Xcel Leisure Centre

Negative experience: Poor lighting at badminton court

Negative experience: They never pick up phone calls. Sauna an d steam doesn't work at all. They charge you 43£ for nothing.

Positive experience: Good place for kids parties

Positive experience: Some of the swimming teachers are rubbish, so unprofessional, playing with balls and chatting to lifeguards

Positive experience: A good sports centre with lots on offer. A very good swimming pool and other good facilities. Lots of parking. The swimming changing rooms are in need of refreshing and need cleaning more often. Very good swim teachers and helpful staff

Negative experience: They never freaking answer the calls. Literally 5 people at the reception and they never answer.

Fantastic experience: Very clean and plenty of floats for the kids during inflatable fun, nice and safe environment

Negative experience: Nice facilities, come here every week for the brilliant paddletastic sessions in the pool! Edit.. since dropped stars! (Not paddletastic they are fantastic and highly recommended) Had cause to lodge an issue at Xcel Leisure centre reception after on-site vending machine gave me an already opened bar. Rather than take my issue and just foward it on I had to go through a lengthy and unnecessary discussion where no ownership or action was taken. Literally not sure it could have been handled worse. Really really poor service, and really poor attitude. Disappointing.

Positive experience: The staff are really nice and friendly ,but the facilities are not great especially in the pool area, where it is alittle run down in in areas or cleanliness isn't great.

Positive experience: Staff in the gym are lovely and always on hand to support if needed, have really enjoyed using the gym since earlier in the year. Only issue i have is that the gym is quite dirty, the machines are covered in dust in places. I have actually considered offering to clean them is a cleaner employed to clean the gym?

Positive experience: A little far out from centre but is a good leisure centre

Negative experience: Booked a children's birthday party and tried calling multiple times to confirm few things. No one is picking the phone. All I got in the emal is that party is booked for 10AM that's all. No contact number in the email, no instructions if we can order food or not. What will the day look like, food after the play or play after the food or no food at all. We are feeling stranded just few hours away from the party.

Fantastic experience: Lovely venue for Badminton

Positive experience: Friendly staff, good fitness classes but can’t always get on them as fully booked. I do enjoy the classes when I manage to book it from waitlist. All the instructors are really good and make you feel comfortable.

Fantastic experience: Can’t fault it, clean, friendly staffs and very nice area with a lot of parking spaces

Fantastic experience: Excellent leisure centre, everyone is very friendly and helpful. The swimming pool is the perfect temperature. And all the facilities are clean and tidy. My only regret is not joining sooner.

Negative experience: My 3-year-old daughter was supposed to start her swimming lessons today, and we followed all the instructions provided in the email. We arrived on time, were directed to the pool, and waited for the lessons to begin. When the instructor arrived, I informed her that it was my daughter's first day and that she had never been in a pool before. While we waited for the safety belt, the instructor focused on other children who were not beginners, leaving my daughter unattended. When I inquired about what we should be doing, a lifeguard instructed my daughter to sit at the end of the pool while I returned to the deck. Suddenly, the lifeguard asked my daughter to jump into the pool—despite her never having been in the water before. She nearly drowned for 30 seconds while the lifeguard stood by and watched. i was shocked by the lack of care and negligence. When I questioned the instructor afterwards, she seemed completely unaware of the proper protocols for handling a child on her first day. What happened today was an alarming example of endangering a child's safety due to careless supervision. As a result of this incident, my daughter is now frightened and refuses to ever enter a pool again

Positive experience: The swimming pool is in good condition and clean. The place not so clean and that’s due to people not necessarily the staff. People don’t care and not even flush the toilets after themself.

Fantastic experience: Recently joined X-cel found the staff professional helpful and welcoming. Huge thank you to Jamie, Grant and Mandy who are brilliant at their jobs. Staff work extremely hard to make users welcome and to keep the place clean, quite a difficult task given the number of people coming through the centre daily. Also coping incredibly well with many children coming in and out before, during and after the school day. So glad I joined as the gym is well equipped there is always someone on hand to help and give advice. There are so many excellent classes available too.

Negative experience: Popped in a week or so ago to inquire about day passes and memberships since this was my first time using a gym. Staff seemed very helpful and showed me around. However when I came to use the gym on Monday 30th June I was met with a very uninterested member of staff at the reception. Once I was in the gym itself I couldn't work out how to use the treadmills without downloading some app and creating a whole account. I had locked my phone away in the locker, so was not expecting to have to use it. I asked the person behind the reception if it was possible to use any equipment without logging in and he just leaned back on the chair and assured me that when he uses it he just presses the button and it works. I then returned to the gym but could not get in. Returned to the reception to ask if someone could let me back in and he reluctantly radioed someone to meet me at the door. Instead a couple also using the gym who had been giving a pass let me in instead. All in all I am not impressed with the attitude of the staff or the equipment being locked behind a login wall. I have since found a better gym in the local area.

