The World's Top 30 Spas

The Readers' Spa Awards 2012

Welcome to our 10th annual Readers' Spa Awards. Last autumn we asked you to tell us where you most like to go to relax, detox and improve your well-being. You nominated your favourites, from urban day spas to hotel spas, exotic retreats to medical wellness centres.

Choices are rated according to criteria, such as ambience/design, body treatments, cuisine and service. The results were collated by Market Management, an independent market-research company, which then calculated an average score for each spa, out of a possible 100.

Here, as voted for by you, are your favourite 30 spas in the whole world. 

1. Ananda Spa, Ananda in the Himalayas

India

Ananda is a short drive from Rishikesh, the birthplace of yoga and The Beatles' interest in transcendental meditation, in the far north of India. Its location, setting - in manicured grounds overlooking the powerfully snaking Ganges - and its unfailingly kind and gentle staff give it a special healing energy, and its programme of yoga, Ayurveda and Vedanta is as emotionally uplifting as it is physically effective. It would be impossible to go for a week and not leave feeling on top of the world

Rating out of 100: 96.67

Ananda Spa, Ananda in the Himalayas, India (00 91 1378 227500; www.anandaspa.com)

2. Six Senses Spa, Evason Ma'In Hot Springs

Jordan

It was the body treatments that stood out for you at Evason Ma'In Hot Springs. Built beneath a natural hot-spring waterfall near the Dead Sea, 264 metres below sea level, the spa utilises the natural properties of the mineral-rich waters in its therapies, which include scrubs, wraps, massage and facials. In the stark Jordanian desert, the resort itself feels like a secluded oasis, offering the ideal conditions in which to relax.

Rating out of 100: 96.44

Six Senses Spa, Evason Ma'in Hot Springs, Madaba, Ma'In, Jordan (00 962 5 324 5500; www.evasonresorts.com)

3. The Mekong Spa, La Résidence Phou Vao, Luang Prabang

Laos

You said the facials, using organic Jurlique products, at The Mekong Spa in Laos' charming ancient city were best. As well as two specifically designed for men, they include anti-ageing, aromatherapy, sunburn relief and tired-eye treatments. Exhausted travellers should try the 'Jet-lag Delight' body massage to relieve the symptoms and aches and pains of flying. And all guests can make use of the herbal steam bath to for a deep and thorough cleanse.

Rating out of 100: 96.30

The Mekong Spa, La Résidence Phou Vao, Luang Prabang, Laos (00 856 71 212194; www.residencephouvao.com)

4. ESPA Riga

Latvia 

Design is important at ESPA Riga. The spa takes on the properties of the elements fire and water, illustrated in a mosaic of black crystal and a spectacular light sculpture. Treatments, too, take inspiration from the elements, and incorporate techniques from Chinese, Indian, European and Balinese concepts. A number of ESPA treatments have been designed to combat the effects of cold weather on skin - essential in Latvia - using amber stone from the Baltics.

Rating out of 100: 95.98

ESPA Riga, 4a Baznīcas Street, Riga, Latvia (00 371 67715222; www.espariga.com)

5. The Spa, Coworth Park, Berkshire

United Kingdom

Eco-sensitivity is at the heart of the spa at Coworth Park. The building is designed to allow as much natural light to flood in as possible, and the materials used to build it are locally sourced. Guests who wish to go organic can choose treatments using Dr Alkaitis products; treatments using Carol Joy London, Kerstin Florian and Aromatherapy Associates products are also on the menu. The Spatisserie serves healthy, light meals and afternoon tea.

Rating out of 100: 95.94

The Spa, Coworth Park, Blacknest Road, Ascot, Berkshire (01344 876600; www.dorchestercollection.com)

6. Verdura Spa, Verdura Golf & Spa Resort

Sicily 

As well as golf-related exercise, guests at Verdura Spa can also indulge in therapies based on anti-ageing, detoxing, fitness and thalassotherapy. Treatments use ingredients from Sicily, such as olive oil, seaweed, mud and seawater. Of particular note are the four thalassotherapy pools; the warm waters encourage circulation and improve look and condition of skin. You were also impressed by the amenities - indoor swimming pool, spa bar, large hammam, sauna, hair and beauty centre - and the products used.

