Guildford Spectrum Reviews 29

We only watched half of Snow White On Ice!! Wasn’t worth the money…

Zoggs outlet. Tiny notice on wall at back saying no returns under any circumstances. I bought a staggeringly expensive kickboard, then a moment later (before leaving the premises) realised I didn't need it after all and asked to return it - unopened - but the staff just said their policy was no returns, so they refused to take it back. They said it was Zoggs policy and nothing to do with them, but this is untrue - Zoggs say they have 30-day returns policy for unopened items. Clearly a completely inappropriate Guildford Spectrum policy; and with the notice being hidden away at the back, it ought not even to be legal...

This is mainly about the gym, but my god their rules are so stupid. If your thinking of buying one of these deceptively cheap memberships don’t even bother, as the miserable people at the main desk will most likely turn you away at an almost hilariously inconvenient time. On top of that half the equipments broken and they really don’t seem to want to fix it in any way and what you can use is constantly taken by the hundreds of people that swarm the gym after school even with the ‘rules’ surrounding timing in place. However you will be turned away when the only people in the gym consist of around 3 people walking on a treadmill simply because there’s, and I quote “only 20 minutes before 11:00”. Literally awful please do not waste your money.

Pretty disappointing, won't go back

I feel compelled to express my disappointment with Guildford Spectrum Bowling. The promotion of free slots caught my attention, but when I tried to book, every single one was mysteriously unavailable. Instead, I was offered a half-priced one hour slot on specific days, which felt rather misleading. The booking system appears to be inconsistent and unfairly selective, suggesting a troubling double standard. I’m genuinely upset by this experience and had hoped for a more transparent and equitable service.

Took 3 children today in the half term. My main concern was the chlorine level. All of our eyes were burning from the moment we stepped in. We didn't even go under water just one splash and for around 5 minutes I could not see and had to get out and go to the showers to rinse and come back again. My daughter swallowed some water and it wasn't the normal cough for a minute and over it, her throat was burning and we had to ask for assistance to get water who were really helpful and friendly but it took a few hours and a few slushies to soothe her throat.

The changing rooms need complete redesign. The lockers are too small I had to use 4 lockers and there wasn't enough so you couldn't get them next to each other. Floors were dirty and not enough places to change for a family.

My eldest daughter loved the slides and said if the chlorine wasn't so bad she would go back.

Unfortunately would not go back my suggestion to them would be timed entry to keep safe numbers and regular chlorine level checking.

Not sure what happened today (19/12) but it felt like the amount of people on the ice rink was out of control… entry tickets and skate rental tickets were not checked (could have gone in for free!)… left after 45mins as it was not enjoyable due to the lack of space and felt insecure… not sure if there is a safe capacity defined (and if it is how it’s monitored if there is no control on the amount of people coming in through ticket checking)

Me and my family went in there a couple of days ago we were supposed to take kids some bowling and soft play and lunch the bowling was full so we decided to take the kids to soft play we kept them in there for only 10 mins and we had to take them out because the place was filthy smelly and very old even my daughter left saying stuff where ripped and in very bad condition. My little one played in the small area filled with balls and again it was disgusting!
We left to have lunch since then we’ve been sick ! We’ve been there before for the water slides and even this area is not good , who puts hand dryers as a hair dryers that’s ridiculous ! This whole place need a renovation asap .

As a Guildford resident and a regular user of the facilities, I find the general feedback on the Spectrum to be unbalanced. Yes there are areas that should be improved (the swimming timetable often does not accurately reflect what's going on in the Pool), but the facility provides excellent access for many, there is free parking and the general level of cleanliness is good.

we go there every week for swimming lessons with my son and the staff is always very friendly

I'm not sure where the negative reviews are coming from. We have been coming here since 2002, and while it may need some refurbishment, it is an excellent establishment that allows fun for the entire family! I highly recommend visiting.

We went here yesterday after a long drive kids was very excited but unfortunately its very dirty .

The changing rooms are terrible.
Even the toliets I wonder if anyone chdcks on them.

The amount of poo i saw in the water we had to come out. Workers was trying to get it out. Even the slides are dirty unfortunately. Hygiene is not the best which is sad it has so much potential.

