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: http://www.yelp.com/biz/k-club-straffan#hrid 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. read more
