For information on Champneys Forest Mere Click here
This review was written by Tracey Marsh
Visited Champneys Forest Mere in Hampshire
Facilities were excellent
Loved location and grounds
Food was excellent
Accommodation was average
Favourite treatment was a facial
Not all staff were helpful - give 8 out of 10 overall
Not been to a spa before, five of us went for my 40th Birthday. We did have a lovely time and are going again on 7th Sep 2006. The only thing that was a bit disappointing was that we should have got an upgrade but they had us down for standard so we had to tell them we were meant to get free slippers and dressing gown hire etc. We did get it after we pointed this out but it would have been nice not to have to tell them, it spoilt a special treat. Apart from that overall it was a very nice experience and i`d definately recommend Champneys to my mates.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------This review was written by Jackie Tanner
Full Name of the Spa you visited:
Champneys Forest Mere
2. What did you think to the facilities ?
Excellent, especially the Thalassortherapy Pool. For those of you that dont know what Thalassotherapy is......its a cirular Spa pool with Mini jets (powerful) that massage and manipulate you in different areas of your body. The pool has 8 stations, at eachstation there is a different jet. Great for cellulite reduction and blood circulation. Really fun treatment too!
3. Anything in particular you liked?
Informal atmosphere, very chilled, great restaurant, great food, brilliant settings grounds etc.
4. Anything in particular you did not like?
No.........well i didn`t like coming home! I wanted more of that Health Farm expereince!
5. Favourite treatment?
Relaxing Facial
6. Overall mark out of 10? 10/10
7. Had you been to a Spa before and how did it compare? No, but it lived up totally to my expectations. I wont be looking elsewhere - Champneys Forest Mere is the perfect Health Farm for me.
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This review was written by Christine Johnson
1. Name of the Spa you visited?
Chamneys, Forest Mere
2. What did you think to the facilities?
Excellent. All timetables/treatments were very well organised. The staff were very friendly and helpful – nothing was too much trouble. Plenty of changing/ locker facilities available and everywhere was spotlessly clean. All requests to the staff, about everything, were dealt with efficiently and immediately. Our room was well furnished, the beds were very comfortable and everything was very clean. It was also very quiet and relaxing. All three restaurants were well laid out and mealtimes were staggered which seemed to work well for guests and staff. Restaurant areas were well laid out and buffets arranged in a very user friendly way. Again, all restaurant staff were very efficient, courteous and friendly.
3. What did you most LIKE about the Spa?
Lovely relaxing environment and although the place seemed to be fully booked, nowhere was crowded and all staff were extremely helpful at all times. The food was delicious and far exceeded our expectations. The quality and choice of food at all mealtimes was excellent and menus very carefully thought out and prepared at dinner each evening. It definitely proves that you can eat very healthily and enjoy every mouthful!!
4. What did you most DISLIKE about the Spa?
On your website you say that on arrival, a gift set and bowl of fruit would be in our room. However, this was not the case and we had to ask for these. Also, we did not receive a consultation from anyone, as was advised. There was no mention of any discount voucher either. All this was no reflection on Champneys, however, probably just a case of lack of communication. Perhaps they are not aware of what is on your website.
I would mention that it was quite hot during our visit and the terrace restaurant was surrounded by glass and was not air conditioned, which made dining there extremely uncomfortable. I should think it was unbearable during the heatwave we have recently had.
The only disappointing thing about the weekend was the fact that we attended a talk on palmistry which promised to be very interesting. However, when the person giving the talk (Helen) arrived, late and very flustered, she gabbled at 100 miles an hour, saying she would have to cut the talk by half and saying how busy she was that day, continuously looking at her watch. We were not impressed, to say the least; half of what she said was irrelevant anyway and we actually learnt nothing at all about palmistry, which was a shame.
5. Any treatments you particularly enjoyed or can recommend?
The Indian head massage was wonderful – very stimulating and relaxing.
6. Had you been to a Spa before and how did it compare?
It was my first time at a Spa but I thoroughly enjoyed it and would love to go again.
7. Over all mark out of 10? = 9
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On Saturday 29th July I visited Champney Forest Mere Health Farm with my mum on vouchers bought for me by my husband for Christmas. When we arrived we booked in at arrivals and was given a brief show round by a member of staff. On this show round 2 things struck us. 1) was that we were told if we wanted to use the gym it was a standard gym and therefore we would not need an induction - unheard of at any other gym we have used before. 2) we were told that for all treatments booked we were to go to the room shown on our form and that we would be called for our treatment. He also recommended that we buy a water bottle as the water was quite expensive to buy.
My mum and I went to the changing rooms to get changed and then headed to the juice bar to get a drink. Mum had a coffee and I had water. My astonishment was the fact that what I was given was tap water - and according to our tour guide this was expensive!!
At the appropriate time we headed for our room to have our first treatment of the day. We waited for a while and then asked a therapist if we were at the right place. Oh no, came the reply, you need to be downstairs next to the pool. Off we hurried and were just in time (thank goodness) for the treatment and what a treatment it was!! 30 minutes in the Thallassapy pool with expert advice from a very charming man!!
Now feeling that our pampering day had really started we headed off for lunch. This all looked very appealing and not at all like rabbit food. My only real grumble was that again the water served from a glass bottle was tap water!! After lunch we relaxed in the lounge and having had a cup of tea headed off for a facial and massage.
Mum was 10 minutes late going in for hers and I didn't even get a massage!!! We then spent 20 minutes in the relaxation room before heading of for a shower, coffee and home. It was whilst having coffee that we compared notes on the massage and facial. Mum had had the full works - legs, back, shoulders arms and a full facial. I had only had the facial - I felt very upset as this had been my Christmas present!! We didn't receive our welcome drink either!!
Now feeling very relaxed if slightly miffed about the massage we settled our bills and headed home. When I got home and opened up the products that I had bought, 1 was an empty box!!
I have never been to a Health Farm before and although felt very let down by some aspects I certainly left feeling very relaxed and tired. I would recommend www.spaseekers.com and give them a mark of 9/10 I am certain that I am not sure that I would go back to Forest Mere!!
Kind Regards
Mrs S Balfour
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I have just visited Champneys Forest Mere. I thought the facilities were very good. Well maintained, clean and inviting. I thought the food was very good, with interesting choices.
I was not impressed when I was checking out that the receptionist I was speaking to answered the phone and carried out a conversation with a client who was going to arrive at Forest Mere later. I expressed my disappointment that she had carried out a conversation on the phone and was told..."the client sitting in front of a receptionist can see that the receptionist is busy whereas the client on the phone cannot" When I pointed out that I had sat down and was talking to her before the phone rang she apologised but said that was the policy! Sad note to end a lovely stay on.
I really liked the Head in the Clouds massage, and the introduction to Rebounding. I have never been to a Health Farm before and so cannot compare it to anything!!
I had a room upgrade and received a Champneys Gift Set and had the pre-visit phone call (2 days prior to arrival) , your offer described a Welcome Pack to include a Fruit Basket, I got the fruit but was there supposed to be something else?
I felt that it was expensive but having said that I will certainly go again but not frequently!!
Yours Anne Ferett
