Champneys Springs Spa FAQ: Everything You Need to Know Before Your Visit

Champneys Springs Spa FAQ: Everything You Need to Know Before Your Visit

If you’re considering or planning a visit to Champneys Springs Spa in Leicestershire, this guide will answer many of the questions you might have about this spa. Read my Champneys Springs Spa FAQ below to find out everything you need to know before your visit.

I’ve split my Champneys Springs Spa FAQ into the below categories. You can click the category title to jump straight to that section if you’re looking for information on a particular topic.

• Packing and Planning for your Visit
• Changing Rooms
• Things to Do – Activities
• Hotel Rooms
• Food & Drink
• General Questions

Packing and Planning for your Visit

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What kind of bag should I take to Champneys Springs Spa?

What kind of bag or bags you need depends on whether you are staying over at the spa’s hotel or whether you are just visiting for the day. I stayed over for one night and packed a small carry-on suitcase and a large straw basket totebag for the things that I would need during the daytime. This smaller bag had my swimwear, gym clothes, water bottle, book, etc. When you check in, you also get a Champneys tote bag to use and keep.

Is there luggage storage at Champneys Springs Spa?

Yes, there is a room for luggage. When you arrive, you can ask the member of staff on the reception desk to store your suitcase until you can check into your room. You can also do this on the day that you’re checking out if you still have time left to spend in the spa. The room is a locked room close to the check-in desk.

Do you get free flip flops when visiting Champneys Springs Spa?

Yes, flip flops are included and you get to keep these. They are anti-slip tested which is great for the wet areas of the spa especially.

Do you get to borrow a robe when visiting Champneys Springs Spa?

Yes, when you arrive a resort towelling robe is provided to you to wear during the day. Most people just wear their Champneys towelling robe with swimwear underneath. You can dress like this for breakfast and lunch at Champneys Springs Spa Leicestershire but there is a smart/casual dress code for the evening meal.

What happens if I lose my Champneys Springs Spa robe?

A deposit is held for your robe but this is refunded when the robe is returned at the end of your stay. If you do not return the robe, the deposit is charged to your card.

What do you wear to a Champneys spa?

If you’re wondering what to wear to a spa day at Champneys Springs, you’ll be pleased to know that it’s all about comfort when staying at Champneys. Wear something that you’re comfortable lounging around in, like gym clothes or leisure wear. Once you’ve changed into your robe and swimwear, you can wear this throughout the day while using the spa facilities. You can also wear this for breakfast and lunch in the restaurant. As mentioned above, there is a smart/casual dress code for the evening meal though so do make sure you pack something suitable to wear for then.

Do I need a towel at Champneys Springs Spa?

No, you do not need to pack any towels for your visit at Champneys Springs Spa. The changing rooms provide plenty of towels for the guests and the towels are restocked throughout the day.

Changing Rooms

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Are there lockers at Champneys Springs Spa?

Yes, there are plenty of lockers in the changing rooms at Champneys Springs Spa. There are larger ones and smaller ones. You open and lock this with a wristband that you collect from a bowl at the Wellbeing & Fitness reception desk.

Are there private changing areas at Champneys Springs Spa?

Yes, there are some private changing areas if you do not wish to get changed in front of other people.

Is there shampoo and conditioner in the showers at Champneys Springs Spa?

Yes there is hair & body wash and conditioner in the showers. Lotion/moisturiser, tissues, and cotton pads are also available in the changing rooms for the guests to use.

Are there hair dryers in the changing rooms at Champneys Springs Spa?

Yes, there are plenty of hair dryers for the guests to use in the changing rooms.

What are the changing rooms like at Champneys Springs Spa?

The changing areas are quite good in my opinion. There are plenty of lockers and space for guests to get changed even when it’s busy. The floors could do with more frequent cleaning but since everyone is wearing flip flops this is not a huge issue.

The showers however are in desperate need of renovation and damp/mould treatment. When I visited this year, the ceiling over the showers was covered in black mould. It’s clear that there is a ventilation problem in there along with a lack of mould treatment in the meantime. In the current state, it is not relaxing having a shower at Champneys Springs Spa. Because of the mould problem, I didn’t want to touch the tiles in any way either. I was happy to have my flip flops on in the shower and did my best not to touch the walls with my body in the very compact shower cubicle. I’m hoping that renovation work has started since my visit but I can’t confirm this.

Things to Do – Activities

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Is there much to do at Champneys Springs Spa?

Champneys Springs Leicestershire Hotel & Spa sits at the end of a long beautiful driveway. The surroundings are serene and lush and beautiful in the spring and summer. There are plenty of indoor and some outdoor activities that you can book in for or you can simply relax around the pool or in other areas designed for relaxation around the resort. Or you can use the sauna for a bit of pampering or the gym to work on your fitness. There are lots of spa treatments (massage, facials, body treatments, beauty treatments, holistic therapies, and more) available to book and you can also book in to have private Health, Fitness & Nutrition sessions. You can also book in for boot camp retreats.

