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Champneys Town and City Spa, Brighton - 4 bubbles
This Champneys Town and City Spa is a great place to drop in if you are out shopping and feel the need for some pampering, or if a small group of friends wants to get their nails done together. These treatment rooms are in a fabulous location and have a chilled-out atmosphere, but there's no drifting around in a robe here, which makes the place feel more beauty salon than "spa".
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?
Any special features?
Who do you think would like it?
Why did you give the spa this rating?
Would you go again?
First impressions?
I arrived at the Champneys Town and City Spa in Brighton 15 minutes before my treatment, and a notice on the front door requested that I use the side entrance. I walked alongside the building to this door, and could see through the windows a vast array of beauty goodies for sale. To the other side of the door was a massive window where ladies were reclining on large chairs, having their fingers and toes beautified.
As I entered, I noticed that there were young staff, dressed in white, milling about attending to people's needs, looking very perfect and groomed. The large shop area sells a wealth of Champneys products, as well as the Bare Minerals make-up range. There is also a small reception / waiting area, and a sizeable manicure/pedicure area with a really high ceiling, giving a sense of space. This area is pleasing because you can watch the outside world as you are having your treatment -- if you don't mind being stared at occasionally by passers-by. I like the idea of smugly being preened inside while watching people going about their business outside.
How did they welcome you?
Some young, smiley, fresh-faced receptionists, who were very amiable, greeted me. After checking my name and treatment times, they offered me some water or fruit tea, from a good selection of flavours.
They seated me at a heavy wooden table on a heavy wooden chair. It was a very comfy but tired velvety-covered chair, situated by the till area, where I drank my tea whilst filling out my consultation form. The décor is very much French reproduction / shabby chic / kitsch retro. The wallpaper is a gorgeous Georgian-style in blacks and golds: a definite hit with me.
As it was a "usual" busy Friday, with the phone ringing and people coming in and out of this city spa, this waiting area was not the most relaxing of places. I wanted a separate room to wait in, where I could loll about and read a magazine. That said, the therapists were discreet and kept their phone chat to a barely audible level.
There were no lockers to put my bag and coat, although a receptionist took my coat to hang up on the hat stand. And then put my bag behind the reception counter.
What happens next?
Ellie gave me a guided tour of the spa. Champneys in Brighton is pretty big and spreads over four floors. There are seven treatment rooms and seven therapists altogether. Everywhere was tidy, clean and perfectly placed: a good start!
There is a specific room for disabled people to have treatments, but this was in use so I could not check it out. Ellie informed me that they have ramps and all the necessary equipment to accommodate people with restricted movement.
Tour over, I was back at my seat for a short while until Abbey introduced herself as my therapist. She explained that she was just finishing sorting out the room but that she would be back to get me soon. Good customer service.
Which treatments did you have?
I had the Ultimate Hip and Thigh Detoxifier (£45 for 55 minutes) and the CACI eye treatment (£30 for 25 minutes).
What were the treatments like?
The Ultimate Hip and Thigh Detoxifier: The treatment room had its lights dimmed, but I could see a large machine to one side of the bed, and a sink to my left, along with bottles of Champneys hand cleanser and moisturiser. There was an iPod dock to one side and light, chilled-out tunes were playing.
I sat on the bed while Abbey explained clearly what she was going to do and what would happen. She informed me that the bed was heated and to let her know if the temperature was okay. It was lovely and toasty. Abbey left the room so that I could change in to the paper knickers provided, get under the fluffy towel, and lie on my back.
First, Abbey uncovered one leg and applied some exfoliator in a vigorous manner. This felt like it was certainly exfoliating my skin, and there was one point where Abbey rubbed on the same place for a bit too long, so I had a patch which was going numb. With a little shuffle from me, Abbey moved on to the next leg. Fortunately, the numbing effect was not repeated. Abbey then asked me to flip myself over onto my front and repeated the exfoliation on the backs of my legs and hips. Abbey washed off the exfoliant with warm soft flannels; my legs already felt zingy and fresh.
Next, Abbey brought out a hand-held machine, exclusive to Champneys, which, she advised, "juddered", but it would help relax my muscles. The machine made quite a noise! Abbey applied the pulsing machine from my knees up to the tops of my thighs. As we hold a lot of tension in our legs, there were a few points of giggly sensitivity, which she reassured me was natural. After getting over the patches of sensitivity, my thighs felt very malleable and relaxed indeed.
Back on to my front, and Abbey applied the machine to the top half of my legs and bottom, through the towel. Abbey asked me if the pressure was OK, and made sure that I was comfortable. The sensation felt great, and like it was doing some good. I lay there imagining my cellulite being dispersed. Could it disappear completely?
