USP Organic treatments using natural skin-care products from two specialist companies. One, Spiezia, is local, its range was established by a doctor specialising in holistic medicine and is handmade on the Lizard Peninsula just ten miles away. All Spiezia products are approved by the Soil Association and the Vegetarian Society and voted 10/10 by The Times in July.

Other products come from Espa. The spa’s philosophy is holistic, focusing on Chinese energy lines across the whole body to deal with specific problems. Aromatherapy and “gentle soothing” is in. “Invasive” treatments and machines, such as electrolysis and steaming are out.

AMBIENCE “Bringing the beach in – our inspiration comes from Cornish sea”. And the pottery – décor is Cornish cream and blue. Each treatment room has a beach hut feel, with its own character depending on what goes on inside. Nautical style galley units hold the range of products on offer, there is no glass or chrome. Wooden sun loungers in the relaxation room complete the theme.

In the summer, treatments move outside into the four acres of south-facing sub-tropical gardens. A heated indoor swimming pool, sauna, steam room and gym are available next door. Plans are afoot to build another four treatment rooms and offer some treatments - such as Indian head massage – in the rooms of the hotel.

EXPERIENCE I had two treatments: hot and cold stone massage followed by a holistic aromatherapy back, face and scalp facial. Rachael, my 25-year-old therapist, talked through her plans for me and then left me alone in the treatment room while I stripped to my shorts and lay on the couch.

After a minute or two she returned, turning the lights down low and the tinkly, twinkly music up a fraction. She positioned some warm basalt pebbles in what I believe was a T shape on the couch and asked me to lie back down so that they ran beneath my spine and under my shoulders. Then she kneaded warm oil into limbs - leaving stones on my forehead, my chest, between my toes – and worked the hot basalt and then cold marble into my skin.

She turned me over and continued the massage. The passing of each stone, she said, is the equivalent to ten from the hand. When she applied both a warm and cool stone at the same time, the sensation was electrifying – at once burning and icy cold.

Deeply relaxed at this point, away with the fairies in fact, my face and scalp were massaged with “acupressure” and plied with various potions and brews from Rachael’s bewitching collection. Was I under some kind of spell? For me the session was extraordinary, like diving deep into an ocean and then resurfacing, or some kind of astral journey. They say you never forget your first time. I certainly won’t.

IN CROWD I’m told that Hollywood martial arts actors have sampled the spa’s delights, as have footballers and their wives, and even the nephew of a very well-known fantasy author (though he didn’t make a hobbit out of it). But the usual crowd is hip and trendy professionals looking for a natural Cornish treat that does not cost the earth.

FOOD Two-course healthy lunch at the hotel’s Flying Fish restaurant is included in the spa day packages.

WALLET WATCH Hot and cold stone treatment starts at £33 for a half hour back, neck and shoulder massage. A one-hour-25-minute aromatherapy back, face and scalp facial costs £64.

NEED TO KNOW St Michael’s Hotel and Spa, Gyllngvase Beach, Falmouth, Cornwall TR11 4NB (01326 312707; www.stmichaelshotel.co.uk) Email: info@stmichaelshotel.co.uk

For more than 225 independent spa reviews log on to timesonline.co.uk/goodspaguide

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