Are the fitness classes free at Champneys Springs Spa?

There is a great selection of fitness classes available at this spa, all led by experts. Only a few of them are free though. At the time of writing, the free classes are Aqua Fit, Gym Intro, virtual classes (I believe that this is spinning), and walks. The other classes cost £3 per 30 minute class and £5 for most others (specialist classes are charged at a higher fee – check when you book). There might be a pre-booking fee of £3 and cancellation or no shows are charged the full amount if the class was full.

Is the gym good at Champneys Springs Spa?

The gym at Champneys Springs Spa is excellent. It looks modern, clean and fresh and has lots of fitness equipment to choose from. I am not a regular gym goer but this was actually my favourite space of the whole spa and hotel. I especially loved that the treadmills had a view of the beautiful grounds and that there were plenty of machines so that you didn’t need to wait around.

What is the pool area like at Champneys Springs Spa?

Unlike the gym, the pool area was a disappointment. The large pool is 25 meters which is decent and it has a jacuzzi section too. The water wasn’t very warm though which I would have expected in the jacuzzi/hot tub at least. There are some loungers but these were always filled up and people were claiming them with towels even though this is not allowed. There were some other, not very comfortable, chairs available on the other side of the pool which you can see above. This room also has a mould and damp problem and tiles are falling off the walls in some areas. It is clear that this area too needs a refurb.

In a room next to the large pool room, there’s a thalasso pool which is nicer than the other pool. There were always more people in it than the sign advices though so a bit too busy to be relaxing. During my 2-day stay at Champneys Springs I barely spent any time in the pool areas as I found them to be disappointing and simply not very nice at all.

What saunas are there at Champneys Springs Spa?

There are two very small saunas in the ladies changing room (one steam, one regular), and one regular sauna in the pool room which is also very small. I assume that the changing room for men has some saunas too. It’s nice that there are saunas but they are all too small. Unless you are in there on your own, you are likely to feel that you are sitting too close to strangers.

Does Champneys Springs have an outdoor pool?

No, there was no outdoor pool there at the time of my visit.

Can you go for a walk at Champneys Springs Spa?

Yes, there are guided walks available as part of the activities schedule. Different days have different options but you can find these on the schedule: Power Walk, Country Walk, and Gratitude Walk. You can of course go for a walk on your own or with your travel company whenever you want too. You can also rent mountain bikes if you want to explore the area by bike.

Hotel Rooms

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When can you check into your room at Champneys Springs Spa?

Your spa arrival time can vary depending on which package you have booked but your confirmation email should contain all the information you need. According to the spa’s website, your room is not guaranteed to be ready until 3pm. You can use the spa facilities and the lockers until then. You can request early arrival (for an extra charge) when booking. Your room might be ready before 3pm too. When I checked in, I was told to ask at the reception desk after lunch and my room was ready to use then.

What are the rooms like at Champneys Springs Spa?

The rooms are decent. They are large and have comfortable beds and plenty of other furniture to use. My room had an armchair with a footstool, bedside tables, a desk and chair, a small tray table, a large wardrobe, and an area for tea and coffee making. There was also a safe and a fan. The décor is a bit dated but the room looked and felt clean overall which is more important.

The bathtub was not great though – it looked like it needed a deep clean. The non-slip material in the bottom had stains which made the tub/shower area uninviting. I didn’t use it – I showered in the changing room showers (despite their mouldy ceiling).

Do the hotel rooms at Champneys Springs Spa have a DVD player?

Yes, the room I stayed in had a DVD player built into the TV.

Does the room have a hair dryer at Champneys Springs Spa?

Yes, the room I stayed in had a hair dryer.

What toiletries do you get in your room at Champneys Springs Spa?

The rooms have a selection of toiletries in the bathrooms, mostly from the Champneys brand: body lotion, shower gel, shampoo, mini soap bar, cotton pads, and a shower cap.

Do you get tea and coffee in your room at Champneys Springs Spa?

Yes, the room has a box with two mugs and spoons, a selection of teas and coffees and sachets of UHT milk along with a kettle so that you can make tea and coffee in your room.

Are there fridges in the hotel rooms at Champneys Springs Spa?

No, the room I stayed in did not have a fridge.

Food & Drink

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Is the food good at Champneys Springs Spa?

Many of the spa and hotel packages include meals. For example, dinner, breakfast and lunch is included in all overnight spa packages and lunch is included in all day packages. Meal times are booked in with the reception staff or the staff at the restaurant which helps ensure that the restaurant areas don’t get too busy with everyone arriving at the same time. It’s a good system in my opinion. 

The menu is designed to be “delicious, fresh and nutritious” with wholesome meals that are high in fibre and low in saturated fats, salt and sugar. 

I had two lunches, one dinner and one breakfast at Champneys Spa Springs and thought the food was okay. The standard was similar to what I would expect from a pub that serves food – nothing special but good enough.

Does Champneys Springs Spa have good vegetarian and vegan food options?

The restaurant at the spa and hotel can cater for all dietary needs and there are plenty of vegetarian food options and vegan food options on the menu at all meal times. 

