Baccarat AsiaSpa Awards 2006

The Baccarat AsiaSpa Awards 2006 followed on from the first trailblazing year, building on the success of 2005. With more categories, once again they reflected the trends in the industry, adding awards for men's treatments, day spas, new spas, spa retreats, and medi-spas.

Destination Spa of the Year

Winner: Ananda in the Himalayas, India

"Well it certainly is an honor for all of us to have won this prestigious award. The hard work and dedication the staff puts in every day has certainly paid off for all of us. Never a day goes by that we take our guests for granted. We strive hard to achieve perfection with our guests and with ourselves and I believe it is because of these efforts we have won this award and are extremely proud of it. When I shared this with our staff they were elated to hear the news and it works as a wonderful reinforcement to us all that what we are doing on a daily basis is actually appreciated by our guests so much. However, we also never believe that we have 'arrived'. The efforts will continue as always and we certainly hope to win again next year!!"

Mr Rao, General Manager, Ananda in the Himalayas, www.anandaspa.com

Nominations:

• Ananda in the Himalayas, India
• Anantara Resort, Golden Triangle, Thailand
• Aquum Spa at Huvafen Fushi, Maldives
• Banyan Tree Ringha, China
• Four Seasons Resort Langkawi, Malaysia
• Fuchun Resort, Hangzhou, China
• Losari Coffee Plantation Resort & Spa, Central Java, Indonesia
• Ritz Carlton Bali Resort & Spa, Indonesia
• Soneva Fushi and Six Senses Spa, Maldives
• Spa Botanica, Singapore
• The Datai, Langkawi, Malaysia
• The Racha, Koh Racha, Thailand
• Trisara, Phuket, Thailand

Urban Spa of the Year

Winner: i.sawan Residential Club & Spa, Grand Hyatt Erawan, Bangkok

"We are very honoured to be awarded as Asia's top Urban Spa by AsiaSpa. Our efforts to create a spa oasis in the center of Bangkok have been recognised by our peers in the spa world.

The spa team will continue to ensure that i.sawan Residential Spa & Club offers high quality treatments, products and services for our guests."

Mr. Richard Greaves, General Manager of Grand Hyatt Erawan Bangkok, www.hyatt.com (award received by Niamh O'Connell, Area Spa Director Chinia and Taiwan, Hyatt Hotels and Resorts)

Nominations:

• Amara Spa at the Park Hyatt Dubai
• Chi, The Spa at the Shangri-La Hotel, Bangkok
• Chi, The Spa at the Shangri-la Pudong, Shanghai
• Chuan Spa, Langham Hotel, Melbourne
• Chuan Spa, Langham Place Hotel, Mongkok, Hong Kong
• Evian Spa at Three On The Bund, Shanghai
• i.sawan Residential Spa & Club, Grand Hyatt Erawan, Bangkok
• Plateau Spa Grand Hyatt Hotel, Hong Kong
• The Oriental Spa at The Landmark Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong
• The Peninsula Spa by ESPA, The Peninsula Hong Kong
• The Spa at Four Seasons Hotel Hong Kong
• Wellspring Spa, Grand Formosa Regent Taipei
• Xuan Spa Park Hyatt Saigon, Vietnam

Spa Retreat of the Year

Winner: COMO Shambhala Retreat at Begawan Giri Estate, Bali

The staff and management of COMO Shambhala Estate at Begawan Giri were absolutely delighted to hear that we had been selected as the "Spa Retreat of the Year" during the prestigious baccarat AsiaSpa Awards. COMO Hotels and Resorts have worked hard to create a wellness retreat where guests are immersed in an environment where thy can shed old habits and make life-changing improvements to their health. This award serves as a wonderful recognition of our achievements to date and will no doubt help to drive our team of consultants and therapists even more to deliver a truly unique experience to our clients and to guiding each guest out of familiar comfort zones towards higher goals and a sense of equilibrium."

