Abbey Spa & Wellness

A small place in a leisure centre. The setup is quite awkward. The relaxation area is plain and not close to the sauna area. Make sure you bring a padlock with you if you want to change near the sauna area. As you have to go to the swimming pool area to change if you don't, which is accessed outside of the spa area near the entrance to the Leisure centre. If you do change in the swimming area, you will need a pound coin for the lockers. I was helped by the staff as I didn't have a coin. You will then have to walk out of the spa to get to the swimming pool changing area, which made me uncomfortable. The treatments were good. I had a face and back massage. However, I was supposed to have 3 treatments. I only received 2. I think it's great to go to the sauna or the spa if you have a free day. However, I don't think it's a great gift for someone unless you or they know the area and the type of spa it is. It is a leisure centre spa, so a lot of the people are locals and it is well used.

The staff were friendly, patient, and helpful when asked. The spa looks stylish as you walk in and feels calm. However, the facilities themselves are dated (especially the changing rooms with just 2 private changing rooms inside) and it was very unclean during my visit. Regular mopping and cleaning throughout its use is needed in my opinion. The hydrotherapy pool was a hot bed of cloudy germs with hair and bits (of I don't know what) floating about. I saw 1 user allow spit to fall from her mouth into the water which I made a point of letting her know had been seen. If women choose to stand underneath the water that shoots out into the pool (unsure of the official name), take care because the water that sprays off of their backs can sting your eyes and some of the women won't necessarily stop/move to avoid this happening. No cold shower in use within the spa during my visit which meant I was quite nauseous & light headed being in such hot rooms/spaces without the cool down needed by having a quick turn under the cold water. No ice fountain either. Only a shower that released warm/hot water. The aromatherapy steam, salt steam and sauna are good. I enjoyed those. Some women talk too much and too loudly which ruins the 'spa' experience for those who visit to unwind & quiet their mind. Some women also don't understand cleanliness nor etiquette in that they will place their towel, etc., on top other hanging towels/robes/items that don't belong to them! The relaxation area is anything but as it's close to reception, with no door and, again, a lot of chat was happening. There are only 3 lounge beds and 2 sofas which I didn't feel comfortable sitting on in my wet swimsuit as the seats are flannel! The spa is much smaller than pics suggest. I think each visitor should be permitted 2 - 3 hours maximum time to avoid reaching capacity and having people waiting/queueing for access. It also becomes an uncomfortable experience when it's too busy! I dare not use the toilets or showers so cannot speak on those. All of this said, I'll defo visit again (to give it another chance) and hope that it will be a much nicer experience.

I am regular user/customer of Barking Spa, I only go on Friday afternoon and I find all the facilities to be good and particularly the staff are very friendly and helpful. Last Friday the 13 is unlucky for some but I met extremely friendly and helpful young lady with a gorgeous smile on her face, she made my day, So I had to write this feedback because of her, her name is Ms Barbara Gyang. I think she deserves 5 star from me as a customer service advisor.

After repeated disappointing experiences with Abbey Leisure Centre, I feel compelled to share. The centre consistently fails to keep its promises — whether it’s regarding membership agreements, class schedules, or follow-up support. It’s incredibly frustrating. One of the biggest issues is the constant staff turnover. Every time you visit or call, you’re dealing with someone new who has no idea about your previous queries. There’s a clear lack of continuity and accountability. Customer service is poor overall. Staff are often unhelpful or uninformed, and getting anyone to answer the phone is a test of patience. On several occasions, I was left on hold for over 60 minutes, only to be cut off or redirected with no resolution. I would not recommend signing up.

The facilities are well kept and they are planning on upgrading equipment the gym facilities are well maintained and if you go during non-busy periods you'll get a complete workout without having to wait around. As for the spa it is most definitely a highlight and one of the better maintained spas within the area. The staff are very friendly. You have a great sized sauna room and a few steam rooms You also have a great hydro therapy pool which really helps post workout. I would highly recommend getting the platinum membership as you get unlimited visits to the spa as well as the gym.

Another day another Spa treatment, this is within a leisure centre, lovely staff greeted me and led me to the treatment room, my 1 hour Swedish massage was done by Katya who is brilliant, I was so relaxed I fell asleep, my body is now revitalised, I was time limited so missed out on the sauna and steam and the hydro pool, next time, big thanks to Katya

Unfortunately would not recommend. It's more for the people who use the gym than a spa. It was filthy dirty. It has 3 steam rooms and a sauna. The steam rooms was mouldy and unclean, the ceiling was dripping with water on to everyone. Never managed to get into the sauna as it was full up. The hydro pool was freezing and the taps that shoot out water was lethal, it sprayed water everywhere- not relaxing. The water was not clear either- which put me off. The relaxation room was not relaxing as the curtains was open so could see everyone coming in and out via reception area, and the lounges are not heated they are just wicker lounge seats. You have to get changed in the gym changing room which was absolutely filthy, banana peels left on the floor, plasters, food wrappers and water bottles. My friend and I both had massages but could not do it together so we both had to wait behind 1 hour and 15 mins till each was complete and it just made the day even more unpleasant. The facial was the best part of the day, I have had better back massages but the shoulders arms and hand massage was good too. Unfortunately the massage was not as relaxing I hoped, there was no relaxing music, and all you could hear is other people talking, laughing, walking around and doors slamming and banging. It was really noisy. Nothing will be done, as it's still bringing in money, but hopefully this and the other reviews would help people before they go and be extremely disappointed.

It was very dirty. People shaving in the spa and loud groups of men shouting making it not a relaxing experience. Also people eating in the spa area was quite disgusting. If they staggered the amount of people using the spa and maybe made people shower before entering it might be nicer. It was over crowded and often couldn’t get a seat in the sauna because of people sprawling out and there just not been enough space. Also some areas had a strong smell of urine. The dirtyness was very unpleasant, I left very early as I was genuinely concerned for my health. The treatments were not good but then again it was very cheap so I wasn’t expecting a high standard.