Center Parcs > Reviews > Spa Experience, Aqua Sana, Center Parcs, Longleat

Author's product rating:   

Transport links

Good

Advantages:	Well designed, great facilities
Disadvantages:	Noisy people, smelly toilets

Recommend to potential buyers:

yes

Full review

During my stay at Center Parcs, Longleat, I decided to try out the Spa Experience at Aqua Sana. As with most Spa Experiences, this did not come cheap but I did not mind paying the £35 fee in order to have a thoroughly relaxing experience...Something to do...on my own...away from the hustle and bustle of normal life...
I was both delighted and disappointed with my Spa Experience. The Spa itself is fabulous. The variety of saunas and steam rooms and relaxation experiences is extensive and very well designed. I shall explain more about what I liked later on but, firstly, I shall explain the three things that disappointed me about my Spa Experience. They are as follows:
1. This is my biggest moan of all. If it is relaxation you are going for, this Spa is not the place. It would be if you had the place to yourself but, unfortunately, the experience is ruined by the lack of consideration on the part of other Spa customers.
It seems that many people go to the Spa, more to have a laugh with their mates than to relax and unwind. I, myself, found it impossible to relax fully amidst the squeals of laughter and constant chatter of other people in each of the Spa rooms. Only in the meditation room did people seem to obey the rules of the Spa. Alas, even that was ruined due the door constantly being opened and people saying in their loudest voices things like "Nah Shirl, all the beds in 'ere are full!"
I don't know, perhaps I am just being a complete spoilsport but I do believe the staff should be stricter about enforcing the rules of the Spa. It is clearly stated, on entry, that people should be quiet in respect of others, as the Spa is intended to be a place of relaxation. Perhaps they should have sessions for groups who want to have a laugh and sessions for more serious Spa visitors, who wish to relax in peace. Then everyone would be happy!
2. On entry, everyone is given an identical towel and robe to use in the Spa and robes must be worn in all communal areas. When you go into one of the rooms, you leave your robe hanging on one of the numbered pegs outside. Of course, you must then remember which number you used. Unfortunately, on coming out of one of the sauna rooms, I discovered that my robe and towel had been taken by someone else. It took about 10 minutes of wandering around the communal areas in just my bathing suit before I found a member of staff to get me new ones. I really think they need a better system than this!
3. My last moan would be that the communal toilets available in the Spa stank! Also, they ran out of toilet paper. I expected much nicer toilets in this pleasant environment.
On the plus side, the water beds are divine, as are the glorious furry beanbags you can lie down to relax on. Staff brought round ice-cold fruit on cocktail sticks and there was a much-needed water fountain available. The Multi-Sensory showers were good fun and the ice fountain was wonderfully refreshing. I particularly enjoyed the Reflexology footbaths, the Tyrolean Sauna and the Turkish Hammam (really invigorating).
I would not recommend this experience to those who wish to relax and unwind, unless they are either not bothered by, or particularly good at shutting out, unwanted noise. Of course, it could just be that I was unlucky enough to go on a particularly noisy day. Perhaps it is not usually like this. The Spa seems to be particularly popular with groups of women but men should not think that this is a women-only pursuit. There were many men of all ages at the Spa when I visited. Despite my moaning, I did enjoy going to the Spa, but I would not wish to go again unless I could be guaranteed a more tranquil experience.