Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Mobile phone ban in spa

214 replies

WhenZogateSuperworm · 19/05/2019 19:50

Whilst I fully expect a spa to have a silent mobile phone policy, why is it necessary to have a blanket ban? How is reading an article on a phone different to kindle or book which are allowed? How does me sending a text disturb anyone else?

I have a spa day booked but having just read the ban on phones (according to their info you will be asked to leave if caught with a phone anywhere other than the changing rooms) I am now wanting to cancel. I have a 2 month old baby and a 2 year old and would feel very uncomfortable about being uncontactable all day.

OP posts:
Manclife1 · 19/05/2019 19:52

I would guess it’s the camera facility which is the issue.

VickyEadie · 19/05/2019 19:52

I'm guessing it's about cameras rather than the phone itself. I have to say that I get very uncomfortable when women (and it happens every time I'm there) get their phones out in the gym changing room.

Original poster
WhenZogateSuperworm · 19/05/2019 19:53

@VickyEadie the changing rooms are the one place you are allowed your phone! I wouldn’t mind a ban in there, it would be sensible.

OP posts:
OnlyFoolsnMothers · 19/05/2019 19:53

Sure you can go and check your phone throughout the day/ give whoever is with your children the spa’s number.

I don’t think it’s that unreasonable
A phone is different to a book: you can’t take pics on a book, a screen keeps the brain more alert etc.

Cocobeanstalk · 19/05/2019 19:53

I’d cancel

FudgeBrownie2019 · 19/05/2019 19:54

Technically if you tell whoever your DC are staying with that you're staying at X spa, they'll be able to contact you through the main reception number. You're not entirely uncontactable, you're just not available on your mobile.

Personally I think it's a good thing to have a blanket ban; people are far, far too attached to phones these days and it's having such an impact on relationships, friendships, conversations, even intimacy. You don't have to go to that specific spa if you feel strongly about the ban, but you're BU to not understand that it's entirely different to reading a book.

Myneighboursnorlax · 19/05/2019 19:54

It’s because of the camera. If you’re worried about being uncontactable, make sure you leave the number of the spa with your DP or whoever is looking after DC. The spa staff will come and get you if there is a problem.

Ces6 · 19/05/2019 19:54

Good for them. I wish every spa did this. If you're worried about being contacted why not leave the reception number with the babysitter/family and they can contact you in an emergency?

fannysonfire · 19/05/2019 19:55

because of the camera on the phone.
at centerparcs I wore a wrist band so i was identifiable to staff looking for a parent if they needed finding. they`d find you if needed.

Original poster
WhenZogateSuperworm · 19/05/2019 19:56

@OnlyFoolsnMothers I don’t see how I could give out the spa number- they won’t have a tanoy system and so wouldn’t be able to find me in all the sauna rooms etc!

I can go back to my locker throughout the day to check my phone- but I would prefer it on silent in my dressing gown pocket.

OP posts:
Aquamarine1029 · 19/05/2019 19:56

If you can't manage without your phone for the duration of a spa treatment, you have a serious problem. I think it's an excellent policy to ban them. I wish more places would.

Shoxfordian · 19/05/2019 19:57

Unless your children are in eminent danger or likely to die then you're being ridiculous

Banhaha · 19/05/2019 19:59

The last spa I went to had signs up banning mobiles and I found it very reassuring. It's hard for some people to get over feeling self conscious in a swimming costume without having to worry someone might take pictures of you to either laugh at or enjoy later. I wouldn't go to a spa that didn't ban them.

FudgeBrownie2019 · 19/05/2019 20:00

I don’t see how I could give out the spa number- they won’t have a tanoy system and so wouldn’t be able to find me in all the sauna rooms etc!

Are you seriously saying they wouldn't find you in an emergency? Of course they would. If you can't cope without your phone that's on you, but don't be pissy about a spa having ground rules for the comfort of other customers simply because you're unhappy.

Civilisation has survived for many, many years without everyone having a communication device attached to their hand. It will continue for you, too.

EmmaGrundyForPM · 19/05/2019 20:00

Presumably your DC are with their other patent? Or with a trusted person? So you don't actually need a phone.

When my DC were small we didn't have mobile phones. And we managed. If it's a real emergency then whoever is looking after your DC will be able to get a message to you.

FrancisCrawford · 19/05/2019 20:01

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

fannysonfire · 19/05/2019 20:01

OP why can`t you give the person looking after your child the spa number? I think the staff can look for you!

If you cant face being parted from your phone .....I agree you have a problem! The idea of a spa is to get away from the outside world isnt it!

AfterSchoolWorry · 19/05/2019 20:02

I'd cancel. What a load of crap.

Melancholymuffin · 19/05/2019 20:04

Why would you take your phone into a spa? All that water/steam would surely end badly. It’s quite possible they don’t want the liability

Cryalot2 · 19/05/2019 20:05

It's common policy with many spas.
I think give whoever is looking after your dc the spa number and they would be able to contact you without much bother .

OnlyFoolsnMothers · 19/05/2019 20:06

Of course you could give out the number- they will have a reception. If someone rang for you it would be an emergency surely and they would find you!

TrixieFranklin · 19/05/2019 20:07

Phone dependency is getting ridiculous now.

AnnaComnena · 19/05/2019 20:07

As well as the camera issue, I should think they also want to avoid clients being disturbed by people having loud conversations on their phones. Bad enough on buses and trains when people spend the entire journey talking at full volume on their phones. I wouldn't want to have to put up with it while having what should be a relaxing experience.

Still18atheart · 19/05/2019 20:08

This is one of those what would you have done 15/20 years ago situations when barely anyone had mobile phones

agnurse · 19/05/2019 20:09

In all fairness, when I was a child, almost no one had a cell phone. But parents still went out for the evening. They left the sitter with the phone number for where they were going in case of an emergency.