Eleven Oberoi Spas were certified as ‘Leading Spas of the World' by The Leading Hotels of the World Ltd., one of the most prestigious luxury hospitality organisations.

This year only eighty-five spas worldwide have been given this top certification, of which eleven are Oberoi Spas, making the Oberoi Hotels & Resorts the world's biggest Leading Spa operator. Five additional spas have been added to the prestigious list besides the six which were accredited as Leading Spas in 2004. The spas at The Oberoi, New Delhi; The Oberoi, Mumbai; The Oberoi, Mauritius; The Oberoi Sahl Hasheesh, Egypt and The Oberoi, Bali are the new additions to the list of the best spas in the world. While the spas at The Oberoi Amarvilâs, Agra; The Oberoi Rajvilâs, Jaipur; The Oberoi Udaivilâs, Udaipur; The Oberoi Vanyavilâs, Ranthambore; Wildflower Hall in the Himalayas and The Oberoi, Lombok, Indonesia continue to be rated amongst the top spas in the world for the second year in succession.

Leading Spas of the World is the first international luxury spa evaluation and certification programme introduced in 2004 by The Leading Hotels of the World Ltd. Being the world's foremost authority for grading and inspecting hotels, Leading Hotels of the World established the Leading Spas designation as "the benchmark for global luxury standards in the spa and hospitality industry." To achieve this recognition, spas must fulfill a rigorous inspection process that encompasses scrutiny of more than 200 features.

"I am pleased that eleven of our spas, having met the stringent standards, are acknowledged amongst the best in the world by being accredited as ‘Leading Spas of the World'. This recognition endorses our commitment to take the concept of luxury to a new paradigm with our focus on quality of product, attention to detail and service", said Mr. Paul Simmons, Executive Vice President, Sales & Marketing, The Oberoi Group.

Oberoi Spas by Banyan Tree. The Oberoi Spas, which use therapists from Banyan Tree, one of Asia's best-known spa companies, provide a serene and truly unforgettable experience of pure pampering and relaxation in exquisitely beautiful surroundings. Oberoi Spas by Banyan Tree offer a variety of holistic treatments based on ancient Ayurvedic, Asian and Western therapies to relax, rejuvenate and inspire their patrons.

Experts in the use of Ayurveda, Aromatherapy and traditional Western techniques, teams of highly skilled Thai therapists are handpicked for the Oberoi Hotels and Resorts from the Banyan Tree Spa Academy in Phuket, Thailand. The Oberoi Spa recipes feature only the finest natural ingredients, often local to the particular hotel or resort, thus remaining true to the Asian tradition of respect for the environment. Spa treatments on the menu feature, massages, exotic body scrubs, floral baths, and rejuvenating beauty treatments that leave you feeling refreshed and renewed.

Oberoi Spas by Banyan Tree at the following Oberoi Hotels & Resorts have been accredited as Leading Spas of the World:

The Oberoi, Mumbai, located in the heart of the city within easy access of the business and commercial districts, provides the perfect blend of luxury and state of the art business facilities. The hotel has elegantly furnished rooms with uninterrupted views of the Arabian Sea, exclusive restaurants serving international and Indian cuisine and a bar with the finest selection of beverages. The hotel also provides personalized butler service round the clock. Facilities for the business traveler include private office spaces, meeting and conference rooms, Internet facilities and secretarial services.

The Oberoi, New Delhi is a modern, luxury hotel, the best of its kind in India. Guests here can be assured of personal service and every 21st century convenience for a comfortable and relaxing stay. The Oberoi is centrally located in close proximity to the business and commercial centers and overlooks the immaculate greens of the Delhi Golf Club. The beautiful open-air pool and a Spa and Fitness centre by Banyan Tree allow residents to relax away from the pressures of business and city life.

The Oberoi Amarvilas, Agra is located within touching distance of the Taj Mahal, The Oberoi Amarvilas is breathtaking and magical. This luxury resort offers an ideal place to rejuvenate your senses with therapeutic massages at the spa and spa suites that offer uninterrupted views of the Taj Mahal. "Noor-E-Jahan" a signature therapy at the spa, created as a tribute to beauty traditions from the royal palace of the Mughals, is a harmony of treatments for complete body cleansing, nourishing and pampering. The spa menu offers an extensive range of body and beauty treatments based on Ayurveda and Aromatherapy.

