Five Lakes Resort
How does visiting a resort with friends featuring a spa relaxation room with four-poster beds sound? If that doesn’t catch your attention, how about a manicure room for seven and 12 spa treatment rooms? All of this, plus a gorgeous treatment menu, swimming pool and tennis courts make this a fantastic option for a special occasion with your besties. Combine a lovely spa with light, airy bedrooms, a tapas bar and relaxed brasserie and you have a weekend to remember.
Spa and hotel facilities
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At a glance
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Pre-Natal
The spa offers treatments and packages tailored for mums-to-be.
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Leisure Break Venue
The resort has a range of leisure facilities and treatments, but is not a specialised spa location. Facilities include: pool, sauna, steam room and whirlpool.
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Groups
The resort is a great destination for groups, particularly with a manicure/pedicure room catering for up to seven people at a time.
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Golf
There are two 18-hole golf courses in the grounds of the resort.
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Family Friendly
There are 28 family rooms, and children are allowed in the pool at all times.
Spa & Leisure
Surrounded by 320 acres of Essex countryside, the spa and leisure facilities at Five Lakes are wide reaching to say the least. For more active guests there are eight tennis courts as well as badminton, squash, table tennis and a gym; while the spa area has a pool, sauna and steam room, and a manicure and pedicure room catering for up to seven people at a time. There is also a relaxation room complete with three four-poster beds in which to doze post-treatment.
With 12 treatment rooms, the relaxation experience is equally well catered to. The spa uses Elemis products to deliver a selection of massages, facials, scrubs, wraps, manicures, pedicures, and finishing touches as well as reflexology and hopi ear candling.
Hotel & Accommodation
The first thing that strikes you about Five Lakes is just how contemporary and new the building is – light and spacious, the 194 bedroom venue boasts modern style with sweeping views of the golf courses and surrounding countryside. Right across the Resort there's fabulous food to tempt your tastebuds. Throughout your day/stay you can grab a hearty brunch in The Dining Room, all-day dining in The Terrace and/or lip-smacking bowl food in The Main Bar.
Location
Five Lakes Resort,
Colchester Road,
Tolleshunt Knights,
Maldon,
Essex,
CM9 8HX
CM9 8HX
Tolleshunt Knights, Essex, 8 miles NE of Maldon
Spa & Hotel Reviews
Condition of Spa
7.4 out of 10
Quality of Treatments
8.8 out of 10
Staff
8.2 out of 10
Quality of Food
7.6 out of 10
Quality of Facilities
7.0 out of 10
Value for money
7.8 out of 10
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Booking the spa day with Leighton was very easy and we were given a £5 discount at booking which was nice.
The team contacted on the morning of the spa day to inform us that the spa and pool area were being cleaned but would be open at 3pm. We were offered to move our afternoon tea and treatment times.
On arrival the young lady on the desk requested a payment. I explained that I had paid online. I was told this was not a payment just a secure booking method. However I knew the money had left my account. I showed the team my confirmation email and rechecked my account via online banking. The young lady stood and proceeded to get our robes and towel. I had to then check that I didn't need to pay and she told me that I was correct and sorry. The gym facilities were good, but we needed £5 for a locker key each instead of a £1 which had recently changed, the golf reception area reported that the pool was unlikely to open until next week, not 3pm today. The pool and spa area did not open at all that day.
The two relaxation rooms were very nice, some guests were talking very loudly about there children but this cannot be helped. The afternoon tea was nice. Good selection of sandwiches, the waitress was very friendly and hospitable. We were offered more tea. The scones were enormous and very tasty with a generous portion of clotted cream. The treatment was very relaxing and explained for myself. My therapist was Amy and I would rate her very highly. We booked a scalp and face treatment for myself which was included within a radiance facial. I thought I had booked a foot mitt and back massage for my partner but he rec'd the same treatment as me. He did however enjoy the treatment and it left his skin feeling very cleansed. Aside from some communication breakdown we were pleased with the spa day as it was very relaxing. It would have been better if the spa/pool had been available.
Afternoon tea was really good.
Spa is very clean and chilled.
Nice atmosphere and pool is warm. Plus you get towels and gowns and free lockers before room check in which is handy.
Treatment was nice but lady never asked about what pressure for massage or any problem areas.
