Champneys Forest Mere Health Resort

I’ve wanted to do a spa weekend thing for the longest time and came across this deal on LivingSocial for 2 ppl — 149 pounds — which includes breakfast and lunch thalassotherapy session and a 25 min treatment of your choice. I get a little skeptical buying these deals as sometimes they book up too quickly and wasn’t looking to take a day off from work but luckily they had availability in one of the few Sundays we had free. Before you got there, you have to complete a form to see if you want to book anything in advance (exercise classes, additional treatments) so they can create a schedule for you that day.
I’ve been to a number of country hotels like this — most recently the St. Pierre Marriott in Wales and had a similar feel driving through the area. It really makes you feel like you’re escaping the big city. We check in and get our itinerary, plush robes and someone guided us through the various different sections of the resort. They also include the class schedule if you want to take any classes and on a Sunday there was plenty of availability so didn’t feel we needed to book in advance. You also get a long card where you charge anything additional and you settle your bill at the end.
We throw our stuff into the lockers and get straight to the area where they are serving breakfast. It was really light and healthy choices — fruit along with yogurt with variety of teas. No coffee in sight but you can ask one of the servers and they will bring you one.
It was 5 minutes before 10 and I was able to join in on a yoga class. It was a basic class but really nice from a relaxation point of you. Basically, don’t look for a highly dynamic yoga class.
At 11 we had our thalassotherapy session. You meet on the side of the pool and get taking into the suite for a quick briefing. It was my first time in one of these things and really it is just a salty and big whirlpool/​jacuzzi… but we really enjoyed it! Some of the jets are a lot stronger than what you’re used to in a jacuzzi but some are quite relaxing.
Our lunch was scheduled for 12 and it was in a different area for the day guests in a room that overlooks the lake. It was a bit funny at first going in with a robe but where else can you do that? For our starters, there was a huge cold buffet spread ranging from salads, roast chicken, smoked salmon. It would’ve been plenty to just have that for lunch but you’re also given a menu to chose your main. We ordered the roast turkey which was really good — actually surprised it included such a nice lunch I can only imagine how nice it would be for dinner.
After lunch we had a quick dip in the pool (which was huge!), whirlpool and sauna. We then got ready to go on the guided country hike which was about a 2 mi walk around the property which was perfect to burn off the calories from lunch.
As soon as that was done, we changed back into our robes to get ready for our massage. It was a nice relaxation back and shoulder massage.
Overall, it was a really lovely way to spend the day. There’s so much to do on-​site but also plenty of space to just relax and read a book if you fancy.

If I had the money, I would make a visit to Champneys, Forest Mere an annual pilgrimmage! I have been 3 times and loved every minute. Firstly, the setting is idyllic. Accessed through a golf course, it sits beside a lake where, on a summer’s morning, you get gorgeous views from the terrace during breakfast. It is in countless acres of woodland — perfect for a bike ride (you can hire these from reception), a walk or jog (you can go on your own or join in with a group organised by Champneys). You can tailor your stay exactly to how you want it: relaxing (swim, jacuzzi, sauna etc) or you can make full use of the facilities (choose from a variety of daily classes, talks, spa treatments gym, hairdresser, gift shop). There is a timetable of different classes every day and the vast majority are free. Occasionally there is a small charge but this is limited to classes like Pilates. The food is superb and the variety is impressive. (The evening meals are comparable to a la carte menus in nice restaurants). I went with my sister who has IBS and, although we didn’t notify Champneys of her dietary requirements in advance (I recommend that you do, if possible), they catered for her needs with no problem at all. It is a bit odd walking around in a dressing gown initially but within a couple of hours I forgot all about it as almost everyone else was dressed exactly the same and, weirdly enough, I found it really relaxing. However, it is not compulsory and you wouldn’t get any odd looks if you chose to walk around in casual clothes (tracksuit bottoms, T shirt etc). People do, however, dress for dinner. Make sure you check out their website (or, better still, register for regular e-​mail updates) as they frequently have special offers (more so at the moment with the whole credit crunch situation). I have gone 3 times and on each occasion I took advantage of a 2 for the price of 1 offer. It saved a huge amount. I highly recommend this place.

Situated in the heart of Hampshire in Liphook, Forest Mere promotes itself as and experience [] unlike any other and we believe it will leave you feeling peaceful and energised. Well, I’d agree that it was an experience like no other, but as for peaceful and energised.
Arriving at Forest Mere one got the impression that about half of the guests were regulars and the other half were spa novices having been bought a weekend package by a friend or relative. You are given an arrival time and you cannot get in before this time. You are also advised to book in on time as you may well find that you have treatments scheduled almost immediately. If you are late and miss them then you forfeit them. No excuses. The net result? Everyone turns up at the same time and chaos ensues.
Our room was adequate, nothing more. It was a rather dimly lit affair with very little room to move around. Despite the £14m investment that was being advertised the room looked tired and in need of attention. The bed, two singles pushed together, was firm and reasonably comfortable and bathroom facilities basic. This is not a hotel where you should expect any extras. Don’t expect biscuits on your tea tray, in fact, don’t expect to want more than one cup of tea or coffee a day. Don’t expect anything more than shampoo and shower gel in the bathroom and certainly don’t expect to find one of those towelling robes that everyone is walking round in. It’ll cost you £5 to hire a robe with a refundable £25 deposit. Given the Spa’s stated intention of creating a relaxed atmosphere that to me was a joke.
We did not pre-​book any additional treatments, preferring to play it by ear when we got there. I’m glad we did. For each treatment (other than thalassotherapy) we were given a prescribed meeting room where guests congregated before the treatments. This felt extremely odd, sitting around in gowns in a group of about 10 in a waiting area. It all felt rather factory-​like and processed. Names were then called out and you went off to the treatment rooms with your therapist. There was nothing private about this experience. I also felt for my husband. He was one of a handful of men at the resort and sitting in a room with half-​clad women, whilst half-​clad yourself didn’t make for a particularly relaxing experience. Had the women been a tad younger the story might have been different!
The clientele are mainly female with the vast majority in the 40 – 65 age category. There were a few hen parties and mother/​daughter groups. A handful of men made up the difference.
The setting of the Forest Mere health resort is idyllic with a large lake fronting an impressive building. Unfortunately the idyll seems to end at the front door. Once through the doors it seems the sole objective is to take your money. Now clearly I can’t be speaking for everyone as there were plenty of regulars, mainly middle-​aged, expensive-​looking, women but I felt a tad disappointed by the whole experience. It had none of the relaxing feeling of Ragdale Hall about it, none of the glamour of Agua spa and the treatments were no better than one could get at a local salon.