Very reasonable price. The wristbands makes no sense I saw alot of people just take them off. The chlorine was so strong so your eyes will also burn.

Ice skating FAR TOO MANY PEOPLE ON THE ICE !!!!!!!
Also ICE SURFACE SHOCKING !!!!
We can skate fairly well ,confident, not aggressive, not fast . Reception brushed complaint off as we left ( approx 20 mins) Saying it was a family session and we have hockey skates .We do simply because they're much more comfortable .
Follow up complaint regarding above,the response was less than ideal !!!
Management informed me .....
MAXIMUM ALLOWED ICE SKATING IS 900
GUILDFORD SPECTRUM CAP THIS TO 500.
Personally I don't care what the figures suggest the place is just AWFUL !!!!!
Reading through other reviews I AM NOT ALONE.
Management email : We hope you continue to enjoy Guildford Spectrum !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
REALLY !!!!!!!!!!!!
IN ORDER TO "CONTINUE TO ENJOY "
I HAVE TO "ENJOY TO START WITH"
For the record OZONE BRACKNELL is much,much better.
I believe there's a rink in Basingstoke.
Further afield PLANET ICE GILLINGHAM is properly organised and highly recommended.

Half term holiday hell. Took my two children and it was *insanely* busy and so cold. I would avoid unless its out of season. My eldest gave it an 8/10 so we weren't all unhappy but it was totally miserable for me, and overwhelming for the younger one.

Took my grandchildren swimming at 3 pm on a Tuesday afternoon during half term. It was so busy that we could not find any cubicles, the place was dirty, the kids pool was packed and then, to make matters worse, they closed the two main swimming pools. After this, there was nowhere that you could swim even two strokes. There was no enforcement when swimming bands were announced to remove people from the pool. There is nowhere to get warm after sitting in tepid water for some time, so no steam room or sauna. Total waste of money. It was a miracle that nobody was hurt, there is no way that the pool staff could see a child in trouble. Never again.

I went ice skating and everyone there was so rude.When I got my skates and was walking over to the chairs to put my skates on, I was called stupid by one of the staff.The manager was awful at their job and didn't know how to handle people.The floor was extremely wet and i spent £10 on 2 pairs of socks.I was getting new ice skates because the original ones didn't fit, then suddenly I couldn't find my child so I told the staff and they just laughed.

It was my granddaughters long awaited birthday party skating with her cousin's, parents and nans. Came in three cars an hour long journey to be told the ice was melting. Daisy was so sad. Staring through the glass at the other children skating. We understood the problem of its dangerous we can’t do it! But we wanted our money back so we could find something else to do. We were told this was not possible, we asked for the Manager who didn’t care one ounce about Daisy, showed no understanding that it was her 7th birthday party.
She said they couldn’t afford to pay everyone back! She said we text you and sent an email! My daughters one day off from looking at emails is Sunday, she had been rushing around in the morning getting the kids sorted then we all had dinner out at 12 and left for Guildford at 1.30 she had spent no time looking at her phone. When we explained this to The Manager she said it doesn’t take five hours to get here! I then said we are going to have spent two hours in the car with all the kids for nothing and she said sarcastically, it doesn’t take two hours to get here!!! I was talking about a return journey, it probably cost £50 in petrol, all we were asking for was money back to have a fun day with her! The Manager was calling us liars. It was their fault, but we ended up being treated like it was our fault. This no money back thing is nothing short of theft! Do not give them your money in advance, as they seem to think it is theirs to keep even if you can’t do the thing you have paid to do. Security guards should be managing things, so much better people skills. We got our money back because I wasn’t having it. Really didn’t want to be getting cross in front of my granddaughter as I this wasn’t helping her have a nice day, but without it we wouldn’t of got our money back. Absolutely disgusting service, we won’t return.

I bought family tickets to watch a ice show in spectrum and I had to go abroad, hence I couldn't go. Spectrum doesn't allow refund. There are plenty of time to resell the tickets. It's still far from the show time. I can't see the point why tickets can't be refunded. Not sure what my consumer right is?

Why does the spectrum allow certain people to wear outdoor clothes in the pool, rather than proper swimming atire? This is not the first time I have experienced this.
There is enough swimming clothing available now should your religious beliefs mean that you don't want to show any skin.
How is this hygienic?