Hotel Spa of the Year 

Spa Facilities

• Impressive spa décor and design characteristics;
• Appropriate music and atmosphere;
• General cleanliness and hygiene of facilities, change rooms, saunas and spas;
• Directional signage detailing spa location and how to use equipment (e.g. how to use sauna or spa);
• Change room facility amenities (e.g. availability of secure facilities for guest valuables and sanitising wipes);
• Safety of the spa facilities (e.g. slippery when wet floor signage);
• Availability of fresh towels and water;
• Presentation of spa treatments and services, including how these are promoted (e.g. brochures and/or website);

Spa Services

• Range and pricing of treatment options available, relative to hotel’s target market.;
• Variety of additional services offered (e.g. beauty treatments, waxing, makeup application and food and beverage offers within the spa).;
• Treatments are performed professionally and guest does not experience excessive delays during their visit;
• Availability of gift vouchers and gift packs;
• Promotion of special offers.;

Spa Staff

• Staff were welcoming, engaging and professional at all times;
• Staff grooming and uniform;
• Knowledge and explanation of treatments available;
• Staff used upselling techniques to maximise revenue from guests. (e.g. listen to guest’s needs and suggesting an appropriate or additional service);
• Demonstrate initiative to pre-empt customer needs (e.g. offering guests beverages or towels before or after a treatment);
• Efficiency and professionalism in reservation process via telephone;
• Clear communication of spa etiquette including reservation process, cancellation policy, post care treatment and what to expect on arrival and during treatment;

General criteria

• Natural ambience, including pleasant décor, unique features, views, lighting and background music;
• Measure of popularity relative to day of week;
• Cleanliness of room and appropriate room temperature;
• Appropriate separation between BOH and FOH activities;
• Cleanliness and hygiene of toilets, including relevant directional signage.

Overall Judge’s Experience

• In each property category, judges will rate their overall guest experience, enjoyed during their stay, on a scale of 1-10, factoring in observations from all areas they have assessed.
• This mark will be included in the overall judging tally, to determine Award winners.