Leafy tropical gardens, two restaurants and a lush spa make smart St Michaels Resort in Falmouth a must-visit for those looking to feed both body and soul.

The head chef at St Michaels Resort in Falmouth, Darren Kerley, was born and raise in Cornwall and has done stints under the tutelage of Marco Pierre-White at Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons and with pioneering chef Alain Senderens at Lucas Carton in Paris.

Here on home soil, his philosophy centres around purity: quality is king and the chef uses light cooking techniques to retain flavour, focusing on elevating individual ingredients sources from nearby farms, fields and waters.

The culinary delights can be enjoyed in two settings. The roomy Brasserie on the Bay offers a nautical vibe and Garden Spa views, and turns smarter under the twinkle of evening lighting.

Next to it, all-day dining experience Nourish delivers health-focused casual dishes such as Cornish tapas, plus coffees and smoothies.

Guests will find further entertainment by wandering through luxuriant gardens, lazing in the largest hydrothermal pool in the South West, getting wrapped in seaweed in the spa and working up a sweat at the high-calibre fitness centre. Outdoor thrills include sea swimming and paddleboarding at Gylly Beach at the end of the drive.

Trencherman’s tip

Experience a taste of the Cornish coast by ordering three hand-dived, half-shell Cornish scallops served with kohlrabi, seaweed butter and focaccia pangritata.