Sand blast

If you are not inclined to visit the beach this summer, perhaps the beach can come to you. And not just any old rubbish-strewn beach, either. The sand used in treatments at The Retreat in Repulse Bay, a 3,800 sq ft 'wellness destination' that opened on April 4, comes from Tai Long Wan (in Sai Kung), Shek O (Hong Kong Island) and Cheung Sha (Lantau) - all grade 1 beaches, the cleanest designation given by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department.

Customers indulging in the day spa's Beach Baby ritual (HK$980/75 minutes) can choose purified sand collected from any of the three beaches, which is then blended with aromatic oils and used as an exfoliating scrub. Other treatments use products by Elemis, Murad, Organic Spa, Earth Mama Angel Baby and Aura-Soma.

Also housed in the converted Dairy Farm building is the Eden Cafe, which is open throughout the day and serves organic snacks and freshly squeezed juices.

Elsewhere, there's a Toni & Guy hair salon - complete with a specialist children's section - a nail bar and a 'lifestyle boutique'.

The boutique offers makeup services, holistic consultations, and seminars and one-on-one consultations about fung shui, nutrition, pregnancy, weight loss, stress management, food allergies and the menopause. For busy mums, there is a children's area with games and a television to keep the little ones distracted while you reconfigure your lifestyle.

And if you don't want to step outside your front door, The Retreat has a home spa service, the cost of which depends on where you live.