St Moritz Hotel & Cowshed Spa

FIRST IMPRESSIONS

Set above the Cornish coast - between the seaside beauties of Polzeath and Rock – this striking white art deco hotels enjoys views of the Atlantic Ocean and Camel Estuary. The 48 bedrooms, 12 sea view apartments, two garden apartments and 38 houses all blend laid-back luxury with a cool coastal vibe; the sub-tropical gardens add to the transatlantic feel.

St Moritz is home to the only Cowshed Spa outside of a Soho House property. In June 2024, the £1.5 million wellness centre opened with a new swimming pool, thermal journey and experience showers.

WHAT’S ON OFFER?

The glass-fronted spa is housed beside the hotel reception; look for the distinctive black Cowshed logo. Enter through the glass door into the treatment reception area – a calming space with wooden floor and a choice of comfy grey sofas, pretty-in-pink upholstered chairs and pouffes to complete consultation forms on. We were warmly welcomed, handed a white fluffy robe, a blue & white stripy towel and flip-flops, and given a tour of the facilities.

You’ll find the reception desk on your right; to your left, a pretty mani/pedi station with space for three; wooden grey dressers displaying Cowshed products, white tin foot baths and rows of nail varnish line the walls.

The six treatment rooms are also located on this floor, along with a post-treatment relaxation room at the back behind a floor to-ceiling curtain. Help yourself to water before getting comfy in one of the five armchairs - two leather and three upholstered with foot stools.

Exit the Cowshed Spa and you’ll find a door to the facilities on your immediate left. Glass windows show-off a modern gym; the male and female changing rooms can be found at the bottom of the corridor.

Here, natural tiles are paired with pops of pale pink; banks of pale green, wooden, code-operated lockers line one wall. There are four private changing rooms, two loos and three showers, stocked with Cowshed shampoo, conditioner and body wash. A small vanity area with space for two contains hairdryers. Ask at main reception if you need to refresh soggy towels.

A door at the back leads through to the thermal area; take a pew on the white-tiled, oval-shaped seating at the centre.

You’ll find two saunas – one high heat; one Nordic – and a deliciously hot Crystal Steam Room (our favourite), with dark grey tiles and a giant amethyst, at the centre. Cool off in one of the two experience showers, at the ice fountain or brave the drench bucket.

The spa’s piece de resistance - a heated 12.5-metre indoor pool with pretty, star-studded ceiling (our early morning visit meant we had it all to ourselves) - can be found through an arch from here. Large enough to swim laps, pool dippers can chill on curved seating in a recess in the wall, lined by retro-style pink vertical tiles.

In the corner, behind a glass window edged with black Cowshed botanicals, you’ll find the alfresco swim-out hydro-pool. Press the button on the wall for bubbles on demand; the temperature is noticeably toastier than the pool.

There are plenty of curved poolside loungers to choose from (we counted eight on our visit), plus 14 bucket seats dotted with pale pink and green striped cushions.

Outside, behind the apartments, you’ll find the 18-metre outdoor pool (heated in the summer months but not on our out-of-season visit, making it perfect for a cold-water swim). Tennis courts, a ping pong table and croquet are all at your disposal - plus, plenty of coastal walks direct from the hotel.


TELL US ABOUT THE TREATMENTS

We tried the Bespoke Body Therapy (90 minutes, £130).

My therapist, Imogen, met me in the spa reception area and led me to one of the six low-lit treatment rooms. She began by discussing any areas of concern – unrelenting shoulder knots – before choosing my desired Cowshed oil by sniff test: Relax (calming), Indulge (blissful), Replenish (uplifting) and Active (invigorating). I was drawn to Relax for its gentle blend of lavender, eucalyptus, rose and frankincense.

Imogen then left the room so that I could disrobe and lie face down on the heated bed. The treatment commenced with three deep breaths, some settling body holds and a cleansing foot ritual with pressure point massage.

Next, using the Relaxing oil, Imogen strategically worked every inch of my back – intuitively seeking out any knots and areas of tension and confidentially pummelling them into submission with firm pressure, paying close attention to the tightness in my traps and my hard-earned tech-neck.

