Spa Finder, Inc., the global spa resource, announced the winners of its 2006 annual Readers' Choice Awards at Manhattan's Cornelia Day Resort 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. Africa
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: 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 Analysis
Of 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 Offerings
To 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.
Methodology
Readers 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.
About Spa Finder, Inc.:
As the world's largest spa marketing and media company, Spa Finder reaches millions of health conscious consumers via its award-winning website, Spafinder.com. The company publishes Luxury SpaFinder Magazine, the trusted authority on luxury spas and associated lifestyles, as well as its annual Worldwide Guide to Spas, the ultimate spa-goers' resource. Spa Finder also operates the world's largest spa gift certificate and incentive programs as well as the Spa Distribution Network, the Internet's first online spa booking program.