BANGKOK, Sept 16 ― Thailand, with its centuries’ old history of wellness and massage treatments, has been named the world’s best spa destination by travellers and industry leaders at the inaugural World Spa Awards.

Along with Thailand, the Emirates Palace Spa in Abu Dhabi also emerged a big winner, taking the title of World’s Best Hotel Spa and World’s Best Spa Signature Treatment for its decadent 24-carat gold facial.

Held at the InterContinental Danang Sun Peninsula Resort in Vietnam this week, the gala event was created to serve as a benchmark for world spas.

Thailand was named the best destination in the world for the breadth of its spa and wellness treatments, which range from world-class retreats in luxurious settings, to US$3 an hour (RM12.90) foot and Thai massages on the streets of Bangkok, Chiang Mai and the beaches of Phuket, Samui and Pattaya.

Treatments at the Emirates Palace Spa, on the other hand, are reserved for the moneyed client, where sheets of gold leaf are massaged onto cheeks to impart a “glow” to the skin.

After 90 minutes, the 24-Carat Gold Radiance Facial promises to deliver “an illuminating radiant glow to all skin types.”

Skin is first prepped with a deep cleansing sequence before micronized 24-carat gold sheets are massaged via an “Ultra Sonic Nano” mist.

To finish the treatment, the skin gets a hydrating serum, moisturiser, eye cream, scalp and hand massages.

The spa at Emirates Palace Abu Dhabi.

The spa itself, meanwhile, spans 1,500 square metres and features a traditional Moroccan Hammam, Jacuzzis, steam rooms, heated marble, an ice cave, and treatment rooms that offer gold, pearl, and caviar beauty treatments.

Here are some of the other winners from the World Spa Awards:

World's Best Countryside Hotel Spa 2015

The Spa at Fonteverde Tuscan Resort & Spa, Italy

World's Best Cruise Spa 2015

Mandara Spa at Norwegian Cruise Line

World's Best Hotel Spa 2015

Emirates Palace Spa (Abu Dhabi)

World's Best Hotel Spa Brand 2015

Talise by Jumeirah

World's Best Male Spa 2015

All-men's Spa at Four Seasons Hotel Riyadh at Kingdom Centre

World's Best Mineral & Hot Springs Spa 2015

Six Senses Spa at Evason Ma'in Hot Springs

World's Best New Hotel Spa 2015

HARNN Heritage Spa at InterContinental® Danang Sun Peninsula Resort

World's Best Spa Brand 2015

QMS MediCosmetics

World's Best Wellness Spa 2015

Forte Village Resort (Italy)

REGIONAL WINNERS

Africa's Best Hotel Spa 2015

The Saxon Spa and Studio at Saxon Hotel, Villas and Spa (South Africa)

Africa's Best Spa Destination 2015

Morocco

Asia's Best Hotel Spa 2015

Aman Spa at Aman Tokyo (Japan)

Europe's Best Hotel Spa 2015

Bagni di Levante at Bagni di Pisa Palace & Spa (Italy)

Europe's Best Spa Destination 2015

Turkey

North America's Best Hotel Spa 2015

The Spa at Viceroy Miami (Florida)

North America's Best Spa Destination 2015

California

Middle East's Best Hotel Spa 2015

Emirates Palace Spa (Abu Dhabi)

Middle East's Best Spa Destination 2015

Dubai ― AFP-Relaxnews