Harry Apostolides, General Manager, COMO Shambhala Estate at Begawan Giri, www.begawangiri.como.bz

Nominations:

• Amala Day Spa, Gaia Retreat & Spa, Byron Bay, Australia
• Chiva-Som, Hua Hin, Thailand
• COMO Shambhala Estate at Begawan Giri, Ubud, Bali
• COMO Shambhala Retreat, Uma Paro, Bhutan
• Daintree Spa at Daintree Eco Lodge & Spa, Australia
• Gwinganna's Heritage Spa at Gwinganna Lifestyle Retreat, Australia
• Hippocrates Health Resort of Asia, The Farm at San Benito. Philippines
• Holistic Health Spa, Tao Garden Health & Wellness Centre, Thailand
• Kamalaya Koh Samui Wellness Sanctuary and Holistic Spa, Thailand
• Mandala Spa & Villas, Boracay Island, Philippines
• Tamarind Springs Spa, Tamarind Retreat, Koh Samui
• The Spa Village at Pangkor Laut Resort, Malaysia

New Spa of the Year

Winner: Quan Spa, JW Marriott Mumbai, India

"To be recognised by your peers is always an honor. To be judged as the best new spa for 2006 is a validation for the initiative and drive of both the design and operations teams, who collaborated to produce and now operate a space that has set new standards for spas in Mumbai, and showcases what Quan, as Marriott International's new spa brand, represents. Quan at Mumbai also showcases the rich cultural and healing traditions of India from which we drew much inspiration. Our thanks to Blu Inc Media for the award and to the team that make AsiaSpa magazine what it is."

Rhett Pickering, Director of Spa Operations and Development, Marriott International, www.marriott.com

Nominations:

• Anantara Spa at Commune by the Great Wall, Beijing
• Banyan Tree Spa at Banyan Tree Lijiang
• Chi, The Spa at the Shangri-la Pudong, Shanghai
• Hilton Sanya Resort and Spa, Hainan, China
• L'Institut de Guerlain, Regent Shanghai
• The Peninsula Spa by ESPA, The Peninsula Hong Kong
• The Quan Spa, JW Marriott Hotel, Mumbai
• The Spa at Four Seasons Hotel, Hong Kong
• The Spa, Millennium Hilton, Bangkok
• Zense of Joy Spa, Bangkok
• Zenspa, Beijing

Day Spa of the Year

Winner: Kirana Spa, Ubud, Bali

"We are very honoured to receive the Baccarat Asia Spa Award as Day Spa of the Year 2006. Our staff have always made their best efforts to provide a memorable experience to our guests through warm Asian hospitality, high quality treatments, and by maintaining an ideal serene environment.

We are very pleased that our efforts to pay attention to every detail have been acknowledged through receiving this prestigious award. We would like to thank all of our valuable guests and friends who have helped us continue to grow this far.

We will try our very best to continue to improve our service to provide further guest satisfaction in the future."

Ms. Lulu S. Widjaja, Operations Manager, Kirana Spa, www.kiranaspa.com

Nominations:

• Asian Roots Spa, New Delhi, India
• Dragonfly @ Forbidden City, Beijing
• DVN Spa and Wellbeing Centre, Bangkok
• Elemis Day Spa, Hong Kong
• Kirana Spa, Ubud, Bali
• Qi at Caravelle Hotel
• Raffles Amrita Spa at Raffles Hotel, Singapore
• Spa Philosophy, Macau

Medi-Spa of the Year

Winner: The Farm at San Benito, The Philippines

"To be recognised for The Farm's medical work and vegan cuisine signifies an important milestone for us. We are a part of global forces that see the need to change important aspects in the lives of humans, and that will ensure our and the planets' survival. A revised health philosophy and a change in diet for humanity are two of the most important factors in this ongoing struggle. The Farm's work has often been ridiculed or been opposed, so winning the rewards means that popular opinion is changing and more and more people appreciate that the old ways are not always the best ways - that there are other choices."

Perla Rempe, owner, The Farm at San Benito, Philippines, www.thefarm.com.ph

Nominations:

• CGH Earth Kerala, India
• Chiva-Som, Hua Hin, Thailand
• Hippocrates Health Resort of Asia, The Farm at San Benito. Philippines
• Holistic Health Spa, Tao Garden Health & Wellness Centre, Thailand
• Kairali Ayurvedic Health Resort, Kerala, India
• S Medical Spa, Bangkok

Spa Capital of the year

Winner: The Maldives

"Winning of the Spa capital of the year awards at BASA is a strong testament of what the Maldives has developed to become. It is such a wonderful feeling that synergy of government initiatives and private sector participation is taking the Maldives to new heights, and we are pretty sure that we will continue to do so in the future. Maldives surely is a dream destination and the best in the world, so together with our partners from the private sector we will persevere to leave a legacy of successful tourism development."

