All Experiences | Thermae

| 9 Sep 2011, 11:37 Thermae Bath Spa Welcome to Thermae Bath Spa where past, present and future join for a special spa experience. Now in the World Heritage city of Bath you can enjoy Britain's only natural thermal waters as the Celts and Romans did over 2000 years ago.

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Linda Gerlat | 1 Oct 2011, 06:05 Wonderful Expirence My husband and I decided to go to the Bath Thermae spa because I have severe back problems and have always found swimming to release my back pressure. The water was a little warm but I would have expected it to be warmer. We enjoyed the rooftop pool, the foot tubs and the steam rooms. We found it a little strange that the change rooms were unisex, but it worked. When we return to Bath we will be returning to the Thermae spa,

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Fran Barham | 9 Sep 2011, 13:40 F A and V visit the Spa We were slightly hesitant about the Spa due to a few negative comments written up here. In fact I called Customer Services and spoke to someone who put my mind at rest. In the end, we opted for a package deal for £95 and I can confirm this was GOOD value for money. We had such a great time that we agreed that we should take time out to put our own thoughts up on this site to put anyone else out there who is thinking of coming's minds at rest. To begin: The lockers are very high tech and we had a lot of fun working out how to secure our belongings but we got there in the end. The rooftop pool was absolutely amazing. Very nice warm water even though outside it was a very cold March wind. It was not crowded at all but bearing in mind we were mid-week, we expected it to be quiet. The steam rooms were great. Loved all the different smells. the rain shower was awesome. Then we rested up and waited for the treatments. These really were fantastic. The Klaxton Stove was something else. It made us all laugh till we cried because of the way our heads poked out of the sheet and the whole 'look' of us sitting there like we were being restrained or something. But our skin afterwards was as soft as a babys and we really enjoyed the whole experience. It was well managed and obviously very beneficial to health and detoxifying at the same time. Then we all had individual treatments. My facial was probably the best I've ever had in my life (and I've had many) so thanks to Lucy who was not only a true expert at her craft, but managed to identify a skin condition/problem that I suffer with and recommend a good treatment to clear it up. She obviously enjoys her work and made sure I was completely comfortable and well treated. My friends had massages which they enjoyed these just as much as I enjoyed my facial. The lunch we had was far better than we thought it was going to be. The quality and choice was really superb and my pigeon breast was not only a bit unusual, but beautifully prepared. We tried to thank the chef but he was in a different area of the restaurant. At the end we made a couple of purchases and even the lady in the shop was helpful and fun to talk to . DO go. And stay at the Hilton in Walcot Street as this was equally wonderful and I work for Hilton too. Thanks for reading this.

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Miss Rainbird | 9 Sep 2011, 13:35 Amazing I really wanted to experience the minerva spa and the roof top open air pool, my boyfriend was not sure but changed his mind as soon as we entered. This was a great thing to do it was so warm and relaxing. The steam rooms were also very relaxing and you feel vitalised when you come out. You cannot visit Bath without going to the Therma Spa. Highly recommend.

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Amanda User | 9 Sep 2011, 13:22 Tranquil Wellness Retreat Bath Thermae Spa is Amazing I am from the USA and I have been to this spa twice! It is 2nd to none! Fabulous Retreat!!!

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Pete Rowley | 9 Sep 2011, 13:20 Vouchers and disabled visitors no concessions After buying vouchers for my parents as a Christmas present, I discovered that there are concessions for disabled people and their carers. When I asked if the concession could be claimed when using the vouchers, I was told that it couldn't. BEWARE - DO NOT BUY VOUCERS FOR DISABLED PEOPLE, just pay for them to go in.

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Viv User | 9 Sep 2011, 13:17 Fabulousbirthdaytreat1 I came with my husband and daughters to celebrate my 50th and had a fantastic day. It had been snowing and was very cold outside but in the spa it was lovely. We had a package that included lunch, a massage and Kraxen Stove. It was great value for money. It was amazing to be in the rooftop pool while there was snow on the rooftops. I can't wait to come again.