At my visit, 4 out of 5 mains were vegetarian on the Champneys lunch menu on the first day and 3 of these were vegan. The starters were all vegetarian and 3 of the 4 options were vegan. On the second day, 3 out of 5 mains were vegan or available as vegan and all 4 starters were vegan. Desserts are chosen from a buffet selection at lunch time so you need to ask a member of staff or look for signs to see if they are vegan. 

The evening menu features more meals with fish, chicken and meat but still has plenty of choice for both vegetarian and vegan diets. Some meals on the dinner menu have a supplement charge added to them. There are several vegan desserts on the dinner menu too. 

Breakfast is a continental and British buffet but you can also order other breakfast meals off a menu for an extra charge. There are plenty of options for vegans and vegetarians from the menu and the breakfast buffet. I would say the menus are very vegan-friendly.

Can you refill your own water bottle at Champneys Springs Spa?

Yes, there is a water filling station near the entrance to the gym and fitness classes where you can refill your own water bottle. There are also a couple of water stations with fruit-infused water and small paper cups to use for this.

Do Champneys spa serve alcohol?

Yes, there is a bar and you can also purchase alcohol when eating lunch or dinner at the restaurants. Only alcohol purchased at the spa and hotel can be consumed on site.

Can you buy wine at Champneys Springs Spa?

Yes, at the wine bar or with your meals. The prices of wine are quite expensive though.

Can I take my own alcohol to Champneys Springs Spa? 

You can only drink alcohol bought from Champneys Springs Spa on site but you can of course drink whatever you want in your own hotel room.

Can I take snacks to Champneys Springs Spa?

As with the alcohol, you can only eat things purchased from Champneys Springs Spa on site, but can have your own snacks available to eat in your hotel room. I did a lot of exercising during my two days at the spa as the gym area was the best bit for me. This meant that I got quite hungry from all the extra physical activity so I’m glad I packed a few snacks for my room. Without them, I wouldn’t have been full enough from the meals that were included.

Are there snacks available at Champneys Springs Spa?

There is a fruit bowl at one of the water stations with free fruits for guests to snack on. On the first day of my visit this bowl was empty every time I walked past it but on the second day it did have some apples and pears in it. I think this should be well-stocked at all times.

Are any beverages included when visiting Champneys Springs Spa?

Only water is included with lunch and dinner. As mentioned, there is also water available to refill your water bottle or to drink with paper cups in the spa. Coffee, tea, smoothies and juices are included with breakfast.

Do you get free tea and coffee at Champneys Springs Spa?

Coffee and tea is only included with breakfast. I would have loved to have coffee included with the desserts at lunch and dinner but that was not the case. You can buy hot drinks from the bar near the restaurant area when open. You do get tea and coffee that you can make yourself in your hotel room.

General Questions

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Does Champneys Springs Spa get busy?

Yes, it was very busy when I visited. The facilities are also open to club members as well as the spa guests which increases footfall. The poolside area was very busy with no free loungers at any time on the two days I was there. I was hoping to read my book laid by the pool but didn’t get a chance to do this as they were always occupied or claimed by guests with a towel. The gym was not too busy though and the restaurants’ business was managed well with the meal time slots.

Is Champneys Springs Spa good?

I can’t comment on any of the spa’s treatments as I didn’t book in for any. The spa overall is okay. Some parts of the facilities are in desperate need of a refresh/refurb (mouldy showers, mouldy ceiling, tiles falling off the wall in the pool area, dirty walls in dining area, peeling paint from damp in the lounging area near the Wellbeing & Fitness reception desk). The gym looks great though and the wine bar area with seating looks lovely too. I do think that some more refurbs are on the way looking at replies/comments from the spa on review sites.

In its current state, I would not chose to revisit but would be happy to consider it in the future if refurbishments have been made to the above mentioned problem areas.

What is included in a Champneys stay?

Spa access, meals (check which when you book), a few fitness classes, your hotel room. You get flip-flops and a tote to keep and a robe to borrow.

What costs extra at Champneys Springs Spa?

All drinks except for water during the day and at lunch and dinner. Most fitness classes cost extra. Spa treatments cost extra unless they were included in your package. Champneys Springs Spa also add a £5 “optional” gratuity when settling your bill. You have to ask for this to be taken off if you don’t want to pay it.

Why are there such mixed reviews of Champneys Springs Spa?

If you read reviews of Champneys Springs Spa, there are quite mixed reviews. Many are commenting on the fact that the spa is looking tired but there are also many 5-star reviews. When I visited, a member of staff was asking visitors to leave 5-star reviews on Tripadvisor mentioning a staff member’s name. They said that for each 5-star review with a name, the named member of staff would get a £50 bonus. The guests don’t get anything for doing this but I guess some people feel kind doing this to a staff member that they have found helpful – even though it means giving a rating that might be higher than what they actually think the spa and hotel deserves.

If you have any questions about Champneys Springs Spa or any comments of your own about visiting this spa, please leave a comment on this post.