My Red Letter Day package included a 25 minute facial, 25 minute massage and a pedicure. I knew that I would wish to book a couple of additional treatments but in typical fashion I did not get around to sending back my booking form and didn’t even look at the treatments list until the day before. Only then did I decide to phone and see what they could do. If you are in a similar situation, use the resort’s direct line, I initially used the 0845 number on the website and after making endless selections to automated messages was told by automated message to fill my form in and send it back. I thought the treatment menu was very comprehensive, a good choice of facials and massages and also more what I call holistic therapys such as acupuncture, reflexology, shiatsu and Indian head massage. There was even hypnotherapy and clairvoyant consultations, the latter something I have never seen offered in such an establishment before.

Arrival did not go smoothly. First of all I underestimated how far Tring actually is from my home, assuming that the same county would be an easy journey. I was very worried that I would miss my 10am appointment so whilst stuck in stationary traffic I made a quick call and they once again juggled my schedule so I had an 11am start. I then found the spa very difficult to locate and ended up being taken (by my satellite navigation system) down a single track that stopped dead at the edge of a field. Across the field I could see Champneys. After a 15 point turn, I headed back to the nearest main road and I somehow managed to find an entrance although it was not the rather grand looking main one. I entered the building through a side door and then had a long walk to the front desk, asking for direction at least five times along the way. I have since seen on the website that if using satellite navigation should use a given street address and not the postcode. Excellent advice.

I had about 45 minutes before my first treatment and decided to start with a quick swim. I was miffed to find there were only four loungers around the pool, all of them taken, although there were some upright hard back chairs for putting stuff on. The pool was excellent, 25 metres long and very wide. Unfortunately after a few lengths I got chucked out as an Aqua class was due to start, I would have liked to have done the class but it would have run over my appointment time so I could not. Later in the afternoon I returned to the pool and had it all to myself until three young teenage girls turned up. I was quite surprised to see such young girls to be honest, I usually think of these places as adult only sanctuaries. Between the swimming pool and changing room areas, there are sauna and steam rooms, although I did not use these.

The majority of treatments last 25 or 55 minutes and start on the hour or at half past. The result being a five minute changeover for both therapist and client and a schedule running like clockwork with no overruns and generally nobody is left waiting around. Guests are asked to go to the treatments reception lounge and are even told in advance where they should sit to await the therapist and help them find you. Certainly with 15 therapists all turning up at the same time, it did make finding the right person a little bit easier.

The only treatment I found a little disappointing was the pedicure, this literally comprised a foot soak and application of nail varnish. No foot or calf massage or even hard skin exfoliation, which I thought was unusual. My experience was not helped by the presence of the three young girls I had met at the pool earlier. One of them was having a treatment so all three were hanging around, being very loud, zooming around the room on chairs with wheels, banging into people and none of the staff asked them to behave. I don’t necessarily require peace and quiet during a pedicure but this was a bit much.

Refreshments

I do not know what my Red Letter Day package cost and decided it would be impolite to ask my husband. For the purposes of dooyoo I have investigated costs but to be honest there is a bewildering range of packages, prices and special deals available. Tring is the most expensive resort in the Champneys’ chain. By way of example, I saw the following deals, all of which were cheaper at other Champneys resorts: £145 for Spa day including two 25 minute treatments and lunch, £95 without the treatments; £159 for two days one night, meals, activities but no treatments; £419 for two days three nights including all meals and five treatments. Individual treatments at Champney’s were around £40 for the 25 minutes and about £70 - £90 for the longer treatments.

Conclusion