Rating out of 100: 95.73

Verdura Spa, Verdura Golf & Spa Resort, Sciacca, Sicily, Italy (00 39 09 2599 8061; www.roccofortehotels.com)

7. The Spa by ESPA, One&Only Reethi Rah

Maldives

It's all about sun, glorious sun in this Indian Ocean archipelago, and guests at the One&Only Reethi Rah are encouraged to enjoy it safely. A Sun Spa Esthederm service prepares guests for exposure; treatment includes exfoliation, application of suncream throughout the day and a soothing after-sun treatment.

Spa treatments take influence from Ayurvedic medicine and traditional therapies from South-East Asia. But, while you enjoyed the treatments, you were most impressed with the luxurious accommodation. Hardly surprising given the uninterrupted sea views from each of the beachfront rooms and the inviting water above which the stilted villas stand.

Rating out of 100: 95.65

The Spa by ESPA, One&Only Reethi Rah, North Malé Atoll, Maldives (00 960 664 8800; www.oneandonlyresorts.com)

8. Banyan Tree Spa, Banyan Tree Ringha, Tibet

Asia 

It was the seductive rich-red décor, detailed carvings and unique local artefacts at the Banyan Tree Spa in the Himalayas that really caught your eye. Accommodation is in traditional Tibetan farmhouses, which have been reassembled along the valley. Treatments are inspired by the local Himalayan healers of royal houses and monasteries; the spa's signature treatment, Ringha Relief, is based on the Chinese Five Elements philosophy. It encompasses a combination of yoga, Chinese Tui Na (a massage to help energy flow through the body), Himalayan Gui Shi hot-stone therapy; an exfoliating Indonesian spice wrap, and a jasmine-green-tea bath to help soothe and relax aching muscles. All treatments begin with a footbath and 30 minutes of 'calm time'.

Rating out of 100: 95.48

Banyan Tree Spa, Banyan Tree Ringha, Tibet (00 86 887 828 8822; www.banyantree.com)

9. The Blue Spa, Carlisle Bay

Antigua 

You singled out Carlisle Bay's Blue Spa for its individual approach. The spa menu features a range of body treatments, massages (hot-stone, Swedish, deep-tissue) and facials using Natura Bissé products. Teenagers can enjoy specially designed facials and massages for younger skin; and manicures, pedicures, hair styling and waxing are available for all. Yoga and Pilates classes take place four times a week on the pavilion in the gardens. After relaxing at the spa, try a ginger and cinnamon elixir from the juice bar.

Rating out of 100: 95.32

The Blue Spa, Carlisle Bay, Antigua, West Indies (00 1 268 484 0000; www.campbellgrayhotels.com)

10. The Banjaran Hotsprings Retreat

Malaysia

You rated Banjaran Hotsprings for its facials, such as the anti-ageing treatment that uses Black Cohosh to plump and repair skin, and the detoxing cranberry facial. Chinese medicines - acupuncture, cupping, Gua Sha (a scraping method) - and Ayurvedic treatments also feature widely on the spa menu, and guests can try traditional Malaysian 'spa journeys'. The Ramuan Journey starts with a massage, followed by a hibiscus scrub and body wrap. Cleansing treatments are then applied before the Mandi Bunga, a traditional bath.

Rating out of 100: 95.13

The Banjaran Hotsprings Retreat, 1 Persiaran Lagun Sunway 3, Ipoh, Perak Darul Ridzuan, Malaysia (00 60 5 210 7839; www.thebanjaran.com)

11. COMO Shambhala Retreat, Parrot Cay, Caribbean

Turks And Caicos

Body and mind are treated at Parrot Cay, where there's an in-house Ayurvedic doctor, an acupuncturist and an 'intuitive counsellor', among other in-house professionals. You noted the design and ambience of the spa, which has nine treatment and massage rooms plus yoga and Pilates studios. Treatments include acupuncture and shiatsu therapies, reflexology, Thai massage, Reiki and body wraps. The renowned Dr Hauschka facials improve circulation and skin condition through massage, deep cleansing and moisturising treatments.