Negative experience: it is good but it taste salty

Positive experience: Great family leisure centre, I would recommend.

Negative experience: Been trying for 4 hours now continuously to get someone to answer the phone. You cannot tell me they are that busy. Rang AT7 and Alan Giggs and they answered straight away.

Fantastic experience: The best value gyms in Coventry. 25m swimming pool with lane swimming at select times. Gym open 7 days. Not open until 830 on weekends! Full range of Technogym equipment and a wide selection of free weights dumbbells upto 40kg. Squat rack, treadmills, bikes, rowers, cross trainers and stepper machines Leisure suite with Sauna, Steam & Warm tub Spa. Often closed for breaks between 130-3ish. Best value is a monthly pass that includes all 5 centres, swimming, spa and gyms + exercise classes. £1 coin for lockers. Large carpark which can fill up on weekends. Very friendly and helpful staff. Especially the gym staff who are always available for help and guidance.

Fantastic experience: I use the gym and the staff are friendly and will help you out if you ask and the equipment is really well kept and user friendly

Fantastic experience: Great place for birthday party, Kids was so pleased and because of play space, they play together. ☆☆☆☆☆

Positive experience: Good sports and leisure centre in Coventry near Warwick university area

Negative experience: This is the message I sent over a week ago still not got back to me Dear who this may concern I hope this message finds you well. I wanted to share my experience from Friday 21st March 2025 when I visited your leisure centre to sign up and pay for a membership. Unfortunately, the process did not go as smoothly as I had hoped, and I believe it’s important to bring this to your attention. When I arrived, there was no one at the front desk to greet me initially. After waiting for some time, a young girl named Abby assisted me. I explained that I was interested in signing up for a membership, and while there was some initial confusion about the end of the month, it was eventually resolved. Abby then broke down the costs, explaining that I would need to pay for March and April, with the first direct debit scheduled for May 1st. This sounded great, but she also mentioned a £20 joining fee. When I asked what the joining fee was for, Abby simply repeated that it was for "joining." I found this explanation unclear and asked if the fee could be waived, as I was ready to commit to the membership if it were. Abby informed me that she didn’t have the authority to waive the fee and suggested I speak to Brian. Brian, however, also stated that he couldn’t waive the fee and admitted that he didn’t know what the joining fee was for, which left me feeling quite frustrated. He mentioned that Oscar, who was not in the centre at the time, might have the authority to address this. I gave both Abby and Brian the opportunity to waive the joining fee and finalize the deal, but they were unable to do so. As a result, I chose to walk away. I truly believe that clearer communication and flexibility in such situations could greatly improve the customer experience. I was ready to sign up and commit to the membership, but the lack of clarity and inability to address my concerns left me feeling disappointed. I hope this feedback is helpful, and I would appreciate it if you could look into this matter. I remain open to discussing this further and hope we can resolve this in a way that works for both parties. Thank you for your time and understanding. Best regards, Dale Bridgewater

Fantastic experience: Great place, we went for mother and baby swim ❤️

Negative experience: Terrible. I joined on Saturday and cancelled after my first visit on Sunday. I was really looking forward to being a member and having my first swim, which was actually quite nice. However, the area leading into the pool was muddy. I didn’t have flip flops with me which was my error, but even so, the floors should not have been muddy on enter to the pool. The steam room was filthy. The seats and walls were covered in orange mildew and the place needs a good scrub. The worst thing though, and what made me cancel my membership, was that I decided to sit in the jacuzzi and after literally 30 seconds of being in there, I first of all heard then witnessed a male member snotting and phlegming into the shower opposite. I was horrified and disgusted. Against my better judgement, I told the male to stop, that it was highly inappropriate, unhygienic and disrespectful, at which point he began shouting at me and telling me I was the disgustingly one! I asked a member of staff from the reception desk to deal with him. Alex, from reception spoke to the male whilst I was present. However, they were speaking to each other in another language which I didn’t understand so I had no idea what was being said. I found this to be highly unprofessional, particularly since both of them spoke English. I did not receive an apology from Alex, Infact, he was extremely disinterested. I asked how to go about cancelling my membership and he told me to go online. No help offered. I am appalled by what I experienced and I certainly will not be recommending the venue to anyone I know. I am still waiting to hear from the Lifestyles about my refund.

