written by on 21/09/2010
Awful awful experience. It's not luxurious at all and in fact the place is 'run down' with broken tiles, water marks and needs updating. The place is crowded and it's difficult to find seating. All complimentary treatments/experiences were fully booked so could not enjoy any of these. Had to queue to use all facilities. Only 2 toilets that were always in use. Had to queue to use showers at the end and fight to get a hair dryer.
Do not recommend this at all - had a stressful time for £99. It's cheaper and nicer to go to a local leisure centre and spoil yourself to a nice meal after in a restaurant.
written by kdaj78 on 11/05/2009
I spent the day at the Sanctuary in Covent Garden as a birthday treat. The booking process was fairly painless, even though I was booking only two days in advance.
I booked three treatments (a wrap, a facial and a massage). On arrival I was told I had also been booked in for a complementary session in the sleep therapy room. As it was my first visit, I was shown round the changing room areas, had various practical points explained to me and even given a quick tour of the building (which is over several floors). I found all the serving staff to be well trained, knowledgeable and in general friendly, although one or two of them struck me as being slightly robotic. I think this results from saying exactly the same phrases over and over again.
Each of my treatments was excellent and left me feeling entirely pampered and relaxed. Treatment staff were all extremely well trained in the 'house-style' and explain at the beginning of each treatment exactly what is involved so there are no surprises (e.g. if you will be left alone to shower off products, they check if it's ok to touch your tummy area and also expressly tell you if the treatment involves touching your breasts).
The environment at the sanctuary is excellent - I would have been happy sitting in the Koi Carp lounge all day and could hardly move from there after my sleep treatment - even sitting in a spa pool seemed too much of an effort at that point. Each area is well thought out and there's another pool, sauna or hammam to discover round every corner.
I had a light lunch in the lounge which was quickly prepared and surprisingly unhealthy. I had been expecting healthy de-tox food and was pleasantly surprised with my sticky toffee pudding with cream and champagne cocktail.
Overall, I really enjoyed my visit and floated out at the end of a day feeling like I was glowing. This was an expensive but very worthwhile day.
written by Emmadasey on 01/12/2004
The Sanctuary Health Spa in London is ultimate in relaxation and pampering. Best done as a duo (best friend, family etc.) You are treated like a Godess and the environment adds to the illusion! The treatments 5*, the relaxing Koi Carp area 5* and the cosy comfy room 5*. An ideal christmas or birthday present for the special woman/women in your life!
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As rated by our community of reviewers
Safoora's Response to Emmadasey's Review
Written on: 05/08/2006
I visited the sanctuary health spa on the 2nd of April and I found the day there horrific and even terrifying at times.
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<br/>In a place of relaxation I expected to feel at ease and have the ability to relax, de-stress think of myself and most importantly enjoy my time. Instead I found a very unwelcoming atmosphere which was cold and chilling, rude and unhelpful staff members whom by towards the end of the day I was so tired of I cancelled any remaining treatments.
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<br/>The manager of the restaurant told me that after trying to squeeze us on a table of two when there were four of us that lunch usually took 1 hour and 15 minutes and that's why we were still waiting an hour later for our main course which was only half cooked, and why I didn't say anything then was because I was so tired of even trying to expect the same for myself. I asked a member of staff for another bath robe as mine had fallen into water near the swimming area and I received a cold look a rolling of eyes and no words just another robe shoved in my face. I was appalled at the way I and my friends were treated and by the end of the day I was so relieved to get away even though I left with more stress than I arrived with.
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<br/>I did write an email of complaint to the manager of The Sanctury who replied by apologising and said she would send a complimentary gift in the post which I never got!