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Jennie User | 9 Sep 2011, 13:16 fantastic day A friend and I went to celebrate her 18th birthday and we had the best time ever. We had a 4 hour spa session and also a dry flotation treatment which was ace. everything was clean and the staff were very helpful, thoroughly enjoyed our day and will be booking a spa package for my mum and I for her birthday in the new year.

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Bridget Arnold | 9 Sep 2011, 13:14 Freezing cold and Disappointing too It proabaly was the coldest day of the year- so far! with snow everywhere ! When we arrived at the Spa ( it was a Saurday and the Christmas market was on so really busy ) there was a huge queue around the building, a member of staff came out and asked us to queue around the corner , so we did. Until we arrived near the door - 1/2 an hour later we then realised that as we had a treatment booked we actually didn't need to have queued up at all ! so we went to the roof top pool where the view was lovely, but it was very crowded so we didn't get into the areas where the bubbles were whilst they were going - about 5 minutes - we then hung around waiting for them to start again - 20 minutes or so- and got a bit chilly around the edges, so when they finally started again we did warm up a bit. But it was again too crowded to really get the benefit of them. Is there alimit of numbers? We went to the steam room next to warm up, we found one section wasn't working at all and I spent ages trying to get the foot spas to work - 2 seperate ones that failed to do anything! , we then rushed off to go to the Thermal pool downstairs to fit it in before our treatments. We were asked to get to the treatment sites 10 minutes before to fill in paper work, the reception area was really cold and the clock in the pool which I could see from where I sat in the hot bath reception was 5 minutes faster than the one in reception so I was left sitting there for at least 15 minutes, the person who was doing my treatment was just standing at the desk for at least 5 or more of those minutes, until she finally came up to take me to the room. she asked me how I was and I had to say I was cold. My treatment was Fire and Ice - I had to make the choice of what to have in August- it seemed like a good ideas then! But it wasn't great ultimately , the actual massageexperience was okay , but again I finished off leaving the treatment room feeling cold again! So as we missed in the end 3/4 of an hour of our time in the Spa. they tagged 1/2 an hour onto the end , but as I was so cold I didn't fancy getting wet again so went for a shower in order to get out in time as it was so busy in the changing rooms. I was very disappointed really in the overall experience and I am not sure that I would go again in a hurry. I had been to a Centre Parc Spa earlier this year and had a great time , I would go there again! Oh yes and the folowing day my skin felt really itchy all day as I had obviously reacted badly to something - either the water or the treatment creams so I feel that spent a huge amount of money in order to feel not brilliant at all! What a shame!

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Jessiebo User | 9 Sep 2011, 13:11 Great facilities but management could do better The facilities here are great- bathing in the steaming rooftop outdoor pool on a cold, damp November day is amazing; looking out over the rooftops of historic Bath with the Cathedral on the one side and the rather drab more modern buildings on the other, immersed in hot spa water which keeps you toasty warm up to the neck while a cold mizzle falls on your face and chills your ears! The warm indoor pool is also very relaxing, as are the steam rooms. No wonder the Romans loved Bath so much, as this is the part of the experience that has been common across the centuries. I've had a family connection to Bath for the past 35 years, and have therefore visited the city many times prior to the opening of these modern baths. I always thought it was ridiculous that modern people could not experience immersion in the springs in the way that had been possible in previous centuries; when the modern project was announced I therefore promised myself that I would make a visit when it opened and have only just managed to find the time to do so. The actual experience of the waters was everything I hoped it would be, but unfortunately, the management of the modern spa left quite a lot to be desired. The staff are basically polite but there seems to be a pervasive attitude of doing the clients a favour. For example, they supplied a wristband with a faulty sensor (these lock/ unlock the lockers) but did not hurry to sort out the problem or offer any apology. The worst part is that clients are only allowed 15 minutes after the allotted spa time to dry off and dress, after which they are charged six pounds per half hour. We had booked a package that included lunch at the Pump Room afterwards. It would therefore have been nice to have a leisurely changing period which included hair drying, putting on make up and etc, but as it was, in order to get our full time in the spa itself, we changed at school swimming session speed and used the loos in the BHS facing to finish off with respect to make-up and etc. As most of the British clientele appeared to be pairs and groups of ladies who were there for a special treat, this is a pretty shabby rule- either spend less time than you have actually paid for in the spa pools, or leave looking like a damp heap. It's a petty, penny-pinching way of managing the experience as a whole that creates a very unwelcome tension within an experience that should be managed to create an overall feeling of relaxation in the client, that endures to the point at which they leave the building, The management should consider developing some way of tactfully ensuring that people only take their allotted time in the spa itself rather than stingily limiting changing time in this way- surely not rocket science for people paid to manage the ongoing business of what should be a lucrative enterprise of this nature? We went on a midweek package out of peak tourist time, so there was plenty of room in all areas- I gather that weekends/ peak tourist time can generate some over-crowding, but we did not experience this. We also did not have any of the treatments, which are priced between just under forty and just over one hundred pounds. The package itself was booked with the Bath Tourist Board and was reasonably good value for money; two hours in the spa, a set lunch at the Pump Room and a visit to the Roman Museum for fifty nine pounds. But actually managing to book this was a trial- I had to attempt this over two days before getting someone on the phone (there is no way at all to do this over the internet)- another aspect that adds up to a 'could do better' report for the management of the experience as a whole.

