Bogi was delighted by this discovery and believed that he had invented a new beauty method. However, after a few internet searches, he saw that this was a centuries-old tradition in Ireland, amongst other places, and had been used to treat various skin diseases.
Subsequently, Bogi offered a seaweed bath in a smaller tub in Alsæla Spa.
When Bogi moved to Garðskagi in 2010, he opened a simple seaweed bath in an old shed next to his home. He wanted to see how the baths would be received and whether there might be a basis for building a larger seaweed bath on Garðsskagi. Receptions were beyond expectations. The seaweed bath received a lot of coverage both in the local press and abroad. However, this temporary facility did not have the capacity to obtain a formal operating license and was closed, despite its popularity.
The idea then became to build a suitable house on the site for the seaweed baths. Bogi submitted plans for new buildings, but the project was not successful due to environmental protection in the area.
The beginnings of Mermaid Geothermal Seaweed Spa can be traced back to 2007 when Bogi Jónsson was finishing the construction of Alsæla Spa, an Oriental-style spa. It offered an Ayurvedic massage, a herbal sauna, and a hot tub on the roof of the bathhouse.
When the hot seawater tub had been connected and was to be tested for the first time, Bogi went to the shore and got seaweed and kelp to make the experience more memorable. After the soak, Bogi was surprised at how soft his skin and hair had become and suspected that the algae were to blame. He repeated the test a few days later, which confirmed the amazing effect of the seaweed bath.
At the beginning of 2020, Árni Magnússon joined the project. He and Bogi have since made every effort to prepare the project as well as possible, knowing that at a certain point, it would be necessary to get investors so they can see the Mermaid come to completion. The Rannís Technology Development Fund, and especially the Suðurnes Development Fund, have generously supported the preparation of the project.
In the autumn of 2019, Bogi signed up for a course in business plan preparation, Ræsing Suðurnesja, which was held by Heklan (Regional Development Agency for the Reykjanes Peninsula), Innovation Center Iceland, Association of municipalities in Suðurnes, and Business Development Association of Suðurnes. The intention was to make a business plan for the seaweed baths on the site near Bogi's home since Bogi had finally received permission to enlarge and rebuild the old seaweed-bath shed on his property.
It soon became apparent that the new renovation permit for the shed would not suffice due to strict requirements for an operating license. Then the only thing in the situation was going big or going home. So Bogi enlarged his idea for the baths, changed his business model and designed the spa based on the requirements for a license. The project was named Mermaid Geothermal Seaweed Spa and received an award at the end of the course.
Mermaid's Story
