Thailand
has become one the world’s premium spa destinations with the finest
treatments, a long and authentic tradition of healing arts, a focus
on natural products and the warm nature of the Thai people.
As
the inaugural Thailand Spa and Well-being Awards occurred this year,
the scope, quality and innovation shown among the winners caught
global attention. The industry awards, which had various categories
such as innovative spa treatment and environmental conscience,
honored the best in the Kingdom.
Created
by the Thai Spa Association and supported by the Tourism Authority of
Thailand, the event highlighted that Thailand’s spas are not only
of paramount quality but the modernization and dedication being seen
is world class, ensuring Thailand’s position as a premier spa
destination internationally.
Voting
in the respective categories was conducted by event exhibitors at the
World Spa & Well-being Convention (Exhibition category), spa
operators (Industry categories) and spa consumers (People’s choice
categories). To ensure voting transparency, all votes were tallied by
KPMG Phoomchai Audit Ltd.
Here
is a snapshot of Thailand’s official finest spas and spa
products from the winners of the Thailand Spa
and Well-being Awards 2012 – and why you should visit them.
• Thailand’s
first destination spa, Chiva-som International Health Resort, Hua Hin
was founded in 1994. With their comprehensive treatments, stunning
location and dedication to nature they have been awarded some of the
highest spa accolades from around the world – including Luxury
Travel and Spa Magazine 2008; 'Top 3 Overseas Spa Retreat.'
Chiva-som
sources all its ingredients from their own specifically created
organic farm on site, which means that the chef’s custom nourishing
diet is always fresh and free of pesticides. The concept is to create
a divine tasting healthy cuisine using herbs, spices and fresh
flavors. The chefs also develop a new menu on a daily basis.
Meanwhile guests can also attend cooking classes or buy the Chiva-som
cookbook to learn how to recreate the famous cuisine.
Environmentally
speaking, they are also supremely dedicated. One of the biggest
initiatives and reasons why Chiva-som believes they won the
Environmental Conscience award is that they have a water purifying
system on site that cleanses all water in a multi-stage
treatment process consisting of carbon and sand filtration so that
there is no environmental footprint. Rainwater is also collected
while solar cell panels heat water for spa treatments.
Their
accolade for Spa Educator was based on the excellent standard
maintained at their own International Academy. Founded as an answer
to the escalating demand to create a standard training facility
dedicated to the human resource needs of the Thai Spa Industry. The
academy is internationally accredited and is recognized at a premium
facility for training and education in the spa industry.
• It
was a heavenly-sounding bamboo based treatment whereby heated bamboo
is applied to the body for increased circulation and lymphatic
drainage that allowed Banyan Tree Samui to take out top honors for
Innovative Spa Treatment. This use of a natural product for a
specific treatment unanimously won over voters for its eco approach.
• Banyan
Tree Gallery – the famous brand’s spa
product and
local crafts shop – won top Spa Product along with I plus
Q Co., Ltd. The Banyan Tree Gallery began after visitors to their spa
wanted the items used during the treatment to purchase and take home
as they were so unique. Thanks to this, now you can buy Banyan Tree
products such as apple and green tea hair care and Banyan massage
and essential
oils.
I
plus Q is a company that provides spas with the highest quality
of essential oils and therapeutic spa products with
a focus on Western holistic approach and Asian traditional
homeopathy. Alongside the house brand, I plus Q also creates
custom spa products for various private labels –
following closely all company specifications. They also have a
dedication to using only locally sourced products such that the
quality is authentic and unsurpassable.
• The
winner of the best Organic
Product was
SpaRitual. Their products include vegan nail care and polishes that
are DBP, Formaldehyde and Toluene-free as well as a custom-blended
multipurpose system of seven Spa Treatments and three Bath
Salts.
All their formulations have been designed for holistic and
streamlined manicure, pedicure and body care. SpaRitual uses
naturally colored vegan ingredients from around the world, including
many plant essences that are wild crafted and organic. The system is
also naturally colored and free of synthetic dyes. Dedicated to the
spa tradition, the company is committed to also creating eco-friendly
products and packaging perfectly crafted for the enlightened
consumer.
• The
Creative Spa Design accolade was given to Coqoon Spa at Indigo Pearl
Resort in Phuket. The most standout part of this location has to be
The Nest area in the spa – something incredibly unique and
stunning.
This
is a must-try for spa enthusiasts with a luxurious spa suite
suspended midair and accessed only by a flying bridge! This set up
was created for guest to literally be in his or her own world, while
close to nature.
• The
champion for the highly competitive Best New Spa was Bangkok
newcomer, So Spa at Sofitel. Taking up the entire 11th floor of
the hotel it
is themed as a mythological forest of Thai tradition. Here the idea
was for rejuvenating traditions from around the world to meet
world-class French cosmetology. Filled with dark wood accents and
with a vista over Bangkok, the architecturally designed space is as
eye catching as it is comprehensive with its array of treatments,
infinity pool, 24-hour gym and more.
