Spa Finder announced the winners of its 2006 annual Readers' Choice Awards, during a champagne reception attended by spa luminaries and press from around the world.
Spa Finder CEO Pete Ellis and President Susie Ellis presented the awards to the spas that were voted the world's best - covering six continents and 14 nations/regions - by Spafinder.com visitors and
Luxury SpaFinder Magazine readers, which together attract millions of spa consumers annually.
"This year's awards are our most comprehensive yet - with more people voting for more spas across the globe," said Pete Ellis. "Congratulations to all of our winners: The most experienced, sophisticated spa-goers in the world have spoken, and they've named your spas the best of the best."
Following are Spa Finder readers' favorite spas in the world, by continent and country/region. Reflecting the growth of spa participation worldwide, every habitable continent on the globe is now represented. Because of their burgeoning spa industries, Greece, Indonesia and Switzerland have been added to this year's national/regional awards. Japan, with a booming spa industry that inspired the launch of Spa Finder Japan earlier this summer (alongside the debut of Spa Finder Europe), was also added to the list of global spa "hot spots" put before voters' consideration.
Crystal Award Winners - Best in the World (by Continent)- Favorite Spa of Africa - Santé Winelands Hotel and Wellness Center, S. Afric
- Favorite Spa of Asia - Chiva-Som, Thailand
- Favorite Spa of Australia - Spa Chakra Hayman, Great Barrier Reef
- Favorite Spa of Europe - Brenner's Park Hotel & Spa, Germany
- Favorite Spa of North America - Miraval, Life in Balance, Arizona, United States
- Favorite Spa of South America - Kurotel Longevity Center and Spa, Brazil
Tops in Country or Region - Canada - Ste. Anne's Country Inn and Spa
- Caribbean - The BodyHoliday LeSport
- Central America - Four Seasons Resort Costa Rica at Peninsula Papagayo
- China - The Landmark Mandarin Oriental Hong Kong
- France - Evian Royal Resort
- Greece - Blue Palace Resort & Spa
- India - The Oberoi Rajvilas
- Indonesia - COMO Shambhala Estate at Begawan Giri
- Italy - Hotel Abano Terme President
- Japan - The Spa at Mandarin Oriental, Tokyo
- Mexico - Rancho La Puerta
- Middle East - Carmel Forest Spa Resort
- Switzerland - Spa Chakra Grand Hotel Park
- United Kingdom - Mandarin Oriental, Hyde Park
Trends and AnalysisOf particular note this year is the number of destination spas (full immersion spa experiences) that ranked as readers' favorites. Similarly, the resort/hotel spas that garnered awards generally offer very extensive spa facilities and programs. "If there's a trend to be gleaned from this year's awards, it's that spa-goers want the broad spectrum that spas have to offer: fitness, spa cuisine, therapies as well as magical settings and technical expertise," said Susie Ellis.
Readers Also Name Favorite Spas for 23 Specific Spa OfferingsTo help in-market spa consumers identify the best spas for their unique goals and priorities, Spa Finder has also announced its readers' top-10 favorite spas for 23 specific activities, programs, services and other offerings - from "Best Accommodations" and "Most Affordable," to "Best Medical Spas" and "Best Spa Brands."
"Today, 'spa' has become a broad umbrella term encompassing a world of different experiences - from medical programs, to fitness retreats, to traditional pampering," added Ellis. "Our category awards represent a detailed and user-friendly 'spa finding map' to help people identify the best spas - according to real-world spa-goers - for the specific experience or qualities they're seeking."
Complete listings of Spa Finder Readers' Choice category winners are available at
www.spafinder.com/spaguide/readerschoice. MethodologyReaders of Spa Finder publications and visitors to Spafinder.com cast ballots for what turned out to be more than 1,000 different spa properties worldwide. Voters were asked to only cast ballots for stay spas they've personally visited within the past three years. A complete listing of Readers' Choice Award winners will be featured in Spa Finder's upcoming 2007 Worldwide Guide to Spas and at Spafinder.com.