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Helen Black | 9 Sep 2011, 13:10 Hen weekend We had such a great time at the spa last weekend. Gossiping in the Rooftop pool was just bliss. I would highly recommend it for a hen/girls weekend. It may not be cheap as chips but it worth booking in advance, passing the queue ( which was pretty busy ) and just chilling out for a couple of hours which is enough time before you turn into prune ! Great time had by 16 hens !

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Kerry User | 9 Sep 2011, 13:06 Poor Value for Money Paid £24 for 2hour session and found it a real disapointment, very little on offer! Very over inflated price for a swim!

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Amanda Gilroy | 9 Sep 2011, 13:03 Mixed feelings I finally got round to using my 4 hour spa session yesterday: Monday 8th Nov 2010 (bought for me last year). The architecture and appearance of the building I found breathtaking. Small queue and politely informed of what to do and where to go (although fortunately I had been tipped before to take my own towels, waterproof bag to put them in in case of rain and to remember my bearings). I started on the roof top pool which was an absolutely perfect combination of the warm bubbly water with the cool air and clouds moving. Despite going alone this for me was the best bit (I wish now I saved it to the end). The 4 steam rooms were large and suitable, however, the black mould growing on all of the sealants for me questioned the design and effective hygiene. I am not sure if this is poses a health risk but it certainly made me feel dirty and from that point on I questioned the overall cleanliness of the place. Wrist band kept popping off, restaurant very clinical and univiting, no relaxing loungers only a few by the downstairs pool. Strange having the showers and changing rooms on different floors. All seemed very time conscious ie 15 mins to change, 45mins for the use of the restaurant. Water fountains didn't work properly and not enough plugs for the foot spas. The hairdrier I used stopped working after about 30 seconds. I left 21/4 hours early. A great shame that such a huge amount of money put into the Thermal Spa could be this disappointing. A real anticlimax for what could be magnificent, it seems such a waste.

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Linzi Mitchell | 9 Sep 2011, 13:00 Not very impressed I had read previous reviews and agree that the wrist bands aren't very good and do come un-done. The changing rooms were cold as their is no door seperating the entrance to the changing area. While you are drying your wet hair, its cold. The floatation pool was nice and relaxing but could of done with some spa type music to create the right ambiance. Again I agree with a previous review about the foot baths-what a waste of time, there would be more bubbles in a home foot spa! The rooftop pool was just luke warm on a very windy and cool day. It isn't as big as it looks and we only spent about 5 minutes in there as we were so cold. The steam rooms were okay but some made my eyes sting. A lot of money to pay for what it is. We were staying at The Bath Spa hotel and I would say their facilities were better than this and it was included in the cost of our room. I won't be visiting the thermae spa again.

