USP The Turks and Caicos are known for its super luxurious (and super expensive) spas at hotels like Parrot Cay and the Amanyara but if you don’t want to spend thousands a night, you’re in luck.

The new Gansevoort Turks and Caicos, a sister property to the groovy New York location, is a more affordable option – but still plenty stylish. Its in-house Exhale Spa offers a full range of pampering treatments as well as kick-your-butt-back-into-shape classes, all taking advantage of the gorgeous Caribbean setting. The hotel is located on a quiet stretch of Grace Bay, offering superb snorkeling just off the beach and perfectly clear, warm waters.

AMBIENCE The entire resort is small and compact, which means it’s a one-minute stroll from your room or beach to the spa (none of the faff of having to order a golf cart as with some resorts). There is no relaxation room but the reception area is sleek and contemporary, with scented candles and fresh flowers.

There are a few chairs, and guests can help themselves to some chilled water flavoured with lemon, lime and watermelon, or choose from a selection of herbal teas. Thankfully the health form is kept short and sweet. It’s basically a two-page waiver promising not to sue the resort, so you don’t have to struggle to remember the date of your last period and what year your wisdom teeth were removed.

There are only three treatment rooms, and each one is decorated in the same understated style as the hotel suites, without a Caribbean cliché in sight. The colour palette is cream and brown, thanks to the pale ceramic tile, brown sisal rug and chocolatey-brown cabinets. Each room has a large private garden with deck chairs and an outdoor shower, ideal for relaxing post treatment.

If you’d rather break a sweat, exercise classes are held in a teak outdoor pavilion near the beach. The signature Core Fusion class blends Pilates and yoga. If you want to keep the spa feeling going after your treatment, head to the nearby 7,000 square foot pool and relax on a sunlounger on one of the floating teak “islands”.

EXPERIENCE My therapist, Christina, was friendly and chatty as she led me to the treatment room. She told me to undress (underwear optional) and lie face down in preparation for my treatment. I had signed up for the Fusion massage, a Swedish-based technique that uses rhythmic movements. I was given the option of three blends of essential oils – uplifting, relaxing, or detoxifying. I chose the uplifting oil for its fresh, lemony scent. All of the products used are natural and based on botanics, and include Exhale’s own g.r.n line as well as 302, Actifirm, and Astara.

Christina asked me if there were any particular areas I wanted her to focus on. I spend most of my days carting a one-year-old around which means that my back, shoulders and arms ache. For the next hour, Christina pulled, stretched and massaged my body using a series of short and long strokes. She never broke her stride and always maintained contact with my body. At one point, Christina draped a hot towel over my back and massaged me through it. It helped to wipe off all the excess oil but the heat also penetrated into my muscles and warmed them up – a bit like a hot stone massage but much, much simpler. Why don’t more spas do this?

Unlike with a straightforward massage, I felt that she was elongating and working my body, rather than just trying to put me into a massage-induced coma. I did fall into a stupor and the hour whizzed by, but I also felt as if I had been to a yoga session (without doing any of the work).

FOOD AND DRINK

Christina offered me chilled fruit-infused water after my treatment and there was also a choice of herbal tea, which I skipped due to the hot weather. While guests are relaxing in their outdoor garden, they can order from the full menu at Bagatelle, the Gansevoort’s bistro. There are power smoothies $10 (£6), croque-monsieurs ($16) and mahi mahi tacos ($17), or conch fritters for $13.

IN-CROWD

There was only one other person in the spa and its small size means there will never be a crowd. For more privacy, treatments can be done inside guest rooms.

WALLET WATCH

From now until the end of 2009, all spa treatments have 35 per cent off, which means that my one-hour fusion massage went from $145 to $94. A g.r.n. facial is $110 while a single mind body class is $35, and a package of 10 is $280. There are plenty of packages and offers. The Steal Away package includes a nightly rate of $360, complimentary breakfast and daily fitness class.

NEED TO KNOW Exhale Spa, The Gansevoort Turks and Caicos, Providenciales, Turks and Caicos, BWI. (001 649 941 7555; www.gansevoortturksandcaicos.com); email contact@hotelgansevoort.com

Times recommends

• The smart guide to travel blogging
• 30 top takes on New York
• Europe's 20 best Christmas markets 2009