After having a membership for a few years at this branch I can safely say this is an accurate review of the club. This is a long one so please read to the end if you can!
PROS -the main reason for being a member was the classes. Most of the instructors are amazing, especially Darren & Michelle Gold, Greg Cole (body pump), Gabrielle (pilates), Emily Evans (blaze), Jane? (Yoga). Sarah is also great but her classes felt more intense. I hope they all get paid well as they deserve it and the club is nothing without them!
-DL kids club staff were very good with my kids no complaints from them but you have to book them as soon as the date becomes available on the app, otherwise there's no spaces esp weekends. If you set an alarm reminder on your phone this is easy enough to do.
the soft play is nice for the kids, while the adult area is separate and much quieter. I've worked on my laptop here with plugs everywhere, no problems with WiFi.
the swimming pool is actually warmer than most which is great for the kids
I'm afraid that's all the pros because the rest was pretty average or appalling for a club who charged me £250 a month for me and my 2 children. This price also goes up every January.
CONS the most annoying problem this club has is customer service. Reception staff are very over worked and generally take a long time to serve /help, very rarly picking up the phone. You have to write any feedback in a message through the app and often don't get a reply for at least a week. They are very slow with replies even if you want to question /change your membership.
the cafe is often very full and not enough staff to manage it. I've waited 45 minutes for food on average and lots of plates/mess just left at tables without clearing. Lots of food and mess left on the floor too.
-the gym upstairs can get very busy at peak times and sometimes I couldn't get a treadmill or cross trainer. But I did like the layout.
-the car park is a bit of a joke and all the members agree. If you want to do a class, make sure you have 15 minutes to account for waiting for parking. Weekend mornings at 9-10am you have to use the overflow car park and walk all the way back to the reception entrance, not fun in the rain/carrying bags. The lady who manages parking is lovely and tries her best to help but she must get a lot of complaints daily.
the female changing rooms I found to be cold (not enough heating) and the family changing room was almost always wet or had dirt/hair on the floor. Cleaning staff were friendly but did not have high standards or also not enough of them to keep up with 3 changing rooms. Also the shower temperature would suddenly change to either hot or cold which was very unpleasant.
the outdoor swimming pool, i am honestly shocked it's still open. In the summer we went a few times with the kids/guests and the tiles inside the pool are literally a law suit waiting to happen. I've complained twice now that edges of the inside tiling is NOT SMOOTH so if you scrape your leg on it, it will actually badly cut your skin. This happened to my guest and staff did not address the fact that the tiles need changing.
on a hot day you will not be able to get a sunbed, they need to add more for the members
-paying £2 extra for towels on my membership was just ridiculous
the spa is pretty average but also felt unkept and not luxurious. I don't think it's worth the extra amount each month.
finally one of my children did tennis lessons as he loved tennis. By the end of his sessions, he said he didnt like tennis anymore. Staff were friendly but not encouraging & didn't make it fun.
Overall I found myself going just for the classes which I couldn't always do, so I decided to cancel The main reason for leaving- I always felt unappreciated as a member, like I was just another person in a huge place and if I stayed or left, it didn't matter to anyone at DL. You will understand what I mean if you decide to start, you get the sense they really do not care about the individual and the focus is entirely on...
Read moreI wanted to take a moment to highlight the exceptional service I have consistently received from Josh at the David Lloyd Club. Josh truly goes above and beyond in his role as a waiter and barista, and I believe his efforts deserve recognition.
From the moment you step into the club’s café, Josh’s welcoming presence makes a lasting impression. He greets everyone with a warm smile and genuine enthusiasm, immediately setting a positive tone. It’s clear that Josh takes pride in his work, and his passion for providing outstanding customer service is evident in every interaction.
Josh has an incredible ability to anticipate customer needs. Whether you’re a regular visitor or it’s your first time at the club, he makes you feel valued and remembered. He has an excellent memory for names, orders, and preferences, which adds such a personal touch to the experience. It’s not just about taking orders with Josh—it’s about building relationships. He listens attentively, asks thoughtful questions, and ensures that every detail is just right.
