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Champneys Henlow, Henlow - 4 bubbles
Champneys Henlow is a health-farm-style spa in a converted country house. With an emphasis on well-being, and a wide range of activities, Champneys Henlow is an affordable spa to get away to with friends, rather than the ultimate in exclusive pampering.
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?
Long-term effects
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?
Was it easy to book?
Not that easy. The booking website is one that is central to all Champneys properties, which we always find a little confusing. You choose treatments by type, but some treatments are only offered at specific venues, so booking is not that straightforward. It's worth spending a bit of time exploring the site before trying to book your treatments. Not all the therapists can perform all the treatments, either. So, if you're choosing a specialised treatment, book a good couple of weeks ahead.
First impressions?
An impressive country manor house surrounded by fields, a stone's throw from the centre of pretty Henlow village.
How did they welcome you?
A receptionist greeted us, asked our names, then put us in the care of her colleague who led us straight to the lounge and gave us our itineraries. The decor was rather tired, as were we, but we were quickly offered a cup of tea, which was a nice touch after our three-hour journey.
What happens next?
A friendly porter showed us to our large "Premier" twin room in the mansion building. You may like to consider upgrading to Premier for more space and more traditional decor than the smaller, more modern rooms by the pool area.
I decided to head for the pool first. The changing rooms are spacious and there were plenty of available lockers.
As in all the Champneys resorts, the 25-metre pool is large enough for proper swimming, which I appreciated. I then tried out the whirlpool at the far end. The whirlpool uses the same water as the pool, which unfortunately meant that it was the same temperature: too cool for my liking.
I made my way to the steam room to warm up. I hadn't left myself much time before my treatment was due to start so after a short but pleasant steam, I had to give the laconium a miss. There's also a thalassotherapy pool at Henlow, but it's a bookable treatment, and I hadn't booked.
Which treatments did you have?
We had the personalised Champneys facial (£65, 55 minutes) and the Spa Heaven Cocoon (£65, 55 minutes).
What were the treatments like?
The personalised Champneys facial: My therapist, Sai, led me to a compact but functional room with a heated treatment couch, and sat me down on a chair to introduce herself. She checked that I didn't have high blood pressure (a no-no for the heated blanket, apparently), but probed no further on the health front. She gave me basic instructions about taking off my robe and slipping off the straps of my swimming costume. She also asked me whether I would prefer a head or foot massage. I decided on head, which Sai enthusiastically declared was her speciality. I arranged myself face-up on the couch while Sai briefly left the room.
Sai re-emerged and got straight to work, starting with warm flannels to my feet. I assume this was to improve the overall ambience, in case anyone came straight from the gym. Sai also asked me a few questions about my skin, enquiring whether it was it dry or oily, and whether I got many spots.
Feet freshened, Sai took a close look at my skin. She removed my make-up and cleansed my skin with something that felt quite thick and slightly sticky. Sai gave no explanation of the products as she applied them, but I learned afterwards, from the "client consultation form", that the cleanser was Skin Conditioning Cleansing Milk.
Sai went through several stages of applying and removing various creams, all of which felt pleasant. I particularly liked the mask element of the facial, as this was accompanied by a firm and thorough head massage. The massage made this treatment more relaxing than your average facial, but there was quite a lot to fit in so Sai worked at a pretty brisk pace (and also faster than the relaxing spa music playing in the background).
Massage over, mask removed, the facial ended with an application of eye gel and lip balm. Sai gave me a short minute to get up and re-robed. She went through the products she'd used and handed me a form, highlighting post-treatment purchase suggestions. Sai also advised against eating chocolate, which I took as a comment on my less than perfect complexion.
Spa Heaven Cocoon: I went to the waiting area at my appointed time. Emie, my therapist, greeted me and led me to a functional, average-sized treatment room with a couch and a shower at one end. Emie invited me to sit down, and talked me through what the treatment involved: essentially, a scrub, moisturise and a head massage.
Emie offered me the choice of two fragrances, which she held under my nose. I chose the "exotic", as it did a better job of penetrating my cold. Emie then left me with a pair of paper knickers and asked me to get onto the couch face down. I dutifully obliged.
Emie got straight to work, with gloved hands, to rub the scented oil and salt scrub into my legs, arms and back. I then turned over so she could repeat the process, rubbing my skin firmly, but not causing any discomfort.