Rating out of 100: 94.88

COMO Shambhala Retreat, Parrot Cay, Turks & Caicos (00 1 649 946 7788; www.parrotcay.como.bz)

12. CHI, The Spa, Shangri-La Hotel

Sidney

Traditional Eastern healing philosophies - which maintain that 'chi' is the life force that must flow freely in order to maintain a healthy mind and body - form the basis of treatments at this hotel spa. You loved the body treatments, which include the Ila Energising & Detoxifying Scrub, a one-hour treatment that stimulates the lymphatic system to eliminate toxins; the Bio-Energising Body Wrap, with mud to cleanse the skin; and the Aroma Bath, to calm the mind. Facial treatments and massage, including hot-stone therapies, are also on the menu.

Rating out of 100: 94.86

CHI, The Spa, Shangri-La Hotel Sydney, 176 Cumberland Street, Sydney, Australia (00 61 2 9250 6000; www.shangri-la.com)

13. COMO Shambhala Retreat, COMO Shambhala Estate

Bali

Wellness is not taken lightly at the COMO Shambhala Estate in Bali. As well as massage, guests can opt for a traditional cleansing ceremony, which begins with an immersion in the sacred waters at Tirta Empul temple at nearby Tampak Siring. A priest then completes the purification with a blessing in the temple. There's also a range of water-based therapies, which use water from the estate's spring. And each morning guests can take complimentary yoga classes. You were also impressed by the resort's suites, most of which have private gardens or terraces.

Rating out of 100: 94.61

COMO Shambhala Retreat, COMO Shambhala Estate, Banjar Begawan, Desa Melinggih Kelod, Payangan, Gianyar, Bali, Indonesia (00 62 361 978 888; www.comoshambhala.bz)

14. Herb House Spa, Lime Wood, Hampshire

United Kingdom

Set in a lovely location in the New Forest, the Herb House Spa offers treatments inspired by natural ingredients, many of which are grown in the rooftop herb garden and surrounding grounds of the Lime Wood hotel. The spa is simple in design: treatment rooms feel Scandinavian, and pretty pots of herbs and lavender are dotted about.

Designed to revive, the Bamford Signature Treatment includes an essential oil foot bath, full body exfoliation, and pure oil body and scalp massage. Alongside Bamford body treatments, NUDE, Voya and Tri-Dosha therapies are offered. After treatment, spa-goers can enjoy the splendid rooftop view or tuck into home-grown food and frighteningly healthy juices at Raw and Cured.

Rating out of 100: 94.59

Herb House Spa, Lime Wood, Beaulieu Rd, Lyndhurst, Hampshire (02380 286998; www.limewood.co.uk)

15. The Spa, Four Seasons Hotel George V Paris, France

Paris

Everything about this spa is regal. Marie Antoinette is the inspiration for the two-and-a-half-hour 'A Stroll to Versailles', which incorporates orange blossom (reportedly her favourite scent) in a body scrub, massage and facial. And the treatment rooms, with illustrated wallpaper and big, cosy massage beds, are certainly fit for a king.

Hair is not forgotten: treatments include Brazilian hair-straightening and extensions. Locks can be also be styled for an evening out. And as for the food… Well, you thought the spa cuisine couldn't be bettered - not an easy feat in Paris.

Rating out of 100: 94.54

The Spa, Four Seasons Hotel George V Paris, 31, avenue George V, Paris, France (00 33 1 49 52 70 00; www.fourseasons.com)

16. ESPA Life at Corinthia, London

London

Underneath the new five-star Corinthia hotel, on the edge of the River Thames, ESPA Life is glamorous in black marble - all four floors of it. There are 17 treatment pods, a futuristic lounge, private spa suite, state-of-the-art gym, nail studio and a Daniel Galvin hair salon. Most dramatic of all is the 'thermal floor', where there is a black mosaic steam room, a steel swimming pool and an invigorating vitality pool.

