The AYANA Resort and Spa Bali recently added another feather to its cap when its Thermes Marins Bali Spa bagged the Conde Nast Traveller Readers’ Spa Awards 2010. The holidaymakers’ bible also named the spa, which features traditional Indonesian cures and cutting-edge European restoratives amid a lush tropical setting – its Favourite Hotel Spa in Asia and Indian sub-continent.

These awards come on the heels of AYANA’s listing on the Conde Nast Traveller 2010 Gold List (Best Hotels in Asia) in January, a World Travel Award as Asia’s Leading Luxury Resort last November, as well as Second Best Hotel in Bali by Destinasian magazine last year, mere months after it rebranded itself in April 2009.

Previously known as The Ritz-Carlton Bali Resort and Spa, the rebranding took place after a management change started by the owner who had pumped in millions to solidify AYANA’s status as the premier Southeast Asian resort.

During the facelift, the hotel’s Padi and Damar Terrace restaurants and AYANA ballroom were renovated while the new Rock Bar, located on rocks against the ocean, was introduced.

West Paces Hotel Group, helmed by former president and founder of The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company Horst Schulze, was chosen to manage the 77ha property, maintaining most of its 950-strong staff. Meanwhile, general manager Charles de Foucault was chosen for his experience of over 30 years, including 17 with Ritz-Carlton hotels.

“It’s a great honour to win Conde Nast’s highest award in this prestigious survey of international travellers. This award recognises our position as a world leader in both Thalassotherapy and traditional Indonesian remedies, and nothing gives us more pleasure than sharing the benefits of our wellbeing philosophy with our guests,” said AYANA’s director of Spa and Business Development (Japan), Michi Sonoda.

“The spa industry worldwide has undergone significant change in recent years as modern travellers seek the type of holiday where they can completely rebalance and revive their senses, to ease the stress of their increasingly hectic lives,” he added.

The Thermes Marins Bali Spa – the only such spa in Southeast Asia – boasts the largest of its signature Aquatonic Seawater Jet Pools, which is filled with seawater piped in from the underlying ocean that is then heated to optimal temperatures, bringing out its healing and preventive properties.

The 22,000 sq m facility houses villas, treatment rooms, beauty salon, reflexology and relaxation lounge, and the Spa on the Rocks treatment villas anchored on rocks amidst the ocean. It also boasts an array of traditional Eastern cures and cutting-edge European treatments that include Thalassotherapy, massage, facials, hair, nail care, anti-aging and slimming treatments. Some of the high-end products used include La Mer, Thermes Marins, Guinot and Decleor.