The InterContinental San Francisco was designed to complement the architecture of the connecting Moscone West Convention Center.

Despite the fact that the InterContinental San Francisco is conveniently located adjacent to the Moscone West Convention Center, the city's largest meeting and exhibition facility, it is definitely not business as usual for visitors to the 550-room property. Opened this past February, the hotel features a host of amenities for convention-goers to enjoy on breaks or for tourists to take advantage of, such as an exclusive Club InterContinental lounge with complimentary food and beverages served throughout the day; spacious terraces where guests can enjoy city views; Luce, an upscale restaurant featuring northern Italian cuisine; Bar 888, where visitors can choose from more than a dozen grappa-infused cocktails; a state-of-the-art fitness center; and an indoor lap pool. But for a decidedly decadent experience, especially after a hard day's work, visitors will find solace at the hotel's I-Spa. Upon entering the 5,050-square-foot, 10-treatment-room relaxation haven, guests are immediately put at ease by the soothing decor consisting of bamboo floors, light seafoam green walls, and floor-to-ceiling windows, which allow for natural sunlight to stream in. "Once the drywall came down to unveil the spa's beautiful floors and walls, I was given the exciting task to work in this calming atmosphere and enhance the total experience of our guests with the remaining features," explains spa director Hina Mufti, who was hired eight weeks prior to the spa's opening. "The spa menu and every detail, such as the heated tables, soft micro-satin sheets and covers, robes, retail products, and amenities, were chosen to induce the highest degree of pampering and evoke a sense of peace and calm."

Guests are meant to feel a sense of serenity the moment they enter I-Spa.

What sets I-Spa apart from other spas in the area, says Mufti, who has studied native healing traditions from around the world, is the personalization of each experience, along with the ability to not only preserve the quality of indigenous treatments, but also give them a modern twist. "The overall vibe can be described as a fusion of modern and traditional elements customized for each individual so he or she can leave feeling indulged, invigorated, and inspired," she says. For example, clients can enjoy a traditional Ayurvedic treatment complete with herbal compresses while listening to customized selections of music playing on an iPod.

The clean design, muted tones, and warm touches in the reception and waiting area are intended to induce relaxation.

According to Mufti, about 25 percent of the spa's clientele is from the San Francisco area, with the rest being hotel guests. Because of the hotel's proximity to the convention center, Mufti says most clients are weary travelers looking for relief for fatigued muscles and dehydrated skin associated with traveling. "We let our guests know that visiting the spa and receiving a treatment during a trip is not only prudent and convenient, but in addition to being relaxing, it can also stimulate productivity," she says.

Like the rest of the spa, the manicure and pedicure area is minimalistic, yet inviting.