Champneys Tring

The gym is usually where you’ll find me. Ending the day there leaves me feeling calm, and the people around me are helpful and motivating. Champneys Tring is my favourite place to unwind. I had a brilliant spin class with Ritchie. The music was great, his directions were clear, and he kept the energy up. I loved it. At the weekend I also tried the Boxing masterclass. The instructor made it fun and informative, even though I’m definitely no natural at boxing. The staff are always so helpful, especially the fitness team. Rosie at fitness reception is great when I’m booking a class.

Dinner was delicious, but breakfast was a strange mix: scrambled eggs, pancakes, chorizo, butter beans and miso soup. I’m pretty peeved about the whole stay, tbh. The facilities need a major refurb. The spa was average and packed, so there were no beds and we ended up sitting outside in the cold. There wasn’t water apart from the spa jugs, which eventually ran out, and to get another towel we had to go all the way back to the main reception. The jacuzzi was lukewarm and sometimes cold. We got up early to use the pool, only to find a sign saying it was under maintenance. My friend arranged the visit as a surprise pick-me-up. Check-in took ages, and the email didn’t make it clear that lunch was for the next day, not the day we checked in. I’d booked a £99 facial through the app a couple of days ahead. It was relaxing and nice, but lasted about 42 minutes rather than 50. Spa reception couldn’t find the booking, and when I said I’d used the app, she replied, “well very likely it won’t have been booked then”.

We left early because the dirty changing rooms and mould I spotted in the swimming pool spoiled the romantic atmosphere we’d hoped for on Valentine’s Day. For a premium spa like Champneys, the hygiene was shockingly poor. This was nowhere near the luxury experience advertised, and management needs to take the cleaning standards seriously.

The food at breakfast and lunch had an excellent range, both served buffet style. Dinner was a faux fine-dining setup, and I’d have preferred a buffet. The treatments cost an eyewatering amount, and quality depends on the therapist. Mine was very good, while my partner’s wasn’t quite good enough. If you’re staying at Champneys, you’re probably using a gift voucher, so the price may feel fine. Our room was clean and simple, though very dated. The spa isn’t big enough for the number of weekend guests, and the sauna was broken for a full day of our three-day stay. The whole place felt grubby and tatty around the edges, far from a luxury experience. There are rumours Tring is about to be refurbished, and it badly needs it. The staff team is extremely young. They may not have experienced great customer service themselves, so perhaps they don’t know how to provide it. Online, the pay looks poor and staff seem overworked. It shows. Maybe wait a year before staying. We won’t be back before then. “Fine” as in okay, not fine dining. If the stories about the old days are true, Champneys has fallen from grace.