Business reviews by user
1 Reviews by LauraL
Ardencote Spa
Cheap, and yet still a rip off
July 21, 2010
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39 of 83 people found this review helpful
We went to Ardencote for the weekend expecting a spa break, but came away very disappointed. This is more of a middle market country club than a spa - and about as relaxing as toys r us on Christmas eve.
The service was slow, indifferent and often incompetent - in fact I had to explain to the bar staff how to make a white wine and soda (and I thought the clue was in the name).
The indoor pool was full of children, the outdoor pool didn't have enough loungers or chairs for the number of guests. If you wanted a poolside drink you had to order it at least twice - and it took up to half an hour to arrive. All outside drinks were served in scratched plastic glasses - even coffee.
The rooms were OK - not luxurious, but modern, clean, air conditioned and functional. The faulty fire alarm at 1am was not a plus point, however.
The breakfast in the morning was a greasy buffet affair with piles of congealing bacon, sausages, fried bread etc in tepid catering tins. Not the healthy breakfast I'd expcet at a 'spa'.
The treatment, a summer body wrap which was included in the price of the weekend, was a complete joke, and the absolute low point of the weekend. The therapist was 17 (I asked) and couldn't body brush or massage properly. The indian head massage was uncomfortable, mainly because it was done without any oils, making it dry and scrapy. The products used were bargain basement, smelled like fairy liquid, and were only used on the customers who had 'inclusive' treatments. The good products lay on the shelf for 'paying customers'! The therapist also completely missed parts of my body like the backs of my arms and legs, which I had to do later, myself.
This laughable body wrap will be my lasting memory of Ardencote, and the main (if not the only) reason I wouldn't reccommend this place to anyone.
Just stick with Champneys.
Th e
I would visit this business again? No