Negative experience: Don't bother with this place if you're an adult male hoping to swim in the pool when you want it. For a vast majority of the time the swimming pool is only available for kids swimming lessons, aquaaerobics or women only. They close the entire 25m pool despite only needing half of it. They don't mention this when you join up and it doesn't give value for money for the package. The spa has a cold jaccuzzi that never gets properly maintained and repaired and the door is propped open with a bin . Such things serve to remind paying members that they are using a council facility run on a budget. The gym and pool close at 6pm at weekends which is no use to people who need the facilities in the evenings. You're better off spending a little bit more money somewhere else to be honest unless you're a mum with a child.

Fantastic experience: Very nice and quiet gym during off peak - a little small but everything you need. The range of classes included in the membership is very good and all the staff are very friendly

Positive experience: Great little sauna and steamroom. Friendly staff and patrons.

Fantastic experience: Brilliant accessable and friendly sports centre. We went to the toddler swim session. The floor of the pool raises up from 1.8 to 1.0 for the session. There are equipment there for wheelchair users also. Well recommended

Fantastic experience: Large, organized and nice place. Great place to learn swimming for the Kids. Badminton courts are nice as well. Table Tennis can also be played in badminton courts. Overall statisfied with their service.

Fantastic experience: Booking services at short notice. Equipment turnaround was very fast.

Fantastic experience: Premises clean, staff helpful. Well equipped establishment. I attend the gentle swim. It's perfect.

Negative experience: Terrible, we have been let down so many times I've given up. On the odd occasion we do manage to get in, the pool is cold and the changing rooms are freezing (as all doors propped open).

Positive experience: Great facility, only issue is the parking at peak times can get a little wild

Positive experience: Nice Swimming pool, well organized changing rooms and lovely staff

Fantastic experience: Great gym and people in their are friendly. Good experience. I would recommend.

Positive experience: Use it quite a lot,l miss the fresh fish counter though,got used to the layout now.

Fantastic experience: Everything I need from the Gym to Swimming, a great atmosphere and great Staff

Fantastic experience: Dance class - ballet, for my 3 & 4yo daughters. Saturday mornings. Excellent teacher and they have a great time.

Fantastic experience: Oh my gorgeous their Jacuzzi was the best in north side ... swimming pool was rather crowded ...everytime I go there is kids

Negative experience: very very rude staff, was shocked upon entry i gave respect but no respect was given back. even the attitude behind the counter was crazy and another worker didn’t let innocent year 7s from the school next door to use to toilet. SHOCKING Behaviour.

Fantastic experience: Play are is good. Especially for birthday parties. We enjoyed ours.

Negative experience: Not worth going to the gym, its so small and always busy with very little equipment so you never get to use it when you want. There are plenty of bigger rooms in the building that are better size suited for a gym to get lots more equipment in to accually be able to do a workout that you want to do.

Negative experience: Dirty showers, changing rooms and steam room. Unpleasant. Needs better cleaning

Negative experience: Absolutely disgusting and very poor services. It was my first day and will by my last day. I couldn’t believe that, After I came out from Swimming, I tried to change my clothes, I was looking a round where I can use spinning machine or drying machine to dry a little bit my wet clothes I was so embarrassed and I couldn’t find it, I came to the reception and I asked where I can use. The answer was shocked me They said sorry we don’t have it. Now I have to take my wet stuff back home. So shameful

Positive experience: Didnt have the best 1st experience of this place. My 5 year old son had his 1st swimming lesson here today. The sour-faced receptionist that was wearing far too much make-up could do with a bit of training on her customer service skills. The instructors stared their lessons without even introducing themselves or checking to see if all of their pupils were there. My lad and another chaps lad were just left standing there not knowing where they were supposed to go to. I had to ask the lifeguard, who spent the half hour lesson just walking back an forth saying "oh, what a day" every 2 minutes, as tho he had a more important place to be. Finally found out which group my lad was in, the instructor didnt seem to find it strange that she only had one pupil out of four that was supposed to be in her lesson when she started. My lad did enjoy his lesson though and his instructor engaged with the kids quite well. Hopefully next week will go better now we know whats what and who is who. 22/10/23 - was here for kids swimming lessons like every Sunday, for some reason one of the benches has disappeared from the cloak room where you take your shoes off/cover them up before entering the changing area and all of the hair dryers have gone, so all the kids comin out of their lessons get to go out in the cold autumn/winter air with wet/damp hair.

Negative experience: I am told no laptops allowed even in the cubicles with the door locked by the pool. No sure why that's the case, all I need is just to read some files while waiting for the kid to finish swimming. Seems a bit unreasonable, at least not like other pools I've been to.

