The World's Most Stunning Award-Winning Spas (And Why Your Skin Deserves This Level of Luxury)
Hi darling ,
I’d love to share something I’m passionate about: exceptional spa experiences that truly restore both body and mind. After years of exploring award-winning wellness destinations around the world, I’ve discovered there’s a remarkable difference between ordinary spa visits and transformative retreats at architecturally stunning properties.
These extraordinary spaces are designed by the same visionaries who create world-class museums and galleries. Every detail—from the treatment rooms to the surrounding environment—has been thoughtfully crafted to create an experience that goes beyond relaxation.
The result? Your skin will be rejuvenated, your stress will melt away, and you’ll come home with memories (and photos) of spaces so beautiful they feel almost otherworldly. These aren’t just spa treatments—they’re investments in your wellbeing that you’ll treasure long after you return home.
What makes these destinations special is how they honor both the science of skincare and the art of creating truly restorative environments. It’s the kind of experience we all deserve but rarely give ourselves permission to enjoy.
1. Six Senses Spa at Southern Dunes, Saudi Arabia - World's Best Spa Design 2024
Why Your Skin Needs This: Winner of World's Best Spa Design 2024, this isn't just a spa—it's a 3,974 square-meter wellness temple in the Saudi Arabian desert.
The Design That'll Blow Your Mind: The spa reflects the Saudi Arabian landscape, bringing the outdoors in as a reflection of sweeping dunes and soothing sandy tones. Set over two floors, the upper floor has a state-of-the-art gym with unrivaled desert views, while the lower floor features self-shaded water surfaces and deep cold pools creating contrast to the hot climate.
The Treatment That Changes Everything: Their signature "Desert Bliss" treatment invites you to stretch out on a heated bed of quartz sand, using craniosacral techniques to melt away stress and restore body-mind balance. Plus, local Arabic influences bring frankincense notes reminiscent of the region's incense heritage.
The Science Factor: They use Skin Instant Lab technology for full skin diagnosis and personalized treatments, plus biomarker analysis to understand what your body actually needs.
Book Through: Available on Booking.com - expect $800-1,200/night rates but honestly worth every riyal
2. JOALI BEING, Maldives - World Spa Awards Nominee 2024
Why Book: This isn't just a spa—it's the Maldives' first wellness-focused resort where every single experience is designed around your wellbeing.
The Unique Factor: Four different wellbeing pillars with treatments designed around your specific needs, not just generic relaxation. Think personalized wellness programs that actually make a difference.
The Instagram Moment: Overwater treatment pavilions where you can literally hear the ocean beneath you during your massage.
Book Through: Luxury travel advisors or direct with resort
3. Mandarin Oriental Spa Brand - World's Best Hotel Spa Brand 2024 (Third Consecutive Year!)
Why They Keep Winning: When a spa brand wins the world's top award three years running, you pay attention. Their consistency across properties worldwide is unmatched.
The Philosophy: Each Mandarin Oriental spa adapts to its location while maintaining its signature excellence. Whether you're in Tokyo, London, or New York, you know you're getting world-class treatments.
What Sets Them Apart: Their therapists undergo rigorous training programs, and their treatment menus combine ancient Eastern wellness philosophies with cutting-edge Western techniques.
Book Through: Available on major booking platforms - look for properties in Mayfair - London, Paris, Bangkok, Hong Kong and Muscat - Oman.
4. AWAKEN Spa at Atlantis The Royal, Dubai - World Spa Awards Nominee 2024
Why Your Skin Deserves This: Located in one of Dubai's most photographed hotels, this spa brings together architectural drama with serious wellness credentials.
The Design Edge: Every treatment room has been designed as a sanctuary, with floor-to-ceiling windows offering views across Dubai's skyline or the Arabian Gulf.
The Treatment Menu: They've created exclusive treatments you literally cannot get anywhere else, using rare ingredients and techniques developed specifically for their location.
Book Through: Available on Booking.com and luxury hotel platforms
5. Dior Spa at The Lana, Dorchester Collection, Dubai - World Spa Awards Nominee 2024
Why Book: When Dior creates a spa, you know it's going to be about luxury that makes ordinary high-end treatments look amateur.
The Dior Difference: Treatments using Dior's exclusive skincare lines with protocols developed specifically for this spa. Your skin gets products that cost more than most people's monthly beauty budget.
The Location Advantage: The Lana is already one of Dubai's most stunning hotels, and their spa takes that architectural excellence to the next level.
Book Through: Direct with hotel or luxury travel advisors
6. Guerlain Spa at Raffles London at The OWO, England - World Spa Awards Nominee 2024
Why Your Skin Will Transform: Guerlain has been perfecting luxury skincare since 1828, and this spa represents the pinnacle of their expertise.
The Historic Setting: Located in the former Old War Office building, this spa combines British heritage with French beauty excellence in a way that feels both timeless and contemporary.
The Exclusive Factor: Treatments here use Guerlain's most advanced formulations, many of which aren't available in their regular retail lines.