It was then time for a seaweed mask on my thighs and bum. Abbey warned that the mask was very cold (this is its natural state), and that it would feel quite shocking to start with.
Abbey put gauze over my bottom and thighs (I've never had so much concentrated attention on this area), then steadily applied the cool seaweed mask over my cheeks and upper legs. The cold made me shudder at first, but I quickly got used to it. This mask stayed on for 10-15 minutes. While the seaweed was doing its work of detoxifying, Abbey massaged my calf muscles and lower legs, which was dreamy. At that point, I knew that I would have this treatment again. Abbey also told me that the way she was massaging, throughout the treatment, was a technique for lymphatic drainage.
Abbey removed the mask with lovely warm cloths, then applied some moisturiser to each leg.
The CACI eye treatment: With me lying on my back, Abbey used Bare Minerals make-up remover on my face. This was done very softly and, afterwards, I was impressed that it had all been removed. I'm going to buy myself some of this!
Abbey then told me to relax and close my eyes, assured me that I wouldn't feel any pain, and explained that the technique is a method for training muscles back into shape for burns and stroke victims. Knowing this made me feel a tad queasy, but then surely it must do some good?
As I had my eyes closed, I did not see the equipment that was being pulled across my face. It felt like there were two "pens" starting in the same place; one would move to an area sweeping from the corner of my eye out towards my eyebrow, stop, then the other "pen" would follow. This happened repeatedly around my eye socket as well as moving from my eyelid up over my forehead. The pressure was quite deep, so this may not be the best treatment to have if you have any sore or irritated skin on your face.
I also saw flashing lights. Abbey had warned me about this, and assured me it was normal.
I was surprised how very relaxed I felt, and started to drift, despite my skin being scraped.
How did you feel afterwards?
My legs felt truly revived and refreshed. I've never felt that about my legs before!
As for my eye treatment - a course of six is recommended for best results but I could instantly feel the difference from one session. My whole eye area felt firmer both in itself and to the touch.
Two very satisfying treatments.
What happens afterwards?
When the treatments were over, Abbey left the lights dimmed, told me to get changed in my own time, and to meet her out by the reception area. I binned my paper knickers, changed and made my way back to the waiting area, where I collected my belongings (which they had moved to the staff room) and left.
Was it worth it?
I really enjoyed my morning at Champneys, and felt that the treatments were reasonably priced. I would book a set of six CACI eyes treatments next time, now that I know what to expect, as you save money that way. My eye area felt really firm for a long time afterwards.
What else could you have?
A good range of Champneys facials, massages, manis and pedis, and there is a brand new St Tropez tanning station.
What do you wish you'd known before you went?
That there is no relaxation room. Or any wet facilities.
Ellie informed me on my guided tour that these treatment rooms are busiest Friday to Sunday. It is fine to drop in, but you may have a wait on your hands at the weekends. I went to the spa on a Friday and they were fully booked all day.
Any special features?
The disabled access is excellent. I also like where these treatment rooms are situated in Brighton, in the cool south Lanes area. It would be fun to have some treatments then go for a meal or for a few glasses of vino in one of the many bars and restaurants nearby.
Who do you think would like it?
Anyone from teens upwards would love these treatment rooms. Champneys in Brighton is a great place to get your girly fix, whether it's for best buddies or mums and daughters visiting together, or even a quick trip on your own. There are only two treatments on the menu for men, which is probably a reflection of who they expect through the door.
Why did you give the spa this rating?
We gave the Champneys treatment rooms in Brighton 4 bubbles. Everywhere is spotless, the therapists are skilled and have great customer-service skills, and there is a chilled vibe about the place. My treatments were lovely and my therapist was friendly and attentive. Everyone was friendly, squeaky clean, and professional.
Sadly, there are no wet facilities, or robes to drift about in, so it is more beauty salon than "spa". The waiting area could have a little more relaxation focus, because sometimes you just want to sit and allow the effects of the treatment sink in, and to delay the re-entry in to the real world for that teensy bit longer.
It would also be nice if there were some lockers or a specific area for you to store your bag, so you don't have to carry it around with you or have it by your feet whilst you are being pampered.
See more on how we rate the spas.
Would you go again?
Definitely -- happily on my own or with my girly friends.
We visited Champneys Town and City Spa, Brighton, in February 2009
See also:
* Contact Details for Champneys Town and City Brighton
* Our Spa Spies review Champneys products
* Scrubs and body polish
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