Reviewed: St Michael’s Hotel & Spa, Falmouth, Cornwall

Although I’ve visited the north Cornwall coast a lot over the years, this was my first trip to the opposite side in a long while, for the second half of our long weekend, swapping Newquay for Falmouth on the south coast.

And as we checked in to St Michael’s Hotel & Spa in Falmouth, I couldn’t help thinking it had got off to a very good start.

review stay*

After two nights at the thoroughly family-friendly Sands Resort, I had been interested to see how St Michael’s hotel measured up as a family hotel. So here’s my review.

St Michael’s hotel, Famouth: Vital Statistics

The four-star hotel is just minutes from the sea and the Blue Flag Gyllyngvase beach (aka Gylly beach). It’s also a 15-minute walk from the National Maritime Museum – check out my review of our visit.

Some of the 60+ rooms have sea views, and they have family suites as well as a giant family suite.

We stayed in a Seaview Large Room with Balcony, where they set up an extra bed for Minnie in one corner, and which had plenty of space if you’re visiting St Michael’s hotel with a toddler.

It has also won a series of awards, including Best Spa in Cornwall, Large Hotel of the Year and a Green Tourism award. Double rooms cost from £55 per person per night, bed and breakfast.

Click here to read more ideas of things to do in Cornwall with kids as well as things to do in Cornwall in the rain

St Michaels hotel Falmouth review: The good

The service

From the moment we checked in to chatting at the bar, having dinner and breakfast, getting directions, all the myriad interactions you have in a hotel, every single member of staff was friendly but professional.

It’s that tricky balance between informal and welcoming but still efficient, and they absolutely nailed it even when confronted with a cross two-year-old.

The food

Oh the food.  We had dinner in the restaurant, after a Pimms at the bar, and it was spectacular – fresh seafood, including my scallops, and some gorgeous fish, finishing up with a dark chocolate mousse with coffee crumble and Amaretto jelly.

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They also had local ciders and some great wines by the glass, including a more unusual Picpoul de Pinet, as well as plenty of recommendations from Will, the maitre d for the evening.

They also do a separate kids’ menu, although we didn’t get chance to test it, and afternoon cream tea.

The room

I’d wondered how we’d manage with an extra bed tucked into our room but I needn’t have worried. Minnie’s bed slotted neatly into an alcove, which also helped her fall asleep, while ours was huge and comfy.

There are Espa products in the bathroom as well, biscuits good enough to sneak into your case (clotted cream shortbread!), while our room had a huge terrace looking out to the sea – shame the weather wasn’t good enough for us to lounge out there.

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The facilities

As we had a relatively short stay, we didn’t get to test them all, but as well as the spa, there’s a swimming pool (children welcome at certain times) and steam room, as well as some beautiful lush gardens, with palm trees courtesy of the south coast’s subtropical climate.

The little touches

I’m a big fan of those little touches which really transform a hotel, and this was incredibly stylish. Here, the theme was very obviously nautical but they’d done it beautifully.

Even the staff uniform was a Breton top, while the toilets looked like beach huts had crept inside. There was a fish tank in the restaurant too, better than any CBeebies show for Minnie over breakfast.

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The location

It’s a great base to explore – Gylly beach is incredibly close, and the main sights and centre of Falmouth is easily walkable as well, or you can drive in minutes too. The hotel also has links to Gylly Adventures for special rates on various watersport lessons.

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St Michael’s hotel & spa, Falmouth: The not so good

Quite honestly, I’m struggling to think of anything. Although there might not be such specific child-friendly services such as baby listening, it was incredible welcoming to kids and with a relaxed atmosphere that meant you weren’t worrying about toddlers breaking the hushed silence.

In fact, one thing which did surprise me is that there didn’t seem to be that many families or couples staying there – perhaps it would be different during holiday time or on a Friday/Saturday rather than our Sunday night.

But I’d have thought this was a fantastic spot for a romantic weekend break and a great place to visit with preschoolers.

St Michael’s hotel review: The verdict?

Would I go back? With its perfect balance between welcoming families and being as stylish as the boutique hotels of my pre-parenthood days, I’ll be booking again as soon as they can fit me in…

For more places to stay in Cornwall and things to do in Falmouth, check out my guide to Cornwall with kids

Disclaimer: our stay was courtesy of the hotel. All opinions and cross toddlers remains my own.

Images copyright MummyTravels (and they don’t really do the hotel justice)

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