Latest news with #Champneys
Telegraph
4 days ago
- Health
- Telegraph
How Champneys made us fall in love with spa hotels
A wooden paddle, ice cold facial roller, essential oils and sips of warm lemon water are all key components of Champneys' latest treatment, the '100 Years Face & Body Reset'. I instantly felt the benefits: energised legs, tighter skin and shoulder knots eased. My pampering took place at the original Champneys in Tring, Hertfordshire and was inspired by the spa's century-old treatment back catalogue which neatly combines nostalgia with cutting edge, much like the hotel itself where white robes, dance classes and detoxes are offered alongside of-the-moment cryotherapy and vitamin IV drips. I suspect it's one of the reasons the brand has survived for so long on the wellbeing scene – there's something for everyone. When Champneys first opened in 1925, there was nothing else like it in the UK. Established by Latvian wellbeing pioneer Stanley Leif, his Nature Cure Resort set in 170 acres was aimed at customers open-minded and wealthy enough to invest in holistic self-care that found the root cause of ailments rather than merely treating the symptoms. Guests, once described as 'starved, irrigated and beaten, but for a good cause,' would detox for weeks on warm lemon water and little else at the red brick mansion house, while taking part in immune-boosting treatments like hot and cold plunges (sound familiar?), combined with stretching and walks in the open air. In the 1970s global spa specialists Tanya Wheway and her late husband Allan were invited to manage Champneys, successfully transforming the brand from elitist holistic bootcamp to healthy holiday for all. In a time before mental health was front and centre, the decision to provide Lifestyle Consultants (psychologists) alongside fitness experts and dieticians was pioneering. 'What you're eating's important, but more important is what's eating you,' was Allan's mantra, says Tanya, who was also behind world-famous spa Chiva Som in Thailand. A star-studded era followed its purchase in 2002 by Stephen Purdew and his late mother Dorothy (or Mrs P as she was affectionately known by employees), who also owned three spa resorts which were rebranded under the Champneys name. Sporting heroes such as Frank Bruno and George Best would pop in for a sauna while super models and movie stars including Naomi Campbell, Barbara Streisand and Brad Pitt also donned a white robe. Its most famous guest, however, was Princess Diana – though staff remained discreet about the details of her visit, says Wheway. Fast-forward to today and the headline-making A-list visits of the early 2000s are a distant memory, with the average Champneys guest more likely to be working in accounts than Hollywood. The UK spa scene has radically altered too. Lemon water detoxes and Mr Motivator-esque fitness classes have long been relegated to spa room 101. Guests now tend to visit for a day or overnight stay rather than weeks and the vast majority are women compared to a century ago when it was men who were more likely to sign up for the Nature Cure. However, it's notable how many popular treatments today have their origins in the last century. 'It's gone full circle,' agrees Champneys' Wellbeing Director Louise Day, who says that the benefits of breathwork, for example, were recognised by Stanley Leif 100 years ago and are once again featuring heavily on spa programmes. Day has been with the company for decades and seen the fitness offer change organically from the 'feel the burn' era of Jane Fonda-style classes to the launch of bootcamps, PT sessions and strength training. She says guests are more focused on variety and personalisation, with mobility and HITT classes now part of the mix. According to Innovation Director Kate Taylor, Gen Z are the most clued-up generation health-wise thanks to social media, with most understanding that if 80 per cent of your wellbeing comes from lifestyle choices and just 20 per cent from genes, it's vital to start educating and looking after yourself way before the 35 years marker – the age your body officially starts to deteriorate. Gulp. Consequently, longevity and lifestyle are current buzz words in the spa world which Taylor believes will help shape wellness over the next 10 years. In response, Champneys is rolling out more retreats than ever before (up to 200), covering everything from detoxing and the menopause to the slightly more woo: a 'Twilight Moon Manifesting' retreat and 'Wim Hof Fundamentals' getaway. Taylor says research shows that poor sleep health is a concern that spans the generations from boomers to Millennials, so retreats to help guests get some shut eye are an important offer. And in an era when technology is threatening to impose on all areas of life, it's interesting to learn that Champneys' Group Spa Director Laura Sheridan is a big believer in digital detoxing and thinks human touch will become 'ever more important' to guests feeling increasingly isolated in a high-tech world. It's safe to say there's no danger of robots taking over the massage treatments at Tring just yet. Champneys clearly won't be hanging up its white slippers any time soon, with a new spa in Marbella scheduled to open this year, which will sit alongside the existing four spa resorts (Tring, Forest Mere, Henlow and Springs), two hotels and two city spas. Its challenge is to remain relevant at a time when there are more luxurious UK spa hotels than ever before and to meet the demands of guests expecting results in record time. Amanda Statham travelled as a guest of Champneys Tring, which offers doubles from £140.
