September 13, 2006 - Spa Finder, Inc., the global spa resource, announced the winners of its 2006 annual Readers’ Choice Awards at Manhattan’s Cornelia Day Resort during a champagne reception attended by spa luminaries and press from around the world. Spa Finder CEO Pete Ellis and President Susie Ellis presented the awards to the spas that were voted the world’s best – covering six continents and 14 nations/regions - by Spafinder.com visitors and Luxury SpaFinder Magazine readers, which together attract millions of spa consumers annually.

“This year’s awards are our most comprehensive yet – with more people voting for more spas across the globe,” said Pete Ellis. “Congratulations to all of our winners: The most experienced, sophisticated spa-goers in the world have spoken, and they’ve named your spas the best of the best.”

Following are Spa Finder readers’ favorite spas in the world, by continent and country/region. Reflecting the growth of spa participation worldwide, every habitable continent on the globe is now represented. Because of their burgeoning spa industries, Greece, Indonesia and Switzerland have been added to this year’s national/regional awards. Japan, with a booming spa industry that inspired the launch of Spa Finder Japan earlier this summer (alongside the debut of Spa Finder Europe), was also added to the list of global spa “hot spots” put before voters’ consideration.

Crystal Award Winners – Best in the World (by Continent)
Favorite Spa of Africa Santé Winelands Hotel and Wellness Center, S. Africa
Favorite Spa of Asia Chiva-Som, Thailand
Favorite Spa of Australia Spa Chakra Hayman, Great Barrier Reef
Favorite Spa of Europe Brenner’s Park Hotel & Spa, Germany
Favorite Spa of North America Miraval, Life in Balance, Arizona, United States
Favorite Spa of South America Kurotel Longevity Center and Spa, Brazil

Tops in Country or Region
Canada Ste. Anne’s Country Inn and Spa
Caribbean The BodyHoliday LeSport
Central America Four Seasons Resort Costa Rica at Peninsula Papagayo
China The Landmark Mandarin Oriental Hong Kong
France Evian Royal Resort
Greece Blue Palace Resort & Spa
India The Oberoi Rajvilas
Indonesia COMO Shambhala Estate at Begawan Giri
Italy Hotel Abano Terme President
Japan The Spa at Mandarin Oriental, Tokyo
Mexico Rancho La Puerta
Middle East Carmel Forest Spa Resort
Switzerland Spa Chakra Grand Hotel Park
United Kingdom Mandarin Oriental, Hyde Park

Trends and Analysis
Of particular note this year is the number of destination spas (full immersion spa experiences) that ranked as readers’ favorites. Similarly, the resort/hotel spas that garnered awards generally offer very extensive spa facilities and programs. “If there’s a trend to be gleaned from this year’s awards, it’s that spa-goers want the broad spectrum that spas have to offer: fitness, spa cuisine, therapies as well as magical settings and technical expertise,” said Susie Ellis.

Readers Also Name Favorite Spas for 23 Specific Spa Offerings
To help in-market spa consumers identify the best spas for their unique goals and priorities, Spa Finder has also announced its readers’ top-10 favorite spas for 23 specific activities, programs, services and other offerings – from “Best Accommodations” and “Most Affordable,” to “Best Medical Spas” and “Best Spa Brands.”

Best Spas for Accommodations
Bacara Resort, CA
Bellagio, NV
Cal-a-Vie, CA
Chiva-Som, Thailand
Golden Door, CA
Green Valley Spa, UT
Grove Park Inn Resort & Spa, The, NC
Mii amo, a destination spa at Enchantment, AZ
Sanctuary on Camelback Mountain, AZ
The Spa at the Lodge at Torrey Pines, CA

Best Spas for Affordability
Copperhood Inn & Spa, NY
Deerfield Spa, PA
Green Mountain at Fox Run, VT
New Age Health Spa, NY
New Life Hiking Spa, VT
Oaks At Ojai, The, CA
Rancho La Puerta, Mexico
Red Mountain Spa, UT
Regency House, The, FL
Tennessee Fitness Spa, TN

Best Boutique Spas (20 rooms or less)
Amansala Bikini Boot Camp, Mexico
Ashram, The, CA
Body Shop Spa/Fitness Ridge, UT
Daintree Eco Lodge & Spa, Australia
Heartland Spa, The, IL
Maruba Resort Jungle Spa, Belize
Mii amo, a destination spa at Enchantment, AZ
Ten Thousand Waves Japanese Spa & Resort, NM
We Care Spa Juice Fasting & Spiritual Retreat, CA
Westglow Resort & Spa, NC

Favorite Brands
Canyon Ranch
Fairmont Willow Stream
Four Seasons
Guerlain-Spa Chakra Alliance
Hyatt
Mandarin Oriental
Marriott
Peninsula
Ritz Carlton
Westin