The Oberoi Rajvilâs, Jaipur is an oasis of elegance and luxury with superb attention to detail that creates a soothing blend of warm effortless service and harmonious spaces. Set in an ancient Rajasthani "haveli", the beautifully appointed spa here decorated with hand painted frescoes takes you back in time to the royal era. Signature spa experiences such as "Royal Splendour" and the "Spirit of Ayurveda" based on traditional therapies are the perfect revival for the mind, body and soul. Healing yoga sessions practiced here in the precincts of an ancient Shiva temple is a unique experience in itself.

The Oberoi Vanyavilas, Ranthambore is a resort that combines the best of exhilarating jungle experiences and the luxury of specially appointed spa suites, the spa here offers individual suites with attached private steam rooms, a fully equipped gymnasium in a special tent, and a range of exotic treatments and therapies. Special therapies here are "Tree of Life" and "Secrets of the Forest".

The Oberoi Udaivilas, Udaipur captures all the romance and splendor of the bygone era in the grand setting with the majestic architecture. The spa wing at The Oberoi Udaivilas overlooks Lake Pichola and includes five double spa suites, a separate Ayurvedic treatment room, steam room, fitness centre and a beauty salon and offers special yoga, meditation and Pranayam sessions in addition to an extensive menu of spa therapies.

Wildflower Hall in the Himalayas, Shimla, is situated at 8,350 feet in the magnificent Himalayas. The Wildflower Hall is set amidst thick pine forests and presents a picture of breathtaking beauty. Luxurious and inviting interiors complete with wood paneling and original artworks lend an aura of the Old World to the ambience. The Spa pavilions, surrounded by lush cedar forests are tranquil heavens for revitalizing the body and soul, while the indoor heated swimming pool offers a majestic view of the Himalayas.

The Oberoi, Mauritius is perfectly suited for couples who need to get away to rekindle the spark that brought them together. Every room at the Oberoi features a romantic four-poster bed and the luxury of a sunken bath in palest marble. Wooden slatted ceilings and wall-to-wall restful neutral tones contribute to a feeling of relaxed grandeur. The hotel Villas, each with its own lush gardens and dining gazebo overlooking a private swimming pool, with a view of the sea make this an exclusive and a luxurious retreat for those seeking privacy.

The Oberoi, Bali, Indonesia is described as a private paradise village of thatched Lanais and Villas set in beautiful tropical gardens along a 500-metre stretch of golden sand. Secluded and peaceful, this resort really is an enchanting escape from the cares of everyday life. Subtle lighting transforms the pools and gardens into scenes worthy of a fairytale romance. The standard of Oberoi service is legendary worldwide, and here in Bali it really makes the quality of your stay come alive.

The Oberoi, Sahl Hasheesh, Egypt, this luxurious all-suite resort is set on the coast of the Red Sea at Hurghada. With 48 acres of palm-filled grounds and 850 metres of private sandy beach, Sahl Hasheesh is a spectacular and dramatic resort. Shady marble colonnades, domed pavilions, atriums open to the sky – the elegance of the traditionally inspired contemporary Arabic architecture are a perfect complement to the setting.

The Oberoi Lombok, Indonesia is located on the pristine Medana beach. The resort is a secluded cluster of villas and pavilions set amid lush tropical gardens to create an idyllic retreat. The beautifully appointed spa suites are complete with private jacuzzi, steam and sauna. The unique feature here is the wet body treatment room and the open air showers. Exotic body treatments like "Island Aromatic" or "Exotic Indulgence" by trained therapists in tastefully decorated spa suites with reflection pools provide complete rejuvenation.

The Oberoi Group, founded in 1934, operates in six countries including India, Egypt, Mauritius, Indonesia, Australia and Saudi Arabia, with 35 properties including the luxury Oberoi Hotels & Resorts and the superior first class Trident Hilton Hotels. The Group is also engaged in flight catering, airport restaurants, and travel and tour service, car rentals, project management and corporate air charters.

The Leading Hotels of the World, Ltd. is a prestigious luxury hospitality organization representing more than 420 of the world's finest hotels, resorts and spas. Headquartered in New York City, the company maintains a network of more than 20 regional offices in key cities around the world. In 2005, the company launched Leading Spas of the World, the first global evaluation and certification program for the spa industry.