How long is the wait for the Harbour Club and is it worth it? Post Reply

[gym bunny]

Hello everyone. Recently moved to Battersea from North London and was hoping to join the Harbour Club. Didn't realise how expensive it was and wondering if anyone who is a member or ex member might be able to give me the lowdown on whether they think it is worth it and how the membership works. Many thanks!

[SW11er]

I don’t think there is a wait list. You do just pay a debenture and then get it back when you leave - though I think only about 85% and can take a few years. Otherwise like any other gym membership just more expensive. I found best value was if you had kids and could get value from pool and crèche.

[NicolaTas]

We were members for 2 years and ended it last year as were only using it with kids at weekends and it just wasn’t value for money. At the time for nearly a year on and off the small kids pool temp wasn’t warm for young children or closed due to the heating not working properly - most times we wouldn’t find out until we got there and when swimming is the only free thing covered on your membership for children it’s frustrating. No refund for the days it was not useable was ever offered and reception stuff were just kids themselves.

Tennis lessons etx were good but you pay extra. We never used the crèche but the small soft play area in the coffee shop was always a great hit with the kids after swimming.

Also the private swimming instructors were hit and Miss. The standard was so much better at Dolphin Square (sadly closed at the moment for refurb but head and shoulders above Harbour club average standard teacher).

When we were leaving a new manager joined I think he was French and he seemed very good and would hopefully make a difference, so may have changed in the time we have left.

[Alibongo0000]

I had been an off peak member of the Harbour for over 20 years and sadly gave up my membership this year.
The facilities are fantastic and the adult instructors are very good but it is impossible to actually get into a class as there are not enough classes or there are too many members. You need to book on an app 10 days in advance and most of the time you can’t get into the app as everyone is logging on at the same time. It is very frustrating and it stopped being a pleasure.
Another factor to bear in mind is how you are going to get there. At peak times it is a difficult to get into the car park although the parking attendants are amazing.
Also because of all the restrictions around the Wandsworth Bridge Road you can be sitting in traffic for ages to get there.

[NVG]

I’ve been a member since 2005. We paid for Life Memberships back then so don’t pay monthly fees so I’m not sure how much they are. I would say it depends what you want it for and when you want to use it. Weekends and after school are crowded with families. It’s virtually impossible to book a tennis court - the courts come online for booking at 8am nine days before and they have all gone before 8.01am. Some classes are also hard to book but others less so - they need more classes. The gym itself is very good - how crowded it is depends on when you go. The pools (there are three) are also nice and the spa area is gorgeous. I suggest you go and have a look and I think they give you a trial day to test it out.