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Single Spy was invited to the island of Jersey to sample the delights of this small but top-notch hotel and bijou spa. The taxi driver on the way from the airport said, "Oh, the Club Hotel? They'll look after you well there." And they did.
First impressions?
How did they welcome you?
What happens next?
Which treatments did you have?
What were the treatments like?
Was it worth it?
What else could you have?
What do you wish you'd known before you went?
Any special features?
Who do you think would like it?
Why did you give the spa this rating?
Would you go again?
First impressions?
This town house hotel is in the centre of St Helier, so very handy for the shops just round the corner. The entrance is none too imposing from the outside, with steps up from the small car park, but the atmosphere gets better as soon as you walk in the door. The décor throughout is gold and brown tones, with some vibrant multi-coloured rugs that lend a colourful air to the place.
How did they welcome you?
The Club Hotel staff were unfailingly helpful and friendly throughout my stay.
What happens next?
I checked in and was shown up to my room. Lovely big bed, desk, all spotless and beautifully appointed, and not much they can do about the view of the car park. In the granite bathroom were Aromatherapy Associates products (some of my faves). I confirmed the time of my treatment the next morning and went for a swim.
The spa is off to the right of the hotel reception, up some steps and into a small but light area, lined with product shelves. Reception is at a small desk to the left - sign in and the changing rooms are down some more stairs in the basement, next to the pool.
The changing rooms are compact. There are eight lockers - though you wouldn't want eight people in there at once - and just one shower. There were plenty of towels available, and shampoo and conditioner in the shower, but sadly no moisturiser (though I am informed some will soon be appearing). The room was clean, and I was soon changed
and into my robe.
The salt water pool is small but large enough to have a splash about and call it a workout. All is subdued lighting down here, which does give an atmosphere of calm.
To one side is the relaxation lounge, where there are four loungers, and water and tea on offer (and frequently topped up during the day). On the other side, you find a sauna. Two people could fit in it so if you go with a friend, the two of you will get nicely hot close together.
There's a not much larger steam room but it has real steam (they don't, always) and something called a salt cabin which mystified me as I couldn't see any salt. You can sit in it, look at the twinkly stars and imagine the salt, though.
In all, I had a relaxing time swimming and steaming before the day drew to an end. Then I went back into the changing rooms to shower and change. The shower I didn't like. The fact that you have to step over a ledge into it, and the brown nylon curtain surrounding it, just didn't have the feel of "luxury" that the rest of the hotel and spa succeeds so well in capturing. But I did like the fresh, clean and many towels on offer.
When I went back to my room, I discovered that the turndown service leaves you Voss, (Norwegian spa water) and some fresh-baked shortbread. How delicious is that? I felt like my mum had come in and done a bit of tidying for me. I was beginning to see what the taxi driver meant about looking after me well.
I can't leave any review of The Club Hotel without mentioning the food. I was on my own so wanted room service rather than to sit alone in their Michelin-starred and undoubtedly delicious Bohemia restaurant. However, I struggled to make my state-of-the-art Bang & Olufsen telephone work and couldn't even manage to call down to Reception to let them know I was failing on the telecommunications front. But when I walked down, they offered to attend to it immediately as well as taking my room service order. Home-made pea soup with garlic bread and a Caesar salad - turned out divine.
And so to bed... Take it from me: the Frette bedlinen means you have to go to bed with nothing on just to get a full appreciation of the thread count.
The next morning, I had breakfast in the Club Café - plenty of fresh fruit and juice on offer as well as a cooked breakfast if you want one. Then I went off for my treatment to the spa, where they were expecting me. They directed me downstairs to the relaxation lounge to complete my health consultation form. I had to fight with someone else for the lounger with the greatest available reading light; the other three just didn't afford enough light to read by, such is the dimness -- or the calm -- depending on your mood.
Which treatments did you have?
I had an Ayurvedic massage, though when I was there the spa was extending its treatment offering so you are likely to find more treatments to choose from soon.
What were the treatments like?
The massage was pleasant, though didn't really meet the standards required to be properly Ayurvedic. I have had Ayurvedic treatments in India, where they know exactly how to do it, and Ayurveda is a medical treatment first and foremost. I expect to have a consultation with a doctor and have my dosha diagnosed. Filling in a questionnaire and then have a therapist announce that I've ticked mainly "pitta" boxes and so she would be massaging me with "pitta" oils just didn't feel the same.
The massage itself was very relaxing, and it was carried out very professionally.
Was it worth it?
The Club Hotel is not cheap but it's good value if "luxury", "upmarket" and "sophisticated" tick your boxes. I noticed a brisk trade in spa vouchers while I was there, and rightly so, as some time at this spa would feel like a real treat and so make a good present.
What else could you have?
The Spa at the Club Hotel specialises in marine-based treatments, and you can have Rasul mud treatments, too. There are four treatment rooms, including a twin one where you can have treatments together with a partner or friend. Try the Anti-Ageing Oxygen Facial, a Club Spa Eye Bright, a hot stone massage, or complementary therapies such as Reiki and Reflexology.
Outer as well as inner beauty is not forgotten with manicures and waxing on offer as well. Men have a range of treatments all of their own.
There's a range of day and half-day packages (all of which have the most inviting names - Cleansing Spa Day, Peaceful Spa Day, Sublime Spa Day... how can you resist?)
There's no gym or exercise studio, but you can walk to the beach in minutes -- and the fresh air will do you good.
What do you wish you'd known before you went?
To stay for at least two nights instead of just one. I was having a great time and didn't want to leave!
What you do need to know if you're staying there is that the spa is very much a separate area of the hotel and is a spa rather than a hotel swimming pool. Hotel guests can use the pool between 8am and 10am each morning, but if you want to swim outside of those hours, you need to pay a spa day rate (currently 30 pounds). If you book a spa treatment, though, this charge is redeemed against the cost of that. This keeps the small pool crowd-free and allows for an atmosphere of calm and relaxation, but you need to manage your expectations as a hotel guest.
Any special features?
The hotel has an honesty bar and a library, so you can relax into the late hours outside of the spa. The free wireless internet access throughout the hotel is a real plus if you're there on business as well as to spa.
There's an also an outdoor pool, which I didn't have a chance to try but would be a real plus in the summer sun.
Who do you think would like it?
Everyone I know. If large chain hotels don't appeal and you like a personal service, you know where to ask the taxi driver to take you in Jersey.
Why did you give the spa this rating?
We gave the spa at the Club Hotel 4 bubbles because although it is small, the spa is a perfect pick-me-up and reviver. What kept it from the fifth bubble with so much luxury on offer? Well, access to the spa isn't easy (up and down all those stairs) if you have mobility problems, and the one plastic shower felt a little skimped. The hotel and spa staff pick up every bubble to be had when it comes to customer service, but the treatment I had was pleasant, and not spectacular. (The spa is introducing new treatment ranges, so do let us know how these are working out when you visit.)
See more on how we rate the spas
Would you go again?
Now that I know about the Club Hotel, Jersey makes my list of short breaks. If I lived locally, I'd be in for the beauty treatments on the menu.
We visited The Club in June 2007
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