Asia Spa Awards 2018...

To be invited to be a participating judge and then attend the annual AsiaSpa Awards in mid November was a great delight.  To be amongst industry persons from across many countries was inspiring. Here is an update from Asia Spa.....

14th Annual AsiaSpa Awards Recognise the Industry’s Finest

Hong Kong’s most anticipated spa and wellness event of the year, the 14th annual AsiaSpa Awards took place on November 15 at W Hong Kong with the glamorous occasion attended by representatives of the region’s outstanding brands. The 2018 Awards honoured nominees, industry icons and guests, for an evening themed ‘Tokyo Blue’.

A panel of 20 judges selected the best in the business across 26 categories. Awards were presented to spas, hotels and resorts, retreats and products recognised for raising the bar of product and treatment standards.

The elegant evening saw more than 400 professionals celebrate the winners who have demonstrated stellar products and services within the region’s best spas and resorts. These included Maia Spa, Fusion Maia, Da Nang City, Vietnam, which took home ‘Spa of the Year (Southeast Asia & the Pacific)’, while ‘Spa of the Year (North & West Asia)’ went to Chuan Spa, Cordis Hong Kong. Exception Marine, Thalgo was awarded ‘Anti-Ageing Product Line of the Year’, and MDNA Skin, MDNA Skin was recognised as ‘Natural Product Line of the Year’. Gaya Island Resort, Sabah, Malaysia, received ‘Destination Hotel/Resort of the Year’, while The Sukhothai Shanghai, China, was ‘Urban Hotel of the Year’.

“This year’s AsiaSpa Awards are even more special because we’re celebrating the magazine’s 15th anniversary. We’re really proud of the staying power we have in the publishing world as an authority on all things spa and wellness in the region. It’s encouraging to see the commitment to improvement in the industry with so many professionals who are genuinely passionate about delivering authentic wellness through alternative therapies. They are the heart and soul of any spa and we celebrate their valuable contributions to this business. We are also delighted to announce Intraceuticals as our main sponsor for the 2019 awards,” says Stephanie Shiu, editor-in-chief of AsiaSpa magazine.

We at AsiaSpa would like to express our gratitude to our event sponsor, Lapidem Tokyo and special thanks to W Hong Kong for sponsoring this year’s stunning venue. We are also thrilled to have the support of Sans Souci as our trophies sponsor this year. Sans Souci is a Czech producer of bespoke decorative lighting fixtures with over 12 years of experience and expertise in hospitality projects and interior design jobs around the world.

