Nomination Criteria
Top 25 Spas in Canada
- Maintains a consistently high standard of luxury, service and quality where indulgence in or enjoyment of comforts and pleasures are a priority in addition to those necessary for a reasonable standard of well-being
- Believes in the precepts of spa wellness and shares these philosophies with guests
- Offers spa programs and menus designed to encourage health-enhancing activities and wellness
- Demonstrates professional client management and business management
- Demonstrates practice and promotion of the highest standard of quality and spa safety
- All specialized/professional team members comply with local, provincial and federal regulations concerning licensing, registration, sanitation and appropriate accreditation or certification and only provide services in their area of the accreditation or certification
- Demonstrates a commitment to providing education, training and professional development opportunities for all team members
- Supports the ongoing improvement of quality and professional spa services offered to the public
- Demonstrates a commitment to sustainable and environmentally safe practices
- Provides a sanctuary away from everyday life for the mind, body and spirit
The following categories demonstrate the above in addition to category-specific criteria.
Top Destination Spa
- Offers a wellness vacation experience
- An integrated experience including spa services and health and wellness classes
- Healthy spa cuisine and nutritional education
- A full program of fitness and stress reduction classes
Top New Spa
- A new spa that has opened since September 1, 2022.
Top Day Spa
- A stand-alone spa facility that does not offer overnight accommodation
- May contains facilities such as a sauna, pool, steam room or whirlpool that guests may use in addition to their treatment
Top Hotel Spa
- Caters to both hotel guests and outside visitors
- Spa facility located within the grounds of a hotel complex
Top Medi-Spa
- Offers a medical program, which uses medical treatments such as lasers, microdermabrasion, injectables and other medical beauty procedures
- Operates under the on-site supervision of a licensed healthcare professional
- Offers traditional, clinical and alternative health practices and treatments in a spa-like setting
Top Hydro Spa
- Offers wellness through water (Sanitas per Aquam) e.g. Nordic, thermal, mineral springs, hydrotherapy
- May also offer other aspects of health and wellness services
Pillar of the Community Award
- Recognizing a business or individual who has supported their community, staff and clients during unprecedented times
- Has contributed to the growth, betterment, and recognition of the Canadian spa industry
Recognizing Canadian Industry Contributors
Education Award
- This award recognizes an individual, business or educational institution developing and delivering high-quality education opportunities for spa practitioners and/or spa professionals in Canada
Top Spa Partner
- This award recognizes an outstanding spa partner that demonstrates good business practices and provides superior support, training and education
- Company or individual providing high-quality service and/or product support to the Canadian spa industry
Top Innovative Spa Product
- Maintains a consistently high standard of luxury and quality through packaging and the actual product
- This product must provide clients with an exceptionally high and consistent level of effectiveness and results
- This product must do something different from or better than existing options available on the market
- This product is stocked at spas in the Canadian spa industry
- The product must be created or a primary portion of the work on the product must have been performed by a Canadian-based company
- This product follows all standards and regulations set out by Health Canada, the Consumer Packaging and Labeling Act and the Consumer Packaging and Labeling Regulations in Canada
- This product must be less than 2 years old
Top Innovative Spa Treatment
- Maintains a consistently high standard of service and quality
- Provides a consistent level of effectiveness for clients
- Is one-of-a-kind wellness experience using new ingredients and/or new technology
- Provides a sanctuary away from everyday life for the mind, body and spirit
Consumer’s Choice
- A Canadian spa offering the best overall experience of increased health and wellness as determined by the consumer
- Consumer’s favourite spa promoting health and wellness
Judging Criteria
- Submissions will be assessed by a panel of distinguished judges based on their qualifying criteria
- The judges will be looking for evidence that each criteria have been met
- Submitted material should demonstrate clearly why the spa/business is thought to be worth an award in its chosen category and how it is an award-winning level
What the Judges Seek
- Judges are seeking points of distinction that make the nomination stand out from the rest
- Clear and specific responses to the criteria
- Evidence to back claims
- A focus on quality not quantity
Common Mistakes
- Failing to structure the application against the judging and nomination criteria
- Failing to address the judging criteria in the application
- Assuming judges know your spa, industry partners or educators
- Failure to really read and interpret the criteria
- Believing that submissions can be sent after the deadline
- Copy and pasting general information from a website, rather than catering the answers to
the criteria