Fantastic experience: Love the swimming there try and go every week with the family . They are always friendly and helpful

Fantastic experience: It’s beautiful place for lot of sports facilities there, swimming, gym also outdoor cricket Aston turf also football is there beautiful place very very nice very clean n also free car parking which is plus points.

Fantastic experience: Regularly use this gym and enjoy it so much, all members seem to keep to themselves and I have never had trouble gaining access to a machine.

Negative experience: Absolutely disgusting. Used bandaids floating in the pool, mold on water collectors. No max people in the pool limit, might be 12-14 swimmers on one lane. Probably because of limited opening hours for adults. Do not recommend

Fantastic experience: Play football on the astro turf for an hour . It's good for football ,tennis , cricket ,gym , swim , badminton .. the list is endless . Lots of water activities here .

Fantastic experience: Popped in for a swim ‍♀️ while my dear wife joined in the Gentle aqua class Excellent very friendly helpful staff. Definitely looking forward to becoming members.

Fantastic experience: Smile face stuff Clean steam and sauna Fantastic gym Cafe very experience

Positive experience: Went to the granddaughters birthday in the soft play area,very good

Negative experience: Tried to kick us off badminton court 5/10 mins early. Rude staff at front deck

Positive experience: Decent equipment but the place is filthy. Inside the changing rooms is disgusting. All marked and stained, they clean the floors but obviously never inside the actual changing rooms. The gym is mopped, sometimes, but the mats are never cleaned and if you lift them . I have reported it several times but nothing is ever done. Pay staff more money and they may be motivated or give them proper instructions. Either way post covid you really should operate at a cleaner level. Had to add this picture. This piece of blue roll has now been in place for over 3 weeks and the soap dispenser retired at Easter.

Positive experience: Good local sports facilities with loads of fitness options and even a kids party play area. There is a small play area outside but it's not well kept so only the swings and rope climbing frame is of great use. There weekly for child swimming lessons and the teaches are good with the kids, plenty of eyes on them when in the water and some younger groups have multiple support teachers. The facilities are not always the cleanest, the changimg rooms often have mud from football teams, swimming changers are hairy and need a clean. The carpark is often full due to multiple events and people parking likes complete ideas in any old gap.

Fantastic experience: Spacious changing rooms, free hair dryers, welcoming staff, lovely pool with an adjustable depth.

Negative experience: So we looked online for swimming we come at the time it said it started just to be told was no swimming today at all communication here isn’t great Need to update website So we can see no swimming on your set days no everybody has social media so for those who don’t have it would be helpful to update the website We going to try again sometime Before making a definite decision

Negative experience: Really need to look into cleanliness. Female changing room had sweets and wrappers all over and a dropped fizzy drink. The swimming changing cubicles are muddy as people don't take outdoor shoes off.

Positive experience: Cleanliness could be a bit better. Swimming crew very often look at people like potential law breakers. Other than that, like it.

Positive experience: My club ran an event at the centre, all good with helpful manager and team.

Fantastic experience: Excellent centre, great facilities. Was there to help with the closing ceremony of the schools torch relay

Positive experience: A great venue and good value for money but starting to feel a tad tired and dated.

Positive experience: Nice place we have pre wedding party there you can do many activities here you can do kids party friendy staff you can park many cars there I am please

Positive experience: Facilities are great, the staff on reception really friendly BUT the changing rooms for the swimming pool are absolutely discusting. Too many parents wear outdoor shoes in the changing room area even standing in the shower area in their shoes, floors very seldom cleaned. There's dirt, mud debris and hair all over the floor. Even dirty floors on pool side. Staff just don't bother to do anything to stop this. It's such a shame.

Negative experience: My daughter trapped her fingers in the side door that does not work properly. Have told 4 different members of staff yet nothing has been done. Have also seen it happen to several other kids.

Fantastic experience: Great pool at a great price. Went to the adult lunchtime session, so nice and quiet. Followed by steam room.

Negative experience: The outdoor play area is atrocious, my son was most disgruntled as the swing has no seat. The zip line has no seat and that's right you guessed the small swing has no seat. The climbing frame is very unstable. But other then that worth a visit.

Fantastic experience: After reading some reviews I was pleasantly surprised. Went swimming today with my son. Pool was quiet and warm at 10am and staff all friendly

Fantastic experience: Excellent swimming pool. Good for me generally (depends on lane layout and how busy it is).