Jacuzzi wasnt working properly
Lovely staff and relaxing environment. We didn’t have to wait long at all from our appointment time. The only down side was the sessions we had booked and confirmed with spa breaks was completely different to what the spa had scheduled in, which meant 1 had to wait 1 hour for my scheduled appointment. Otherwise, it was great.
Spa bit old and tired . Steam room Luke warm and sauna unbearably hot .
Spa treatment ok , rooms tired I had a body scrub so had to walk down a corridor to shower off . Shower drain was blocked so it flooded the shower tray and the drain cover floated off .
Had to check out at 11am even though Spa treatment ended at this time so had to take everything into treatment room as wasn’t allowed back in the room after even though I was placed in a room right near the spa for convince I presume.
The spa was really lovely and quiet when we visited for a half day spa in the afternoon. The receptionist was very helpful and showed us around. Changing rooms very clean. Relaxation room was fab apart from cleaners hoovering outside which we could hear! We had back treatment which was amazing. Therapists were fantastic explaining everything beforehand and giving us details of what they used. Bit annoying you had to go downstairs to access pool area and no keys for lockers? Pool was lovely and tranquil. Would definitely recommend and hope to return. My daughters first spa experience and she loved it!
Disappointed, pool and changing room were very tired looking and dated. Lacked decor, could’ve done with some greenery from plants plus there was no jacuzzi. Bath robes were old and washed out.
There were no diet cokes available to purchase at the spa bar and very limited selection of anything else so we were advised to go downstairs to the sports bar. Waited ages to be served, no ice and no cream !
Afternoon tea was very disappointing with the whole top layer of cakes all being soggy!
The actual treatments albeit nice felt rushed .
Would not recommend Five Lakes spa and will not visit again.
Way off the mark as a relaxing spa, the reception lady was rude from the minute we arrived, she kept telling us that she doesn’t normally work in the spa we had that all day when we asked questions. There was no tour of the area we had to keep asking where things were. We were directed to the pool area via a busy sports bar full of male golfers which was very uncomfortable. Pool was really busy with noisy children. Treatments, we all had a facial but all had different experiences, I was not asked about any allergies etc and no card was completed before the treatment, I was recommended a product but the receptionist didn’t know any details so I left it! The relaxation areas are all dull no natural light so felt like you had been locked up all day, the furniture in one of the rooms looked like left overs from around the hotel that had been put in the room, the outside area near the upstairs bar was full of wasps. The staff really couldn’t do enough for you literally will not be going back or recommending to friends
Had a wonderful day. This was the first experience that my 16 year old daughter has had in a spa and absolutely loved it, she was thrilled with her luxury pedicure. I was totally relaxed in the new relaxation room and the afternoon tea was delicious.
A brilliant choice and location we both felt very spoilt and important thank you
When we checked into the hotel we were told we couldn't use the pool and spa facilities until after 6pm, something we were unaware of!!!
At the Spa on Monday the receptionist told us where to go for afternoon tea and what time our treatment was. She didn't show us around or give us any info. It wasn't until later listening to someone's conversation that we realised there was a relaxation room with beds that we hadn't seen!!!
The pool was used for baby swimming lessons 8-12 and then aqua aerobics after that so I'm not sure why they state this is included in the package when it's very difficult to relax or even swim!!!
The afternoon tea was ok but yet again the staff were miserable and the tables were dirty.
We both had facials which were very good and the therapist took the time to make sure it was suited to my skin.
No I will not be returning!!
The spa itself is very dated, laying on loungers staring at peeling paint and holes in the walls isn’t nice.
Food under our seats and mould in the spa meant we only spent a short amount of time in the spa.
The treatment itself was faultless which I credit to the staff member.
We were booked for afternoon tea, it took some time for our drinks to be given to us, a very grubby and rude waitress delivered our afternoon tea- no explanation as to what the cakes were.
Other diners highlighted that those scones were raw as were ours and another tables- the waitresses were overheard talking about knowing they were not cooked but decided to serve them anyway.
We were then left to eat our cakes.
New tables arrives who were all advised that there was a delay on the scones as they were in the oven but they neglected so speak to the 3 tables who had sent there’s back! After waiting half an hour we left- again they did not say anything or offer to put them in a takeaway box for us to collect upon leaving.
I will not be recommending this venue- this was a 30th Birthday present which was basically a disappointment.
