The Awards will be judged by a panel of judges comprising noted social personalities, editors of regional spa publications, tour operators and spa enthusiasts. For the purpose of impartiality, none of the judges are owners, operators or managers of any spa or wellness centre.

Screening

All nominations received were screened to determine the following:

1. Length of operations: minimum 1 year of operations (with the exception of ‘new’ categories)
2. Operating license: avalid operating license from the relevant authorities
3. Business sustainability: the operations generated substantial volume and profitability to ensure continuity
4. Treatment range: the treatments range reflected their suitability for the respective categories nominated
5. Category: to ensure that the nominee submitted the right nominations for the right categories, and their eligibility for the category (ies) submitted

Visitation / ‘Mystery Shopping’

Shortlisted nominees were visited to determine the following:

1. Accuracy of description: based on the nomination forms
2. Ambience and environment
3. Customer’s feedback: including existing testimonials and treatment reports

In some cases, the Organisers sampled and paid for treatments at the nominated spa and wellness centres. This was done anonymously to ascertain treatment standards, customer service, etc. A report was then submitted to the Judging Committee for deliberation.

Judging

Amongst the criteria considered are:

1. Excellence: has the potential award winner achieved excellence, having consciously promoted the practice of excellence in their operations?
2. Customer Service: has the potential award winner demonstrated good customer service, recognizes the excellent service delivery is the cornerstone of the spa and wellness industry?
3. Consistency: has the potential winner shown consistency over the years and are likely to maintain their leadership in the industry?
4. ‘Face-of-Malaysia’: has the potential winner demonstrated their ability to be a marketed to foreign tourists, as an example of an excellent Malaysia spa and wellness centre

Spa and Wellness Centre  and Special Achievement Category

A mystery visit will be conducted on all nominees by a member of the panel of judges or the appointed audit firm. At the conclusion of the mystery visit, a review form will be completed and submitted to the panel of judges as a key component to the judging process.

Weightings are given in the following areas: spa ambience, design and cleanliness; customer service, staff presentation, product knowledge and value; pre-treatment, treatment (technique, execution and efficacy) and post-treatment; treatment menu, products used, spa cuisine (where applicable) and spa retail (where applicable)

Treatment Vouchers

To facilitate judging, nominees are to provide two (2) vouchers, which can be closed (specified amount or treatments) or open (any treatment / combination), but MUST include where applicable a massage treatment (preferable a signature treatment) and a body treatment (scrub, wrap or similar). The vouchers should be valid until 31 December 2008, and need only be surrendered upon payment. If your spa is located in a hotel or resort outside of Klang Valley, then a one (1) night accommodation voucher
on lowest room category is appreciated, although not compulsory.

People and Innovations

Nominees should submit comprehensive products profile, including reference sites for inspections. In the case of Best Spa Manager and Best Spa Therapist, a comprehensive CV is to be enclosed, stating clearly their respective achievements and why they are deserving to be awarded the winners. To facilitate judging, nominees for product categories should provide non-returnable products samples of no less than 8 SKUs
(if available), in either actual or sample size for testing and authentication. Salon-packs and products submitted without the brand’s logo on the packaging is not acceptable. Nominees for other categories should submit any supporting documentation that is deemed necessary for proper and fair evaluation of their merits for the purpose of judging.