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Hannah User | 9 Sep 2011, 13:00 My Review Perfecrt place to spend a cold winters day warming up and relaxing. The contrast of the heated rooftop pool and the chill of thefresh winter air is quite refreshing not to mention the beautiful views over the city.

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mrs ward | 9 Sep 2011, 12:57 lovely birthday treat Took my 16 year old daughter as it was my birthday today and hers last week. We had a lovely experince. We chose the twilight package and arrived about 5pm. we loved the whole experince. It wasn't too full, and we really enjoyed the rooftop pool. We were given a band for our food and told to go between 7 and 7.30, both my daughter was really hungry, and we asked in the resturant if we could eat ealier, and they were fine about it. We can't wait to come again. very good value for money

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mrs j | 9 Sep 2011, 12:56 Relax and warm up Fantastic for a cold winters day to warm you up for a week. Amazing experience of sitting in a warm open air pool with cold air and rain on your head. Does get a bit crowded on weekends and ques for showers and lifts eat up precious time however its quite a trek between the different levels. Beware if you take your own towel and slippers make sure they are brightly coloured or they will get mixed up with the baths own. The cafe restaurant is a bit pricey and too cold for sitting around in wet bathers. We had to que for two hrs to get in but it was worth it.

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Jo joseph | 9 Sep 2011, 12:51 Good and Bad Visited the spa on Saturday as a group of 5 girls. Arrived around 3.00 and got to the reception desk about 3.45 as the queue was quite long. A few things, totally agree about the wrist bands, they are rubbish and definately need to be made of elastic or with a buckle, they just don't stay on. When you are in the changing room and the doors are shut make sure you know how to get out!!! My bag was in front of the very low down sign that was hiding a little lever to let you back out again! It was busy. Lockers are few and far between. You need to be organised. We paid the extra money to hire towel, robe and slippers. Bad idea. If poss take your own. Ours kept disappearing as everyone had the same. People literally just grabbed them when they came out and there was no way of telling what was yours. Not great ending up with someone elses towel. Not enough noodles (floats) to go round. Not enough storage racks for towels, slippers etc. At least half of the foot spas didn't work or had the plugs missing which was disappointing. On the plus, the steam rooms were great. The staff were friendly. The roof top pool had great views. Value for money very good.

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lea User | 9 Sep 2011, 12:46 so relaxing Lovely experiance, so relaxing, rooftop pool smaller than i expected but very nice none the less, dont go expecting to swim as not much room but perfect to relax and chill out. Restaurant bit pricey and had to wait a while just for a sandwich and omelette! It was very nice tho. 10/10 for the treatments they were amazing with lovely therapists. Main receptionists could do with cracking a smile!!

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Elsa User | 9 Sep 2011, 11:56 Disappointing Visit This was the fifth time I have visited the Spa and I have to report it below its normal standard, very disappointing as the price has gone up. Both pools were not as warm as usual, it was not very pleasant in the roof top one,we felt quite cold so we didnt stay long. None of the steam rooms seemed to smell of anything except people and in my foot bath, the plug was missing. There was no staff around to ask anything. I am also surprised there are no instructions on the locker system and things in general in any other language other than English, given that the Spa gets so many foreign tourists, and there are so many floors to navigate for Spa pools, changing, showering etc and staff to ask are non existant.

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Mrs Kelly | 9 Sep 2011, 11:50 Well worth a visit and definately book a spa treatment I was on my mini moon with my husband and we booked a spa trip here. For £65 each we got 2 treatments lasting an hour in total, free towel, robe and slipper hire and then 2 hours in the actual pools! Tip: if you have something to eat of drink in the cafe you get an extra 45 minutes! Well worth a visit for male or females! The steam rooms were great and the rooftop pool was an amazing view and experience! Would definately go back!

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Valo User | 9 Sep 2011, 11:45 DESAPPOINTING I was desappointed by the rooftop pool and the minerva bath which are just swimming pools a little bit more sophisticated than an usual one.... Steamrooms are interesting. I think the price is too expensive for the prestation.

