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enerally speaking, if you’re after sub-tropical gardens and sandy beaches you’d best set the alarm for an early morning flight to southern Europe. Unless, that is, you’re heading to St Michael’s Hotel and Spa in Cornwall.

Perched by the coast in Falmouth, it’s got everything you need for a weekend of indulgence. Starting with the view. Pick one of the sea-view rooms and you’ll be torn between your book and simply staring out of the window. And then there’s the spa, where you can unwind in the large heated indoor pool or sweat it all out in the Finnish sauna.

Personally, for us it’s all about the treatments (try the aromatherapy fully body massage, it’s divine); once you’ve had all those knots smoothed away with a combination of Espa products and the organic Cornish spa range, Spiezia, you’ll be walking on air.

After a delicious meal at the The Flying Fish restaurant, head back to your room – all bleached wood and crisp blue and white bed linen, with techie touches like WiFi and flat screen TVs. You’ll sleep like the proverbial baby.