Negative experience: The lockers where you put your kit is far to small Nice enough in steam and sauna apart from people getting rid of the snot on the shower floor

Positive experience: Good for sport could do with an area to watch from rather than school benches

Negative experience: Why do you have reception if nobody is answering the phone anyway? Second star is there because the pool is ok-ish, but if I rate based on the reception only, there would be only one star

Negative experience: The gym is small (and therefore crowded at peak times, surprisingly by young teenagers) and shuts 3 hours early without any notice randomly. Other facilities seem fine but if that's what you're going for just avoid

Fantastic experience: Very clean and organized, plenty of staff on hand for assistance, great amenities, outside courts are well kept, would definitely recommend a visit

Fantastic experience: really friendly staff, good facilities, nice swimming pool with spectator area at 1st floor

Positive experience: Great structure with swimming pool, tennis, basketball, etc. Went there twice and the cantine was closed.

Negative experience: Swimming pool is good for kids to learn swimming as they have many floating pads but way to buy ticket is bit slow...

Positive experience: Great facilities but the pool schedule seems to be very limited with little for kids in the week. Trying to get into a swim session at the weekend is about as frustrating as it can be. Advised to call a number that is never answered. Arrive with out pre booking and you have to wait inline hoping some one is a no show so you can go in. When you do go in you realise most of the pool is empty anyway. Summary- Great facilities but poorly managed/organised.

Fantastic experience: Clean, well-ordered, reception was over-run, get that lady some help. Ample parking. Very good.

Positive experience: Perfect outdoor space for large family/group events.

Fantastic experience: So far we've only used the parent and baby swim sessions and hosted baby sensory classes, but it's been pretty good for that.

Positive experience: Access is good and plenty of parking. Nice and clean with friendly staff.

Fantastic experience: I love this center. We had karate there. Also we had Half term activities, which is nice between 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. your child will be having sports, pool and soft play games.

Positive experience: Nice building but jacuzzi and steam room could do with an update. Also you need a pound for lockers.

Negative experience: Booking over the phone prior 3days its ridiculous system, even for members. Why not online or trough an app? A login and book online Its not rocket science... Some Staff are not professional neither like to be there.

Negative experience: Unfortunately had the pleasure of dealing with Sue Nesbitt today to claim a refund for a cancelled swimming class she made the effort to make sure I didn't receive an extra pound but after spending 10 mins failing to manage my refund she quipped that I hope all of that was worth £5.88 - if she's not too fussed about a small amount like that perhaps it should be deducted from her wages - poor customer service - I didn't mind waiting but didn't appreciate the remark

Fantastic experience: Went here for friends birthday party had great time on the soft play, then went outside on the playground.

Positive experience: Friendly class atmosphere - I have really enjoyed indoor cycling and yoga here. A bit disappointed with the pool opening hours as it is used for school classes, so not always open to the public.

Negative experience: Many years ago this was a great place to come and use the facilities. Over the years it's gone down hill. Today I phoned up to check that the steam room was working to save time and petrol with a few hours before starting work. I had spoken with the manager which makes it ten times worse. As I got to the desk there's a notice saying it out of use. I spoke to the manager again he said he's sorry not even a voucher or something to make the situation better . Nothing other than very poor management and I can honestly say I will not be visiting this place again

Positive experience: Went in for swimming mainly, lots of staff, pool was good temperature. Steam room has been down. Downside is that there is very limited swimming times and that is quite inconvenient. Parking available. They could make the changing room facilities cleaner.

Negative experience: My child has joined the swimming classes, the instructor is lovely and she really enjoys the lessons however the building is in such poor condition especially the changing rooms for the swimming pool . The cleanliness is appalling, mould in the showers both in the grout and sealant, cracked tiles , filthy floors and the changing room cubicle walls are splattered with dirty dried water. Does anyone ever clean in here? Broken locker keys, poor showers (low pressure and turn off within seconds of pushing the button) and not enough of them for the children to access after swimming lessons, family changing rooms are permanently locked. There are broken hairdryers, does anyone check these? The café is always closed and there are no facilities to purchase warm drinks or healthy snacks. Only an over priced vending machine with junk food. The reception area is always a mess and the poor staff freezing as they are directly opposite the doors. It's such a disappointment for this centre to have been left to age so badly as it could be a thriving centre for the community to enjoy. Please can the management clean it up?

Positive experience: Edit: 13/03/22 The booking system is still awful and doesn't follow the actual rules, allowing anyone to book at any time. There's an issue with the temp when in the pool/changing rooms, they can be freezing and when people start coming in for the next session you can feel the air temp drop, happens every time. Also, booking is a bit of a mess, often can't get through, card machine doesn't work and although the site says you need to book there days ahead, that's not followed and none are kept back for walk ins.