MISSION Is it possible to find somewhere in the sun that blends beach holiday and spa without either experience being compromised?

USP Modelled on a small village, Cotton Bay purposefully lacks the conventional hotel experience. So instead of making your way to the lobby, a personal butler (who remains, along with one other, exclusively yours for the entirety of your stay) will escort you to one of 74 “luxury suites, town houses and villas.”

This translates as beautifully furnished houses, which sleep between one and 14 people, all with an outdoor patio, and the bigger ones with their own small pools and/or Jacuzzi.

We had two double bedrooms, a lounge, a kitchen and a patio, which were all done up in crisp white linens, wooden furniture, flowers and spacious stone bathrooms full of Elemis products. Butlers aside, the other surprise is the location: being on the East side of the island, Cotton Bay looks out onto the Atlantic.

The experience is an authentic one. Think waves, seaweed, even the odd wild pig, and a stunning wooden bar and restaurant on stilts, rather than peroxide sands, flat horizons and an azure sea – the feel is more Thailand than tropical.

AMBIENCE The spa itself is set in the middle of the complex, in its own building (which allows you to escape either spa or beach/pool when you have had enough of either), and is fully equipped with all the robes, slippers, tea and water features you could ask for.

The main waiting area is rather too big and dark to give an ultimately pampering feel, but the wet room, treatment rooms and treatments themselves make up for it – and if you fancy a joint massage with a partner, there is a very sweet chill out room just for the two of you afterwards. (Ask for Joyce, her hands are sent from heaven). As well as the copious menu of treatments, I happily lost hours at a time being beautified at the salon, which offers everything from pedicures to hair styling.

EXPERIENCE Cotton Bay is much more than a spa although, when I was there (early November 2007), it had only just opened, so additions such as the children’s club, nanny service, and champagne piano bar were not up and running (though they are now).

The menu of treatments was truly impressive. I had always been sceptical of a hot stone massage, believing them to be too hot, and not strong enough, but this one converted me for life. As Joyce explained, the stones have five times the effect of the hand, literally melting the muscles. I slept for twelve hours that night.

Similarly, the Elemis Exotic Moisture Dew prepared me well for ten hours of aeroplane air conditioning, and for once in my life I arrived home with a sunkissed face rather than a red one. My friend had the sports massage which was satisfyingly vigorous, she said, as was the Elemis Exotic Lime and Ginger Salt Glow – “the most amazing tingle and smooth factor ever.”

PRODUCTS All Elemis

IN-CROWD A mixture. The clientele is predominantly British or American, and divides into families and couples, but probably more of the former, with December through to April being their busiest time.

FOOD The Caribbean is not renowned for its food and for good reason, although the stunning setting of the open air restaurant and bar, overlooking the ocean, makes up for its slightly hit and miss menu. On the whole, the salads were a disappointment, because the leaves were so bitter, but all the fish dishes were delicious (especially the red snapper and mahi mahi), as were the puff pastry tomato and goats cheese tarts, and the crème brulee.

WALLET WATCH Not cheap. I booked through Kuoni Travel (see below) and prices for a suite sleeping 2 started from $1229 per person, including flight (direct, with Virgin Atlantic), for seven nights. If you are already on the island, the spa is open to non-residents. Treatments range from $75 to around $150 per person, and the average dinner, with a bottle of wine, came to around $100.

NEED TO KNOW For more information or to make a booking, go to www.cottonbayvillage.com. Or contact Kuoni Travel 01306 747001 or www.kuoniworldclass.co.uk.

For more than 250 independent spa reviews log on to timesonline.co.uk/goodspaguide

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