Good Spa Guide unveils new judging panel

The Good Spa Guide has unveiled its judging panel for 2026 awards, set to take place on November 16.

In an evolution of the awards programme, 2026 will see the introduction of one flagship annual awards ceremony at Sopwell House in Hertfordshire. This replaces the previous format of separate consumer-voted and Good Spa Guide Regional Awards.

The new model combines public recognition with professional industry expertise, incorporating both consumer voting and an expert panel judging.

This ensures the awards recognise spas that excel not only operationally but also in delivering outstanding guest experiences.

The Good Spa Guide Awards 2026

The 17th annual Good Spa Guide Awards will be judged by some of the UK’s most respected voices across spa, hospitality, beauty, wellness and luxury travel.

The judging panel comprises Sue Harmsworth MBE, founder of the SATCC; Noella Gabriel co-founder and CEO of Elemis; and European spa’s founder and editorial director, Sarah Camilleri.

They are joined by co-founder of Future Practice and clinical director of Pillar Wellbeing, Oliver Patrick; Caroline Hirons, founder and CEO of Skin Rocks; and non-executive director at Calcot and Spa, Cathy Ball.

Beverley Bayes, co-founder and creative director of Sparcstudio; Amanda Afiya, former editor of the Caterer; and Andrew Stembridge, former executive director of Iconic Luxury Hotels, complete the line up.

“We’ve deliberately brought together judges from different disciplines because excellence in today’s spa industry extends far beyond treatments alone,” said Lesley Bacon.

“Hospitality, wellness, design, operations and the guest experience all play a role in creating truly outstanding spas. We’re incredibly proud to have assembled a panel of this calibre.

“By bringing together the voice of consumers with the expertise of an independent judging panel in a single awards programme, we can reflect the very best our industry has to offer.”

The categories for the 2026 Good Spa Guide Awards cover hotel spas, day spas, destination spas, innovation and sustainability.

Categories include:

● Best hotel spa

● Best day spa

● Best resort spa

● Best spa for cancer touch

● Best spa for wellness

● Best spa for sustainability

● Best spa team

Entries are now open here.

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