The K Spa

Ok here’s the thing. I would like to preface this review by saying that it is based somewhat on my expectations. We were promised a five star experience. Five. Star. Those two words to me evoke impressions of luxury, indulgence, opulence, and massively high standards, both in staff and facilities.
Now here’s the other thing. Luxury, indulgence, opulence, we did not experience. Same goes for the high standards unfortunately.
If you went in EXPECTING a 3-​star experience, your review might be very different to this one. Just making sure you know that’s all.
So here it goes…
The reception staff firstly refused to take our vouchers on our phones, saying they needed printed versions, so we had to go through a whole rigmarole until eventually they agreed to take email versions from us and print them themselves. They had then booked us into treatments at the wrong time slots, and refrained from any type of apology or effort to fix the situation. Then, just as the «5 star» sheen was wearing off, before we’d even stepped into the spa; the final nail in the coffin with regards to customer service. After asking if we could order any food /​perhaps even some bubbles in the relaxation room, our delightful hostesses retorted; «We don’t serve alcohol or stuff like that, this is a SPA!»
The spa itself is really not actually a spa. It’s a load of treatment rooms built around a member’s gym and pool. Which unfortunately means the following; 1) The steam room and sauna are inside the changing rooms, more as functional ameinities than relaxaion luxuries. 2) Even less welcome in the small changing room are the children. (sorry, but I don’t want little ‘uns running round me when I’m trying to relaaaaaax! 3) The ‘thermal suite’ is actually a pool (chilly pool) overlooked by the gym, and an outdoor spa.
As the outdoor spa seemed to be the only spa-​like element in the whole gaff, we took a trip out there. Opened the grimy door, and stood at the edge of the grimy spa. Oh Lord. Overshadowed by trees, lots of the leaves had fallen in, making it look a bit sludge-​like. It also stunk to high heavens and had a kind of slick of something (??!) over the wood. Now maybe it was because it was made out of wood or it was outside or whatever the reason was, we convinced ourselves that it was surely fine. Probably we were trying to convince ourselves that we hadn’t entirely washed 90 euros down the thermal suite drain more like. So, in we hopped. Ahhh smelly luke warm water. Lovely. Nothing untoward happened, no odd-​looking growths or anything like that, but still, I felt like the folks in the gym had a kind of appalled «you went in THERE?!!» kinda look on their faces as we retreated to the confines of the «relaxation room.»
You may have already guessed by my use of inverted commas that the descriptives ‘relaxation room’ don’t entirely fit what is available here. It’s more of a spare room they threw some doctors’ beds, towels and magazines in. Oh and some lukewarm day-​old tea. Best not to forget that.
Now to end this review on a high note. As you can tell, I would advise strongly against the idea of a ‘spa day’ here, as it’s simply impossible given the facilities in the venue. However, I would absolutely recommend booking in for a treatment (or hell, even using the gym — those guys looked like they were having a great time!). I received a 30 minute massage which was sublime (slightly over-​enthusiastic on the scalp area though — note to self; say no to scalp ‘massages’ from now on!), and a 60 minute facial which was also excellent. I asked the beauty therapist if she could shape my eyebrows as well, which she did, and despite being prepared to pay extra, she was happy to lump it in with the facial.
So. If you’re not expecting star treatment, and know what exactly you’re after, by all means give the K Spa a bash. If you are after something special however, give it a wide berth.

More than likely, you would be using the K Spa only if you were staying on the grounds of the K Club. I have reviewed the K Club here:
However, I wanted to review the K Spa individually from the estate. here we go…
The spa, gym, and pool (when considered together) were above average. The gym and pool were essentially abandoned and allowed for my full enjoyment. The gym is impressive in size, well stocked, clean, and with updated equipment. The pool is sparkling clean, chic and modern in design, with a fairly large whirlpool. Both the gym and the pool were lovely.
However, all these amenities are a bit of a trip away, and quite a walk from one’s room if you’re staying in the main estate of the K Club. You have to walk all the way down the hall, take the elevator or stairs down, then walk through another hall to the lobby, then down another long hall past several common rooms, before taking a 5 — 10 minute walk OUTSIDE just to arrive at the building.
So of course for practicality (and I suppose modesty), it is best to just bring your change of clothes or swimsuit with you, as opposed to making this long trip through the corridors in your robe and slippers.
Though I enjoyed the gym and pool, the spa left something to be desired in way of service and treatment:
I had booked my seaweed treatment well in advance to avoid disappointment, as was recommended to me when I had initially booked my stay. Well, when I was checking in at the front of the amenities building (which you must do in order to get a key to a locker in the change room), the attendant looked up my information and followed up with asking me if I’d like to book a spa service. Of course, I was very surprised to find that my appointment was not already in the books. So through this attendant, I re-​booked my treatment for the last day of my stay, making sure to confirm with her that it was the same treatment I had booked initially. However, I found out later than I should have reconfirmed with someone else, as I did not receive the treatment she described to me; which is the one I wanted.
What I had initially booked, and what she confirmed with me, was a full seaweed wrap and soak, which uses fresh leaves of Irish sligo seaweed as well as seaweed extracts with a micronized peat. The highlight of this treatment for me would have been the full leaves of seaweed, which is why I booked it. The attendant at the time even agreed with my decision, saying that getting the wrap with «whole leaves» was one of the best and most unique experiences, as well as a K Spa signature treatment.
Unfortunately, when the last day of my stay rolled around and it came time for me to get this treatment, I was not given this wrap and soak at all. And alas, the attendant I had booked through before was not there that day. So the problem was not remedied. Instead of the wrap and soak, I was given a very standard, entirely normal 25 minute bath in a jet tub. It’s unbelievable that this is even considered a treatment of some sort. When I saw the tub, I quickly said that there must be some mistake, but instead I received a curt response that this was indeed a seaweed soak, and I had no wrap booked. After pouring a plastic measuring cup of powdered seaweed into the tub and turning on the jets, this particularly apathetic employee then left me to tend to myself with a 25 min timer. Not luxurious at all and not worth the € 75 spa credit that I used.
The dark tiled room had no open windows and with the closed door, the air circulation was poor, so the atmosphere quickly became uncomfortable and claustrophobic. The water was too hot for me and the tub was so deep that I couldn’t even calmly lay back and truly «soak,» as hot water went up my nose a few times when I tried. Either the tub was overfilled or I am very very tiny. Once, I honestly felt the sensation that I might drown. It was very unnerving and not a calming experience at all. After failing to soak in the tub, I left before the timer went off. I later made my way to the reading room (which featured several different types of loose leaf teas and did succeed in calming me down a bit before my flight), though no one came to find me afterward, so I suppose my absence didn’t bother them.