It’s not really a spa.  It’s a gym with a massage room, which I didn’t use.  If you want to get a massage here you book 24 hours in advance so that they have time to arrange for an external masseur to come in - and they do have an extensive menu of treatments so I might have booked something if it hadn’t also been Labour Day weekend when a lot of people are on holiday.

What I loved about this place (apart from the saltwater pool) was that it’s very low key.  It’s tucked away on the 5th floor of an unassuming black faced building, but once you find the reception (or indeed bump into a personal trainer in the lift) you are greeted with a low key enthusiasm and friendliness.  It’s the home of a lot of long time Upper East Siders who come for their swim, their Pilates, their workout away from the rest of the world.  It’s a lived-in gym, with copious amounts of good quality products; even mouthwash in the bathrooms, and (I loved this) a rack where regulars keep their bathrobes for the pool.

I guess I probably feel at home in any gym after all the gyms I’ve been to this year, but I felt particularly at home here - maybe because it was Sunday morning and very chilled.

But I’d come here for two very specific reasons - the Afro-Fusion Zumba Fitness class and the saltwater rooftop pool.  I was a little bit disappointed to find that the pool was actually enclosed rather than out in the open and also that the relaxation area was in the shadows of skyscrapers, but it was probably just as well considering how hot the middle of the day was (and how easily I burn in water!)

So, first to the class - it was a small room, small class, small Instructor - but good things come in small packages and this class totally blew me away.  I’ve done an African Beats masterclass which I absolutely loved, but this was all the passion of that, but with subtlety, elegance, new but familiar rhythms.  And a samba section that even had me hitting all the right moves.  Fabulous.

After a long shower, a funky new aloe vera drink and two cups of the complimentary coffee, and a very long chill out on the terrace I was ready to brave the pool.

Luckily by this time it was nearly deserted, so I had half a pool in which to swim, float, relax and generally bliss out.  I loved the saltwater, which makes it a little more buoyant than your average pool, but it’s not so salty that it makes your eyes sting.  Perfection.

I’d still like to find out what shampoo and conditioner they use there, it was awesome, and I finally left the gym after several hours feeling fresh, relaxed and ready for anything.  The best “spa treatment” of the trip and by far the best value.  If I was to do the trip again I think I might spend every hot lunchtime here!