Placing a hot towel onto my back, she moved onto my legs, spending time easing out the tension in my calves up into my thighs. While most people are quick to book a back massage, Imogen explained that the well-used leg muscles are often neglected which is why they can feel quite painful during a massage.

Turning on to my back, she covered my eyes with a heated eye cushion and placed a cushion under my legs for comfort. Here, she worked on the front of my legs, arms and décolleté before concluding the treatment with a blissful scalp massage.

Allowing me a few minutes to come to, Imogen handed me a glass of water and led me back out through to the post-treatment relaxation area. My spa partner, who had the same treatment with Verity, was curled up on an oversized armchair looking as serene as I felt. Taking heed of Imogen’s advice, we drank plenty of water that evening both sleeping soundly.

You’ll find The Cowshed signature botanical blends and results-driven skincare from MEDIK8 at The Cowshed Spa. There's a keen focus on treatments for mind and body wellness, such as reflexology, reiki and menopause counselling. The Spa also offers manicures and pedicures, waxing and brows.

FOOD FACTS

During a spa day, you can dine in your robe (if you wish) in the Shorecrest Restaurant; take the sweeping curved staircase up from the hotel reception area. This contemporary space has colourful-fringed lampshades and an open kitchen for optimal chef watching.

The food here is proudly local; the menu, with pretty illustration of Cornwall on one side, is titled ‘Our Cornish Larder’ and shows off all the local suppliers the restaurant uses – from local fisherman Bro Diplock (who fishes out of the Camel Estuary) to veggies from Restharrow Farm just 500 metres down the road. Choose from nibbles, sharing plates, small plates, large plates and St Moritz classics – which include fish & chips and burgers.

As we were staying overnight, we were booked in for dinner, opting for a huge bowl of mixed olives and a smoked mackerel pate sharing platter to start, served with pickled cucumber and toasted sourdough. For mains: the Cornish lamb, served with pressed potato, anchovy, grilled courgette and mint was a well-presented as it was delicious – hence two squeaky-clean plates.

For dessert, the Ashaninka chocolate mousse with salted caramel, mint sorbet and almond and cocoa crumble rounded the meal off nicely.

The wine list is extensive here - it was great to see Cornish wines on the menu, plus two orange varieties - but after our deep tissue detoxing treatments, we opted for a glass of (non-alcoholic) Pentire Coastal Spritz and tonic - another Cornish brand.


WE LOVED / WE DIDN’T LOVE

We loved

The brand spanking new wellness centre: the pool – with its star-studded ceiling - is a delight to swim in. Bubble away in the swim-out hydro pool or toast in the deliciously hot Crystal Steam Room.

The epic Garden Suite was noteworthy: Miami Beach meets boho chic; all dazzling white décor with pops of pale green, clean lines and sub-tropical garden views.

Our 90-minute Bespoke Body Therapy treatments were personalised to our individual needs and long enough to really make a difference. Our shoulders felt noticeably looser.

We didn't love

This is a family-friendly resort so kids can use the indoor pool; check the adult-only times for a serene swim.

WHO DO YOU THINK WOULD LIKE IT?

Beach lovers: this is a truly beautiful part of Cornwall. Make the most of it by booking a sea view apartment; take a coastal walk to Daymer Bay or book a 2-hour St Moritz Sun and Sea treatment.

Treatment afficionados: from results-driven facials to reiki and menopause massages, The Cowshed has something to suit all needs.

Families will love the laid-back vibe: help yourself to children’s fishing nets, buckets and spades at the reception entrance; an electric minibus will whizz you to Polzeath or Rock for seaside shenanigans.

WHAT BUBBLE RATING DID YOU AWARD THIS SPA?

We awarded The Cowshed at St Moritz Hotel a Good Spa Guide Bubble Rating of Five Bubbles for its cool coastal design, laid back beachy vibes, excellent treatments and facilities, and delicious food.

Scarlet Spy visited in October 2025 and awarded it 5 Bubbles