Now, let’s talk about his coffee-making skills. Josh is, without question, a master of his craft. His attention to detail is unparalleled, and you can tell that he puts care and precision into every cup he makes. The coffees he prepares are not only delicious but also consistently so. Whether it’s a classic cappuccino, a silky latte, or a strong espresso, every drink reflects Josh’s expertise and commitment to excellence. He also takes the time to beautifully present each cup, often with intricate latte art that shows his dedication to the small details.
Beyond the technical skill, Josh has a genuine love for his work that shines through in every aspect of what he does. He’s always happy to offer recommendations, answer questions about the menu, or customize drinks to suit individual tastes. Even during the busiest times, when most people would feel overwhelmed, Josh remains calm, composed, and efficient. He’s incredibly skilled at managing multiple tasks at once without ever compromising the quality of his service.
What sets Josh apart is the way he creates an atmosphere of warmth and community. He engages with customers in a way that feels natural and heartfelt, turning simple transactions into meaningful interactions. He’s great at remembering personal stories and following up on them during subsequent visits, which makes customers feel truly seen and appreciated.
It’s not just his interactions with customers that are impressive—Josh is also a great team player. He’s always ready to support his colleagues, stepping in to help whenever needed and fostering a positive, collaborative environment. You can tell that his dedication to excellence extends beyond his individual role; he genuinely wants the entire café experience to be exceptional for everyone.
In a world where great customer service can sometimes feel like a lost art, Josh is a shining example of what it means to go the extra mile. His...
Read moreLorraine on reception at David Lloyds Bushey is extremely rude and unwelcoming. With the prices you pay there you expect exceptional service, it’s sad when you’re greeted by moody and unhelpful receptionists. I went there with my son and usually I’m allowed straight through because he’s a member and I accompany him on a guest pass however this time Lorraine stopped me saying only members are allowed by the pool area so I called my husband to come because he’s a member. Lorraine refused to let me in the restaurant area (club room) to wait for my husband to arrive instead I had to wait in the reception lobby with my toddler who was running around through the barrier and i was struggling to keep tabs on him, Lorraine rudely told me to keep an eye on my son!! My husband and son are both members and I’m being treated as though I’m a security risk for being allowed into the club room with my child whilst I waited for my husband! Lorraine had no compassion or decency to let me and my son through whilst we waited for my husband to arrive instead she kept asking me probing questions like will you go to the pool area will you help your husband in the changing room with your son to which I replied saying yes I will but my husband will go in the pool with our son not me as I’m not a member she snapped back saying you’re only allowed to have access to in the club room! Okay Lorraine I think some power has suddenly got to your head. I’ve never been challenged before when I have previously arrived numerous times with my son which I explained to her so clearly I didn’t know the rules instead of nicely explaining the rules to me she was being difficult and belittling me. Staff on reception at bushey David Lloyds NEED training on basic compassion and kindness if you’re working front of house you need to be professional and friendly not rude and dismissive. I understand you have rules and I’m happy to abide by them but there is a manner in which you talk to people. I’ve previously been a member of David Lloyds Luton for over 10 years and my husband has been a member of bushey David Lloyds for 15 years! It’s crazy how your loyalty to these clubs mean nothing! even when you’re a diamond member paying the most premium package. We have decided to leave david Lloyds bushey following this awful experience sadly the club has gone downhill. It’s not family friendly at all. They have not invested in training their staff to a high standard and even when I made a complaint to Evelyn the assistant manager she didn’t seem that bothered. I told her I would make a complaint to head office and she said there’s no point because it’ll come back to her anyway but do whatever you have to do. I don’t usually write reviews or complain but this experience was awful and I expected better treatment and felt so disrespected and belittled that I felt that others that are thinking of joining should be made aware that it’s NOT...
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