St Michaels Resort

St Michaels Resort is a traditional Cornish seaside hotel in Falmouth. Designed with views in mind, guests can gaze out across a huge bay, walk on a sandy beach or sit in a pretty garden.

A seaside palette of pale blues, whites and beiges creates a light, airy feel. Wooden floors, walkways, pebbles, granite and flowing water instil a feeling of calm. Rooms in the beach house, just across the car park, are modern with sea views; those in the main house are more traditional.

The brand new St Michaels Spa forms part of the main hotel. The cleverly designed space makes the most of the beachy setting through floor-to-ceiling windows.

In the light and airy spa reception area, we sat on soft sofas to complete consultation forms using iPads. We walked across a small wooden bridge, where water flows underneath, to reach the changing rooms. Lockers are a good size and activated via electronic wristbands.

The post-spa preening area has ample seating; large, well- lit mirrors; hairdryers and straighteners.  You'll find Natural Spa Factory products in dispensers along the wall, including cleansing milk, toner and facial moisturiser. Showers contain Elemis combined shower gel/shampoo and conditioner.

The centrepiece of the spa is the large hydrotherapy pool which is kept at a toasty 35 degrees; massage your troubles away in one of 21 massage stations before relaxing on a long stylish bench adorned with cream cushions.

The Cornish salt steam room refreshed our airways, making us feel like we had been walking on a breezy beach, while the hotter tropical steam room warmed us through. Cool down in one of three experience showers afterwards, selecting a mist, rainfall or torrent setting.

Next to the pool are four laconium seats to relax on between dips; we also loved the glass-fronted Finnish herbal sauna with its pool views and herbal scent.

Sunny day? Head out onto the terrace and wallow in the hot tub or warm up in the barrel sauna.

Gym bunnies will find the health club in a separate building; a clever idea that separates lively gym-goers from slower-paced spa guests.

We began our treatment with a rhassoul session (£30; £40 at weekends). We used an exfoliating mud containing sloe gin and elderberries, which was yellow in colour. The white mud for our faces was both cleansing and detoxifying. After a 15-minute steam and a shower, our skin felt soft and silky.

We then tried a Yoga Facial using Natura Bissé products (60 minutes, £80).

My therapist, Jo, led me to a cosy treatment room where she asked me to get comfortable on the treatment bed, lying face up. She then offered me a hot water bottle to place on my stomach, which was a nice touch.

To begin the treatment, Jo rubbed aromatic oils onto her hands and asked me to breathe in the aroma by taking three deep breaths. Jo walked her hands down my body, holding me down firmly to encourage me to relax. Jo held my feet and pulled them gently to align my body.

For the facial, Jo performed a cleanse and tone using a fine spray of C+C Vitamin Splash which smelled wonderfully citrussy. For the yoga element of the facial, Jo asked me to move certain muscles in my face while she held onto the skin around them. While pushing my lips together, Jo asked me to smile; while gripping the area around my eyes, she asked me to open and close them several times.

Jo prepared and applied an algae mask which covered my whole face except for my mouth, which I asked Jo to leave uncovered. While the mask set, Jo performed a thoroughly relaxing hand and arm massage; this took my mind off the tingling sensation caused by the mask.

The mask peeled off easily, leaving my skin feeling much softer. Jo finished the treatment with a rich moisturiser and eye cream. The result? Noticeably brighter and tighter skin -- and a very relaxed Spa Spy.

St Michaels Spa offers a wide range of treatments from Natura Bissé, Ishga, Natural Spa Factory, Made for Life, Elemis and OPI, including massages; facials; wraps; treatments for spa-goers going through, or recovering from, cancer; and reflexology. Finishing treatments include manicures, waxing and lash lifts.

Lunch is served in the Garden Kitchen, an informal café area where you can happily eat in your robe. Our colourful salad bowl was fresh and tasty; our partner's beef pasta dish hearty and wholesome.

Guests staying overnight can dine in the resort's 2 AA Rosette restaurant, Brasserie on the Bay, a contemporary spot overlooking the gardens and the beach. The menu centres on local Cornish dishes, with plenty of fish.

Our starter of mackerel and prawn salad was a triumph; our dressed-crab main a large portion of sweet crab meat served with a black mayonnaise. Our partner's sea bream dish invoked food envy, and we found ourselves stealing several bites.

We loved

The relaxed atmosphere: Numbers in the spa are limited to 30 at a time, while hotel guests must pay £35 (£45 at weekends) to use the spa for three hours. This all goes to ensure the spa feels exclusive rather than crowded.

The huge hydrotherapy pool: With its 21 massage stations, we are told this is the biggest hydrotherapy pool in the south west. The temperature and depth are perfect for wallowing, too.

The suntrap terrace: We spent the first 30 minutes of our spa day in the hot tub with just the sea and the sky for company. Order a drink from the spa butler, sit in the warm water and just relax. Warm throws on recliners mean you can enjoy the special Cornish light even if the day is chilly.

We didn't love

The steps: The staircase down to the spa is steep and long; there are steps in the changing rooms and in the corridor down to the pool, too.

Couples and solo spa goers will appreciate the peace and quiet, as well as the sense of space, in the spa.

Anyone needing a serious pick-me-up will be spoilt for choice. The spa offers a good choice of product houses, and the treatment menu is imaginative and varied.

St Michaels Spa has three therapists trained to treat people recovering from cancer: perfect if you are feeling a bit fragile.

We awarded St Michaels Spa a Good Spa Guide Bubble Rating of 5 Bubbles. This is a new, well thought-out spa that makes the most of its stunning setting. There's a good number of thermal facilities to try (including a larger-than-average hydrotherapy pool), a varied treatment menu, and a wonderful suntrap terrace. The hotel's 2 AA Rosette restaurant showcases the best in Cornish cuisine, too.

Sybaritic Spy visited in June 2019 and awarded it 5 Bubbles.