My love affair with Champneys began when I was first handed a robe. It was 2016, I was heavily pregnant, and described myself as a “fire risk” to reception when requesting a room.
Not only did they give me a room next to the fire escape, the robe they handed me could have fitted a bear, and then some. Pure white, snuggly, one’s encouraged to keep it on at all times, and it evokes a delightful feeling of equality and – yes – slight cultishness around the spa.
Since then, I’ve been to Champneys many times: Springs in Leicester (the original – for me), Tring, and, my absolute favourite: Henlow.
You simply can’t better the approach to Champneys Henlow. It’s set in a grand manor house complete with sweeping driveway and a fountain that freezes, picture perfect, when it’s cold.
Inside, the public rooms continue the lady of the manor feel with a booklined library, open fires and views into actual countryside. I’ve seen deer (deer!) from my poolside lounger.
In warmer months, be sure to take a seat in the orangery that’s filled with lush plants and comfy seats. The vibe here, as in so much of the spa, is serene but not stuffy.
Activities at Champneys Henlow
If you like to work out as well as chill out, there’s a small but never overcrowded gym. It has free weights, weight machines, rowers, bikes, and treadmills that look out into a manicured courtyard.
There’s a spin room and an “urban gym” that to be honest I haven’t worked up the courage for. One day though.
Aqua aerobics is free but other classes incur a charge. I paid £9 for a breath and meditation class, which felt like a decent price, and I enjoyed the class.
Swimming at Champneys Henlow
The pool at Champneys Henlow is the real deal. You’ll front crawl, or – if I’m honest about my own abilities, breaststroke / doggy paddle – among pillars, plants, and the occasional nude (statue). There are lots of poolside beds, and the atmosphere is calm and serene, other than when aqua aerobics is on. Give that a go – it’s a hoot.
There’s also a sauna, a steam room, a hydrotherapy room, and a jacuzzi.
Treatments at Champneys Henlow
There’s a large treatment area that offers a variety of massages, from your classic back to the intriguing hot poultice massage and the mind-boggling hands-free massage.
There’s also facials, hand and nail treatments, and a separate hair salon.
Rooms at Champneys Henlow
The rooms at Champneys are just what you need: large, comfortable beds that have more pillows and cushions than one human could ever use for that luxurious hotel feel. The bathrooms are super clean and sparkly and have complementary Champneys toiletries, and the showers are powerful. In fact all the showers at Champneys are great, including the ones by the pool and in the day guest area.
Food at Champneys Henlow
Breakfast is the best breakfast in the world: buffet.
I thoroughly recommend the bircher muesli, which is a breakfast riot of creamy oats, apple and sultanas. Plus, there’s a variety of bread, cheese, fish, and fresh cut fruit galore. There’s a hot station with sausages and mushrooms and my pal had a poached egg that she said was perfection.
The coffee is weak (for me) but if you’re prepared to pay you can get a very nice one delivered to your table.
For lunch, I had a vegan poke bowl, and for dinner a gloriously piled up Caesar salad followed by sea bass and a chocolate pudding. Portions are huge, you won’t leave the dining room hungry.
But if you do get peckish between meals, there’s a coffee bar available all day that also serves a variety of cake, and, I swear I’ve seen bliss balls there if that’s more your vibe. Which sums up the Champneys experience perfectly. It treads a line, unique among spas I’ve been to, between hotel and bootcamp. If you want a cocktail, you can have one in the newly opened cocktail lounge. Wine is available at lunch and dinner by the glass or bottle.
But if you want to go to the gym at 6am and eat a “lighter choice” menu, that’s available to you too. In fact, Champneys do full boot camp stays although I’ve never dared try one of those. I’d say “one day” but to be honest I like my approach too much: robe, eat, bit of gym, countryside walk, robe back on, repeat.
Show me a better way to spa, and a better spa to do it in and I’ll, well, I’ll be delighted to give it a go, I’m no fool.
But for me, Champneys is perfection.
Deals at Champneys
Deals atChampneys: a one-night stay at Champneys Henlow starts from £205 per person. Plus there's 20% extra free on gift cards brought before 25 December so if you buy, for example, a £100 gift card, you'll receive £120.
Georgina Terry is group editor of Closer online and heat, and has been with the titles since 2015. She's a mum of two and would happily turn her back on the glittering world of showbiz and become a spa reviewer full time, if anyone's offering.