When I entered Sa-Ni in the World Luxury Spa Awards 2024, I did so without expectation.
After all, we had been in business for just six months, and previous winners of the awards include such leading global spa brands as Aman, Six Senses, One&Only, Cheval Blanc, Gstaad Palace, The Ritz-Carlton and Waldorf Astoria spas, many of which I’ve visited and learned so much from in my journey to creating Sa-Ni.
However, I was encouraged when I saw the categories we could enter. I felt if we selected carefully, we had a chance. And we did. Sa-Ni Massage and Spa won in three categories in the Australasia/Oceania region:
· Best Luxury Traditional Thai Spa.
· Best Interior Design.
· Best Luxury Urban Escape.
It’s a tribute to the entire Sa-Ni team – our designers, management and, of course, our expert therapists, who ensure that every client enjoys and benefits from a treatment that meets their personal needs.
Personal significance
For me, personally, winning the award for luxury traditional Thai has special significance. It says our therapists have captured the essence of traditional Thai massage treatments in a luxurious and refined setting, preserving Thai traditions while incorporating modern amenities.
Attention to detail
While I contributed to the design, the award for best interior design really belongs to my partner, Nigel McKenna. His attention to detail has delivered an elegant environment where natural materials and detailed aesthetic elements are blended to create a truly immersive and luxurious experience, one where all six senses can be brought into play.
An urban oasis
But the award that means most to Sa-Ni as a business is the third one: best luxury urban escape. Sa-Ni is not a rural retreat, a remote destination. It’s a spa in the heart of Auckland, in the middle of one of the most bustling and vibrant streets in New Zealand. That makes us very accessible, but it also poses some immense challenges which we overcame through subtleties of interior design and by engaging all six senses from the moment you step through the door and onto the sisal carpet
I hope you will forgive me using this this column to talk about our achievements instead of offering advice and information. I simply wanted to share my excitement with you. Thank you.
Co-founder and Director, Sa-Ni Massage and Spa
Sa-Ni Massage and Wellness Centre, 8 Upper Queen Street, T: 09 320 1742, www.sa-ni.co.nz