The ethos of the spa is to integrate a holistic outlook with a luxury beauty experience. As well as luxurious facials and massages (which start from £55), the excellent therapists carry out intensive detox programmes, fertility treatments, marathon training and orthopaedic rehabilitation, all tailored to suit the client.

Rating out of 100: 94.47

ESPA Life at Corinthia, Corinthia Hotel London, Whitehall Place, London SW1 (020 7321 3050; www.espalifeatcorinthia.com)

17. Peninsula Spa by ESPA, The Peninsula New York

New York City

Time-poor urbanites can grab a little piece of calm at this oasis, 21 floors above the madding crowds. On Fifth Avenue, The Peninsula Hotel's rooftop spa offers guests and non-residents a wonderful array of body treatments combining Asian, European and Ayurvedic therapies. The panoramic views of the city are eclipsed only by the treatments on offer, which include the $550 Jade Hot Stone Massage and the two-hour Deep Tissue Experience, which relieves stress and tension with a free-flowing, joint-release technique. Both were designed exclusively for the spa.

Rating out of 100: 94.30

Peninsula Spa by ESPA, The Peninsula Hotel, 700 Fifth Avenue at 55th Street, New York (00 1 212 956 2888; www.peninsula.com)

18. Nira Spa, Shanti Maurice

Mauritius

Achieve Ayurvedic bliss at this popular resort spa in the Indian Ocean. Nira Spa, at Shanti Maurice Resort in Mauritius, has been voted a favourite thanks to its stunning location and combined Eastern and Western therapies. Spiritual healing is just as important as guests' mental and physical wellbeing. Traditional meditation is mixed with yoga, a healthy Ayurvedic menu of natural ingredients, water-based fitness and the Eastern philosophy of Vedanta. The spa's signature treatment is its Sega Ritual, which is performed on the beach with bonfires, as chef-prepared organic cane sugar is used to exfoliate the skin followed by a coconut-butter and frangipani-based massage.

Rating out of 100: 94.18

Nira Spa, Shanti Maurice, Riviere des Galets, Chemin Grenier, Mauritius (00 230 603 7200; shantimaurice.com)

19. Maison Guerlain

Paris

Parisian women take the idea of effortless beauty to an art form, and one of their secrets is Guerlain's home on the Champs-Elysées. Follow your nose up the gilded staircase of the perfumery to the spa, a luxurious space of white marble and white orchids.

Sessions start with a one-on-one skin diagnosis, so therapies can be tailored to suit each individual's requirements. The treatment to have is the Orchidée Impériale Prestige Treatment, a two-and-a-half-hour facial that combines Guerlain's anti-ageing products and a massage to rehydrate and redefine contours (bonjour, cheekbones!) you forgot you had. Body treatments include the Slim and Firm Silhouette, where therapists polish, wrap, drain and massage designed to tone and soothe and beautify - all with the minimum amount of effort, at least on your part.

Rating out of 100: 94.05

Maison Guerlain, 68 Avenue des Champs-Élysées, Paris, France (00 33 1 45 62 11 21; www.guerlain.com)

20. Espace Henri Chenot, Merano

Italy

Aiming to deliver a complete medical body overhaul, the Espace Henri Chenot at Palace Merano is more laboratory than spa. Wellness is of paramount importance here; technical medical treatments assess customers' physical and mental health in a clinical way. Biological analysis determine elements such as cardiovascular, osteoporosis and food-intolerance profiles, while a cellulite treatment and tendon-muscle massage eliminates toxins and regenerates cells. Water is used as a crucial natural cure in the spa's hydrotherapy department. Fitness fanatics and the food-conscious can learn about healthy diets and get fit in the in-house gym, swimming pool or sauna.