Dr. Abdulla Mausoom, Director General, Maldives Tourism Promotion Board, www.visitmaldives.com

Nominations:

• Bali
• Hong Kong
• India
• Japan
• Malaysia
• Maldives
• Philippines
• Singapore
• Thailand
• Vietnam

Spa Association of the Year

Winner: Asia Pacific Spa and Wellness Council

"The Spa and Wellness Association (Singapore) is jubilant that the Asia Pacific Spa & Wellness Council has been awarded the Spa Association of the Year.

This accolade not only gives recognition to the Council, it also affirms the active participation of those in the Asia Spa and Wellness Leaders Roundtable discussions held early this year in February 06, which addressed the key challenges of the spa industry in Asia. Through the Council, we unite the spa experts of Asia to resonate as one voice of the spa industry."

Dr Theresa Chew, President Asia Spa & Wellness Association (Singapore), www.apswc.com.sg

Nominations:

• Asia Pacific Spa And Wellness Council
• Australasian Spa Association
• Bali Spa Association
• International Spa Association
• Spa Association of Philippines
• Spa Association Singapore
• Taiwan Spa Association
• Thai Spa Association

Spa Event of the Year

Winner: I-SPA Asia, Bangkok

"ISPA was the first Association to organise its annual dedicated spa event, as of 1999. Since then many other organisations have started organising similar events. It is therefore timely for ISPA to be recognised for its contribution to the spa industry by your esteemed magazine."

Peter Sng, Asia Pacific President, ISPA, www.ispa-asia.com

Nominations:

• AsiaSpa Exhibition, New Delhi
• Aspa Annual Conference, Australia
• Beauty6 Malaysia
• Cosmoprof Asia
• Health and Beauty Show, Thailand
• ISPA Asia
• Turning Point Spa Seminar
• Wellness and Spas, Middle East
• Wellness Summit

Spa Personality of the Year

Winner: Sonu Shivdasani

"I was very touched to receive this award as I believe that Six Senses and I were recognised for our continuous attempt to lead the spa industry - whilst in the past we have led the industry by simply opening great spas. We hope in the future to lead by creating spas that have little or no impact on the environment that we all live in. I understand that we were recognised for this and our philosophy which is to create innovative and enriching experiences in a sustainable environment."

Sonu Shivdasani, CEO, Six Senses Resorts & Spas, www.sixsenses.com

Nominations:

• Adrien Zecha, Amanresorts
• Bill Heineke, MSpa International
• Don Siegel, Turning Point
• Dr Pakpilai Thavisin, S Medical Spa, Bangkok
• Geraldine Howard, Aromatherapy Associates
• Ian Brewis, Shangri-La
• Karen Reina, Mandala Spa
• Samantha Foster, Asia Pacific Spa and Wellness Council
• Sonu Shivdasani, Six Senses Resorts and Spas
• Vikram Oberoi, Oberoi Hotels & Resorts

Spa Academy of the Year

Winner: Chiva-Som Academy, Thailand

"We are extremely delighted to have received this award. Since we strive to maintain and develop the standards of international training in the spa industry in Thailand and throughout Asia, this award proves our dedication, success and vision in doing so.

We would like to thank our students who have demonstrated the results of our hard work and have all become representatives of the Chiva-Som Academy. And we would like to specially express our appreciation to AsiaSpa magazine that organised this prestigious award. It encourages us to work harder and even better in producing professional therapists for the spa industry in the future."

Ms. Thunyawan Soontornnond, Director, Chiva-Som Academy, www.chivasom.com

Nominations:

• Banyan Tree Spa Academy, Phuket
• Chiva-Som Academy, Thailand
• Martha Tilaar Academy, Indonesia
• Pacific Spa Academy, Kuala Lumpur
• Spa Professionals International Development Centre, Philippines
• Spa Sessions
• SPAcademy by Raffles International, Singapore
• Spark Academy and Consultants, Taiwan
• Thai Spa Academy, Thailand
• The Frederique Academy, Hong Kong

In-Spa Training of the Year

Winner: Mandarin Oriental

"Winning the In-spa Training of the Year award was an incredible honour as we believe in training being a cornerstone to excellence all round. Our teams worldwide are constantly striving for new innovative and creative ways of training and expanding the knowledge of all team members; therefore winning the award was a testimony that we are on the right track!

