Hydrothermal Garden Pool

Sami Ayari accepting the Gala Spa Award

Kingdom of Bahrain, March 20th, 2008 - The team at Banyan Tree Desert Spa and Resort, Al Areen brought home the Gala Spa Award for Best Luxury Hotel City/Resort to Bahrain recently. The Gala Spa Awards, the most important beauty and spa awards worldwide, is organised by Gala, a well-known German lifestyle magazine.

Sami Ayari, Area General Manager Bahrain and Abu Dhabi and General Manager of Banyan Tree Al Areen, attended the awards ceremony at the Brenner's Park Hotel, Baden-Baden, Germany where he accepted the Best Luxury Hotel City/Resort Award from Frank Marrenbach, Managing Director of Brenner's Park Hotel and Spa, Baden-Baden.

"I am extremely happy to receive this special honour for our resort. This award is a great compliment to our team and will motivate us to constantly improve the quality of our services to continually exceed the expectations of our guests," said Sami Ayari. "Our aim is for every guest to enjoy our holistic approach to wellbeing and relaxation and to leave Banyan Tree Al Areen with a special and unique experience."

One of the main points highlighted by the jury for the Banyan Tree's success is its approach of caring for the whole being. All spa therapists at the Banyan Tree are trained at the Banyan Tree Academy in Phuket, Thailand. The Academy is recognised by the Thai Ministry for Education and Health and all therapists undergo a course that includes theory and practical sessions as well as an induction to the Banyan Tree values to ensure all team members match up to the high quality standards set by Banyan Tree.

The Gala Spa Awards is now in its 12th year. Each year the jury receives hundreds of entries from around the world in seven different categories. This year 139 product lines with a total of 321 products and 114 hotel/day spas from 17 countries entered.

The Awards dinner was attended by more than 300 people including celebrities and representatives from the spa, hotel and cosmetic industry.

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About Banyan Tree Hotels and Resorts
As one of the world's leading international operators of boutique resorts, residences and spas, Banyan Tree encapsulates the essence of Asian hospitality - secluded havens blending romance and discovery: a'Sanctuary for the Senses'. Each Banyan Tree property prides itself on embracing its location, capturing a sense of place. Angsana Resorts & Spa is the perfect complement to Banyan Tree. Each of these unique properties and spas offers individual style, while being united by superb design and sumptuous interiors. Located in vibrant cultural centres or areas of outstanding natural beauty, Angsana Resorts & Spa exude the spirit of their surroundings. The Group's long-term commitment to environmental awareness and its work with social enterprises is showcased at Banyan Tree Gallery retail stores, where crafts, gifts and beauty products appeal to today's travellers with a conscience.

To date, the Banyan Tree Group manages and/or has ownership interests in over 20 resorts and hotels, over 60 spas, in excess of 60 retail galleries; as well as two golf courses.

 

© Press Release 2008