Esther Van trades sweat for seaweed with I-Spa’s new detoxifying treatment package

Everything about the InterContinental Hotel’s I-Spa feels Zen-like from the moment you enter: the gentle sound of running water, the flickering of candles in lotus-shaped holders and the soothing fragrance of essential oils. This calming atmosphere was not put together haphazardly: an unusual feature of I-Spa is that it heavily incorporates feng shui principles to create an environment of balance, in the hope of promoting well-being for the mind, body and spirit. Whether you subscribe to this ancient and mystical philosophy or not, the result is an undeniably serene setting.

Going hand-in-hand with the idea of living in harmony with nature, the spa's new Oceanic Indulgence package helps to detoxify the body and skin using nutrients from the sea – which sounds like a good plan, especially after spending a few days wining and dining in the smoggy city.

The treatment starts off with a body scrub using I-Spa’s house blend of mineral salt and floral herbs. The salt sloughs off dead cells, a process that helps the body release toxins through the skin.

After a shower comes the main attraction: a detoxifying seaweed wrap. The seaweed comes from the coastal area of Brittany, France, where the water is crystal clear and produces seaweed full of minerals, vitamins and proteins from the sea. The body is slathered in the seaweed and wrapped up in plastic and a heated pad, creating a fishy smell that only means that the seaweed is top-grade. From there on it’s all osmosis: the oceanic goodness is absorbed by the body while toxins are released in the form of sweat.

Being cocooned warmly and snugly might feel constrictive, but there’s nothing like a good acupressure head massage to distract you from the heat, which is exactly what you will get. Another shower to wash off the seaweed bits, and an hour-long full-body massage awaits. The entire treatment should leave you relaxed and recharged, with skin as soft as a baby's.

The Oceanic Indulgence package is priced at $2,800 and lasts two and a half hours. I-Spa, 3rd Floor, InterContinental Hotel, 18 Salisbury Road, Tsim Sha Tsui. Tel: 2721 1211