Review of Chapel Spa, Cheltenham

Chapel Spa, Cheltenham - 4 bubbles

Chapel Spa offers good value treatments, delivered by well trained staff in the unusual surroundings of an old Calvinist chapel. The spa has a large hydrotherapy pool, and attractive main lounge, but the changing rooms are rather cramped. Staff are welcoming and helpful, and you can choose from a wide range of treatments and brands.

First impressions?

What's on offer?

Which treatments did you have?

What were the treatments like?

What else could you have?

Food facts

Was it worth it?

We loved

We didn't love

Who do you think would like it?

Why did you give the spa this rating?

Would you go again?

First impressions?

A very grand building, with columns lining the steps up to the front door. Inside, what was the main chapel area is now the lounge area of the spa. The crypt downstairs has been transformed into a wet area, complete with stone Buddhas.

What's on offer?

The Chapel Day Spa has a large hydrotherapy pool and steam room, but no sauna or swimming pool. There is a small gym, a yoga area, and a rasul steam chamber. The treatment rooms are built in under the "band balcony" around the edge of the main lounge area. You can book day-spa packages, half-day sessions, candlelit spa evening sessions, individual treatments and yoga classes.

Which treatments did you have?

I had the signature treatment, the Seven Pure Senses (120 minutes, £92). The "seven" refers to the various products and processes in the treatment -- not some mystical senses above and beyond the five that we all know and love.

What were the treatments like?

Pretty amazing. The Seven Pure Senses is two hours of body treatments and massage so you have plenty of time to relax into the treatment and go with the flow. My therapist, Abby, began the treatment with gentle pressure on reflexology points to "open up the energy zones of the body". Body brushing followed and then a full-body exfoliation.

At this point, Abby invited me to step into the shower. The water was hot and had plenty of pressure, so washing off the exfoliation grains was easy. I hate it when spa showers are weak and wobbly and you can't get clean. Meanwhile, Abby did a quick "spring clean" of the room, so I stepped out of the shower to dry towels and a newly made-up treatment bed.

There followed a great massage. I did warn Abby about my well knotted shoulders and she spent a fair portion of the time working them out. Hit of the treatment for me was the application of heat packs to my shoulders and back while Abby carried out the facial. The heat helped me cope with the post-massage tenderness. Abby applied moisturisers, and my very dry skin drank them in.

The treatment finished with "reiki pressures" which are supposed to ground you and leave you feeling relaxed. I'm pretty cynical about such things but, at the end of two hours of very expertly delivered pampering, I certainly did feel very relaxed and very grounded.

What else could you have?

All the standard treatments are on offer, including massages and facials, body brushing and wraps, as well as manicures and pedicures. The spa brands include Carita, Elemis, Eminence, Mama Mio, and Jessica nail treatments.

There are yoga classes (ashtanga yoga and power yoga) and a Rasul steam chamber.

You can try some imaginative packages, including "boot camp for butts", which offers lymphatic drainage, deep massage, and a treatment to minimise cellulite and reduce water retention. Who wouldn't pay a reasonable amount of money for a "soft and sexy rear view'?

Food facts

We had afternoon tea sitting up on the balcony. Flavourful sandwiches were chunky rather than elegant. Scones and cakes were delicious.

Lunches and snacks are all brought in from The Story Teller restaurant next door, so have to be ordered in advance.

Was it worth it?

Yes. Treatments are competitively priced. Facials start at £28 and go up to over £100 and massages start from around £30. Spa days start at around £100 including two short treatments and go up to the "Twice as nice" day for couples which includes a full body massage, Rasul session and a half-bottle of champagne. Snacks and meals are extra.

We loved

The architecture: The chapel was built in 1816 in the Gothic revival style so has Doric columns at the front and pointed arched windows around the top. The main room is double height with a "band balcony" right around the room, which now has an area for yoga classes, manicure stations, and seating and tables for meals and drinks. Downstairs, comfortable sofas and chairs and richly coloured soft rugs give a Moroccan feel to the room.

The atmosphere: Chapel Spa is very laid back and welcoming, rather than grand and luxurious. The staff do their job well and make a real effort to look after everyone. The pool area downstairs is dimly lit, warm and has plenty of comfortable recliners. The message is: It's time to chill out and unwind. And we did.

We didn't love

The rather cramped changing area which has steps down past the loos and up again to the showers. There are just two loos and two showers which was fine as the spa wasn't very busy, but at peak times there could be queues. Apparently, they unlock the door through to the men's changing rooms (if there are no male clients present) which does double the space.

The rather small treatment rooms: They are tucked under the balcony, which makes them all quite narrow. There is just enough space for the treatment bed, and just enough room for the therapist to work round the bed.

The one way system in Cheltenham: Abandon the car in any nearby car park and walk to the spa! The sat-nav takes you temptingly close, but the one way system then sends you off at a tangent.

Who do you think would like it?

Anyone who wants acres of marble, a swimming pool and hushed luxury should give Chapel Spa a miss. But those of us who want good treatments and a relaxed environment will be very happy here.

The clientele on the day we were there ranged from a retired couple, two stylish forty-something women obviously meeting up after a long gap, a mother and daughter, a newish mum who looked nervous enough for it to be her first time away from her baby, and several very smart young Cheltenham ladies.

Why did you give the spa this rating?

We gave Chapel Spa 4 bubbles. The spa scores highly for the good quality treatments which are well delivered by well trained staff. Everywhere was clean, and towels were changed frequently. But the spa could feel crowded at busy times and the changing areas need revamping and updating.

See more on how we rate the spas.