We have extensive training initiatives. Before an opening, we take our staff through intensive 3-month training programs that include all our protocols and standards, and ensure all of the staff in our spas can deliver the level of service our guests have come to expect. Once a spa is open, we keep regular training schedules to ensure that our standards are maintained and our staff is kept motivated through continuous education."

Bernadette di Silva Fava, Senior Trainer, Mandarin Oriental Hotels & Resorts, Hong Kong, www.mandarinoriental.com

Nominations:

• Banyan Tree Hotels and Resorts
• Chiva-Som
• ESPA
• Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts
• Mandala Spa & Villas, Boracay
• Mandara Spa
• Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group
• Oberoi Hotels & Resorts
• Paua Group
• Shangri-La Hotels & Resorts
• Six Senses Resorts & Spas
• Spa Botanica, Singapore
• Taj Hotels, Resorts & Palaces

Spa Interior Design of the Year

Winner: Chi, The Spa at the Shangri-La Pudong, Shanghai

"This is the second time CHI has received this award, last year for CHI Bangkok, and so it is particularly gratifying on a brand level to be recognised against some excellent competition and concepts. Congratulations and thanks are really due to the hard work and creativity that Shangri-La's in-house project team and HBA Hong Kong designers put into this project, turning concept ideas into reality and setting the "DNA" design template for our CHI city spas."

Ian Brewis, Director of Group Spa Development & Operations, Shangri-La, www.shangri-la.com

Nominations:

• Chi, The Spa at the Shangri-La Hotel, Bangkok
• Chi, The Spa at the Shangri-la Pudong, Shanghai
• Devarana Spa, Dusit Thani Bangkok Hotel, Thailand
• Evian Spa at Three On The Bund, Shanghai
• Hilton Maldives Resort & Spa Rangali Island
• Hyatt Pure Spa at Park Hyatt Tokyo, Japan
• Jiva Spa, Taj Lake Palace, Udaipur, India
• Orient Retreat Spa, Taichung, Taiwan
• Plateau Spa Grand Hyatt Hotel, Hong Kong
• The Lalu Spa, The Lalu, Taiwan
• The Oberoi Spa and Fitness Tent, Oberoi Vanyavilas, India
• The Oriental Spa at The Landmark Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong
• The Peninsula Spa by ESPA, The Peninsula Hong Kong
• The Quan Spa, JW Marriott Hotel, Mumbai
• The Spa at Four Seasons Hotel, Hong Kong
• Waterfloor at M Hotel Singapore

Spa Exterior Design of the Year

Winner: Four Seasons Resort, Langkawi, Malaysia

"It is indeed a great honour for The Spa at Four Seasons Resort Langkawi to have been distinguished by the industry's discerning experts and peers as a spa of distinction for its exterior design - and in just our first year of opening too! This special accolade is especially meaningful as it recognises the continuous innovative spirit of Four Seasons, particularly within the evolving Asian spa industry. And it reflects our continued commitment to perfecting the spa guest experience, with the highest standards of service, quality and attention to every detail - from elegant surroundings specially designed to harmonise with the natural environment, to signature therapies which are seamlessly woven into the serene surrounds of nature's healing embrace."

Royal Rowe, General Manager, Four Seasons Resort Langkawi, www.fourseasons.com

Nominations:

• Amanusa, Bali
• Aquum Spa at Huvafen Fushi, Maldives
• Baan Thai Wellness Retreat, Bangkok
• Chi Spa Village, Shangri-la's Mactan Island Resort & Spa, Cebu, Philippines
• COMO Shambhala, Uma Paro, Bhutan
• Earth Spa at Evason Hideaway & Six Senses Spa, Hua Hin, Thailand
• Four Seasons Resort Langkawi, Malaysia
• i.sawan Residential Spa & Club, Grand Hyatt Erawan, Bangkok
• Kayumanis Spa, Kayumanis Private Villa & Spa, Ubud, Bali
• Losari Coffee Plantation Resort, Central Java, Indonesia
• Ritz Carlton Bali Resort & Spa, Indonesia
• Soneva Gili & Six Senses Spa, Maldives
• Spa Indochine, Hotel de la Paix, Siem Reap, Cambodia
• The Spa, Four Seasons Resort Bali at Sayan, Ubud, Bali

