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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Singles table at the Spa

144 replies

LimberlostGirl · 04/02/2018 14:19

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.

OP posts:
viques · 04/02/2018 16:35

Last time I went to Champeys I enjoyed sitting at the group table. Turned out the catering manager for the group was there too, and silly woman owned up, so she had an earful of whinge to take away with her. Mostly about why they charged for certain extras like porridge or boiled eggs at breakfast and cheese and biscuits at dinner - don't know if they have changed that policy since.

Met some really nice people on table, you must have had a bad week! Or the quality of guest has gone downhill since my last visit!!!!

Mrstumbletap · 04/02/2018 16:48

I go to spas for solitude and relaxation. I would be fuming!

BewareOfDragons · 04/02/2018 16:54

Wow

I would hate hate hate that.

If I'm having me time, I want to be alone.

Crosses Champneys off as a place to try Ever! Will warn friends of like minds.

Talith · 04/02/2018 16:55

Champneys want to know when you are doing everything including farting. I paid my one and only visit when struggling with a difficult pregnancy and had to keep getting up and down like a yo-yo booking my meals and registering for treatments and then housekeeping bobbing in and out when I wanted to be left alone. The massage waiting room was like a production line of middle aged women in bathrobes. Shit decor and unmemorable treatments. Centre Parcs Nottingham Spa is a zillion times better. But I hate Centre Parcs generally. Grin

SunnySkiesSleepsintheMorning · 04/02/2018 17:04

Unlike many MNers, I love a spa day. I went to damp knees and I found the food very average. I thought the customer service was average too. The woman showing us around was snooty as hell. I’ve had better spa experiences for less money.

Anyway, YANBU. It’s fine to have a singles table, persuading you to sit there is totally not fine.

bridgetreilly · 04/02/2018 17:43

That is horrific. I would just get my kindle out and continue to ignore everyone. But I can't believe any restaurant would assume people want this. I suppose they could offer a choice in case some do prefer not to eat alone, but that would never be me.

user1471426142 · 04/02/2018 18:16

I’d hate it. If for whatever reason I’d gone on my own, it would be for some peace and quiet. I went to springs and can’t say I was that Impressed, facilities weren’t that much better than a normal hotel and lots segregated by sex. I also remember being starving. Far nicer spas out there for the money.

FrenchJunebug · 04/02/2018 18:36

I feel your pain as I love dining on my own. Bad customer service on their part.

DailyMailFuckRightOff · 04/02/2018 18:38

Sounds bloody awful. A meal out alone is such a pleasure. Spending it making small talk with people you have no desire to spend time with is not.
Definitely raise it.

onwardsonwards · 04/02/2018 18:40

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

BuzzKillington · 04/02/2018 18:43

I knew it would be Champneys!

Sitting at a table with a bunch of strangers is not my thing. I would refuse.

And I hate Champneys - cheap, production line treatments with overworked therapists.

Royalfuckup · 04/02/2018 18:49

It’s really interesting reading other people’s experiences of the same place.

Personally I have never had less than excellent service at this particular spa, and absolutely never felt forced to go on the communal table. If there had been any suggestion of that I would have immediately said that I had come here to relax thank you very much, it is a spa not a prison!

I am definitely not a celebrity and I don’t think I look like someone with loadsa money in designer gear or anything like that. Besides, you spend 90% if your time in a dressing gown so everyone looks pretty much the same! Grin

Jamiefraserskilt · 04/02/2018 18:50

Ok so which is the best for singles wanting peace and quiet and being treated like a queen?
You pay a shit load of money to be treated well and have a stress free pamper so can't think of anything worse than stroppy staff

Mailawaymailawaymailaway · 04/02/2018 18:51

Well, I had a completely different experience to the OP!

I wasn't just given a map - I was shown around the facilities whilst a member of staff carted my luggage around the place for me. And dinner was great - choice of sitting by myself or with other singles. I really enjoyed the food, even though it was supposed to be healthy-isn.

Wine isn't encouraged at Champneys - which is made clear in their marketing materials - so if you want some, I'm afraid the price is dealing with a cat's bum face. That shouldn't come as a surprise.

Apart from being the nicest resort in the chain, it has the chain's beauty school in the grounds, so if you want to get el cheapo treatments, it's a short wander down the path and the students will look after you.

Royalfuckup · 04/02/2018 18:57

Well, I definitely recognise the place you describe Mailaway whearas I am scratching my head at OP’s description. YY to being shown around, having luggage attended to and complimentary fruit cocktail on arrival.

I should also add that I ordered wine every night and never got a cat’s bum face! Or maybe I was too squiffy to notice if I had! 😝

Mailawaymailawaymailaway · 04/02/2018 19:11

Oh yes, I had the complimentary healthy fruit drink too. (I was recently offered a complimentary cola on arrival in a hotel abroad and I was a bit nonplussed at that. I mean, I drank it, but it seemed like a strange thing to offer.)

DreamyMcDreamy · 04/02/2018 19:14

Wine isn't encouraged at Champneys - which is made clear in their marketing materials - so if you want some, I'm afraid the price is dealing with a cat's bum face. That shouldn't come as a surprise.

Wine's frowned upon and you're forced to sit with strangers?! If so, that's me put off spas even more, sounds like my idea of hell! Grin

Royalfuckup · 04/02/2018 19:23

Ive re-read all your posts OP and I have to say that it actually sounds as if it was actually you who had the attitude problem and not the staff.

I’ve seen it loads of times. Guests who have arrived all ready for a once in a lifetime pamper break and sashaying about the place like spoilt brats.

It’s a spa, not Buck Pal and you are not the queen! 😂

Royalfuckup · 04/02/2018 19:25

And I bet if you did actually complain about being forced to sit on the shared table, Champneys would fiercely deny it!

Royalfuckup · 04/02/2018 19:26

No WAY would you have been forced to sit if a shared table 😂

Royalfuckup · 04/02/2018 19:26

*on

Royalfuckup · 04/02/2018 19:26

But well played OP. You got me going there for a while Smile👏🏼

Ginger1982 · 04/02/2018 19:28

Royalfuckup do you work for them or something? 🙄

Royalfuckup · 04/02/2018 19:29

No Ginger. Just disputing that OP being “forced” to sit on the shared table.

Talith · 04/02/2018 19:36

Not speaking for the OP, but I might not have been forced to the "singles table" but that's where I was directed. I was too sick to bother mithering. I didn't like it. I was 34 and seeking peace and silence not a vivacious 70 something wanting to make friends in my twilight years.