Best Casino Hotel Spas
Bellagio, NV
Borgata Hotel Casino and Spa, NJ
Canyon Ranch SpaClub at The Venetian, NV
Elemis Spa at the Aladdin, NV
MGM Grand Spa, NV
Nurture, Luxor Las Vegas, NV
Paris Spa by Mandara, NV
Spa Mandalay, NV
The Mirage Spa, NV
The Salon at Wynn Las Vegas, NV

Best Spas for Cooking Classes
Cal-a-Vie, CA
Canyon Ranch, AZ, AZ
Canyon Ranch, MA, MA
Chiva-Som, Thailand
Greenbrier, The, WV
Lake Austin Spa Resort, TX
Miraval, Life In Balance, AZ
New Life Hiking Spa, VT
Rancho La Puerta, Mexico
Red Mountain Spa, UT

Best Spas for Cuisine
Cal-a-Vie, CA
Canyon Ranch SpaClub at The Venetian, NV
Canyon Ranch, AZ, AZ
Canyon Ranch, MA, MA
Chiva-Som, Thailand
Lake Austin Spa Resort, TX
Miraval, Life In Balance, AZ
New Age Health Spa, NY
Oaks At Ojai, The, CA
Red Mountain Spa, UT

Best Spas for Fitness Programs
BodyHoliday at LeSPORT, The, Saint Lucia
Cal-a-Vie, CA
Canyon Ranch, AZ, AZ
Canyon Ranch, MA, MA
Chiva-Som, Thailand
Lake Austin Spa Resort, TX
Miraval, Life In Balance, AZ
New Life Hiking Spa, VT
Oaks At Ojai, The, CA
Rancho La Puerta, Mexico
Red Mountain Spa, UT

Best Spas for Going Solo
Cal-a-Vie, CA
Canyon Ranch, AZ, AZ
Chiva-Som, Thailand
Green Mountain at Fox Run, VT
Lake Austin Spa Resort, TX
Miraval, Life In Balance, AZ
New Life Hiking Spa, VT
Oaks At Ojai, The, CA
Rancho La Puerta, Mexico
Red Mountain Spa, UT

Best Spas for Golf
Cranwell Resort, Spa & Golf Club, MA
Doral Golf Resort & Spa, A Marriott Resort, FL
Greenbrier, The, WV
Grove Park Inn Resort & Spa, The, NC
La Costa Resort & Spa, CA
Nemacolin Woodlands Resort & Spa, PA
Ojai Valley Inn & Spa, CA
PGA National Resort & Spa, FL
The Inn at Palmetto Bluff, SC
The Spa at Pinehurst, NC
The Spa at the Lodge at Torrey Pines, CA

Best Spas for Hiking
Cal-a-Vie, CA
Canyon Ranch, AZ, AZ
Canyon Ranch, MA, MA
Green Valley Spa, UT
Mii amo, a destination spa at Enchantment, AZ
Miraval, Life In Balance, AZ
New Life Hiking Spa, VT
Oaks At Ojai, The, CA
Rancho La Puerta, Mexico
Red Mountain Spa, UT

Best Spas for Interior Design
Bellagio, NV
Cal-a-Vie, CA
Grand Wailea Resort Hotel & Spa, HI
Grove Park Inn Resort & Spa, The, NC
Hershey Resorts, PA
Lake Austin Spa Resort, TX
Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino, NV
Mandarin Oriental, New York, NY
Mii amo, a destination spa at Enchantment, AZ
Ten Thousand Waves Japanese Spa & Resort, NM
Willow Stream the spa at Fairmont Scottsdale Princess, AZ

Best Spas for Luxury
Auberge du Soleil, CA
Bacara Resort, CA
Bellagio, NV
Breakers Palm Beach, The, FL
Cal-a-Vie, CA
Chiva-Som, Thailand
Four Seasons Resort Aviara, CA
Golden Door, CA
Mandarin Oriental Dhara Dhevi, Chiang Mai, Thailand
Mandarin Oriental, New York, NY
Montage Resort & Spa, CA

Best Medical Spas
Canyon Ranch, AZ, AZ
Canyon Ranch, MA, MA
Chiva-Som, Thailand
Chopra Center, The, CA
Cooper Wellness Program, TX
Duke University Diet & Fitness Center, NC
Greenbrier, The, WV
Hilton Head Health Institute, SC
Kurotel Longevity Center and Spa, Brazil
Pritikin Longevity Center & Spa, FL

Best Spas for Men
Canyon Ranch, AZ, AZ
Canyon Ranch, MA, MA
Chiva-Som, Thailand
Doral Golf Resort & Spa, A Marriott Resort, FL
Grove Park Inn Resort & Spa, The, NC
Nemacolin Woodlands Resort & Spa, PA
Red Mountain Spa, UT
Spa at Laguna Cliffs Marriott, The, CA
The Spa at Pinehurst, NC
The Spa at the Lodge at Torrey Pines, CA

