Vichy Celestins Spa Hôtel

“Beautiful hotel”

We had a wonderful stay at this hotel! The staff was incredibly friendly and helpful throughout our stay. Our room, the Deluxe Terrace Double Room with Park View, was clean, spacious, and had a large terrace that offered a beautiful view over the park. We enjoyed spending time on the terrace, takin… more

We had a wonderful stay at this hotel! The staff was incredibly friendly and helpful throughout our stay. Our room, the Deluxe Terrace Double Room with Park View, was clean, spacious, and had a large terrace that offered a beautiful view over the park. We enjoyed spending time on the terrace, taking in the view and relaxing. The hotel’s location is great! We highly recommend this hotel to anyone visiting the area.

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“Great hotel +less than great spa = not such good experience”

Minus one star for the service at the spa but the hotel is wonderful! For starters, the hotel has the unfortunate “benefit” of being under the same brand as the spa. I say this because I have been dreaming for years of visiting the Vichy spa and staying at the hotel Celestins because that is wher… more

Minus one star for the service at the spa but the hotel is wonderful! For starters, the hotel has the unfortunate “benefit” of being under the same brand as the spa. I say this because I have been dreaming for years of visiting the Vichy spa and staying at the hotel Celestins because that is where the spa is. However the star of the show was really the hotel and NOT THE SPA. The hotel staff was divine—every single member from the front desk to the bellmen and housekeeping department. Upon arrival and throughout our stay, we were received so graciously by all of them and every need to met. Additionally the rooms, breakfast and grounds are beautiful including the gardens and other public spaces. The location is perfect as you can walk everywhere from the restaurants on the lake to the downtown shops, restaurants and the opera house. Don’t bother staying anywhere else. UNFORTUNATELY the spa is a different story. I always say that real customer service begins at the top and it certainly does at the hotel with stellar service . At the spa, the lack of attention to the customer also begins at the top with its director who sits at the reception area on the bottom floor with some staff. The nice Eastern European lady with black glasses who is at the 3rd floor entrance is smiling and kind. However once you take the elevator to the bottom floor, one gets the impression that the blond French manager is bothered by having to greet you. She is clearly not there to serve the customer but rather to supervise and monitor them. I asked for a pair of disposable flip flops and she said, “you should have them in your room”; as if I should get back in the elevator and return to my room to get them. I asked where the changing room was located because she never offered the information and she pointed and turned her head to dismiss me. On the second day I forgot my flip flops and asked for a pair. She said “I gave you some yesterday “. I had to explain to her that I simply forgot them in my room. I also had to ask where the pool and sauna were because it was not explained upon arrival. I am surprised she didn’t tell me to read the signs in the elevator rather than to take the trouble to direct me. When I finished my treatment, I returned the flip flops to her as she seemed to concerned about the inventory but she would not take them from me and sent me back to the changing room to dispose of them; Almost unbelievable! She has trained her staff to be equally chilly and antiseptic because the staff is ambivalent. Secondly the spa is not well maintained. The areas need a good cleaning to brighten up the dull walls and floors. Even the pool area where the water comes in from the natural spring needs cleaning because the mineral from the water have blocked the holes. The steam room (hamam) has a musty smell. It’s doesn’t need a renovation but rather a deep cleaning and a new manager to breath life and the feeling of happiness that a spa should offer. On the bright side, the larger whirlpool with various jets is so relaxing and therapeutic. The saunas were perfectly hot (as opposed to the steam room which needs to be serviced). If I return, I would probably not have another treatment. My treatment was less than memorable as I was received by a young woman who was less than happy to have a customer. My treatment which was supposed to be 25 took less than 15 minutes. It was the least impressive salt scrub I ever had and I should have done it myself and saved the 75 euros. This young woman was not interested in my skin or how I was feeling and performed her task in a quick and mechanical manner. But again, this lack of care from the all comes from the top. There are many treatment rooms and they were all empty. I complained at the hotel about the service and a lovely young man said the service is not good because they are short handed but this is not true. I would not want another 10 or 20 people like what they have presently. What they need is a new director who wants to run a spa where staff feels cared for so that they can care for the customer. My advice is as follows: Find a new manager Give the place a good cleaning from the guts Invest in new signage Offer the therapists a commission so they are incentivized to provide information to the customer and offer services. I tried asking therapists for information but they sent me to the front desk.

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“Not a 5 star hotel at all”

Very lack lustre check in and no availability in the restaurant when we asked to book. Was told we can go to the bar. Receptionist did try one restaurant for us but that too was full so we went to the bar. Acknowledged a staff member as we arrived and sat outside in the courtyard. Watched countless… more

Very lack lustre check in and no availability in the restaurant when we asked to book. Was told we can go to the bar. Receptionist did try one restaurant for us but that too was full so we went to the bar. Acknowledged a staff member as we arrived and sat outside in the courtyard. Watched countless other people get served before us. Must have been because it was getting dark and they couldn’t see us. No lights or candles. Eventually got a recycled menu from a nearby table but was totally ignored for 30 minutes. Got up and left. Complained on the way out. Took our room number but nothing else. Although many restaurants nearby were also full we found a great place in the centre and had way better service for half the price. The suite we had was excellent though. Roomy and spacious with a very comfy bed and nice bedding. Went to have a look at the pool on the 7th floor. Don’t bother. It’s not good and even at dusk there were no lights on. Funny, this place does seem to have an issue with lighting. Many lights don’t work, bulbs are missing from many fittings or are constantly strobing. Breakfast was very average for a 5 star hotel and the service was not great either. There was a previous comment about the place looking like a private hospital. Yes, I would agree. Would I stay again? No, definitely not. Needs a reclassification to four star. It massively falls short of 5 stars and the team need some major training.

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