St Michael's hotel & spa in Falmouth set for £6m investment

01 June 2016 by Katey Pigden

The four-AA-star St Michael's hotel & spa in Falmouth has announced a £6m investment programme, which will start in October.

Work will include the addition of 32 bedrooms and suites a few metres from the main hotel, as well as a full refurbishment and extension of the two-AA-rosette Flying Fish restaurant.

The restaurant will offer a sea-facing terrace, while the Regatta function suite will be moved to the lower ground floor to provide access to the hotel's gardens.

The ground floor of the hotel will have an open plan reception, bar, lounge and dining area, with the refurbishment and extension work expected to be complete by May next year.

Four eco woodland spa lodges will also be introduced, offering accommodation for up to four people, with private decks, hot tubs and spa access.

The property's spa and health club will more than double in size and become separate units linked by a walkway.

St Michael's spa will include seven new treatment rooms, hydrotherapy pools, steam and sauna cabins, relaxation areas, spa gardens and a spa café.

The existing St Michael's Health Club will relocate to an extended and expanded facility created from the development of the former Falmouth Beach Club. It will accommodate up to 2,500 members and include a three-storey gym, three studios, a 17m pool and treatment rooms.

In July last year the hotel was put up for sale by owners Nigel and Julie Carpenter with offers in excess of £20m being sought.

It was on the market with planning permission to be transformed into a 92-bedroom hotel with 73 apartments.

Nigel Carpenter told The Caterer: "We were looking for investment for the mixed residential and hotel scheme, but the combination of the two did not seem appealing to investors.

"So we have raised the money for the hotel aspect and will pursue the residential part as a separate scheme."

Karl Taylor, who has been general manager at the hotel for three years, will be moving on to become general manager at the Duchy of Cornwall, closer to his home.

St Michael's is now looking to create a more senior role with a managing director, which will allow Nigel to become chairman and concentrate on developments beyond the hotel.

The hotel has also benefitted from a £5m investment programme over the past 10 years.

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