Rating out of 100: 94.01

Espace Henri Chenot at Palace Merano, Via Cavour 2, Merano, Italy (00 39 0473 271 399; www.palace.it)

21. The Spa at Gleneagles by ESPA, The Gleneagles Hotel, Perthshire

Scotland

With an incredible scenic backdrop, The Spa by Espa at Gleneagles Hotel is located in Scotland's Perthshire countryside. In addition to its award-winning spa, The Gleneagles Hotel boasts an 850-acre estate, along with 232 spacious bedrooms, hair salon and nail bar - making it a perfect secluded retreat to invigorate and revitalise. Lauded for its beautiful natural surroundings, the spa is also commended for blending ancient ayurvedic therapies with modern techniques. There are classic ESPA face and body therapies alongside signature treatments, including the £275 Day Spa Ritual which encompasses a calming foot bath, full body exfoliation and a herb-infused muslin-wrap for aching muscles.

Rating out of 100: 93.60

The Gleneagles Hotel, Auchterarder, Perthshire, Scotland (0800 389 3737 ; www.gleneagles.com)

22. FX Mayr & More, Carinthia

Austria

The emphasis is very much on the medical side of wellbeing at Mayr & More, with treatments supervised by physicians. At Lake Wörthersee in Austria, the health centre and golf hotel is a residential establishment which aims to cleanse the body of impurities, increase energy levels, regenerate bodies and flatten stomachs in a luxury spa setting. It is a favourite for its seclusion and, more importantly, its treatments, which really work - it is not unusual for patients to lose 7lbs in a week. There are a number of different programmes such as the four-day 'Pit Stop Refresh', or the 'Golf Intensive' which combines detoxing with physical fitness. The 'Classic' programme includes a medical examination, a manual abdominal treatment and 50-minute massage - the package can be booked for between one to four weeks.

Rating out of 100: 93.53

FX Mayr & More, Golfstraße 2, Maria Wörth-Dellach, Carinthia, Austria (00 43 4273 25110; www.mayrandmore.com)

23. Clinique La Prairie, Montreux

Switzerland

On the edge of Lake Léman looking out to the Swiss Alps, this wellbeing retreat not only has an incredible anti-ageing centre, but medical expertise in sleep deprivation, dentistry, the menopause and skin cancer, for which they offer screening and treatment. A number of à la carte programmes have been developed for a wide variety of ailments or conditions; for example the Medical & Behavioural Weight Management programme. For 13 nights, guests address yo-yo dieting or compulsive eating with the help of a dietician, a psychologist, a personal fitness trainer, a masseuse and a nutritionist. A range of beauty treatments are also available in the wellness and beauty centre, including French manicures, hand and face collagen masks and hair removal.

Rating out of 100: 93.50

Clinique La Prairie, Montreux, Switzerland (00 41 21 989 3311; www.laprairie.ch)

24. The Spa, Four Seasons Resort Bora Bora

French Polynesia

The Four Seasons Resort in Bora Bora appeared in our Gold List in 2010 and 2011, so it's no wonder that its holistic spa is considered equally as impressive. Overlooking turquoise Pacific waters, on the edge of a lagoon, the spa aims to deliver a personalised service using natural, local Polynesian ingredients where possible and can even perform treatments in your own bungalow. Its Signature Spa Rituals include the 120-minute Deep Sea Purification, which begins with a sea mineral-infused body scrub before a detoxifying algae body mask, facial and finally an all-over application of moisturiser. The spa also has treatments exclusively for teens, private yoga sessions and a choice of personalised massages.

Rating out of 100: 93.37

The Spa, Four Seasons Resort Bora Bora, French Polynesia (00 93.37 689 603 130; www.fourseasons.com)

25. SHA Wellness Clinic, Alicante

Spain

Considered one of the best medical spas in Europe, the SHA Wellness Clinic aims to improve and maintain guests' mental and physical wellbeing by blending ancient Eastern philosophies with contemporary Western techniques. Most of its day-long programmes include a serving of healthy gourmet food alongside various treatments. The Renovating Day programme includes a shiatsu or reiki massage, a pure oxygen session, a revitalising wrap and a session in its hydrotherapy area, in the Turkish bath or bithermal showers. There is a choice of traditional Chinese therapies, including acupuncture; or spa-goers can focus on a specific area such as cellulite - eliminating the skin's orange-peel appearance with ultrasound or presotherapy.

