Singles table at the Spa

[LimberlostGirl]

Just returned from a 2 night stay at a spa (thank you DH, lovely late Christmas present). When I went down for dinner the first night I was told that I would be sat at the ‘Singles’ table as this was what people liked. I said I would prefer a table on my own to be told this was not convenient as the place was already laid for me. I spent a rather tedious dinner making small talk with people I didn’t know or wish to know. Lots of discussion about treatments they were having. I won’t go into detail but the words colonic and irrigation came up at one point. Also debate about a couple of celebrities staying there, all ‘Oo she looks awful without make up, blimey isn’t she fat’ etc. As I left the dining room I found the room host or whatever they call them and said again I would like to sit alone for future meals.

Following morning placed again at the singles table so I said no and reminded the staff member of our conversation and another table was laid up for me with a lot of huffing and puffing. Every meal time was a battle between me and the room host dragon over seating.

As I checked out I was asked how my stay had been so I said about the meal arrangements and the receptionist said ‘Oh yes we heard that someone had been very difficult about our seating policy’.

What do others think? WIBU to ask for a table to myself? I have complained about the receptionist’s attitude already.

Well if they do notice this thread, let’s hope they don’t wilfully misunderstand what happened (as poor customer service tends to).

To be very clear, the OP isn’t complaining about the existence of a singles table, she is complaining about the exceptionally poor customer service when she was forced onto that table and had to repeat this battle at every time after.

If you are going to enforce a ‘must sit with strangers and socialise at dinner whether you like it or not’ policy, at least be clear before booking so that people can avoid it.

Horrible customer service. Ugh.

I also find it rude. How about assume that if I'm there I want to be alone maybe with my phone, or a book or just with my thoughts? Sure, you can ASK if I want to be sat there but no means no. Wtf? Who invented this?

Will avoid Champneys like the plague! I can't imagine anything worse than forced conversation with strangers in a setting where I'm spending good money to relax!

Exactly. It is only the singles table policy I have an issue with. The room host dragon and receptionist need customer service training also. I have dealt with those issues already whilst feeling a bit of a heel as I didn’t pay for the stay.

The rest I recommend, lovely food (and wine) and the massages etc were great.

YANBU. It would literally have ruined my trip!

I would also prefer to be seated alone in those circumstances, or at least be accommodated if I didn’t like being at the table after one night.

Hmmm
You say you went recently? To the dingaling branch? And you got to keep your slippers?

It’s been YEARS since guests have been allowed to keep the slippers! They’re actually flip flops now, have been for ages. Not the old style toweling ones that you had to give back.

And not once has not being allowed to dine alone been an issue to me, or anyone else I know. And no, I’m not a celebrity! There are always loads of people dining alone.

So if this really happened then I would most definitely complain as it is totally out of step with the usual experience.

Eugh! Sounds dreadful, I would of been most unimpressed. Doesn’t sound very relaxing at all.

Argh. My idea of a nightmare too, OP. For me spa days are for quiet alone time with a book!

I'd go with accurate, clinically worded review on tripadvisor. Similar on Twitter, tagging the brand. And obviously also complain to the head office. Twitter is full of people who are a bit introverted in "real life" - bet you'd get lots of agreement on there too!

Also can't believe the receptionist's comment - would definitely be naming and shaming in the complaint.

The offer to take home my Damp Knees slippers as a gift didn’t cut it with me as compensation.

Champneys do it and I loathed it. I loathed Champneys too tbh.

Royal OP says she was offered the slippers, not that they routinely give them to people.

That sounds hideous and the receptionist’s comment is unbelievably rude. Useful to be prewarned!

Also, upon arrival, you are offered a tour and given a goody bag which contains a map so it sounds like your experience really was not the norm at all.

Ah. So it was Champneys!

To be very clear, the OP isn’t complaining about the existence of a singles table, she is complaining about the exceptionally poor customer service when she was forced onto that table and had to repeat this battle at every time after. If you are going to enforce a ‘must sit with strangers and socialise at dinner whether you like it or not’ policy, at least be clear before booking so that people can avoid it.

Agreed.I know I said I'd hate it, but that's me (and others by the sound of it.) I know some would like it though so it's a good thing to have the option.
They can't force you to sit with others, you should be able to choose!

Fuck that. Sounds dire, enforced socialising bullshit. YANBU. Can you tweet them including reference to the rudeness of their staff?

Sponge. The slippers are always given as a gift. Have been now for years. OP’s account does not stack up with the usual experience at this particular spa.

Ywnbu

I’d be happy to sit with others but understand this doesn’t suit everyone, added to which there may be many people that find it makes them anxious or uncomfortable

It’s not then easy if you’ve got to have all your meals like that

We have a local cafe where everyone sits together, but it’s not a full meal for every meal over a weekend / and if you don’t like it you go elsewhere

Champneys Henlow is awful.

It's stuck in the 80s, the service is woeful.

I posted a negative review on Tripadvisor which they didn't seem to like one bit.

Ah, ok Royal.

I had a crap experience at aforementioned flagship chain. DS1 has complex special needs and he was nursery-aged at the time. Occasionally he'd very suddenly need hospital treatment with little or no warning. I was at aforementioned spa establishment just for the day and DS was absolutely fine when I dropped him at nursery, but I had given our nursery the establishment's number and explained my situation to the spa front desk when I arrived. Obviously I didn't expect them to run messages round the spa for me so I agreed with the receptionist that I'd visit the front desk every hour just to check that the nursery hadn't called in an unexpected emergency. Checked every hour - no problem. (I should add this was 10 years ago and there was no mobile reception at all in the spa - that may have changed by now.) Left the spa at 5pm and checked for the final time with the front desk that no messages were left. They weren't. Started driving away and my phone starting buzzing for all it was worth with eleventy billion messages, which it turned out the nursery had been leaving with the front desk (and on my phone) all day, but no-one had passed them on to me on my many visits to the desk to check.

Fortunately DS wasn't in an emergency situation and the nursery was able to keep him there, but I felt so awful for him and livid with said spa establishment. I contacted the head honcho to complain and he completely dismissed my complaint and said all staff had acted as they should have done.

Haven't been back, funnily enough.

Sitting at a table of strangers at a spa would be my idea of hell. I deal with people and customers all day and evening, every day, so if I go to a spa it's to relax and unwind. Preferably with newspapers or a book.

A male friend went alone after having a stressful time and health issues for a bit of rest and relaxation. A staff member and a guest were standing right beside him talking about men who come alone being weirdos and worse. Appalling.

Argh. I would HATE that. It’s great if you want that sort of thing but to have it forced upon you is just not on.