Spa Treatment of the Year

Winner: Chi Spa, Shangri-La, Himalayan Healing Stone Massage

Nominations:

"Firstly congratulations and credit must go to all of our teams who deliver this experience every day, so special thanks to our trainers Sally Beighton and Sheila Szeto and our wonderful therapists - their dedication and care delighting our spa guests and sharing the rewards. Recognition must also go to the creators of our unique branded Himalayan treatments, in particular Carroll Dunham and her team at Wild Earth Nepal and Lee Pane of Botanical Essentials, who whilst sadly no longer with us is always remembered."

Ian Brewis, Director of Group Spa Development & Operations, Shangri-La, www.shangri-la.com

• Brilliant Resort & Spa, Yunnan, Hot Springs
• Chi Spa, Shangri-La, Himalayan Healing Stone Massage
• Elemis Day Spa, Exotic Coconut Rub and Milk Ritual Wrap
• Four Seasons Resort Bali at Jimbaran Bay, Lithos Hot Stone Treatment
• Landmark Mandarin Oriental Hong Kong, Aromatherapy Associates Ultimate Body Treatment
• Mandara Spa, Mandara Massage (Four Hands)
• Mandarin Oriental Macau, Macanese Sangria Ritual
• Per Aquum Spas - Maldivian Monsoon Ritual
• The Ritz-Carlton Bali Resort & Spa, Aquatonic Pool
• The Ritz-Carlton Bali Resort & Spa, Spa on the Rocks La Mer Treatments
• S Med Spa Bangkok, Half-day Purification Program
• Spa MTM Hong Kong, Sajura Revival Therapy
• The Observatory Spa, Li'Tya, The Dreaming
• The Peninsula Hong Kong, Peninsula Creations by ESPA Signature Body Treatments

Men's Spa Treatment of the Year

Winner: Chuan Spa, Langham Place Hotel, Hong Kong, It's a Man's world

Nominations:

"Chuan has always acknowledged the potential for growth in the male spa market, customising our male spa treatment menu to include a range of options, including this award-winning treatment, and others like "Man Maintenance" and "Extremity Indulgence". Our long term strategy and commitment to our male customers is paying off and we are very pleased that AsiaSpa has chosen to recognise this with an award."

Barry White, Manager of Chuan Spa - Health and Wellbeing, Langham Place Hotel, Hong Kong, www.langhamhotels.com

• Aromatherapy Associates, Men's Aromatherapy Facial
• Chiva Som - The Ultimate Shave
• Chuan Spa Langham Place Hotel, Mongkok, Hong Kong, A Man's World
• Elemis, Skin IQ Facial
• Four Seasons Hotel Hong Kong, Olive Rub
• H2O The Men's Spa, Dubai, Floatation Pool
• Landmark Mandarin Oriental Hong Kong, hammam
• Maya Ubud - The Refined Man
• Sivara Spa, Amari Hotels & Resorts, Exquisite Spirulina Facial
• Spa Botanica Singapore, Rooibos Face & Body Anti-aging Delight

Spa Product of the Year

Winner: Elemis

Nominations:

"This award is a wonderful recognition and benchmark of Elemis' development and growth in Hong Kong and Asia. I have been working with the brand personally for 16 years and have witnessed incredible ingenuity, creativity and growth. The Paua team are passionate about the brand and it is a great thing to be awarded for doing something that you love."

Lucy Whittaker, Director of the Paua Group, Hong Kong, www.paua.com.hk

• Aromatherapy Associates
• Avancé
• Babor
• Biodroga
• Comfort Zone
• Decléor
• Elemis
• Jurlique
• Li'Tya
• Payot
• Pevonia
• Phytomer
• Sodashi
• Sundari
• Thalgo

Spa Cuisine of the Year

Winner: The Farm at San Benito

"In the restaurant at The Farm, we serve vegan food, actually more raw food, and this we found to be very challenging. A lot of people are hesitant to visit us because of that. Winning the Spa Cuisine of the Year award shows us that what we thought of to be our (marketing) weakness, has now turned out to be our strength."

Perla Rempe, owner, The Farm at San Benito, Philippines, www.thefarm.com.ph

Nominations: