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Champneys Town & City Spa, Chichester - 4 bubbles
These eight treatment rooms in the heart of Chichester offer a range of basic beauty and spa treatments. Perfect for a mid morning massage, or pre-party pedicure, Champneys Chichester delivers professional treatments in a friendly environment.
Was it easy to book?
First impressions?
How did they welcome you?
What happens next?
Which treatments did you have?
What were the treatments like?
How did you feel afterwards?
What happens afterwards?
Was it worth it?
What else could you have?
What do you wish you'd known before you went?
Who do you think would like it?
Why did you give the spa this rating?
Would you go again?
Was it easy to book?
Surprisingly so. We were invited to re-visit these city-centre treatment rooms in the week before Christmas. We were impressed by the helpful attitude of the staff, who bent over backwards to accommodate us at that crazy time of pre-Christmas grooming.
First impressions?
Champneys Town and City Spa is on East Street, one of the historic main shopping streets in Chichester. The front of the building is dedicated to a Champneys shop, selling everything from Dr Sebagh to Elemis, via of course, Champney's own brand products. When we visited, the ladies of Chichester were buying Christmas presents – most of them seemingly for their men folk.
How did they welcome you?
The immaculately groomed receptionist welcomed me with a genuine smile and offered me a herbal tea or glass of water, She asked me to take a seat in the waiting area at the rear of the shop where a pile of magazines awaited my arrival.
What happens next?
Before I'd even worked out whose diet secrets were revealed within the issue of the magazine I was holding, my therapist, Casey, came to whisk me upstairs for my treatment.
Which treatments did you have?
I had the Champneys Back, Neck and shoulder massage (£32, 25 minutes) and the Champneys Relaxing facial (£40, 45 minutes).
What were the treatments like?
The Champneys Back, Neck and Shoulder Massage Casey led me up to one of the "quieter" rooms in the newer part of the building, acquired when Champneys recently expanded into the property next door. The rooms were newly decorated, but sloping floors and beams were testament to the fact that Champneys were not the first occupants of this characterful building. It felt like a cross between a modern spa and an olde B&B. I quite liked this juxtaposition, but wondered whether the retention of the woodchip wallpaper and artex ceiling might be taking nostalgia a little far.
Casey took a couple of minutes to conscientiously talk me through my treatments, and established what sort of massage pressure I preferred: a medium-firm massage to soothe, but also to address any areas of tension.
Casey asked me to undress to the waist and said that it was up to me whether I kept my jeans on or took them off. I opted for the latter in the name of comfort, and hung my clothes up on a hook on the wall.
Casey left me to get undressed and lie face down on the couch, under the cotton sheet and a blanket, and re-appeared a couple of minutes later.
Casey delivered just the pressure I had asked for, working up my neck and across my shoulders with slow, soothing motions. She occasionally pounced on a rogue knot, or changed massage technique to a light tapping, as if quickly playing a piano. Casey also had a good delve under my shoulder blades to check there was no tension hiding there, but mostly concentrated on long, soothing strokes.
Just as I was on the verge of sleep, my massage came to an end, with Casey re-covering my top half in the sheet and blanket and gently pressing down my spine and shoulders to signal that my 25 minutes were up. I was sorry that the treatment had come to an end, but welcomed having my back and shoulders covered again as the room was a little too nippy for my liking, and Casey evidently had a proverbially warm heart.
The Champneys Relaxing Facial
Casey held up the sheet and asked me to turn over onto my back to move seamlessly into the facial. First, she removed my make-up, which took a fair while as I'd opted to slap on hardcore weather-resist mascara. Casey took this in her stride, gently wiping cleanser over my eyes and sweeping it over my face. Next, she applied a fresh-feeling and mildly tingly toner, followed by a coarse-ish "microderm" exfoliator which she extended down my neck and across my chest. This felt quite relaxing, as well as thorough in de-sloughing terms.
Casey applied a cold SOS Mud Mask (so she'd spotted my "break-outs") using deliberate, soothing strokes, working from my neck upwards. I wondered whether this would be the point where she said she was going to "pop out of the room for a couple of minutes"... but I was pleased to be offered a hand and arm massage instead. Casey must have spent a good five minutes on each arm, during which time the mask dried. Casey pressed a moist, warm flannel over my face to soften the mask, before removing it with gentle sweeps. A pitter-patter of eye cream below my eyes, a dab of lip cream on my lips, the application of a collagen-plus day cream, and the Relaxing Facial was over, having admirably lived up to its name.
How did you feel afterwards?
Relaxed, glowing, and ready to face the onslaught of festive shoppers outside.
What happens afterwards?
Casey left a glass of water on the side, instructed me to take my time getting ready, and said that she would be back in "2 minutes". Not that much time then. I wouldn't have minded a five-minute lie-down to come round from my treatments before facing the world, but there's no relaxation room at Champneys Chichester, and the treatment room space is obviously at a premium.
Casey led me downstairs and pointed out a couple of the products that she'd recommended to me following my treatment. Although she had clearly been briefed to sell products, she wasn't at all pushy, so I didn't mind.
Was it worth it?
The Back Neck and Shoulder massage quickly delivered a bit of much appreciated R&R and took me from a frenzied festive state to feeling floaty and chilled in less than half an hour. The facial was a good combination of effective and relaxing, so I felt it was pretty good value, too.
What else could you have?
A range of Champneys, CACI and Elemis facials. Body treatments include a delicious-sounding chocolate wrap, aromatherapy body massage and pregnancy massage. There's also St Tropez spray tanning, a small selection of treatments for men, and all the usual beauty treatments you would expect: waxing, eyebrow shaping and manicures, including the Minx nail design service.
Champneys Chichester has also introduced a loyalty card for regular customers since our last visit, and a detox club for discounted treatments.
What do you wish you'd known before you went?
I wish I'd worn my thermals so I hadn't been cold going in to my treatment. The room was on the cool side, which wasn't helped by the fact that I was already freezing when I arrived on that snowy December day. To be fair, Casey did ask whether I was "comfortable", but, being a literal type, I said that I was, and waited for her to ask whether I was warm enough - but she didn't. My decision to rely on Casey noticing my goose bumps, rather than to voice my mild discomfort in the dimly lit room, was my mistake.
Who do you think would like it?
First-time spa-goers will love it at Champneys Chichester, as will anyone looking for a quick pick-me-up, preen or groom. The treatment menu is short and simple, so perfect for a lunchtime lavish or retail repose. The atmosphere is friendly and relaxed. The therapists offer clear and thorough explanations about the treatments and are happy to make helpful recommendations for the less seasoned spa-goer.
Why did you give the spa this rating?
We gave Champneys 4 bubbles. We really liked the feel of the place – the building is full of eighteenth-century character, the staff were friendly and jolly, and the treatments were very good. The decor was a little shabby in places, such as the wash room, and the sound-proofing wasn't that great. Maybe the planners didn't allow double-glazing on what's probably a listed building, but hearing a lorry reversing halfway through your massage treatment rather shatters the calm. Maybe a ban on double-glazing affected the room's heat retention, too.
Overall, though, my visit to Champneys Chichester was enjoyable and positive, so a well-deserved 4 bubbles.
See more on how we rate the spas
Would you go again?
I would happily go back – maybe to check out the celebs' favourite Minx Nail Design Service for my next red-carpet appointment.
We visited Champneys in December 2009
See also:
* Contact Details for Champneys Town and City, Chichester
* Our Spa Spies review Champneys products
* Why should I spend my money going to a spa?
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