The Secret Garden is a beguiling blend of traditional and modern techniques in a setting that is totally Bermudian.

Victor Ruberry is obviously delighted with the renovations that have been carried out on the former Bersalon Beauty Salon. The whole space has been changed with great attention to detail.

Indeed walking through the doors of the Secret Garden customers find themselves in a setting reminiscent of many gardens around the Island.

On entering the salon area one finds the wall of a house with green blinds and outside lights. The detail stretches as far as eaves of a white Bermudian roof protruding from the ceiling.

The outdoor lights can be illuminated to add to the charm of the scene as customers sit on the comfortable garden seats to await their turn. In the near future a three dimensional image will be a feature inside the windows.

Then customers are invited into rooms of pastel green, blue or pink (yet to be christened with names) and a hair salon designed to give privacy to clients of the hairdressers.

Inside the walls of the "home'' the Secret Garden's highly trained staff spoil their clientele with sheer luxury.

Enter the room of pastel blue shades which is used specifically for wet treatments including the wonderful body facial, a half-day full-body treatment consisting of sauna, skin exfoliation, full body massage and body masque or therabath.

Much of the treatment material is mixed by the staff from basic ingredients to suit each individual client's needs. Personalised treatments are their speciality.

The blue room is one of the wet treatment rooms and is also used for the paraffin wax baths good for dry skin and rheumatic arthritis.

In the green room the wet treatment can be performed but it will mainly be a place for facials and aromatherapy. There is also a tanning facility for the winter months.

As one encounters the shades of the pink room stress literally falls from your body. It has an immediate relaxing effect and is a splendid place for the longer treatments.

Victor said: "The green room reflects the architectural and landscape aspects of Bermuda, with the greenery and plants depicted in paintings.

"The blue room captures the ocean which provides a backdrop for any Bermuda home, especially this particular one with its view over the South Shore. It is very energising.

"And the pink room captures the spectacular aspects of Bermuda's gardens.

It also features the paintings of Bermudian artists like Carole Holding and Molly Smith.'' The pampered patrons have a choice of classical music or ambient, new age sounds like waterfalls or birds singing.

Victor also showed off other details like Bermuda-blown glass, made by long time friend Gayle Cook, containing pot pourri and fresh-cut flowers throughout the salon. He added: "It captivates all the different senses and creates a unique and relaxing setting for people to come up and unwind and be pampered.'' The salon is not only aimed at female clientele, it caters for men and children as well. In particular professional men who are taking better care of themselves by scheduling regular facials and manicures at the same time as haircuts.

Victor again points out the less obvious details which will help an uncomfortable male settle into a salon atmosphere.

He indicates to the coffee table by the garden seats: "The magazines are not just beauty and hair magazines which you find in other salons. There are boat and car magazines for men, and comics for kids.

"It is amazing how many people read Asterix or Doonesbury. They are fun to read and add to the relaxation.'' On entering the hair salon one finds a more traditional setting of white tiled floor and mirror but, again, there are subtle differences.

Clients sit in front of specially designed mirrors and are unable to see other people apart from the hair stylist.

Victor concluded: "It gives people a feeling of intimacy and the only view is over the gardens of the Southampton Princess and South Shore.

"We want that intimate atmosphere where people do not feel like they are part of an assembly line.'' TRADITIONAL COMFORT -- Customers at the Secret Garden can relax in comfort outside the typical Bermudian house.

BETWEEN COURSES -- Staff member Laura Monk showers between treatments during a half-day body facial.