Champneys Springs

Part of the burgeoning Champneys' family of spa properties, Champneys Springs is a purpose-built hotel in ten acres of rural Leicestershire countryside.

Turn off the busy road and marvel at the countryside, which seems to appear out of nowhere. The car park is to the right. Once parked, walk over a wooden bridge into the hotel, stopping to admire the water feature below.

The watery theme continues inside: think fountains, streams, and curtains of water flowing down from higher floors.

Staff greeted us warmly at reception, which has white-washed walls and an apex ceiling letting light flood in. A tangy pink grapefruit juice took the edge off the long journey, while a charming man fished around for a Champneys-branded bag containing white robes and flip-flops.

He then showed us around the shop before pointing out the gym, pool and the spa, which you reach via a set of steps.

The wet changing rooms (there are dry facilities back towards reception) consist of three sections, each containing banks of full- and half-height, keypad-operated lockers. There are oval marble stools for changing (or nip into a private cubicle), and vanity stations with hairdryers, cotton wool and Champneys' cleanser, toner and moisturiser.

The five showers have branded shampoo, conditioner and body wash attached to the walls. The two loos were immaculately clean on our visit. A small, but very steamy, steam room and a deliciously hot sauna are in the changing rooms, too. Help yourself to a fresh towel on the way out.

Champneys Springs' best facility is its modern pool; at 25-metres, it's the perfect length for working up an appetite -- or working off lunch, as we did. A high, apex ceiling fills the room with light, while floor-to-ceiling windows offer uninterrupted countryside views. If watching ducks jump in and out of a reef pond while birds fly above doesn't make you feel better about the world, then nothing will.

A bubbly pool that seats six is at the top end of the pool, plus more bright green loungers. Modern artwork adorns the walls.

Book in for a thalassotherapy treatment and make use of Champneys Springs' dedicated thalassotherapy room.

While Champneys Springs doesn't have a relaxation room, there are places to relax all over the spa. We saw robed guests reading books, snoozing and sipping smoothies beside the cafe, near the shop, and in the treatment area. Help yourself to magazines, cold water and fresh fruits. You can order smoothies and hot drinks from the cafe.

Nice day? Open the French doors to the croquet lawn and catch the rays on a rattan lounger or hanging pod seat.

Champneys Springs also has a small gym and a studio with a full schedule of classes -- from ballet-style barre work to yoga. Take advantage, too, of the hair salon and a mani/pedi studio

We enjoyed an Elemis Targeted Toner Tightening treatment (60 minutes, £79).

My therapist, Cathryn, met me in waiting room Ash, specifically for spa guests with surnames beginning with A-H (testament to Champneys Springs' high footfall). She led me to a cosy treatment room with chocolate-brown walls and bird song coming out of a state-of-the-art Bose stereo.

Cathryn stepped out of the room while I put on disposable underwear and lay face down on the warm bed.

The treatment began with a body brush on my thighs using a brisk upward motion. Cathryn then massaged an Elemis Cellutox Oil into my legs, checking the pressure was fine (this is a stimulating massage with a good amount of vigour). Cathryn used her hands, forearms and tapotement-style movements to stimulate blood flow and free my body of toxins.

Next up: a milky Elemis body mask containing fennel, birch and marine algae, which Cathryn painted on my thighs. This felt deliciously cold after the friction of the massage. Cathryn then repeated the whole procedure on my stomach: brush, oil, mask.

The mask peeled off my legs and tummy in one swift movement. Cathryn wiped off the residue with a warm, wet towel which was comforting after the cool mask.

The treatment finished with an Elemis toning moisturiser, which Cathryn applied using upward strokes to give my thighs one final work out.

I left feeling like every inch of cellulite had been brushed, pummelled and massaged away. Despite this, my skin wasn't red and felt silky to touch.

Champneys Springs has an extensive treatment menu of signature, Decléor and Elemis treatments. If a massage is your treatment of choice, you can opt for Deep Tissue, Bamboo, Hot Stone, Lava Shell, Aromatherapy or Hot Poultice. Beauty treatments are available, too, as well as treatments for men and mums-to-be.

We lunched on arrival so remained in our clothes but there were plenty of robed spa guests tucking into lunch on our visit.

The restaurant is small with a patterned carpet and dark wood tables and chairs. Lunch is a buffet with a chef in the corner creating hot dishes such as chicken wraps and noodles. Plates helpfully have portion suggestions on them for protein, fat and vegetables so you don't overindulge.

We tucked into a buckwheat salad with red onion, tomato, and honey-glazed chicken. For dessert, we enjoyed a peach and raspberry fool which was creamy and delicious. Water is included in the lunch; you need to pay for anything extra.

Dinner is a three-course affair in the same restaurant. We dined on south-coast mackerel with fennel to start, chicken with steamed mushrooms and sweet potato fries for mains, and an orange and mango sorbet to finish. Despite everything being healthy and balanced, we were completely sated -- proving that healthy food can be filling and delicious.

There's plenty of choice for vegan and dairy/gluten-free guests, while those watching the calories can pile up on fresh fruit salad. 

We loved

Our treatment: Cathryn is a very experienced, instinctive therapist who was given a task and met it head on.

The pool: Managing 20 lengths after lunch made us feel positively virtuous.

Our room: We loved being able to open the French doors and step straight into the hotel grounds.

We didn't love

The absence of a relaxation room: While Champneys Springs is generally very quiet, a dedicated relaxation room would be a welcome addition to the spa.

The £25 charge levied on spa guests who fail to return their robe (flip-flops are for keeps).

We saw couples, mothers and daughters and groups of friends on our visit.

Country retreaters: Champneys Springs would make a great weekend retreat for city dwellers.

We awarded Champneys Springs a Good Spa Guide Bubble Rating of 4 Bubbles. With 43 treatment rooms, an extensive menu of treatments, and a fabulous pool, Champneys has everything you need for a pampering break. A wider choice of thermal facilities would elevate this spa yet further.

Super Spy visited in August 2017 and awarded it 4 Bubbles.