And the AsiaSpa award winners for 2018 are:
Spa of the Year (Southeast Asia & the Pacific)          Maia Spa, Fusion Maia, Da Nang City, Vietnam
Spa of the Year (North & West Asia)                         Chuan Spa, Cordis Hong Kong
Urban Spa of the Year                                                 Bliss Spa, W Hong Kong
Day Spa of the Year                                                    Lapidem Tokyo Spa, Tokyo, Japan
New Spa of the Year                                                   PANPURI WELLNESS, Bangkok, Thailand
Men's Spa of the Year                                                 The Ritz-Carlton Spa, The Ritz-Carlton,                                                                                                       Millenia, Singapore
Eco-Spa of the Year                                                    Gwinganna Lifestyle Retreat, Gold Coast,
                                                                                         Australia
Medi-Spa of the Year                                                  Dii Wellness Medi Spa, Bangkok, Thailand
Destination Retreat Program of the Year                    7-day Ayurvedic Journey, Anantara Spa,                                                                                                      Anantara Tangalle Resort, Sri Lanka
Spa Treatment of the Year                                          Bamboo Fusion Massage, Willow Stream SPA,                                                                                            Fairmont Peace Hotel, Shanghai, China
Couple's Treatment of the Year                                  Vitality of the Hearts, Holistic Sanctuary and                                                                                                Healing Sanctuary Spa, The Farm, Philippines
Men's Spa Treatment of the Year                               Pedi:MENi: Cure by Bastien Gonzalez, The                                                                                                  Oriental Spa, The Landmark Mandarin                                                                                                    Oriental, Hong Kong
Medi-Spa Treatment of the Year                                High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound Aesthetic                                                                                                Facial, Sense of Tough, Hong Kong
Innovative Spa Treatment of the Year                        MARGY'S Monte Carlo Prestige Facial with                                                                                                Platinum Mask, Morpheus Spa, Morpheus                                                                                                Hotel, Macau, China
Professional Spa Product Line of the Year                 BioPhyto, Christina
Results-Orientated Product Line of the Year              Hydrating Collection, Aromatherapy Associates
Anti-Ageing Product Line of the Year                        Exception Marine, Thalgo
New Product Range of the Year                                  Ampoule Concentrates Grand Cru, BABOR
Natural Product Line of the Year                                MDNA Skin, MDNA Skin
Men's Product Line of the Year                                   Muscle Ease Blend, Subtle Energies
Spa Cuisine of the Year                                               Kamalaya Cuisine, Kamalaya Wellness                                                                                                         Sanctuary and Holistic Spa, Koh Samui,                                                                                                   Thailand
Destination Hotel/Resort of the Year                          Gaya Island Resort, Sabah, Malaysia
Urban Hotel of the Year                                              The Sukhothai Shanghai, China
Family-Friendly Hotel/Resort of the Year                  Hyatt Regency Hong Kong, Sha Tin, Hong Kong
Eco-Hotel/Resort of the Year                                      Fivelements, Bali, Indonesia
Romantic Hotel/Resort of the Year                             Ayana Resort and Spa, Bali, Indonesia

Congratulations!

           

Ayurveda in Sri Lanka

Finally, I was heading to Sri Lanka and excited as it has taken me nearly two decades to get there!  A lot changes in that time; initially my reason was for the remoteness and beaches, but now I’d discovered Ayurveda is very much a part of the Sri Lankan life.

Setting up Spa Wellness Travel in 2001 I was curious to Ayurveda and thought I could do little self-assessments on my family and friends what their dosha was, but I sooner discovered there are many components to Ayurveda. Sri Lankan Ayurveda has a long written history of almost 3000 years, but the knowledge has been handed down orally for many more thousands of years. Here is a brief insight to the complex structure of Ayurveda:

Just as the modern medicine is based on physics, chemistry, botany and Zoology, Ayurveda is based on Indian or Hindu Philosophy. The theory of macrocosm and microcosm. That is the man is an epitome of the greater universe. It believes that the matter is composed of five elements (Panchamaha buta).They are Prithvi (earth or hardness), AP (water or liquid), Theja (fire or energy), Vayu (gases state of matter) and Akasha (ethereal state of matter). It is said that matter to exist there should be Kala (time) and Dik (space). With the addition of Manas (mind) and Atma (soul), the matter becomes animate. These components are called the Nithyadravyas or eternal elements.It is very difficult to give exact English equivalents to there highly technical Sanskrit terms. In the universe there are the sun, moon and wind, in the same manner in all living things there are the motion, the liquid component, and the heat or energy component. They are called Vatha, Kapha and Pittha respectively. The human body is composed of Pancha maha butas ie the five basic elements. In the human body they are explained in terms of Dosha, Dhatu, and Mala. Life is the union of body, sense organs, mind and soul.The dosha are vata, pitta, kapha. The 7 Dhatus are Rasa (chyle or nutrient fluid), Rakta (blood), Mansa (muscle tissue), and Medas (fats), Asthi (bone, connective tissue), Asthi majja (bone marrow) and Shukra (reproductive elements or the vital substance). The three main Malas or excretions are purisha (faces) mutra (urine) and sweda (sweat). The doshas when exist in dynamic equilibrium help to maintain the human body in a healthy condition. Then they are called Dhatus. Any disturbance in this equilibrium causes malfunction and results in disease. In that event they are called Doshas. Thus Vata, Pitta, Kapha, are alternatively called Dhatu or Dosha depending on the effect they have on the functioning of the body. ~ Indigenous Medicine, Sri Lanka Government

