The big winners of the OPTBR & ESPA awards in 2019: Aphrodite Resort & Spa Herculane Baths, Grand Hotel Balvanyos, Felix Tourism and Ana Hotels Europe & Ana Aslan Health Spa are the four Romanian Balneo&Spa resorts that took the most awards at the 15th edition of the Annual Congress of Balnear and Spa Tourism that took place in Baile Herculane.

              The 15th edition of the Annual Congress of Spa and Spa Tourism in Baile Herculane took place for the first time under a new concept and integrated the Romanian Spa Tourism Forum and Exchange organized by OPTBR and SPA Business Networking Event, organized by despreSpa.ro. 

              Over 130 representatives from the Romanian Balneo and Spa markets attended the Congress. The event was realized with the support of: Aqua Carpatica, Christian Tour, Up Romania.

              The host of this year's event was Aphrodite Resort & Spa, the big winner of the 2019 prizes ESPA. They have also won the grand prize for Best Spa Concept with Herculum Spa/ Afrodita Resort & Spa at the Spa Tourism Congress.

The big winners of the OPTBR & ESPA awards. Here's the full list of winners, in case you want to know where to plan your treatment and spa stay. relaxation for 2020:

1. The most complete spa resort: Grand Prize - Sovata Spa Resort

2. The best center for alternative therapies: Grand Prize - Shakti Center

3. The best hotel (2* or 3*) with spa treatment base: Grand Prize - Diana Resort

4. Best medical spa: Grand Prize - Aria Center

5. The best hotel with spa and treatment center, in a historic building, renovated preserving the original architecture: Grand Prix - Hotel Palace, Govora

6. The best hostel with spa: Grand Prize - Country Spa Health & Beauty Retreat

7. Best spa hotel: Grand Prize - Grand Hotel Balvanyos, Balvanyos Resort

Special Jury Prize - Hotel President Spa 4*, Baile Felix

8. Best spa concept: Grand Prize - Herculum Spa @ Afrodita Resort & Spa

Special Jury Prize – Grand Santerra Spa, Balvanyos Resort

9. Best health destination with treatment center and spa: Grand Prize - Ana Hotels Europe & Ana Aslan Health Spa

a) Special Jury Prize - Hotel International, Baile Felix

b) Special Jury Prize - Aphrodite Resort & Spa

10. Best day spa: Grand Prize - Shiseido Spa at Stejarii Country Club

11. Best hotel (4* or 5*) with spa treatment base: Grand Prix - Lotus Therm Spa & Luxury Resort, Felix Ball

a) Special Jury Prize – Ana Hotels Europe & Ana Aslan Health Spa

b) Special Jury Prize - Hotel President, Baile Felix

12. The best spa treatment program: Grand Prize - Techirghiol Spa and Recovery Sanatorium

Special Jury Prize – Ana Hotels Europe & Ana Aslan Health Spa

13. The best spa treatment base: Grand Prize - Sanconfind Medical Center

Special Jury Prize – Techirghiol Spa and Recovery Sanatorium

14. The best cosmetic products (from natural ingredients): Grand Prize - Pure Altitude - Grand Santerra Spa, Balvanyos Resort

15. Cell best health program: body-mind-soul: Grand Prize - Akasha Wellness Retreat

16. The most comprehensive office health and wellness program: Grand Prize - myhive Immofinanz Services Romania

The judges who decided the winner are SPA professionals - who have been working abroad for at least 17 years.

Toni Androne - President of the Latin American SPA Association, Spa Director - Villa Bejar and Cuernavaca & Tequesquitengo Hotels, Larisa Marinica, SPA Consultant, International SPA Judge & Speaker, Spa Director at Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts, in Sharm el Sheikh and Crina Alexandru, SPA Consultant
              The spa market in Romania recorded a turnover of more than 288 million euros in 2018, and in 2019 is expected to grow by more than 12%, or 322 million euros. If you're wondering how much a Romanian spends on a health vacation, the average price of a health stay is 797 lei/person.