Stephanies Spa Retreat has been named “Best Hotel Day Spa” at the 2010 Australasian Spas of Excellence Awards by ASpa.

“It’s an honour to be recognised by our peers as a leader in the spa industry and we’re absolutely thrilled to have been awarded Best Hotel Day Spa in Australasia! ” says Stephanie Shepherd, CEO and Founder.

Stephanies Spa Retreat is located on level three of Sofitel Brisbane Central and is a welcome city escape for locals in the “know” and visiting celebrities. The luxury spa opened at Sofitel in June 2007 and offers an impressive menu of beauty treatments, spa therapies and exclusive signature treatments such as anti aging Vino Therapies and the unique Opal Rasul Treatment.

“We congratulate Stephanie and the Spa Retreat team on their recent award win,” says Tony Chisholm, General Manager Sofitel Brisbane Central.  “The Spa Retreat celebrates the French heritage of Sofitel through their many French inspired treatments; and we’re very proud to offer our guests the best day spa in Australasia”, adds Chisholm.

The “Best Hotel Day Spa” award recognises the continued excellence in the operation of the Spa Retreat in a hotel environment by demonstrating adherence to the Spa Operator Standards outlined in the ASpa Professional Code of Ethics. The award assessment is based 50% on the judge’s preliminary assessment and 50% on a secret shopper spa experience.  A judging panel of five industry experts assess finalists across several categories; including spa menu, wellbeing and beauty services, relaxation spaces, staff training, competitor differences and treatments which reflect the spa’s concept and philosophy.

“ASpa is proud of the success of the awards and congratulates all of the well-deserving winners, along with all others nominated.” ASpa president, Karen Goudge said.

Stephanies Spa Retreat boasts 8 treatments rooms, including individual suites and a couple’s suite. The sensory and tranquility lounges are ideal for group bookings and are popular for corporate team building, hen’s evenings, pre-wedding parties and baby showers. The “Opal Rasul Temple” is undoubtedly the masterpiece of the spa. The unique mosaic dome style cave is the only one of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere and its benefits have been enjoyed by the likes of many sports identities and musical starlets. A popular experience for friends to enjoy together, The Opal Rasul Temple can accommodate up to 4 adults. The treatment is a sultry one-hour journey of mud therapy, warm steam and tropical rain showers, experienced under a starlit dome within a bronze and turquoise mosaic temple.

“My vision and desire has always been to combine beauty therapies with peaceful places of harmony and balance. Even if clients are only visiting for a short time, we want them to feel they have entered another world when they step through our spa doors. We strive everyday to exceed their expectations and for the Spa Retreat to be recognised as the Best Hotel Day Spa in the country is icing on the cake!” concludes Shepherd.

Article Supplied by Teek Ireland from Brisbane Public Relations Agency - PR Posse