The Spa Traveller Wellness Awards were created to recognise spa and wellness experiences with a genuine sense of place, thoughtful service and a clear wellbeing purpose.
At a glance
- Scope: day spas, city spas, hotel and resort spas, destination retreats, treatments and wellbeing products.
- Coverage: UK and international spa and wellness experiences.
- Reader promise: every award should be clearly dated and should never be mistaken for a permanent endorsement.
Recognising distinctive spa experiences
For more than a decade, The Spa Traveller’s awards coverage has highlighted established names and lesser-known properties across spa days, retreats, wellness hotels, destination spas and products.
The original programme combined editorial assessment with participation from spa-goers connected to nominated properties. Voting methods, judging panels and category names varied by period, so historical recognition should always be read in the context of its year and category.
An award is most useful when readers can understand when it was given, what was assessed and whether the experience still meets that standard today.
The Spa Traveller
What The Spa Traveller values
Sense of place
A spa should respond to its landscape, culture or setting rather than rely on a generic luxury formula.
Service and suitability
Good service includes clear information, adaptable treatments, thoughtful consultation and an experience suited to the guest.
Facilities with purpose
Pools, thermal rooms and relaxation spaces should be well maintained, clearly explained and genuinely useful.
Responsible wellbeing
Claims should be proportionate, health boundaries respected and commercial relationships disclosed.
What an award should tell readers
- The year and category in which the recognition was given.
- The aspect of the experience that distinguished the winner.
- Whether the recognition is historical or relates to a current assessment.
- Where to confirm present-day facilities, ownership and booking terms.
Frequently asked questions
Are historical award winners current recommendations?
Not automatically. A historical award records recognition at a particular time. Current facilities, ownership, service and operating status should be checked separately.
How were The Spa Traveller Wellness Awards decided?
The legacy programme combined editorial assessment with participation from spa-goers connected to nominated properties. Methods and category rules varied by period.
Can a spa use an old winner logo?
Only in a way that states the correct award, category and year and does not imply a current endorsement. Usage should match the original permission and brand guidance.
Where can I explore current spa choices?
Use Find a Spa to compare current profiles by place, experience and wellbeing goal.
Recognition with context
The Awards are part of The Spa Traveller’s history. Clear dates, categories and present-day booking checks help readers understand what an award did—and did not—mean.
Continue exploring
Visit the Awards hub or browse current spa profiles independently.