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 sub-tropical 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; the Spa Garden Lodges – with their outside copper baths – are exceptional.

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?

We were warmly welcomed by spa staff in the light and airy spa reception, where we sipped zingy orange and ginger shots as we completed consultation forms on comfy sofas. After collecting our bags containing robes, towels and flip-flops, we walked across a small wooden bridge - where water flows underneath - to reach the changing rooms. Inside, you’ll find banks of decent sized lockers activated via electronic wristbands. There’s a leather bench on which to change or three private change rooms.

The post-spa preening area has ample seating; large, well-lit mirrors; baby blue hairdryers; and GHD 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 – two degrees lower than body temperature to emulate womb-like conditions. 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. Or retreat to one of the four heated poolside loungers to warm up between dips.

The Cornish Salt Steam Room – the only one in the world that uses Cornish salt, apparently – was toasty and 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.

We also loved the glass-fronted Finnish Herbal Sauna with its pool views and fresh herbal scent.

Sunny day? A door beside the hydrotherapy pool leads out onto the spa terrace; after a soul-awakening dunk in the icy cold plunge pool, wallow in the hot tub or toast in the barrel sauna, resplendent in glass at one end allowing you to warm up and look out over the treetops with glimpses of the sea beyond.

Spa afficionados will love the new Spa Lodges, set within strolling distance of the spa in the sub-tropical gardens. Expect private terraces, outdoor copper bathtubs and rainforest showers, as well as cool beachy décor and unlimited spa access.

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

We tried the Cornish Mud Experience (Rhassoul) (£15 per person) and an Under the Sun St Michael Signature Treatment (90 minutes, £90).

For the Cornish Mud Experience, my spa partner and I were led to a private spa chamber (for up to four people), complete with large shower and a Moroccan steam chamber. After explaining the process (shower, apply Natural Spa scrub, rinse, dry, apply Rhassoul clay to face and body, enter private steam room, relax for 20 minutes, wash off under waterfall, hose down with the cold water shower, apply lotions) she left the room so we could lock the door, remove swim wear (it was private after all) and enjoy the hands-on experience.

Skin silky smooth, we returned to the Deep Relax room - with its black sparkly ceiling and electric massage loungers – ahead of our Under the Sun treatment. My therapist, Amelia, collected me and led me to one of the 10 treatments where the signature blue wood panels line the walls. Taking a seat in the corner, she explained that the treatment was essentially a full body massage to ease tension and leave me feeling restored (yes, please).

Amelia left the room so I could don paper knickers and lie face down on the heated bed. The treatment commenced with three deep breaths and a foot cleanse. Amelia then applied a lively blend of orange, ylang ylang and geranium oil and began the massage on my left side; using flowing wave-like movements from the soles of my feet, up my legs to the side of body, over my shoulder and back down my arm. I relaxed immediately.

After repeating this on the right side of my body, Amelia focused on my legs (surprising me how much tension we hold in them), before moving onto my back. Checking the pressure, she paid extra attention to my (constantly) knotted shoulders; manoeuvring my arm off the bed so she could work deep into my shoulder blades.

Turning onto back, Amelia readjusted the bed into a notably comfy position (almost hug-like) and continued the massage on the front of my body (right side followed by left), arms, hands, décolleté, and more on my shoulders and neck. After a final deep breath of the vibrant orange oil, the treatment came to an end.

Amelia handed me glass of fruit water and led me back to Deep Relax where I found my spa partner blissed out on a lounger after his Under the Sun treatment with Jodie. We agreed the treatment was incredibly soothing; the therapists both highly skilled.

St Michaels Spa offers a wide range of treatments from Elemis, Natural Spa Factory and Made for Life 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.

For starters, we tried the recommended mix of the three freshly-made salads: a Greek Salad with confit garlic and rosemary marinated feta; pea, courgette, tenderstem and maple vinaigrette; and Kisir spiced tomato bulgar wheat with spring onion and pomegranate. Our spa partner opted for the grilled Cornish mackerel.

For mains we devoured the fresh and delicious Cornish crab on sourdough toast with pickled cucumber and sliced radish; our spa partner: the Smash burger with a very more-ish relish. All served with a glass of complimentary fizz.

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.

We went for two seafood courses: grilled ½ shell scallops with pumpkin seeds, coriander, chilli, parmesan, spring onion and Cider Moules Mariniere with homemade focaccia and French fries for mopping up. Our spa partner devoured a whole grilled lemon sole with ginger, chilli, lemon and garlic butter, served with new potatoes and tenderstem broccoli.

There are plenty of indulgent desserts to tempt, but we contented ourselves with a glass of crisp white Rioja from the extensive wine list.

WE LOVED/ WE DIDN’T LOVE

We loved

The Spa Lodges: set within strolling distance of the spa in the sub-tropical gardens, expect private terraces, outdoor copper bathtubs and rainforest showers – we didn’t want to leave.

The treatments: from covering ourselves in clay in the Rhassoul, to the soothing wave-like Under the Sun massage, St Michael’s have got something for everyone.

The suntrap terrace: get your contrast therapy fix with a dunk in the icy cold plunge before toasting in the huge barrel sauna with sea views. Guaranteed to leave you feeling alive.

We didn't love

Having to leave our Spa Lodge; one night is simply not enough, book a longer break if you can.

WHO DO YOU THINK WOULD LIKE IT?

Ocean lovers: from the beachy interiors to the freshly caught seafood on the menu; you can smell the sea air from the spa terrace.

Anyone needing an escape from everyday life: book a spa garden lodge, along with one of the spa’s relaxing treatments, before bubbling away in the giant hydrotherapy pool.

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 Bubble Luxury for its beautiful seaside setting, luxurious spa lodges, soothing treatments, tasty food, great heat experiences, lovely spa terrace and spectacular hydrotherapy pool.

Scarlet Spy visited in October 2025 and awarded it 5 Bubble Luxury.