The winners of the 2015 Wellness Travel Awards were announced by Spafinder Wellness 365 today (4 November) at the World Travel Market in London.

Inaugurated in 2014, the Wellness Travel Awards recognise the demand for healthier travel options and honour hotels, resorts, destination spas and retreats worldwide offering the best wellness vacations and experiences.

Winners were selected by a global panel of 33 spa and wellness travel editors and experts from all over the world, including Spa Business managing editor Katie Barnes. The panel nominated 504 properties for consideration before narrowing the field to finalists in 53 countries and regions, while consumers voted for their favourite locations across 20 categories.

Reflecting the rapid growth and diversity of the wellness travel landscape, of the 43 properties winning Country/Region Awards, only six were winners in 2014.

The awards were presented by chief brand officer of Spafinder Wellness, Inc Mia Kyricos and Spafinder Wellness COO John Bevan. The prizes are split into three categories: Crystal Awards, given to the top properties on six continents; Country/Region Awards, which recognise top properties in 43 countries/regions; and Category Awards, recognising the top 10 destinations that offer exceptional wellness experiences in 20 special categories, such as “Best New Spa & Wellness Property” and “Best Overall Healthy Living Programme.”

“We are honoured to recognise the best in wellness travel from all corners of the globe,” said Kyricos. “Our objective is to help travellers identify options for their ideal wellness vacations, while also recognising the excellence and innovation that exists in this rapidly growing sector of the travel industry."

Crystal Awards Winners:

• Africa: Thalaspa Henri Chenot at Lion in the Sun

• Asia: COMO Shambhala Estate• Australia: Gwinganna Lifestyle Retreat

• Europe: SHA Wellness Clinic• North America: Canyon Ranch in Tucson

• South America: Kurotel Longevity Medical Center and Spa

Country/Region Awards: Winners in the leading countries for wellness travel are:

• US: Canyon Ranch in Tucson• Germany: Lanserof Tegernsee

• France: Four Seasons Hotel George V• Japan: Gora Kadan

• Austria: Rogner Bad Blumau• Canada: Spa Eastman

• Italy: Lefay Resort & SPA Lago di Garda• Switzerland: Grand Resort Bad Ragaz

• China: Four Seasons Hotel Shanghai at Pudong• UK: ESPA Life at Corinthia London

All 43 country and region winners can be seen at the Wellness Travel Awards website by clicking here.

Category Awards: Voters also recognised the top 10 destinations in 20 “Best for” categories, with eight spas garnering the most honours

Canyon Ranch in Tucson (U.S.), Mii amo (U.S.) and COMO Shambhala Estate (Indonesia) were winners in 10 categories, while Gwinganna Lifestyle Retreat (Australia), Kurotel Longevity Medical Center and Spa (Brazil) and SHA Wellness Clinic (Spain) won in eight. Lanserhof Tegernsee (Germany) and Spa Eastman (Canada) won in seven categories.

“Spafinder Wellness 365 would like to thank the panelists who contributed their time and expertise to ensure that the top wellness travel locations around the world were nominated for these awards, along with the 10,000-plus consumers who cast votes,” added Bevan.

“I would also like to congratulate every one of the nominees and finalists. Each of these properties is a global standout in the wide world of wellness travel.”