The spa rooms and changing room was very cold. But the main area where we had tea was lovely and warm. Afternoon tea was included in our package however the cakes and break were quite dry.. but still edible. It was a lovely touch to have complimentary tea and coffee until 11:30 which was perfect as our treatment was 11:45. Overall we had a brilliant time, but some slight improvements would have given it the 5 star rating
Overall we had a lovely relaxing day, but would only say one thing about the treatment and this was the facial treatment wasn't really a facial, as when I've had this done before, you get creams put on your face, but it was really just a little massage to the face, and that was it. So I wouldn't of classed it as being a facial.
Everything else with this Spa was amazing, pool was clean, staff were amazing, afternoon tea was brilliant.
Would definitely want to go to other one, but one that include the facial treatments.
They really did excellent on the afternoon tea in light of one of us have diary and wheat intolerances. Great facilities including the gym and swimming pool.
The hot tub could do with an upgrade not powerful enough.
The showers and changing rooms were fab.
Staff were excellent
The relaxation room is probably the best relaxation room I have been in
Will visit again
Ideally for couples so men don’t be afraid to go here
Not impressed with this spa - poor layout with pool on ground floor and spa above , pool very shabby along with showers and changing rooms by pool , hotel guests and noisy children in pool so wasn’t relaxing at all - afternoon tea was poor quality and I couldn’t even order a drink it was tea coffee help yourself or water help yourself - only good thing were treatments , won’t be going again 🙁
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Staff
8.2 out of 10
Room Comfort
8.6 out of 10
Quality of Bars & Restaurants
7.4 out of 10
Location
8.4 out of 10
Quality of Facilities
8.2 out of 10
Value for money
7.6 out of 10
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This hotel is being run on a shoe string, there is not enough staff, service is poor, and the hotel is tired looking.
The resturant has the ambience of a cafetière, as we walked through the resturant to be seated, we noted some guests seated at a table eating dressed in pyjamas and slippers, Dress code is smart casual, although the hotel policy is no bathrobes it doesn’t state pyjamas are not allowed,!
We opted for the la carte menu as this was meant to be my. Birthday celebration. The food was very basic, portions small.
Breakfast buffet can only be described as a Zoo. We shall not be staying here again.
Accommodation was fine for what we needed. Comfy bed and large room. Bathroom was ok.
The breakfast is great. Good quality food. Very impressed.
Was disappointed with the dinner. We had £25 per head as part of the deal but the steak was £30 and was quite fatty and no better than a shop bought one you do at home. Beer was almost £6. So end up with large bill on top. Also so said skinny Fries so was expecting it to be presented better but was just normal cafe chips. Wasnt great options outside of a roast dinner to go for the buffet that's all inclusive.
Amazing stay this past weekend at Five Lakes with my husband. Staff were incredibly helpful and polite (especially Natasha on reception!) She was bubbly and super informative - really felt like she wanted to be there! Spa was amazing as was the pool area and treatments we got. Checking in was easy and the beds soooo comfortable! Dinner was amazing, they brought the wrong meal to me but was quickly fixed and staff were great. Next day we went down to a buffet breakfast which was also lovely - lots of choice. When we went to check out at 12 (late check out for no fee) it was really easy and quick, we then used the facilities until about 3pm! Really lovely stay and will be coming back :)
The spa and the service at the spa was amazing. All staff at the spa was very welcoming. The rooms were spacious and well equipment and clean. Food was good especially receiving a roast dinner for buffet. Breakfast we had to wait a while for a table and so did lots of groups. Had to wait a while for food as they kept running out. But the general staff at the hotel was terrible! Especially at the afternoon tea, so miserable, didn’t welcome us, felt we were a burden. The afternoon tea manager was so rude!! When leaving the hotel wasn’t even asked how my stay was - general service was appalling! At dinner service, we waited ages for drinks and took so many staff to do one job, took 3 staff to do 1 thing! Only served once for drinks and most staff didn’t have a clue or speak english. Was annoyed when we were asked a corkage fee for a non - alcoholic bottle for my pregnant friend, we were all buying drinks anyway but we purchased a bottle and to make her feel welcome and apart of the celebrations they still wanted a £10 fee when the bottle only cost £3. You’d think customer service would of let that go as like I said we were buying drinks. Took 3 staff then finally got manager to agree, every basic thing was made into a big palace!!
