'Relaxation and rejuvenation beyond expectation' - that is the slogan for one of Bermuda's newest spas which opened its doors at the end of last year.

The Three Graces Day Spa's Serenity spa, which is run by owners and manager Roderick and Aisha Spencer, is based at the Pompano Beach Club in Southampton with stunning views overlooking the sea and a readily available source of tourists right on its door step.

But Mr. Spencer is keen to tap into the local market and plans to expand the spa and set up a second facility this year depending on demand and how the business grows.

The Spencers, for whom this is the first business they have owned, decided to take the plunge with Mrs. Spencer having an extensive background in aesthetics and being put in contact with the previous owner through a friend.

Due to a lack of affordable space in Hamilton and the fact the spa was up for sale, they met with the hotel's owners and fell in love with the place straight away.

"We loved the view and thought why not come here to work every day with a view like that," said Mr. Spencer.

Negotiations started five months ago and the rest, as they say, is history, with the pair agreeing a buying price, receiving the backing of the Bermuda Small Business Development Corporation on the basis of its business plan and securing a loan from the bank, prior to moving in and repainting the place and rebranding the products, before launching in December 2009.

"We rebranded the focus of the salon because one of the things that sold us on this place after speaking to the owner of the hotel was the personalised attention everyone received here," said Mr. Spencer.

"It is all about coming here for a massage, for example, and enjoying an interaction and communication with the staff at the same time, and even challenging the therapists to come up with the best treatment for you."

Business has been steady since the opening, with a healthy number of hotel guests dropping in for various treatments, but Mr. Spencer sees a lot of potential among Bermuda's residents and has several special deals lined up to entice them, including a lunch special where clients can take the ferry to and from Rockaway for free to come for a salon treatment, while Port Royal Golf Course members also qualify as members of the spa.

"We want to provide an experience beyond what people expect that was more than worth it," he said.

"I have been to every salon on the Island and the girls who "I have been to every salon on the Island and the girls whoon the Island and the girls who work here are very good with their service and interpersonal skills.

"When we took over, we kept on a number of the previous staff, who are all Bermudians, and they have really grown with the business even in this short space of time and have taken on the responsibility we have given them and that has shown through receiving nothing but complements from the people who come here."

The spa is run by two full-time and one-part time employees, with plans to take on a new member of staff in March/April time after trade proved to be more even more successful than they initially envisaged.

Mr. Spencer, who himself has a background in IT and management, which has proved invaluable in setting up his own enterprise, said the economic downturn has had less of an impact on business than he expected.

"That was always the challenge in how much people were willing to splurge out on what could be considered to be a bit of a luxury," he said.

"But the risk we took was not as great as I thought because primarily a big chunk of our business comes from the hotel guests and also due to the fact we have been competitive in terms of what we offer compared with other salons out there, and in some cases cheaper as well.

"It is about the quality of service we offer and the satisfaction we provide.

"I have to admit the thought of it was a little daunting at first, especially when you have to come up with payroll and deal with bank loans and work out how to get more people in the door, but the peace of mind it gives you running your own business makes it all worthwhile in the end."

In the meanwhile, Mr. Spencer has been actively marketing his new business, putting flyers advertising the spa in guests' rooms and by word of mouth in the hotel.

Among the treatments on offer are the Swedish, deep tissue and Indian head massages, baths, body wraps and scrubs, facials, manicures, pedicures and waxing, with a number of promotions over the next two months, all carried out within three rooms (two treatment rooms for massages and facials and another couples room for manicures and pedicures) and even pool side massages on offer during the summer.

The spa is open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. seven days a week and between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. during public holidays, as well as special opening hours for group reservations.

To book your treatment or for more information on the services available contact 234-0333, email serenitythreegracesdayspa.com or visit the website at www.threegracesdayspa.com