus the steam room was out of order. No where to lounge / relax and the sauna etc was packed. Wouldn’t go back I’m afraid. Treatments were wonderful though

PatriciaHolm · 21/03/2025 18:08

We had a nice dinner/overnight in Tring, but agree with the others - it's super tired, resting on its laurels, and check-in was a mess - a ridiculous queue out the door. Food was nice, as was sitting in the garden with a drink. Understaffed - waited ages for that drink! Wouldn't bother again, even with another deal.

Sorry!

LavenderFields7 · 21/03/2025 18:17

I’ve visited Tring, it was PACKED, no space to move. Couldn’t get a lounger, no space in jacuzzi. Would never visit a Chumpneys Champneys again. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news.

irishbloodenglishparts · 21/03/2025 20:12

I’ve washed my hands of Champneys after an awful time at Springs in January. Felt like a cash cow.

Final straw was them ditching the breakfast carafes of coffee for a shitty machine - might as well be at the Premier Inn.

KiIIingMeDeftly · 23/03/2025 10:16

I went to Tring last weekend for a spa day. I didn't have any treatments but the facilities were good and not too busy, the grounds are lovely and the lunch was decent. Avoid the desserts though, as they were "healthy" versions and didn't taste great.

I got a heavily discounted rate through my health insurance, and I'd say for that price it was fully worth it. I wouldn't pay full price unless they threw in a couple of treatments. There are just a few things that need addressing such as making sure enough towels are available, a few missing tiles in the swimming pool etc.

I liked the ladies-only laconium and relaxation area with warm water beds and jacuzzi best of all. Didn't use the gym but that seemed to have enough equipment and there's a separate studio with a couple of Peloton bikes.

If you don't have a car you'll have to take a taxi from Tring station as it's not in walking distance.

TheFlis · 23/03/2025 10:20

I got the worst food poisoning of my life at Henlow a few years ago and the staff could not have cared less. I will never return.

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