SpaFinder, Inc., the global spa resource, has announced that Chiva-Som has been named spa-goers’ favorite spa in Thailand and top 10 spas in the best medical program as part of its sixth annual SpaFinder Readers’ Choice Awards. Nearly 250,000 votes — a record for the Readers’ Choice Awards — were submitted worldwide by readers of SpaFinder publications, including Spafinder.com, making the awards the most complete consumer assessment of the global spa market.

“Now in its sixth year, our Readers’ Choice Awards are without question the global spa industry’s premier awards — our answer to the Academy Awards,” said SpaFinder, Inc. President Susie Ellis. “Now that there are nearly 13,000 resort, hotel and destination spas operating worldwide, for Chiva-Som to be singled out by our readers represents a significant honor.”

“We are absolutely thrilled to have been chosen for these two awards, and especially proud as per the last years success to continue to receive awards”, commented Chiva-Som’s General Manager, Paul Linder. “Chiva-Som continually strives to expand its treatment range and service through Thai hospitality to provide a memorable experience to our guests. Our entire Chiva-Som team would like to thank the readers of SpaFinder who support Chiva-Som.”

It’s a Spa World After All …
Reflecting the rapid globalization of the spa industry, SpaFinder readers and web visitors selected their favorite spas globally — from traditional spa destinations like Thailand and the Caribbean, to emerging spa markets like China, Russia and the Czech Republic. In all, ballots were cast for more than 1,500 different spa properties around the globe. Voters were asked to only cast ballots for stay spas they’ve personally visited within the past three years.

Readers and web visitors also selected their favorite overall spa in each of six continents as well as their picks for the best spas across a wide range of specific categories such as “best hiking,” “best cuisine,” “best for weight loss,” etc.

Chiva-Som’s Readers’ Choice Award will be formally presented during an invitation-only gala at the new Spa by Guerlain® in the Waldorf Astoria Hotel of New York on October 14th, 2008.

Visit Spafinder.com for a Complete List of 2008 Readers’ Choice Winners
A complete list of Readers’ Choice Award winners will be featured in SpaFinder’s 2008 Global SpaFinder, the definitive worldwide spa directory, and can be viewed at http://www.spafinder.com/spaguide/readerschoice/2008.jsp.

About Chiva-Som:
A secluded world of beauty and serenity, Chiva-Som is the “Haven of Life” – a luxury health resort dedicated to revitalising the mind, body and spirit. The beachfront resort represents tranquility at its best with luxurious accommodation, nestled within lush tropical gardens.

Focusing on greater well-being and vitality, Chiva-Som offers extensive fitness, spa and holistic health facilities to help you relax, restore, rejuvenate and redirect. Personalised programmes and treatments are designed for everyone, blending Eastern philosophies with Western diagnostic skills. Widely regarded as the Best Destination Spa in the World, Chiva-Som welcomes you with unique Thai hospitality. Located in the Royal city of Hua Hin, the resort is less than three hours by car south of Bangkok.

Chiva-Som is the proud recipient of numerous accolades, most recently: ‘Best Spa in the World’ Daily Telegraph’s Ultratravel magazine 2008; ‘Best Overseas Spa’ Luxury Travel and Spa Magazine 2008; 'Top 5 Overseas Spa Retreat'; Conde Nast Traveller 2007 Readers’ Awards (and every year since 1999); 'Top 15 Best Destination Spas’ Travel + Leisure World’s Best Spas 2007; ‘Favorite Spa in Asia’ and ‘Top 10 Best Spa Cuisine’ Spa Finder 2007; and ‘Best Overseas Spa’ Luxury Travel & Style Magazine Australia 2007.

About SpaFinder, Inc.
The world’s largest spa media, marketing and gifting company, SpaFinder, Inc. connects millions of wellness-focused consumers with thousands of spas worldwide. SpaFinder’s media properties include the award-winning Spafinder.com, SpaFinder Lifestyle webazine, Spa Enthusiast, and the worldwide spa directory, Global SpaFinder. SpaFinder Gift Certificates and its new gift division, Spa & Salon Wish, offer spa gift certificates and cards that are redeemable at a combined network of over 7,000 spas and salons worldwide and are available at thousands of retail outlets. The company’s software division innovates new solutions that help spas build and streamline their businesses, including the popular Spa Booker online booking system. SpaFinder Europe and SpaFinder Japan offer regional spa marketing and gifting programs, including localized, native-language websites. Founded in 1986, the privately held company is headquartered in Manhattan.

Source: Chiva-Som release dated September 22, 2008