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David Lintonbon | 9 Sep 2011, 11:43 How to gain maximum benefit from Cervical Waterfalls Cervical waterfalls: Advice for all guests of spa hotels and, in general, all those who love going to spas. Cervical waterfalls are very good for the neck and shoulders as long as they are used in the correct way. Therefore benefit from the jets of water maintaining the shoulders and the cervical spine just above the water’s surface. Some practical examples of simple exercises for the cervical region that can be carried out both in and out of the water. A1 Bend the head towards the left, while holding your right wrist. Then pull your right arm towards the left (so lowering the right shoulder) and maintain this position for at least 20 seconds. The aim of this exercise is to pull the right shoulder away from the corresponding ear, thus lengthening the lateral musculature of the neck (the ascending muscle fascicle of the trapezium). 3 A2 The same exercise can also be carried out in water, passively, with the help of a personal trainer (in this case the benefits will be greater thanks to the effect of the heat) B1 Auto massage of the trapezium and the cervical region with the opposite hand. The aim of this exercise is to relax the lateral musculature of the neck. The same exercise can also be carried out in water (B2) both autonomously and with the help of a personal trainer. These exercises are very simple and anybody can do them autonomously; however for those exercises that will be carried out in water, the help of somebody who is justly qualified is recommended, as the risk of making a mistake is higher. David Lintonbon DO Regd Osteopath www.theartofhvt.com

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Bev Tyler | 9 Sep 2011, 11:41 A may zing Been a couple of times now. So relaxing, a little piece of heaven and a place to escape from the hustle & bustle of city life.. would highly recommend to anyone

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jeanette iles | 9 Sep 2011, 11:35 special birthday celebration at the spa Booked for my daughter and 10 of us to celebrate her 18th birthday, age range from 18 to 71. What else could we done that was so enjoyable, relaxing and fun that would have suited us all. Everyone should experience a trip to bath spa,

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J Bolton | 9 Sep 2011, 11:31 disappointing Went on the 12th June and went up to the rooftop pool and it was packed and it was wet in the lifts and all round the pool, towels stuffed into the units at the side, was definaltly not worth £25 for a swim, the steam rooms were ok. on arrival it was chaos with people coming in and out of changing rooms and no idea where to go, this was not the spa experience i had imagined..

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lucy User | 9 Sep 2011, 11:27 Relaxing maybe not Not a relaxing aternoon. Too busy. Too expensive for what was on offer. We also had a dressing gown taken. You probably won't publish this though.

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kate noonan | 9 Sep 2011, 11:20 thermae bath spa Hi just got back from a day at the spa! This was my first visit to the spa and ive realy enjoyed it already booking my next trip, lol. We found most of the staff help full, found some staff hard to understand but this may be me just being ignorant. The all facilities are amazing, very clean and tidy, very user friendly. Deffinatly worth a visit we use the centre parcs spa and i would say it was better, roomier, cleaner an more choice of things to do.

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Frances Blackwell | 9 Sep 2011, 11:11 concerns about customer services enjoyed facilites but reception staff were rude, totally unhelpful and unprofessional. This was a poor start though the facilites were excellent. We saw very few staff while on the visit, no one explained the time allowed for lunch or treatments, let alone the time to dress at the end of the visit. Also I found that staff were rude ,expected to use the services such as the lift for their own service. My other concern is the lack of professional service from a high class facility especially when the rude reception were reprimanded like children. This would make me consider visitong again and recommending the facilities to friends with similar interests.

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Paulo Penteado | 9 Sep 2011, 11:10 Turned away at the door We cued with other patrons yesterday and were turned away at the door, told no children under 16 alowed. Our well behaved boys, 12 and 9, are exceptional swimmers and have been to spas in four continents. Either the site provides false information or the person at the reception is very poorly trained. Being turned away was a tremendous disapointment - we came to Bath for two reasons - to see the Roman Baths then to relax at the spa ourselves. We feel very let down.

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Rooftop Pool