Exfoliation over, Emie turned on the shower, and left me with a towel, tube of shower gel and a new pair of paper knickers. I showered away the scrub, making sure to rinse my neck where the scrub had found its way into my hair, and dried myself.
Back at the couch, I found that it now sported a layer of metallic marathon runner-style wrapping. I was slightly spooked that Emie had come into the room while I was showering, without having told me that she would be doing so.
In the second part of the treatment, Emie carefully applied body butter, using quick and firm strokes. When I was covered, Emie pulled up the sides of the foil to wrap me up baco-style. I wasn't keen on the crinkly feel and initial coldness, but after a couple of seconds, began to feel the warmth radiating from my body.
While the wrap was working its softening magic, Emie applied oil to my hair and delivered a firm and thorough head massage, which lasted for about 15 minutes. This massage was very relaxing. I would probably have slipped into a light sleep if not for the jumping CD transporting me back from the oriental waterfall to the real world.
The treatment finished with a good body massage; Emie's previously absent voice signalled the end.
How did you feel afterwards?
The personalised Champneys facial left me feeling more relaxed than after most facials, despite its lively pace. I would have been interested in knowing which products were being applied as Sai went along, but this isn't Champneys policy. I checked out my complexion in the mirror on the way out and my skin had acquired a healthy glow.
The cocoon left my skin feeling soft, smooth and pampered, my hair looking like I hadn't washed it for a couple of weeks, and my muscles feeling warm and relaxed.
What happens afterwards?
We made our way back along the various corridors to our room.
The food was mostly good. There is plenty of choice with a lunchtime buffet and evening waitress service. Menus are well marked, showing low fat options, for example. Home-made soups are tasty. Packet sweet-and-sour sauce was less so. There's a table for single diners to share.
Long-term effects
The facial left my skin looking better than it had done for a while, and my shoulders were also less knotty. The skin-softening effects of the Cocoon lasted for several days, too.
Was it worth it?
We can't claim that our treatments were the best we've ever had; they were relatively well priced (but still over £1 per minute) and an enjoyable part of the overall experience.
What else could you have?
What couldn't you have?! With 35 treatment rooms, Champneys Henlow offers everything from quick facials and manicures to fortune telling and colonic irrigation. Wraps, scrubs, massages, hypnotherapy, a wax bath, tui na and dry floats -- to name but a few. Brands include Champneys own brand, Elemis and Babor. A range of "finishing touches" is also on offer (make-up, depilation, mani and pedicures), plus a hair salon.
If that's not enough to keep you busy, you can work out in the light and well-equipped gym -- either on your own, or you can pay for a personal trainer -- or go to one of the dawn 'til dusk exercise classes in the two studios.
Henlow has also introduced walking workshops throughout the year. Run by TV fitness guru Joanna Hall, these practical breaks encourage you to "walk yourself fit". Various other spa-break packages are also available.
What do you wish you'd known before you went?
To avoid the sweet-and-sour sauce.
Any special features?
The pool is a constant depth, so perfect for getting those lengths in. The area is also lovely and light so makes your swim a pleasurable experience. The grounds are attractive, too; a real bonus to anyone staying for multiple nights to give a change of scene.
Who do you think would like it?
Anyone looking for an affordable spa break or to kick-start a healthier lifestyle. Better suited to friends than singles. With 35 treatment rooms, Henlow isn't exactly exclusive, but there's a wide range of choice of treatments, classes and facilities.
Why did you give the spa this rating?
We gave Champneys Henlow 4 bubbles because the spa offers a varied spa experience at an affordable price to real people. The spa-goers we spoke to were all happy and had programmes jam-packed with treatments, classes and meals. They were people of all shapes, sizes and ages. There were even a few men.
Henlow isn't the ultimate in spa luxury by today's standards, but it doesn't really claim to be. Some of the communal areas could do with a lick of paint.
See more on how we rate the spas
Would you go again?
I would go for a reasonably priced spa escape with friends. I enjoyed the spa being relatively quiet, so would book off-peak again to avoid the masses.
We visited Champneys Henlow in October 2009
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See also:
* Contact Details for Champneys Henlow
* Our Spa Spies review Champneys products
* How can I avoid the sales pitch?
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