Book Through: Available through Raffles website and luxury booking platforms
7. Lanserhof Sylt, Germany - World Spa Awards Nominee 2024
Why This Matters: Lanserhof isn't just about relaxation—it's about medical wellness that actually changes your health, backed by serious science.
The German Precision: Their approach combines traditional European wellness techniques with cutting-edge medical diagnostics. You leave not just relaxed, but genuinely healthier.
The Treatment Philosophy: Multi-day programs that reset your entire system, from gut health to stress management to sleep optimization.
Book Through: Direct with resort - this requires serious commitment but delivers life-changing results
8. Laurea Spa at Savoy Palace, Portugal - World Spa Awards Nominee 2024
Why Book: Located in Madeira, this spa offers treatments with volcanic elements unique to the island, combined with Portuguese wellness traditions.
The Island Advantage: Treatments incorporate local ingredients like Madeira wine extracts and volcanic minerals that you can't experience anywhere else.
The Design Story: The spa architecture reflects Madeira's natural beauty while providing a serene escape from the outside world.
Book Through: Available on major booking platforms
9. AIRE Sevilla, Spain - World Spa Awards Nominee 2024
Why Your Stress Levels Need This: This isn't a hotel spa—it's a standalone experience in a restored 16th-century palace where thermal baths meet modern wellness.
The Historic Magic: Ancient thermal bath traditions in a setting so beautiful you'll think you've stepped into a period film.
The Thermal Experience: Multiple pools at different temperatures, steam rooms, and treatments inspired by centuries-old Spanish wellness rituals.
Book Through: Direct booking required - this is a day spa experience not to be missed
10. Alpine Spa at Bürgenstock Hotel, Switzerland - World Spa Awards Nominee 2024
Why Your Skin Deserves Alpine Air: At 1,600 meters above sea level, this spa offers treatments enhanced by pure mountain air and stunning Lake Lucerne views.
The Altitude Advantage: The high-altitude location naturally boosts your skin's regeneration, making every treatment more effective than it would be at sea level.
The View Factor: Floor-to-ceiling windows mean you're surrounded by Swiss Alpine beauty during every treatment.
Book Through: Available on luxury booking platforms
The Science Behind Award-Winning Spas
Why These Spas Actually Work:
Advanced Diagnostics: Properties like Six Senses use biomarker analysis and skin diagnostic technology to create truly personalized treatments, not just one-size-fits-all relaxation.
Architectural Psychology: The design of these spaces isn't just pretty—it's scientifically proven to reduce cortisol levels and promote healing.
Exclusive Formulations: Many offer treatments using ingredients and techniques you literally cannot access anywhere else.
Therapist Training: Award-winning spas invest serious money in training their therapists, often requiring certifications that take months to complete.
Planning Your Award-Winning Spa Experience
Booking Strategy:
Book 2-3 months ahead for properties in high-demand locations
Weekdays are golden - better availability and sometimes lower rates
Mention special occasions - many spas include complimentary enhancements
What to Pack:
Comfortable, loose clothing for post-treatment relaxation
Minimal jewelry - you'll want to remove everything anyway
Hair ties if you have long hair
Flip-flops or slip-on shoes for easy removal
Maximizing Your Experience:
Arrive 30 minutes early to enjoy facilities and settle in
Hydrate seriously before and after treatments
Turn off your phone - these spas are designed for digital detox
Book consecutive treatments if staying multiple days
The Investment Reality
Yes, these spa experiences cost more than your typical massage. But consider:
Treatments often last 90-120 minutes vs. standard 60-minute sessions
Products used are frequently worth hundreds of dollars per application
The settings are architectural masterpieces - you're paying for the entire experience
Therapist expertise is unmatched - these aren't weekend-trained massage therapists
Why Your Skin Actually Deserves This Level of Luxury
Look, life is stressful, and most of us spend more on coffee each month than we do on proper skincare experiences. These award-winning spas represent the pinnacle of what's possible when serious money, design genius, and wellness expertise combine.
Your skin is your largest organ, you live in it 24/7, and it deserves better than whatever's happening at that strip mall spa with the Groupon deals. These properties win international awards because they're genuinely transformative, not just relaxing.
Book one, experience the difference, and prepare to never look at regular spa treatments the same way again.
Until next time, darling. Your skin will thank you.
Planning Your Spa-Focused Travel
Photography Gear: Good lighting apps for spa selfies (post-treatment glow is real!) Skincare Prep: Stop harsh treatments 1 week before arrival Recovery Planning: Book nothing strenuous for 24 hours post-spa day
Check out my other blogs on spas - which I love, and have spent a far amount of time enjoying over the years - HERE
A Wise Woman Note
A wellness retreat doesn’t have to be life-changing. But it should be life-enhancing. The best ones aren’t necessarily the most expensive, remote, or restrictive. They’re the ones that meet you where you are, offer something real, and give you back a little more of yourself than you arrived with.
Start with that — and the rest will follow.