Having spent the day at the Professional Spa & Wellness Convention in London, industry leaders hopped across town to the Guildhall on Sunday night for the World Spa & Wellness Awards 2014.
Mandarin Oriental was the big winner on the night, with its Singapore establishment scooping hotel spa of the year, while its Las Vegas offering won the hotel spa of the year gong for the North and South American region.
The Kamalaya Wellness Sanctuary & Holistic Spa, situated on a Thai island, was also in the limelight, beating off stiff competition from resorts in Thailand, Indonesia and Australia to win the Asia & Australasia destination spa of the year award.
“It was heart-warming to collect this award on behalf of our unbelievably dedicated Kamalaya team,” said Kamalaya chair and co-founder John Stewart. “It is a great honour to win this accolade again and witness first-hand how the industry is evolving to improve wellness services worldwide.”
The awards aim to recognise the leading operators and professionals in spa, beauty and wellness. Entrants pass through a number of judging stages, including visits from both an official and mystery judge, before four finalists are chosen for each category.
The full list of winners:Hotel Spa of the Year – Asia & AustralasiaSponsored by Professional Spa & Wellness magazine
Winner: The Spa at Mandarin Oriental Singapore
Destination Spa of the Year – Asia & AustralasiaSponsored by Thalgo
Winner: Kamalaya Wellness Sanctuary and Holistic Spa Resort, Thailand
Hotel Spa of the Year – Eastern EuropeWinner: Mandara Spa at Lotte Hotel Moscow, Russia
Destination Spa of the Year – Eastern Europe Winner: Spa Vilnius, Druskininkai, Lithuania
Hotel Spa of the Year – Middle East Sponsored by Gharieni
Winner: ShuiQi Spa & Fitness, Atlantis The Palm, Dubai, UAE
Destination Spa of the Year – Middle East & AfricaSponsored by Elemis
Winner: Banyan Tree Spa Al Wadi, Ras Al Khaimah, UAE
Hotel Spa of the Year – North & South AmericaSponsored by Elly Lukas Beauty Therapy College
Winner: The Spa at Mandarin Oriental Las Vegas, USA
Destination Spa of the Year – North & South AmericaSponsored by Elemis
Winner: Lapinha Spa, Brazil
Hotel Spa of the Year – Western Europe & ScandinaviaSponsored by Carita Paris
Winner: Espa at The Europe Hotel & Resort, Ireland
Destination Spa of the Year – Western Europe & ScandinaviaWinner: Clinique La Prairie, Switzerland
Hotel Spa of the Year – AfricaSponsored by Spatec Europe
Winner: One&Only Spa Cape Town, South Africa