St Michaels Resort

FIRST IMPRESSIONS

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 fawns creates a light, airy feel, while 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.

St Michaels Spa forms part of the main hotel, a cleverly designed space that makes the most of its beachy setting through floor-to-ceiling windows.

WHAT’S ON OFFER?

In the light and airy spa reception area, we sat on soft sofas to complete consultation forms using iPads. We then walked across a small wooden bridge - where water flows underneath - to reach the changing rooms. Lockers are a decent size and activated via electronic wristbands; you’ll find your robe and appropriate spa footwear inside.

The post-spa preening area has ample seating; large, well-lit mirrors; hairdryers and straighteners.  Help yourself to Natural Spa Factory and Elemis 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 comfortable 35 degrees; massage your troubles away under one of 21 (yes, 21) massage stations before relaxing on one of two double day beds. If these are taken – and they might well be – there are plenty of well-padded recliners to get horizontal on, too.

The Cornish salt steam room is refreshing, making us feel like we had been walking on a breezy beach, while the hotter tropical steam room warmed the cockles nicely. Cool down under one of three experience showers afterwards, selecting one of three settings: mist, rainfall or torrent. The brave can try the ice bucket challenge.

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 delightfully warm barrel sauna. One end of the sauna is resplendent in glass so you can sit in the warm and look out over the treetops to the sea – Vitamin Sea at its best.

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

TELL US ABOUT YOUR TREATMENT

My spa partner and I both tried the Made for Life Hand on Heart treatment (90 minutes, £125).

Made For Life treatments use 100% organic products produced in Cornwall - they are rich and lovely on the skin, as well as being suitable for everyone. They are especially good for anyone enduring treatment for cancer, recovering from health problems or just feeling tired and rather fragile.

Jody, my therapist, explained the steps of the treatment before beginning the massage with a warm Made for Life oil, which she spread across my back from the waist up. This was followed by slow, small massage movements designed to reduce tension gradually. Jody then worked on my neck and shoulder with similar pressure; this felt almost like a micro massage and entirely dissimilar to the firm massages this Spa Spy has experienced in the past. The movements – she said – are based on Tui Na Chinese massages which are believed to unblock energy in the body by working on specific acupressure points.

As Jody continued to work in a gentle, almost meditative way, I found myself drifting off. It was only when she massaged the back of my neck and head, drawing my hair up and over, that I came to. My spa partner (who was having the same treatment down the corridor with his therapist Amelia) confessed later that he, too, fell asleep.

Jody then asked me to turn over for the facial part of the treatment, beginning with a cleanse and exfoliation to prepare my skin for a mask. While this worked, Jody performed a very thorough hand and arm massage from the top of my shoulders to the tips of my fingers. She followed that with a top of the head massage using firm holding actions. She completed the facial with a lifting massage and a layer of Made for Life Rose oil which smelt divine.

During a massage, it can be tempting to resist the urge to squeak or cry out when something feels too firm, or when you are having to cope with the discomfort of your limbs being moved around… but not this one. This was a wellbeing massage in the purest sense of the words with the aim of bringing a sense of calm to body and mind; to nurture and to ensure you reach a deep sense of relaxation. It worked.

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.

FOOD FACTS

Lunch is served upstairs in the Nourish Café where you can happily eat in your robe. If it’s a nice day, bag a seat on the small outdoor terrace and gaze at Falmouth’s seafront. The décor is distinctly rustic and beachy with plenty of hanging plants, Rattan light shades and large windows letting light flood in.

The team works closely with local farmers, brewers and distillers to showcase fresh, local ingredients from the season. There are plenty of vegetarian and vegan choices on the menu, alongside salads and hot dishes. We tried the chicken flatbread which came with sprigs of peppery rocket; our spa partner opted for a brioche roll with prawns served with spicy Tabasco chips.

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 meat and fish options.

Since we were in Cornwall - and the fish is as fresh as it is local - we went for two fish courses: a crab salad starter with an avocado-based sauce and Ray (a type of skate) cooked in generous amounts of butter served with new potatoes. Our spa partner devoured a good-sized piece of braised cod (which was crispy on top, and soft and flaky underneath) with finely cut leeks and a rich velouté sauce. There are plenty of indulgent desserts to tempt, but we contented ourselves with a glass of crisp white from the extensive wine list.

WE LOVED/ WE DIDN’T LOVE

We loved

The relaxed atmosphere: numbers in the spa are limited to 30 at a time which keeps the ambience serene.

The suntrap terrace: on a sunny day, the terrace is heavenly. Even when the weather is dull, it’s great to sit in the warm hot tub or in the huge Barrel Sauna and look out to sea. Snuggle down under a blanket and enjoy being outside with all the health benefits that brings.

The excellent disabled changing room has a loo, a shower with a seat and a grab bar, as well as a good amount of space to move around in. You do need to go down two steps from here to get to the pool, however.

We didn't love

The steps: the spa is downstairs via quite a long staircase and there is, sadly, no lift. There is a step in the changing rooms, too, and two in the corridor leading down to the pool.

WHO DO YOU THINK WOULD LIKE IT?

Those who like to be beside the seaside: you can smell the sea air from the terrace; if this draws you in like a moth to a flame, the walk to the beach is just five minutes.

Anyone needing a detox from life: the peace and tranquillity here will do the trick, along with one of the spa’s relaxing treatments.

Sociable spa goers: the spa and the resort are sociable spaces with friendly and welcoming staff.

WHAT BUBBLE RATING DID YOU AWARD THIS SPA?

We awarded St Michaels Spa a Good Spa Guide

Bubble Rating™ of 5 Bubbles for its great heat experiences, lovely terrace, seaside setting, wonderful views and over-sized (and pretty spectacular) hydrotherapy pool.

Sybaritic Spy visited in September 2024 and awarded it 5 Bubbles