Conde Nast Traveller Readers’ Spa Awards has awarded the Daintree Eco Lodge & Spa in tropical north Queensland the “Best Spa in Australia and the South Pacific” in 2004 London editor of Conde Nast Traveller, Sarah Miller, presented the award stating, “history has been made tonight as this is the inaugural Conde Nast World Spa Awards for 2004. These awards were voted by the consumer. The Readers Awards are from world travelers who have chosen from a strict criteria and rated each of the top spas of the world out of 100 points.”

In a gala presentation held at the Mandarin Oriental, Hyde Park, London on February 9th, London-based, Tourism Queensland representative, Ms Charesse Tokley, accepted the award on behalf of the owners, the Maloney family and Daintree Eco Lodge & Spa. The world renowned publication, Conde Nast Traveller is known as the “truth in travel” and “to have won the Readers Awards is the most powerful accolade one can receive,” says Terry & Cathy Maloney.

Kelda Maloney, Spa Manager, believes this award to be a pinnacle of success being a consumer award directly reflecting the feelings of the spa clients. Kelda says, “these people have come here and taken away a lasting experience. I am so proud that we can give this unique pleasure and that our guests can take back this special spiritual feeling from the rainforest.”

“It is an honour to be recognized on the world stage and we truly owe this award to our small dedicated team,” said Michael Ruff, General Manager.

Daintree Eco Lodge & Spa has a successful combination of dedicated staff, a unique location and cherished friendships with the local Aboriginal people… a winning combination. Located in a lush valley of the ancient Daintree rainforest the property offers boutique “hideaway” accommodation with only 15 villas, gourmet cuisine, unique spa and wellbeing treatments using Li’Tya products and authentic Aboriginal cultural experiences. The creation of the Daintree Spa has precipitated the Lodge to be world renowned as a unique spa retreat with experiences wrapped in the spirits of nature.

The categories included 6 world regions, Asia, Americas and Caribbean, Australia and South Pacific, Europe, Africa and Indian Ocean, and the Middle East, with 4 other categories in Medical and Thermal Spas and Urban Day Spas.

Australia and the South Pacific results are as follows:

Winner: Daintree Eco Lodge & Spa 96.95%

Runner Up: Lizard Island Resort 95.25%

Others: Hayman Island Resort 94.56%

Four Seasons Hotel Sydney 93.81%

Intercontinental Resort French Polynesia 90.10%

Sebel Reef House Palm Cove 85.74%

Azabu Accommodation & Aveda Day Spa 80.00%

Mandara Spa Sheraton Resort Fiji 76.32%

Bora Bora Lagoon Resort French Polynesia 74.87%

Eagles Nest Lodge New Zealand 72.12%

Criteria is based on Accommodation, Ambiance, Amenities and Products, Body Treatments, Cuisine, Exercise Programmes, Facials, Facilities, Individual Approach, Service and Staff.

This award follows a recent announcement by Harpers & Queen UK featuring Daintree Eco Lodge & Spa as the Most Pampering Eco Lodge in the world in a feature classifying the “world’s most outstanding wild destinations’ where nature remains king.”. The feature recognized the Lodge for its interaction of nature and culture into every aspect of this retreat including the pampering indulgences available at the unique Daintree Spa.

Further heightening Daintree Eco Lodge & Spa recent successes after last year winning two Australian Tourism Awards in best ‘Deluxe Accommodation’ and best ‘Ecotourism’. No other Australian property has ever won two national awards in the same year.

For more information on Daintree Eco Lodge and Spa, visit: www.daintree-ecolodge.com.au
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