After my water plane landed in Kandy it was a meandering hours drive through varying little Buddhist and Muslim villages that soon had me at Santani Wellness, Sri Lanka’s newest spa wellness retreat.  The architectural design of the lobby, dining area, spa centre and sixteen free-standing structures is award winning.  I loved the streamline and eco concepts embracing concrete, timber and recycled materials.  Meal time was filled with anticipation wondering what Executive Chef Wajira Gamage with a profiled career spaning France and Sri Lanka working with prestige such as Taj Hotels, Ceylon Tea Trails before joining Santani would be serving.  He advised:

“the philosophy behind his menu is based on the traditional Ayurveda principles. In Ayurveda there are six tastes or “Rasas” – sweet, sour, salty, bitter pungent and astringent, it is recommended that each taste should be included in every meal.  Thus, by incorporating all six tastes in your meal and adjusting the amounts to your personal constitution will help maintain a balanced nutrition and good health, as well as feeling satisfied and eliminating food cravings”. “Taste is made from the same elements that make up the dosha known as space, air, fire, water and earth. Each taste has an effect on each of the three doshas known as Vata, Pitta and Kapha.  When your dosha is are out of balance these six tastes can help repair these imbalances”.  

Then that takes us on meeting resident Dr Ravi Sooraj.  Always favouring a Shirodhara if it appears on a spa menu, I mentioned this to Dr Ravi, who advised “certainly, it will help with insomnia”.  Well, waking the next morning it was like I had been in a very heavy sleep, sure I woke during the night, but then instantly I was back in my heavy sleep of comfort.  My facial the next day deepened by level of relaxation and I can say the use of natural products had my skin glowing for days; as my friend, Laura, can attest to went I met with her days later.  Morning yoga and lazing by the infinity pool watching birds dart here and there with the hills and swaying grasses behind all made for a deserving time away from my work home routine!  That morning yoga class holds another fond memory with the sound of woman about to commence their work in the tea plantation. 

An Ayurvedic experience whether it be a singular spa treatment or a week long program, do I recommended it? Of course!  

BOOK any Ayurvedic package or a Santani Wellness package with Spa Wellness Travel before 31 May and you’ll receive:

OFFER: Santani special room rate must book before 12 May or Stay 7 / Pay 5 Nights with a Santani Wellness package.

GIFT: a Spa Ceylon Ayurveda gift with any Ayurveda or Santani reservation during May - I carry the Pink Lotus Almond in my handbag!

          

 
 
 

Contact Spa Wellness Travel at T: 03-5254 1411 or email us at Reservations

Food Habits...

I wake knowing I need to go for a power walk or do a few salutes to the sun and stretches, but before commencing my regime of activity it’s a drink a glass or two of water.  Without a doubt whilst in the midst of my morning activity, I will start pondering my morning meal. Will it be a green juice, porridge, organic weet-bix with unhomogenised full cream milk, sourdough bread with peanut butter, scrambled eggs and parsley on toast or will I skip it and simply go to my desk with a cup of tea and handful of almonds, time is the essence.

It was after staying at The Farm, that I started blending my green juice at home

There’s not too much routine to my consumption of foods as my daily routine is varied and I like to keep my meals varied.  But there are habits that I do have in place that are a staple:

- my sigg water bottle is always filled with water and with me if I have to head out of the office

- a glass of water is always on my desk, sometimes have fun creating a jug of water filled with herbs or fruits

- a delicious pink lady apple or two also accompanies me (especially in the car when I to see my nephew, he likes an apple)

- a quick meal out to break the desk monotony is a bakery pie + salad or toasty

- days are maxed to three cups of tea at the desk or a couple at the desk and a long black with hot milk on the side at café

- veggies in any quantity, format or combination are consumed at some point in the day

- rarely eat red meat and if its chicken its free range and fish is Australian

- downfall! I do love a cherry ripe, a lemon slice or starfish bakery made muffin

shopping that involves freshness + using recycled bags

TIPS to develop some good food habits:

- pack some nuts, sultanas or fresh fruit for snacks

- purchase a quality water bottle, stop the random purchasing of plastic takeaway bottles, once you have your own you’ll use it

- keep meals fresh as possible whether cooking at home or out – especially if eating out or having take-away you do have options!

