St Michael’s Resort Active Breaks
Cornwall, England
Invigorating wellness breaks featuring paddleboarding, wild swimming, triathlon and yoga in a spectacular beachside setting
These short, active breaks at St Michael’s coastal spa hotel in Falmouth blend invigorating wellness pursuits with luxurious relaxation. Choose from breaks that focus on paddleboarding, beach fitness, wild swimming, Wim Hof, triathlon and yoga - each break is expertly led by dedicated specialists passionately committed to enhancing your technique and love of the activity. After an exhilarating day of activities, wind down in the award-winning coastal spa and ocean-facing restaurants.
Retreats to book
3 and 4-night set-date retreats. Up to 10 guests on an active break at this 92-bedroom retreat.
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our Reviewer TOM sylge JONEs says:
‘We find ourselves serendipitously switching ‘paddle mate’, exploring the trivial and the deep thoughts of our fellow adventurers. This is the greatest element of the weekend for me - being on the water is such a meditative experience, for you must be in the moment, focused on what you are doing. On calm days you might contemplate science or art, singing like no-one is listening’
Queen of Retreats says:
‘With a high tutor-to-guest ratio and a cap of 10 guests per break, you’re ensured ample personal attention. The experts are the best in class. Brendon Prince is a seven-time world record adventure stand-up paddleboarder and the only person to paddle the UK coast; Swim Lab’s Salim Ahmed has spent years coaching on lakes and open seas across Europe; while Bella and Stephen Bayliss are Britain’s most successful Ironman couple’
Experiences
These group active breaks run on set dates and are devoted to paddleboarding, wild swimming, Wim Hof, yoga or triathlon training. Each retreat is thoughtfully guided by experts to ensure guests receive guidance, tuition and a friendly listening ear throughout their stay.
Immerse yourself in the invigorating world of wild swimming with Swim Lab’s Salim Ahmed to enhance your technique and enjoy the benefits of the ocean, or build your resilience on a Wim Hof break with senior instructor Cat Peterson.
Embark on a memorable stand-up paddleboarding adventure with world-record adventure paddler Brendon Prince from one of the UK’s finest paddleboarding beaches, or join Britain’s top Ironman duo for immersive and fun triathlon training encompassing running, cycling and swimming.
Coastal yoga mixes with resident teacher Bex Rowe mixes a range of yoga and meditation activities with relaxation and spa time. While Reformer Pilates, led by expert local teachers from Rebel Studio, uses apparatus to enhance your physical fitness, core strength and wellbeing.
Whichever break you choose, after energising body and mind you can rest and relax in luxurious surroundings. There’s often yoga sessions, and retreats usually include a blissful two hour Hydrothermal Experience. You can also pre-book extra tailor-made treatments that will leave you pampered and restored.
Spaces
Water-based activities take place from the beautiful, blue-flag Gyllyngvase Beach, a pristine expanse of sand and sea a two-minute stroll away, while Falmouth Bay provides a dramatic and awe-inspiring backdrop. Enjoy views of it from the deckchairs in the hotel’s stunning sub-tropical gardens.
The spa houses a large hydrothermal pool and aromatic Finnish sauna, while the spa garden features a 12-person hot tub, refreshing plunge pool, cocooning daybeds in an enclave of mature trees and a barrel sauna with floor to ceiling views of lush gardens and the sea.
There’s also a Health Club with a state-of-the-art gym, 17-metre indoor swimming pool with sauna and steam, tennis courts and an outdoor fitness terrace.
Eat at the Brasserie on the Bay which overlooks the sub-tropical gardens and sea, or the Garden Kitchen, which has the same land and sea views but a more relaxed vibe.
Sleep in one of 92 bedrooms, ranging from spacious super-kings with sundecks to cosy single bed cabins, all with coastal calm interiors. There are also four spa lodges set amidst sub-tropical gardens, with private terraces and indulgent copper bathtubs from which to admire the view.
Sustenance
Cornish Executive Chef Darren Millgate and his team work with a profound respect for each ingredient’s Cornish roots and menus feature seasonal, vibrant, flavoursome dishes using locally sourced ingredients with good provenance. Dishes can be adapted to vegan, gluten-free, or dairy-free requirements with advanced notice.
Breakfast includes a buffet of cereals, yoghurt, fresh fruit, bread, pastries and fresh juices, or stoke your energy supplies with maple syrup laden waffles, a full Cornish featuring Primrose Herd sausage and dry-cured bacon, smoked salmon with St. Ewe super eggs or a Cornish vegan with sautéed pak choi and hash browns.
Lunch at the hotel features lighter bites like Cornish crab soup, Marsh Farm free-range chargrilled chicken and bacon Caesar salad, and pomegranate roasted aubergine. You’ll get a packed lunch for some activities, which usually transforms one of these ingredients into a nutritious, on-the-go meal such as a Cornish crab sandwich or chicken salad.
The evening menu includes tasty local meat, fish and vegetarian dishes such as Cornish cured pork loin with organic mozzarella and seasonal pesto, Helford Blue cheese souffle, Newlyn fish pie, nettle and wild garlic risotto.
As well as caffeine and alcohol, non-alcoholic varieties of gin, beer and other drinks are available both from the Brasserie on the Bay and Bar & Lounge.
