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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

to wonder why people pay for spa breaks?

125 replies

RedEyedGirl · 03/01/2019 21:24

I don't get it. The spa hotels cost about £250 for one night, without including any food, check in 3pm and check out 11am the next day.

You also have to pay extra for treatments.

Why do people pay so much just to sit by a nice indoor pool and use a steam room? Spa breaks are very popular so please tell me if I'm missing something!

OP posts:

HappilyHarridan · 03/01/2019 23:08

RhubarbTea no you wear swim wear! Ideally take two sets so you change into a dry one for lunch.

FaFoutis I only go to spas with people I can have a comfortable silence with, I don’t go to chat I go to read and sleep and swim, but my closest friends/partner/mum are all ok with that. I wouldn’t go with someone I didn’t know that well.

anniehm · 03/01/2019 23:09

They come at different price points, we paid £120 for 2 including a treatment each - 4 star hotel, whereas a 5 star would be considerably more.

RhubarbTea · 03/01/2019 23:10

Ahh fab, thanks guys. What about when you are hopping between different treatments, massages etc? I hate being naked in front of people and am really weird about it, hence never having had a spa day or professional massage.

Yulebealrite · 03/01/2019 23:10

They are ok but I'd rather spend the money on a nice city break. Would never dream of going to one on my own. I'd be bored.

Youmadorwhat · 03/01/2019 23:15

@RhubarbTea they will ask you to undress for a massage but they leave you and come back when you are under the blankets on the massage bed, and the same when you are done they will leave you to get dressed again😊

GroggyLegs · 03/01/2019 23:16

RhubarbTea
You get checked in and they give you a time for your treatment, then go & change into your ride & swimmers.
You want about in robe & slippers for a bit, swim, steam, lunch, whatever. Then when it's time, you head off to a separate area for your massage (I normally change into a dry bikini before the massage)
They take you to a little warm room, you strip off as much as you are comfy with - I leave my pants on - and cover yourself with a big towel.
They come back, do the massage, then leave you alone to get dressed back into your robe & swimmers again, ready for more swimming, steaming, wafting.

Tis bliss.

Parker231 · 03/01/2019 23:17

I love spa breaks - a perfect way to relax. DD and I have been given a spa weekend as a Christmas present from my sister - we can’t wait.

HappilyHarridan · 03/01/2019 23:17

RhubarbTea I often don’t book any treatments, as I don’t especially like massages and I get enough pleasure just using the spa facilities. But when I have had treatments the staff are always amazing at protecting your dignity. They leave the room while you strip off and then you lie down and cover yourself with warm fluffy towels. Then the just discreetly move a bit of towel aside to access whatever bit their working on. So they never see your vag/boobs/bum.

Or have a pedicure then you can spend all day admiring your new toes.

RhubarbTea · 03/01/2019 23:19

Okay, that actually sounds fucking amazing. I'm into it! I thought they just stood and stared at you while you struggled awkwardly out of your clothes, or at least that was what my worst nightmares would involve.

IchWill · 03/01/2019 23:28

My local(ish) spa is Whittlebury Hall and I've got good packages there loads of times.

£89 pp, this includes bed and breakfast, access to the pool, gym and heat and ice spa, one treatment, buffet lunch and a three course meal. I think that's really good value.

I guess shop around and the best spa breaks are places that have more than a pool, sauna and treatments on top.

Doidontimmm · 03/01/2019 23:33

Can anyone recommend one in Yorkshire please?

waterplease · 03/01/2019 23:34

I've never been on one either, but my boyfriend and I are going to stay overnight in a really nice spa hotel next month for my birthday which we visited last January.

It's only £100 for the night and the rooms were amazing, includes breakfast too! We didn't use the actual paid spa treatment area last year but the pool, saunas (yes- plural!!), steam room, whirl pools, relaxation rooms, weird hanging chair pod things in an aromatherapy room were all free for us to use.

It makes for a cheap, relaxing night away for us. I would use the paid treatment options available but they're extortionately expensive and we just can't afford that on top of having dinner that night too.

HappilyHarridan · 03/01/2019 23:41

Ps you normally keep your knickers on for treatments but sometimes they’ll offer teeny disposable paper ones so you don’t get massage oil or whatever on your knickers/bikini bottoms, but they never mind if you’d rather keep your own on.

iaskMNeverything · 03/01/2019 23:44

Does anyone know if David Lloyd gyms live up to "spa?" Or am I really missing out if I don't try a proper spa?

user1511042793 · 03/01/2019 23:49

Don’t pay anywhere near that amount. Lovely three course dinner included plus huge breakfast next day. Treatment included. Around £125/150.

tubspreciousthings · 04/01/2019 00:00

@iaskMNeverything David Lloyd gyms are usually good/better than many for general gym facilities/pools etc but differ in terms of how spa-like they are.

HappilyHarridan · 04/01/2019 07:34

I would think a David Lloyd gym may be on a par with a small spa that’s been tagged onto a hotel, but I can’t imagine it’s anything like a full on day spa.

MakeAHouseAHome · 04/01/2019 07:39

Slightly off topic but also to add Bath thermae Spa is the WORST spa I have ever stepped foot in and I have been in alot! I rate some leisure centres higher...

mywigwamneedsnewflaps · 04/01/2019 07:43

A spa break would be something I would pay good money to not have to go to !

Much prefer city break to somewhere that's interesting with great architecture and ancient ruins to explore

But each to their own , I can understand someone enjoying a spa and not liking my choices

PumpkinKitty82 · 04/01/2019 08:42

Not my thing at all but seems like people like to brag about them as a badge of honour.
I’ll keep my money thanks

BirdieInTheHand · 04/01/2019 08:57

DavidLloyd don't come close to a decent spa. Ours is full of children (including my own) and harassed mothers and nannies.

If you want a great experience then Pennyhill Park is pretty good.

Kemer2018 · 04/01/2019 09:25

I've been treated to 2 and when i worked at cp, had a free one.
I like them but find people are soo noisy therefore it's not relaxing for me.

Haggisfish · 04/01/2019 10:22

I agree bath thermae wasn’t worth the money EXCEPT for the most amazing and intense spa experience I’ve ever had-the watsu. I had it with my mum at the same time as each other and it was honestly so relaxing and felt a bit like being reborn! mobile.thermaebathspa.com/treatment-prices/ourtreatments/details/signature-treatments

busybarbara · 04/01/2019 11:11

If you just sit at home you're going to inevitably get distracted by your phone, the TV, computer, whatever, think of the various chores you should be getting out of the way instead. At a spa, you can't socially use your phone without getting grimaced at, it's warm, you can just lounge and steam and soak ahhhh

Schuyler · 04/01/2019 11:26

Hoar Cross Hall in Staffordshire is lovely. The hotel is beautiful and the food is amazing. I had an awesome weekend there a few years go.

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