Getting back into a routine after the festive season is a struggle for us all – but if you’re thinking of booking a weekend getaway to get you through, we’ve found the perfect place. Whether it’s time away with your partner, escaping with friends or if you just want to relish in your own company, St Michael’s Resort in Falmouth, Cornwall makes for the ultimate coastal retreat.
From the moment you step out of the car (or walk the 8 minutes from Falmouth station) and inhale the sea air, you can already start to feel the weight of everyday stress lifting off your shoulders. Even on the rainiest of days, the chic hotel exteriors invite you in, with a breezy check in, welcoming hotel staff and comfy chairs and sofas to kick off your stay.
There’s a nod to nautical throughout the resort, bringing together light wooden furnishings, a sea of blues, greens and greys running through the cushions and art work, to compliment the sea or garden views in certain rooms. Book yours in The Beach House and you’ll also enjoy a super king deluxe bed, Elemis bathroom amenities, a walk-in rainforest shower and to top it off, a selection of local treats to try, including a jar of homemade cookies.
In late 2018, St Michaels transformed the hotel into a luxury resort, unveiling spectacular spa and wellness facilities, landing many firsts for spas across the southwest and further afield in the process. In fact, you need a couple of days here just to try out all that the facilities have to offer: 10 treatment rooms, a hydrotherapy pool with 21 massage stations, heated loungers poolside plus a herbal sauna, a rainforest steam room, and three experience showers including the ‘ice bucket challenge’.
The spa also boasts the world’s first Cornish sea salt steam room, infusing local salt into the steam air to reduce toxins and clear the lungs – guaranteed to leave you feeling recharged and revitalised. Beyond the pool you can enjoy the sea-facing garden with a sundeck, red cedar-wood hot tub and barrel sauna. If you’re keen to arrange a treatment, there are more than 60 options, plus a deep relaxation room to hibernate in for even longer.
The health club includes a state-of-the-art gym, a 56ft swimming pool, four private tennis courts, a spin studio and over 100 instructor-led classes every week, but that’s not all. There’s also a fitness terrace for open-air classes, and the opportunity to have a morning workout on Gyllngvase Beach and join in with a sunrise yoga session. Use of the health club is included in all room rates, with an additional charge for a spa package.
Hungry? You can dine in either Brasserie on the Bay or the more health-focused Garden Kitchen; the latter offering a more casual setting with a range of healthy salads and deli dishes, homemade stone-baked pizza, and cold pressed juices and smoothies. With its views over Gyllyngvase beach, it’s the perfect spot for coffee through to cocktails.
Brasserie on the Bay, meanwhile, has a slightly more formal but still cosy feel to it. Dress up to sample the very best of seasonal Cornish produce – the menu has an emphasis on fresh meat, fish and seafood all directly from local farmers and fishermen, and rotates regularly to showcase the seasonal produce of the area.
As hard as it may be to tear yourself away from the resort, the local region has a lot to offer – the closest spot being Gyllyngvase Beach, which can be enjoyed at your own personal pace, from adventure sports to a romantic sandy stroll. WeSup and Gylly Adventures offer up surf lessons, the opportunity to paddle board to secret beaches, snorkelling, kayaking and plenty more.
Further afield, you can take the short journey through the lush gardens to Pendennis Point. Pick up an ice cream while exploring the ruins of Little Dennis castle on the rocks, or walk a few miles to find Maenporth, the perfect place to dip your tired toes in the sheltered cove. In just 15 minutes you can also find yourself at Swanpool Beach and town centre where you will find a variety of independent shops and cafes, the hub of an ever-growing arts scene.
With all this and more at your fingerstips, it’s basically impossible not to relax and unwind. In fact, the only stress you’ll experience is when it comes to check-out time.
Written for you.co.uk & dailymail.co.uk/home/you
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