The Starwood Hotels & Resorts group has announced that 17 more of its luxury spas are to become part of its Starwood Spa Collection.

The collection comprises hotels and resorts in 18 countries and focuses on premier spas which become members of the group based on a number of criteria, including the client service and treatments on offer.

A ‘Seven Pillars of Wellbeing’ benchmarking system is also used to define a member of the Collection and includes Life Balance, Nature, Nutrition, Aqua and Harmony.

The newest members include Le Méridien Lav, Split, in Croatia; Le Méridien Ile Maurice in Mauritius; The Grosvenor House in Dubai; Sheraton Fota Island Hotel & Spa in Cork, Ireland and the Sheraton Salobre Golf Resort & Spa in the Canary Islands.

Spa development and marketing director of Starwood’s luxury spa brands, Mia Kyricos, said: “The spa collection features some of the world’s most renowned spas and we are honoured to welcome our new members to be a part of the prestigious collection. The continued growth and evolution of this collection truly represents Starwood’s ongoing transition from real estate company to lifestyle brand.”