Winners of 2015 Wellness Travel Awards revealed
The winners of the 2015 Wellness Travel Awards were announced by Spafinder Wellness 365 today (4 November) at the World Travel Market in London.
Inaugurated in 2014, the Wellness Travel Awards recognise the demand for healthier travel options and honour hotels, resorts, destination spas and retreats worldwide offering the best wellness vacations and experiences.
Winners were selected by a global panel of 33 spa and wellness travel editors and experts from all over the world, including Spa Business managing editor Katie Barnes. The panel nominated 504 properties for consideration before narrowing the field to finalists in 53 countries and regions, while consumers voted for their favourite locations across 20 categories.
Reflecting the rapid growth and diversity of the wellness travel landscape, of the 43 properties winning Country/Region Awards, only six were winners in 2014.
The awards were presented by chief brand officer of Spafinder Wellness, Inc Mia Kyricos and Spafinder Wellness COO John Bevan. The prizes are split into three categories: Crystal Awards, given to the top properties on six continents; Country/Region Awards, which recognise top properties in 43 countries/regions; and Category Awards, recognising the top 10 destinations that offer exceptional wellness experiences in 20 special categories, such as “Best New Spa & Wellness Property” and “Best Overall Healthy Living Programme.”
“We are honoured to recognise the best in wellness travel from all corners of the globe,” said Kyricos. “Our objective is to help travellers identify options for their ideal wellness vacations, while also recognising the excellence and innovation that exists in this rapidly growing sector of the travel industry."
Crystal Awards Winners:
• Africa: Thalaspa Henri Chenot at Lion in the Sun
• Asia: COMO Shambhala Estate• Australia: Gwinganna Lifestyle Retreat
• Europe: SHA Wellness Clinic• North America: Canyon Ranch in Tucson
• South America: Kurotel Longevity Medical Center and Spa
Country/Region Awards: Winners in the leading countries for wellness travel are:
• US: Canyon Ranch in Tucson• Germany: Lanserof Tegernsee
• France: Four Seasons Hotel George V• Japan: Gora Kadan
• Austria: Rogner Bad Blumau• Canada: Spa Eastman
• Italy: Lefay Resort & SPA Lago di Garda• Switzerland: Grand Resort Bad Ragaz
• China: Four Seasons Hotel Shanghai at Pudong• UK: ESPA Life at Corinthia London
All 43 country and region winners can be seen at the Wellness Travel Awards website by clicking here.
Category Awards: Voters also recognised the top 10 destinations in 20 “Best for” categories, with eight spas garnering the most honours
Canyon Ranch in Tucson (U.S.), Mii amo (U.S.) and COMO Shambhala Estate (Indonesia) were winners in 10 categories, while Gwinganna Lifestyle Retreat (Australia), Kurotel Longevity Medical Center and Spa (Brazil) and SHA Wellness Clinic (Spain) won in eight. Lanserhof Tegernsee (Germany) and Spa Eastman (Canada) won in seven categories.
“Spafinder Wellness 365 would like to thank the panelists who contributed their time and expertise to ensure that the top wellness travel locations around the world were nominated for these awards, along with the 10,000-plus consumers who cast votes,” added Bevan.
“I would also like to congratulate every one of the nominees and finalists. Each of these properties is a global standout in the wide world of wellness travel.”
BIG unveils Eve Music Hall as Croatia venue nears completion
Bob Rogers hands BRC to long-serving leadership team
Wellness care hospital opens in Vilnius with innovative spa and hospitality concept
Universal and Puy du Fou projects point to rise of Oxford–Cambridge corridor
A proposed Puy du Fou development near Bicester and Universal Destinations and Experiences’ planned resort in Bedford are emerging as part of a wider transformation of the Oxford–Cambridge Growth Corridor into a major centre for UK leisure and tourism investment.
For years, the corridor has been associated primarily with science, technology, housing and university-led economic growth. However, the clustering of large-scale visitor attraction projects along the
All-inclusive eco-wellness development Auko to open near Vietnam’s Son Doong caves
Shedd Aquarium upgrades its visitor experience with new Immersion Theater
Shedd Aquarium has opened the Immersion Theater developed in partnership with SimEx-Iwerks, as part of a wider strategy to enhance the guest experience and create additional revenue opportunities.
The attraction has transformed the aquarium’s Phelps Auditorium into a multi-sensory venue combining panoramic projection, environmental effects and interactive technology.
A new pre-show area allows visitors to engage with augmented reality marine animals before entering the
Mandarin Oriental announces standalone Mansions-branded residences for Abu Dhabi
MCR is planning a luxury hotel for London's BT Tower
Joy as a radical act: Yinka Ilori launches solo exhibition celebrating the rebellious power of spreading happiness
Work gets underway on Madrid's €800 million leisure complex
Work is underway in Madrid on one of Europe’s most significant multi-functional complexes, combining sport, entertainment, culture and education.
The €800 million initiative to regenerate the former Olympic Aquatic Centre in the north-east of the city, next to the Riyadh Air Metropolitano stadium, is being led by Barsento – a joint venture between Live Nation Entertainment, Oak View Group and Atlético de Madrid. The project will
Therme Manchester reveals 90:90 strategy – 90 per cent of the UK population within a 90-minute drive of a Therme
Four Seasons’ Naples Beach Club opens 2,800sq m Sanctuary spa inspired by indigenous Calusa people
Orient Express Corinthian to host Ocean Rebirth wellness retreat in collaboration with Guerlain
Famed London nightclub, Tramp, launches Tramp Health
First look: Miraval opens on the Red Sea in Saudi Arabia
Hainan Science Museum by Ma Yansong, opens in China
A new science museum has opened to the public in Haikou after attracting more than 350,000 visitors during a four-month soft opening period.
Designed by Ma Yansong and his practice MAD Architects, the Hainan Science Museum is located on the edge of Wuyuan River National Wetland Park and has already recorded peak attendance of more than 5,800 visitors in a single day.
Commissioned by




















