It was a late night, so apologies for not getting the results to you sooner. It turned out to be a really special event - and even somewhat emotional - as the spa owners and operators from the "best of the best" spas all over the world got together. We announced the awards at the Cornelia Day Resort, and each who accepted was able to give a short thank-you speech. Time and time again, I heard people say how thrilled they were to meet each other and to be with like-minded spa professionals. All of us spa devotees seem to have an instant bond. Doesn't matter whether you are caring for people's health in South Africa or Bali or Canada.

So here are the winners of Spa Finder's 2006 Readers' Choice Awards:

Crystal Award Winners - favorite by continent (received gorgeous crystal globes)

Africa: Sante Winelands Hotel and Wellness Center, South Africa
Asia: Chiva-Som, Hua Hin, Thailand
Australia: Spa Chakra Hayman, Great Barrier Reef, Australia
Europe: Brenner’s Park-Hotel & Spa, Baden-Baden
North America: Miraval, Life in Balance, Catalina, Arizona
South America: Kurotel Longevity Center and Spa, Gramado, Brazil

Country or Region Winner (received beautiful plaques)

Bali: COMO Shambala Estate at Begawan Giri
Brazil: Kurotel Longevity Center and Spa
Canada: Ste. Anne’s Country Inn and Spa
Caribbean: The Body Holiday Le Sport, St.Lucia
Central America: Four Seasons, Costa Rica at Peninsula Papagayo
China: The Landmark Mandarin Oriental Hong Kong
France: Evian Royal Resort, Evian-les-Bains
Germany: Brenner’s Park-Hotel & Spa, Baden-Baden
Greece: Blue Palace Resort & Spa, Elounda, Crete
India: The Oberoi Rajvilas Jaipur, Jaipur
Italy: Hotel Abano Terme President, Abano Terme
Japan: Mandarin Oriental, Tokyo
Mexico: Rancho La Puerta, Tecate
Middle East: Carmel Forest Spa, Haifa, Israel
South Africa: Sante Winelands Hotel and Wellness Center
Switzerland: Spa Chakra Grand Hotel Park, Gstaad
Thailand: Chiva-Som, Hua Hin
United Kingdom: Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park, London
United States: Miraval, Life in Balance, Catalina, Arizona