Scottish Sun
26-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
The Dubai-like spa hotel in the UK where Peter Andre and wife Emily go on child-free weekends
Plus, the holiday destination Peter says is a kids' paradise CELEB R&R The Dubai-like spa hotel in the UK where Peter Andre and wife Emily go on child-free weekends PETER Andre is a busy man, particularly now that his new movie, Jafaican, is being released, but there are times when he does like to put his feet up. The singer-turned-actor recently raved about his two favourite spa hotels in the UK. Advertisement 6 Peter Andre loves a break in Champneys Credit: Instagram / peterandre 6 Champneys is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year Credit: Instagram / peterandre One is spa Champneys, which coincidentally is celebrating its 100 year anniversary. Peter, who often visits the Henlow branch, told Sun Travel: "Champneys is like a home from home, who doesn't love it?" "I remember when I first came to England and people would say to me 'go and have a break at Champneys'. The food is great, I love using the pool and the gym - it has everything. "When I go it feels like a weight off my shoulders. I have been with Emily before, and we love it. You can make a day of it, and it's always really great." Advertisement Peter married wife Dr Emily MacDonagh in July 2015, meaning this year they will be celebrating their tenth wedding anniversary. "It's hard to convince Emily to spend time away from the baby," added Peter, who with Emily shares 13 month old Arabella. "But the baby's over a year old now, and because it's our tenth wedding anniversary, I'd love to go somewhere with her - maybe for one night." Champneys is celebrating its 100th year after first opening its Stanley Lief health farm in 1925. Advertisement To celebrate, they have various anniversary spa packages including spa days, stays and even boot camp options - a one-night stay at Champneys Henlow can cost from £154 per person. Another UK spa that Peter is a fan of, for anyone wanting to splash out, is the Fairmont in Windsor which he says reminds him of Dubai. First look at Peter Andre's new movie as he wears dreadlock wig and puts on Jamaican accent in toe-curling scenes 6 The Champneys in Henlow has a spa and gym Credit: Instagram / peterandre 6 There's plenty of food at the buffet in Champneys too Credit: Instagram / peterandre Advertisement "When you walk in, it's like being in one of those incredible hotels in Dubai, it's unbelievable. And I don't know how people haven't discovered it yet. "It's incredible, even if you go just for one day to their spa." Fairmont Spa Windsor's Twilight Spa Package costs £270 for a spa day Monday to Thursday, and £290 for a spa day Friday to Sunday. Ahead of the release of his upcoming film, Jafaican, Peter went on a big family trip with his children, Junior, 19, and Princess, 17 and Amelia, 11, Theo, 9, and Arabella, 13 months, who he shares with his wife, Emily. Advertisement Having been scoping out child-friendly destinations for so many years, Peter has high praise for Yas Island in Abu Dhabi - and with good reason. Peter told us: "Yas Island is the most child-friendly place I've ever been to - it's a kids' paradise. 6 Peter said the Fairmont reminded him of Dubai "They cater for children first which is something I've never seen anywhere else. And then they've made it exciting for the adults - normally it's the other way around." Advertisement The family made sure to check out Ferrari World, which is home to the world's fastest rollercoaster, as well as the huge Aquaventure World waterpark. Yas Island is also set to welcome yet another theme park, which Disney announced in May 2025. Peter recently returned to Australia for the world premiere of his comedy film Jafaican, which will be out in UK cinemas on May 20, 2025. Peter plays Gazza, a small-time London crook who takes on a high-stakes con job to cover £35,000 bill for his grandmother's care home fees. Advertisement This English hotel is set to open 'secret garden spa' with swim-up pool bar and waterfalls. And this posh UK spa hotel praised by mums as perfect for kids – thanks to Ofsted creche, huge playbarn and early teatime.
The Sun
26-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
The Dubai-like spa hotel in the UK where Peter Andre and wife Emily go on child-free weekends
PETER Andre is a busy man, particularly now that his new movie, Jafaican, is being released, but there are times when he does like to put his feet up. The singer-turned-actor recently raved about his two favourite spa hotels in the UK. 6 6 One is spa Champneys, which coincidentally is celebrating its 100 year anniversary. Peter, who often visits the Henlow branch, told Sun Travel: "Champneys is like a home from home, who doesn't love it?" "I remember when I first came to England and people would say to me 'go and have a break at Champneys'. The food is great, I love using the pool and the gym - it has everything. "When I go it feels like a weight off my shoulders. I have been with Emily before, and we love it. You can make a day of it, and it's always really great." Peter married wife Dr Emily MacDonagh in July 2015, meaning this year they will be celebrating their tenth wedding anniversary. "It's hard to convince Emily to spend time away from the baby," added Peter, who with Emily shares 13 month old Arabella. "But the baby's over a year old now, and because it's our tenth wedding anniversary, I'd love to go somewhere with her - maybe for one night." Champneys is celebrating its 100th year after first opening its Stanley Lief health farm in 1925. To celebrate, they have various anniversary spa packages including spa days, stays and even boot camp options - a one-night stay at Champneys Henlow can cost from £154 per person. Another UK spa that Peter is a fan of, for anyone wanting to splash out, is the Fairmont in Windsor which he says reminds him of Dubai. 6 6 "When you walk in, it's like being in one of those incredible hotels in Dubai, it's unbelievable. And I don't know how people haven't discovered it yet. "It's incredible, even if you go just for one day to their spa." Fairmont Spa Windsor's Twilight Spa Package costs £270 for a spa day Monday to Thursday, and £290 for a spa day Friday to Sunday. Ahead of the release of his upcoming film, Jafaican, Peter went on a big family trip with his children, Junior, 19, and Princess, 17 and Amelia, 11, Theo, 9, and Arabella, 13 months, who he shares with his wife, Emily. Having been scoping out child-friendly destinations for so many years, Peter has high praise for Yas Island in Abu Dhabi - and with good reason. Peter told us: "Yas Island is the most child-friendly place I've ever been to - it's a kids' paradise. 6 "They cater for children first which is something I've never seen anywhere else. And then they've made it exciting for the adults - normally it's the other way around." The family made sure to check out Ferrari World, which is home to the world's fastest rollercoaster, as well as the huge Aquaventure World waterpark. Yas Island is also set to welcome yet another theme park, which Disney announced in May 2025. Peter recently returned to Australia for the world premiere of his comedy film Jafaican, which will be out in UK cinemas on May 20, 2025. Peter plays Gazza, a small-time London crook who takes on a high-stakes con job to cover £35,000 bill for his grandmother's care home fees. This English hotel is set to open 'secret garden spa' with swim-up pool bar and waterfalls. And this posh UK spa hotel praised by mums as perfect for kids – thanks to Ofsted creche, huge playbarn and early teatime. 6