Rating out of 100: 93.34

SHA Wellness Clinic, Calle de Verderol 5, Alicante, Spain (00 34 966 811 199; www.shawellnessclinic.com)

26. The Spa, Four Seasons Hotel London at Park Lane

London 

The new 10th-floor rooftop spa at the recently renovated Four Seasons hotel looks out over Hyde Park and the rooftops of London, all the way to the London Eye. Even the sauna and nine treatment rooms have windows to make the most of this view, though you can be sure that, all the way up here, no one can see in. By contrast, the pre-treatment waiting area is dark red and cosy with a flickering fire.

The treatments here are special, such as the Omorovicza Anti-Ageing Lightening and Brightening Facial (£160), which combines a copper peel, radiance-renewal serum and cream, and a light, Hungarian-technique massage to stimulate blood flow, leaving skin looking plumper and more even. Afterwards, you're left to relax in your own little pod, with Bose headphones and herbal tea.

Rating out of 100: 93.32

The Spa, Four Seasons Hotel London at Park Lane, Hamilton Place, Park Lane, London (020 7319 5480; www.fourseasons.com)

27. Chuan Spa, The Langham

Melbourne

Based on the Chinese five-elements theory, treatments at Chuan Spa are designed to work for both body and mind. The name, Chuan, means 'serene course of water', and so the day spa incorporates marine-based therapies. Treatments offered with Australian-made Chuan products include the vitality treatment, which comprises a double exfoliation, detoxifying bath in green-tea-infused water, and a facial and hair mask. It finishes with a steam shower to revitalise skin.

Rating out of 100: 92.98

Chuan Spa, The Langham, One Southgate Avenue, Southbank, Melbourne, Australia (00 61 3 8696 8888; www.langhamhotels.com)

28. The Spa, Coral Reef Club

Barbados

The gentle sound of falling water and the sweet smell of fragrant flowers is never far away at Coral Reef Club. The spa décor is inspired by nature, with small waterfalls and winding vegetation dominating the colonial-style building. Each of the four treatment rooms has a private 'foot ritual' patio and garden, and there's an outdoor pavilion for couples' treatments. Anti-ageing facials use Natura Bissé products and body treatments use plants, herbs and fruits from the island. Manicures and pedicures are also offered.

Rating out of 100: 92.87

The Spa, Coral Reef Club, St James, Barbados (00 1 246 422 2372; www.coralreefbarbados.com)

29. Asian Spa City Retreat, Athenaeum InterContinental Athens

Athens

The spa at the Athenaeum Athens has seven treatments rooms, a sauna, hammam, whirlpool and experience shower. A range of marine cosmetics and thalassotherapy treatments are offered alongside body treatments and facials, some of which use Phytomer products. For couples, the 130-minute, signature Lobi-Lobi treatment includes a chocolate scrub and mask, massage, and time in the Jacuzzi and steam room. Treatments can also be taken in-room.

Rating out of 100: 92.77

Asian Spa City Retreat, Athenaeum InterContinental, Syngrou 89-93, Athens, Greece (00 30 210 9206580; www.asianspa.gr)

30. Vinothérapie Spa, Les Sources de Caudalie

Bordeaux

Set within the vineyards of Château Smith Haut Lafitte, Les Sources de Caudalie is an elegant hotel with a focus on wellbeing. The Vinothérapie Spa that utilises the beneficial properties of grapes and natural spring water. All treatments - and its own range of beauty products - are designed to include grapes and French wines: the Crushed Cabernet Scrub, for example, uses grapeseed, honey, brown sugar and essential oils to exfoliate skin.Guests can also bathe in red wine and grape pomace (the remains of pressed grape), be massaged with fresh grapes or wrapped in honey and wine.

Rating out of 100: 92.13

Vinothérapie Spa, Les Sources de Caudalie, Bordeaux, France (00 33 557 83 83 83; www.sources-caudalie.com)