- choose foods that are not deep fried, covered in sugar or laden with processed sauces

- herbal tea chilled or a few frozen berries in water instead of any surgery processed drink

- spend a week or so at a spa wellness retreat to experience the wholesome spa cuisine can kick start some good habits

just a sample of what Absolute Sanctuary a serving up from their LOVE Kitchen

What wholesome food tips or habits to you have?

Absolutely You...

Absolute Sanctuary has been a part of our Spa WellnessTravel Collection for several years. Each year there’s a selection process that I go through to make certain that the destination spa we choose to work with is offering a positive experience and outcome for the guest when booking with Spa Wellness Travel.

On the surface, Absolute Sanctuary may look like a solo establishment but for those living in Bangkok; they know there’s much more before it began.  For Benjaporn Karoooknornsakul, it was an inevitable progression for the advancement of Absolute You.  A Thai woman living and working in finance first discovered yoga in 2001 and has been hooked ever since - it resonated with her and she felt the benefits.

On returning to Bangkok, she was adamant she was going to continue her practise and in doing so set about opening her own studio.   As her life and body changed, as it does with age and after having children, her curiosity and dedication to allowing your body to be the best it can be lead to the addition of Pilates reformer classes then CoreBlast classes.  With a mission to improve your lifestyle and evolve you to someone you want to become, Karooknornsakul has created Absolute You. 

Eight studios are now dotted around Bangkok, as well as an Absolute Fitfood outlet - knowing you cannot look and feel good alone on exercise that you do need a nutritional wholesome balance diet to improve your being.  Now this takes us back to where we started, at Absolute Sanctuary.

An award winning destination spa, Absolute Sanctuary in 2016 was awarded “Best for Yoga” by Wellness Travel Awards – spafinder. 

With a large array of fitness and yoga classes at Absolute Sanctuary, guests in the new year can expect an upgrading of facilities, a larger gym and the addition of a rhythm cycling studio in addition two the two new wellness programs – Lifestyle Change and Meaningful Holiday.

Lifestyle Change package is structured over 30 or 60 days with three defined phases to strengthen you and give you the knowledge to take away so your transformed you lives beyond the stay at Absolute Sanctuary!   Enquire and book your stay today.

Spa Wellness Travel reservations: 03-5254 1411

congratulations Kamalaya...

From the onset of opening its doors in 2005, Kamalaya has been an award winner.  When I was a participating judge of AsiaSpa magazine, Kamalaya always featured in the nominations and would walk out with winning at least one award. Whether being industry or tourism focused, the award for cuisine or destination spa, Kamalaya has always been deserving.  Congratulations to them!

At the prestigious Condé Nast Traveller Spa Awards 2016 held in London on 2nd February, Kamalaya Wellness Sanctuary & Holistic Spa was honoured to be named “Best Destination Spa”.

 Each year, the UK’s leading luxury travel magazine selects the world’s best spas in just nine categories setting an internationally recognised benchmark for the wellness industry. This year’s winners are also announced in the magazine’s annual Spa Guide, released this week. The guide spotlights the best places in the world to relax, recharge and be well; demanding consistently high standards, excellent service and palpable results. Kamalaya founders Karina and John Stewart were extremely moved to receive this accolade, which was presented by Condé Nast Traveller’s editor Melinda Stevens: “We are thrilled and honoured to receive this esteemed award from Condé Nast Traveller and are truly grateful for the outstanding recognition this award bestows on the Kamalaya team whose warm-hearted dedication to our guests is such an inspiration. With immense gratitude and heartfelt appreciation we thank the Condé Nast Traveller experts and our whole Kamalaya family including our loyal guests.”



Whether a first time guest or a repeat guest, maintaining or needing to enhance your happiness and wellbeing,  Kamalaya Koh Samui has a great array of purposely designed programs.

For advise and reservations contact: T: 03-5254 1411