I'm not very keen on spas. Never really considered stopping in at the Elemis spa in T5 but last time I thought what the heck. Had no luck as they were fully booked anyway. Next trip through LHR will be in F so I can book a slot ahead of time. I'm just wondering whether I should bother or not since searching through the threads here, I find a few disparaging remarks and not many positive ones. How many of you here use/have used the spa? What treatment did you have? How was it? Your comments welcome.
I actually had a reasonable back massage (on a kneeling stool thing rather than the reclining sofa of pain) the other day, although it was as rushed as normal. I happened to be passing through the lounge area early in the morning before a flight later that afternoon (I had another flight in between) so could make a booking easily. Had I been arriving at the lounge at the normal time I doubt I could have got an appointment, and certainly not one for the kneeling massage. Given the difficulty getting appointments, that the treatments normally are not good (the chair of torture in particular) and how rushed the appointments are, I can't normally be bothered to ask these days.
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My experiences have all been positive. I usually have the facial and chair massage. It is a
very nice way to start a journey (usually going out to PHX). I cannot recall ever being
disappointed.
I've always found it quite difficult to secure an appointment at T5, but on the occasions I've managed to do so, it's been a nice addition to the overall travel experience. I've done the chair a couple of times as well as a facial (IIRC) - all were very relaxing.
I do have to say that the experiences haven't been quite comparable to the massage I got at BKK when flying in J on TG, but I'm not sure if it's a fair comparison...
My experiences have been hit and miss, normally I go for the head/shoulder massage. In T5A, for whatever reason the staff seem grumpy, and never apply any pressure, so the only benefit comes from the massage chair.
The last couple of times, I've used the spa in T5B, which has been better, and even getting in the lounge 1.5 hours before an evening flight, they have been able to accomodate me
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I have had the facial 2 or 3 times (which is done in the massage chair), twice in T5A and once in Arrivals. It's usually a nice enough experience but kind of over it now! I am flying F this Friday and could have well pre-booked a treatment but it wasn't first priority on my things to do.
It's a nice enough experience mind and recommend it for anyone who hasn't had it but personally not something I would make a big point of doing every time I fly
As a CW/F passenger (prior to them allowing pre-booking with youFirst), i managed to get an appointment at T5A only once in 8/9 attempts (even arriving 3+ hours early), and about 2/3 of those missed times i've been able to visit T5B and have a treatment there.
Always go for flying facial. Varying degrees of satisfaction to be honest. I find that T5A is usually pretty noisy and you cant relax, T5B is slightly better for peace and quiet although that depends if the gates nearby are being used at the time (once it was very noisy as a flight was departing from the gate directly below the spa)
If you are in First then prebook and try it - you have nothing to lose except 20mins where you wont be enjoying the concorde room
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Availability is terrible, and it's not because the physical infrastructure is overstretched. I have never seen all available rooms in use, so I think it's an unwillingness to spend money on having enough staff.
It's silly, because promising something and failing to deliver is more disappointing than not offering it in the first place. BA should be giving cash refunds or Avios compensation for every treatment denied 2 hours or more before boarding.
Schlepping to T5B sometimes comes to the rescue but is a hassle and comes with a degree of uncertainty about being trapped in B, as well as the ignominy of there being no First lounge there.
When they are available, the treatments are certainly better than nothing, though as others have said, they're generally rushed and non-committal. Back, neck and head massages tend to contain a lot of silly pinching and pressing, but very little actual massage. Not a patch on a shoulder and neck massage I had in the Thai Business Lounge in BKK, which was marvellous.
Must try harder.
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Have had on quite a few occasions the facial and foot massage, out of T3, have managed luck being on my side to get a slot for both hubby and myself 3 hours before departure.
Will in Feb be booking in advance through U First a facial for both of us when we fly out to HKG on way to SYD.
Have always enjoyed the facial and foot massage, not to keen to try the back massage, bad back
Had never bothered until three weeks ago, F outbound with MrsFish.
I called up You First a day or two before and randomly selected Item 1 (MrsFish) and Item 2 (me) from the Elemis menu. Times booked 20 mins apart.
We both enjoyed the treatments, in our case a very nice accompaniament to the CCR and starting off our holiday. We will almost certainly pre-book again next time in F, if we have the time.
After the inbound we found Elemis T5 arrivals already booked up by 6:30am, so MrsFish just had 'the Chair' ... but even that got a thumbs up as it helped with a stiff back.
In conclusion: If you have the time, and there is something on the menu which you feel is going to improve your trip, then go for it.
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All pretty positive from me - i have just had the scalp with the chair massage which was very pleasant.
The best option for me is the back and shoulder massage as i prefer that - couldn't get it today but luckily did manage an appointment despite only having an hour and a half connection.
I'm not really a facial treatment person, never had one before, and never since.
However, I quite enjoyed the experience, and felt really relaxed and calm after it, and the massage chair. I only wish it was sooner before the flight, rather than a few hours, as the feeling was lost somewhat after negotiating T5.
