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St Michael's Hotel and Spa, Falmouth - 3 bubbles
St Michael's Hotel and spa is a modern, nautical-themed establishment in the pretty seaside town of Falmouth. The small, self-contained spa nestles within subtropical gardens, and offers you opportunities to swim, steam, bubble, and relax. Natural and organic spa-fans will love the array of treatments on offer using the Cornish Spiezia range as well as ESPA.
First impressions?
How did they welcome you?
What happens next?
Which treatments did you have?
What were the treatments like?
How did you feel afterwards?
What happens afterwards?
Was it worth it?
What else could you have?
What do you wish you'd known before you went?
Any special features?
Who do you think would like it?
Why did you give the spa this rating?
Would you go again?
First impressions?
Just before reaching Gyllyngvase (blue flag) beach in Falmouth, is a sharp turning which took me up a narrow road lined with parked cars, to the small car park of St Michael's Hotel and Spa.
Inside, the hotel felt very fresh with a bright and airy atmosphere. St Michael's has been coolly designed with a stylish sea-and-beach theme throughout, and makes the most of its views.
How did they welcome you?
I entered the painted blue reception, complete with blue walls, a life belt, porthole windows, and wooden deck flooring. From behind a white reception desk shaped like a boat, a smiley receptionist directed me immediately left, through the open-plan bar, and to take a right at the doors to the spa.
What happens next?
I walked into the large spa reception area with two comfy sofas positioned opposite each other and a table separating them. Next to the seating area was a glass wall partition that revealed the 14-metre indoor swimming pool. The main spa reception desk was just to my left. The receptionist gave me a tour of the spa and leisure facilities at my request, which included the gym, changing rooms, spa waiting room, and relaxation room.
The gym: This is a reasonably large room, light and bright, with a good array of cardiovascular and resistance machines and free weights; a good addition if you like to fit a workout into your spa day or stay. You can make an appointment with a personal trainer if you're especially determined. The gym also functions as a health club for local members.
The changing rooms: Sadly these are "forgotten" rooms, not in keeping with the rest of the spa and hotel. There were lots of metal lockers lining two of the walls, and cream tiles; very similar to my secondary-school changing room. There was a large mirror and a couple of ladies drying their hair. Along the back wall were some showers (with a mish-mash of different showerheads), changing cubicles and a couple of toilets. The whole changing area felt quite unloved and had paint flaking off the ceiling.
The pool: This is attractively done in pale-blue mosaic tiles. Canvas "sails" on one wall continue the hotel's marine décor. There is an outdoor sundeck next to the pool, where lounging would be perfect on a sunny day. By the pool, you can also find a wooden sauna, a steam room, an "experience" shower and a Jacuzzi.
I visited on a Friday, and there were only a handful of people using the pool area. It felt quite peaceful, and all of the facilities were in good working order. After my swim, I dried off, changed, and headed back to the reception desk, where the receptionist directed me to the waiting room to take a seat. Jane, the head therapist, gave me a consultation form on a clipboard and asked me to complete it.
I sat on one of the comfy seats and saw that the nautical theme continued, with ESPA products displayed in driftwood-framed boxes on the wall. On the wall behind me was a kaleidoscopic display of Spiezia products -- a Cornish range of 100% organic, completely natural products approved by the Soil Association. A glass brick wall with a door leading to the relaxation room was opposite. I really liked the waiting room atmosphere.
Which treatments did you have?
I had the Warmatherapy treatment (£76, 90 minutes) using Spiezia products.
What were the treatments like?
Emma, my therapist, collected me and took me through to my lovely beach-hut-style treatment room. I draped my belongings on the chair and sat whilst Emma read through my consultation form. Emma asked if there was anything else that she might need to know about my skin's current state and how well I sleep.
Emma then outlined the Warmatherapy treatment , designed exclusively for St Michael's. Emma explained that it included "a bit of everything" and that the "warm" part was to do with hot towels on my body, allowing the Spiezia essential oils to soak in to my skin.
I lay on my front on a soft white sheet, with a blue towel covering me, and Emma checked that I was warm enough. The treatment started with dry body brushing, followed by a Spiezia salt scrub on both sides of my body. Emma left the room whilst I showered in the corner cubicle but ,as warned, came back in and cleaned up the scrub mess. I dried with the towel left outside the shower and nestled back under the fresh sheets. Emma proceeded to give me a slow, full-body massage with Spiezia body oil and medium-firm pressure. My hands and feet were wrapped, one by one, in warmed flannels. I felt very snug indeed.
The body massage flowed smoothly into a very pleasurable neck and scalp massage, followed by a facial. The facial involved a cleanse, tone and a moisturise as well as a facial massage. Emma told me to continue relaxing and to meet her outside when I was ready.
How did you feel afterwards?
Like I could stay lying down for a bit longer. I felt cocooned, warm and cosy.
The Warmatherapy was a relaxing and interesting all-over body treatment; although I didn't nod off, I felt satisfied to be able to appreciate each element.
What happens afterwards?
I got dressed and met Emma outside of my treatment room; she took me to the relaxation room with a glass of water. I lay on a wooden, almost deckchair-style lounger, and continued to chill. The relaxation room had a lot of natural daylight from the large windows looking out to the attractive sub-tropical gardens.
At lunchtime, I went through to the restaurant, which is very popular for its AA-rosette food, and fantastic views.
I feasted upon cantaloupe melon with Parma ham, balsamic vinegar and salad, followed by a delicious burger. (Well, at least I started off with a healthy course, right?) You could also have delights such as shellfish bisque, Cornish mussels, and flying fish super-food salad. I sat at a table by the window and gazed serenely, post-treatment, across the gardens and out to sea.
Was it worth it?
St Michael's Spa is a very good value and affordable spa.
What else could you have?
As well as spa days, you could have a spa morning with a teacake, or spa afternoon with a cream tea. You can also try reflexology, Indian head massage, and treatments for the face, body (including wraps), hands and feet. There are treatments for new mums and mums-to-be, options for men, including a "One for the boys spa day", plus wedding and special-occasion packages.
What do you wish you'd known before you went?
You can hire robes for a £2 fee, and towels for a £1 fee, unless you are booked in for a spa day, when they are complimentary.
If three or more of you are going together on a spa day, you will receive a 10% discount.
Children are allowed in the pool area, although under 16s must be accompanied by an adult. The minimum age for spa treatments is 18.
Any special features?
Weather permitting, you can relax in the garden after your treatment; in the summer, you can have your treatment in the garden under a specially made pagoda.
Who do you think would like it?
Locals -- there are different levels of membership which include use of the spa and health facilities. Small groups of girls on a spa day. Hotel residents.
Why did you give the spa this rating?
We gave the spa at St Michael's Hotel a very high 3 bubbles. The staff were friendly, the hotel was clean, and it simply felt good to be there. The changing rooms are in need of a complete revamp to cement giving this lovely place its fourth bubble. No-one gave me a robe or slippers to wear, and so I had to get dressed straight after my treatment, which was a shame because I still had a lovely body-balm soaking into my skin.
See more on how we rate the spas
Would you go again?
Yes. Next time I'm in Falmouth, I'll go for an afternoon spa session and then dinner in the Flying Fish restaurant.
The spa has so far missed out on a recent major refurb, although we are very excited to hear of future plans for an extension of the spa. We'll keep you posted.
We visited St Michael's Spa in August 2010
See also:
* Contact details for St Michael's Hotel
* If I have an "all body" massage, will it literally be my whole body?
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