Just average accommodation, slightly lower than a premier Inn . The fire alarms went off at 3am for about 5 minutes. Presumably as water was pouring through the lobby area which was apparent the next morning.
Buffet restaurant just average for dinner. Breakfast was ok but fried eggs were like rubber and impossible to cut .
We had the most amazing break here 2 nights helped with the lovely sunshine outside. We had to cancel one of our treatments as my frien was unwell so hand nails done instead .. she wasn't 100% happy with them felt they needed an other coat also no drying equipment so for hour had to make sure nails didn't get touched "awkward" myself had back shoulders massage was perfect .our 2nd visit and we will be booking a 3rd .. we love this place.. see you 2020.
When we checked in after our spa day was told by the receptionist on front desk that we should have pre booked a table for dinner as they had no spaces, we said that our package had dinner included and we were told that it was not their fault as spa breaks should have told us this before our stay, after a lengthy conversation I managed to get a table in the restaurant
, on arrival it wasn’t even full - this hotel needs to look at their customer service it was awful again will not recommend
Our room was clean and spacious and beds were very comfortable. Easy to adjust the temperature. Tea making facilities didn't have milk or mint tea bags, but one phone call to reception and a very pleasant assistant brought the items up. Pool was just the right temperature and changing area clean. Afternoon tea delicious and waitress attentive. Spa massage by Charlotte was very relaxing. Dinner and breakfast had plenty of choice. My friend found plenty of gluten free choices and the staff were very helpful. A stress free stay.
The staff were polite but not very engaging. Not once did they ask if we would like drinks so we had to keep going to the bar ourselves.
The prices of drinks is ridiculous and scandelous!
I will not be returning.
The food was terrible. Cold when it was served.
The crepe was out of a packet and again was served cold!
Lazy Sunday Spa Break
Everything was very relaxing and enjoyable, up to the final couple of hours. The only disappointment for me was the quality of the manicure I had: I had to wait a very long time for my nails to dry and then the finish was so poor that I removed the whole lot the next day. :-(
My husband, unhelpfully, suggested that I should have had the facial: he loved his treatment!
The room was good size and the beds extremely comfortable, but the buffet dinner was a complete disappointment. The presentation and choices were a let down, the food tasted bland and over cooked. Was looking forward to the paella and was prestented with mushy and sloppy rice.
The bar was a disappointment completely from cocktail choices to atmosphere.
Started well, reception staff Paulina, cheerful and helpful. Room was spacious and comfortable with 2 queen beds. Very clean and well equipped.
Then it went down hill. Went to the bar for a drink, staff were miserable. Tables were dirty, many still had glasses and plates on them.
Dinner in the evening wasn't great,vegetables were hard and roast roast or roast!!!
Breakfast was back to waiting 15 mins to get a cup of coffee from the miserable staff.
Hotel was lovely, nice a big, seating areas and well laid out but was freezing...as we walked around to the pool or restaurant we decided not to get changed as we were very cold and didn't want to take off our jumpers.
The whirlpool we got to after dinner about 8.20pm but while sitting chatting, one of the staff members told us we had to leave by 8.45 as it took him a while to close up and turn everything off...we were very disappointed as it so peaceful and we all work so hard,we were enjoying the peace.
The food was lovely..a buffet breakfast and a Chinese buffet sat evening, I spoke to the chef and he put out gluten free bread the next morning, however, after breakfast as we were walking out the restaurant my friend slipped on a mushroom and landed on her knee, was in pain and upset, non of the staff came after her and checked she was ok..she still has pain in her knee.
When we first arrived,the bar served food, but the tables and menues were very grubby..we had to ask the waitress to bring cutlery and she looked unhappy as she slipped acroos in her shoes.
All in all, not the best experience...the rooms were lovely and the food was nice...I think £9 for a glass of prosecco was a bit steep...I don't think I will be returning.
Room was so hot when we arrived, we had to open the windows to be comfortable then try and work out how to change the air conditioning unit! But our room was ready earlier than the 3 pm check in so that was great for us to unpack and get organised.
Two spacious double beds in our family room were very comfortable although a little too soft for my liking, but that’s a personal preference.
Although they knew we were a party of 3 as they provided 3 sets of robes and slippers, they only laid out towels for two people which was frustrating as I had to go and request another set.
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