Best Spas for Mind-Body-Spirit
Cal-a-Vie, CA
Calistoga Spa Hot Springs, CA
Canyon Ranch, AZ, AZ
Canyon Ranch, MA, MA
Chiva-Som, Thailand
Golden Door, CA
Mii amo, a destination spa at Enchantment, AZ
Miraval, Life In Balance, AZ
New Age Health Spa, NY
Rancho La Puerta, Mexico
Red Mountain Spa, UT
Ten Thousand Waves Japanese Spa & Resort, NM

Best Spas for Mineral Springs
Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa, The, CA
Fonteverde Natural Spa Resort, Italy
Greenbrier, The, WV
Grotta Giusti Natural Spa Resort, Italy
Ojo Caliente Mineral Springs Spa & Resort, NM
Sycamore Mineral Springs Resort, CA
Tabacýn Hot Springs Resort & Spa, Costa Rica
Terme di Saturnia, Italy
The Homestead, VA
Two Bunch Palms, CA

Best Spas for Romance
Auberge du Soleil, CA
Chateau Elan, GA
CuisinArt Resort & Spa, Anguilla
Grove Park Inn Resort & Spa, The, NC
Hershey Resorts, PA
Little Palm Island Resort & Spa, FL
Mirbeau Inn & Spa, NY
Royal Palms Resort & Spa, AZ
Spa at Laguna Cliffs Marriott, The, CA
Sundara Inn & Spa, WI

Best Urban Hotel Spas
Banyan Tree, Bangkok, Thailand
Bliss 49, NY
Bliss Chicago, IL
Mandarin Oriental London, United Kingdom
Mandarin Oriental, New York, NY
Mandarin Oriental, Washington D.C., DC
Park Hyatt Toronto Stillwater Spa, Canada
The Oriental, Bangkok, Thailand
The Peninsula Spa Beverly Hills, CA
The Peninsula Spa, IL

Best Spas for Water Sports
BodyHoliday at LeSPORT, The, Saint Lucia
Breakers Palm Beach, The, FL
Grand Wailea Resort Hotel & Spa, HI
Lake Austin Spa Resort, TX
Mandara Spa at Atlantis, Bahamas
Safety Harbor Resort and Spa, FL
Sea Island Spa at The Cloister, GA
Secrets Excellence Punta Cana, Dominican Republic
Spa Chakra Hayman Great Barrier Reef Australia, Australia
Spa at Laguna Cliffs Marriott, The, CA

Best Spas for Weight Loss
Ashram, The, CA
Cal-a-Vie, CA
Canyon Ranch, AZ, AZ
Canyon Ranch, MA, MA
Chiva-Som, Thailand
Green Mountain at Fox Run, VT
New Life Hiking Spa, VT
Oaks At Ojai, The, CA
Red Mountain Spa, UT
Regency House, The, FL

Best Spas for Winter Sports
Allegria Spa at Park Hyatt Beaver Creek, CO
Aria Spa at the Vail Cascade Resort, CO
Canyon Ranch, MA, MA
Green Mountain at Fox Run, VT
Peaks Resort & Spa, The, CO
Snake River Lodge & Spa, WY
Spa Chakra Grand Hotel Park Gstaad, Switzerland, Switzerland
Stoweflake Mountain Resort & Spa, VT
Topnotch at Stowe Resort and Spa, VT
Willow Stream Spa at The Fairmont Banff Springs, Canada

Best Spas for Yoga
Cal-a-Vie, CA
Canyon Ranch, AZ, AZ
Canyon Ranch, MA, MA
Chiva-Som, Thailand
Kripalu Center for Yoga & Health, MA
Lake Austin Spa Resort, TX
Miraval, Life In Balance, AZ
New Age Health Spa, NY
Oaks At Ojai, The, CA
Rancho La Puerta, Mexico

“Today, ‘spa’ has become a broad umbrella term encompassing a world of different experiences – from medical programs, to fitness retreats, to traditional pampering,” added Ellis. “Our category awards represent a detailed and user-friendly ‘spa finding map’ to help people identify the best spas – according to real-world spa-goers – for the specific experience or qualities they’re seeking.”

Methodology
Readers of Spa Finder publications and visitors to Spafinder.com cast ballots for what turned out to be more than 1,000 different spa properties worldwide. Voters were asked to only cast ballots for stay spas they’ve personally visited within the past three years. A complete listing of Readers’ Choice Award winners will be featured in Spa Finder’s upcoming 2007 Worldwide Guide to Spas and at Spafinder.com.