Published submission rules
How applications and selections work.
Applications are open throughout the year. Owners provide the property’s real location; Spa Awards determines any relevant edition, category and geographic selection.
Two ways to participate
A free listing contains 80–150 words, one photograph, an address and up to three services. It has no external links and does not enter the nomination process.
The €100 premium application is a one-time fee for an enhanced directory profile, nomination screening and gift voucher setup. It includes 500–1,000 words, six to eight photographs and sponsored website and booking links. It is not a recurring subscription. Payment does not guarantee a ranking, an award or a particular position. Identity, evidence and content checks still apply.
Directory checks
We validate the submitted fields, photographs, permissions and contact email. The confirmed email must match the declared website domain for automated directory publication; mismatches and existing profiles go to the team. These checks do not independently establish the property's identity, operating status or service quality.
Nomination review
Automatic external-review checks are temporarily paused. We do not collect external ratings, generate a reputation score or award rankings automatically. Eligible directory profiles can be published independently, while premium nominations are sent to the Spa Awards team for editorial review. A paid application does not guarantee a ranking.
Paid participation and placement priority
Rolling selections are commercially supported. Eligible paid nominations receive priority over non-paid entries. When a list is full, a non-paid entry can be removed from that ranking to make room for an eligible paid nomination. The spa’s directory profile is retained. Paid entries are not displaced to make room for another paid entrant; another eligible selection may be considered, or the profile remains without a ranking.
During the temporary pause, the editorial team must decide eligibility and placement; payment alone never assigns a position. A first-place designation applies to this disclosed selection, not an independently judged comparison of every spa in the world. The affected ranking pages identify paid participation. Positions may change, and changes are recorded.
Photographs and representations
Applicants must have the right to authorise publication of every photograph and text submitted. The rights holder must be credited. Applicants confirm the accuracy of the property details and their authority to represent the business. Misleading information can result in refusal or removal. Required fields ensure completeness; they do not replace verification of the underlying facts.
Gift vouchers
Premium applicants may supply five treatment offers and authorise voucher fulfilment. Published prices include a 20% service margin added to the operator’s stated prices. Sales start only after the spa completes Stripe payout verification. Stripe determines country and account eligibility; nomination payment alone does not activate voucher sales. The operator is responsible for delivering the treatment and honouring the offer’s published redemption conditions.
Payment and communication
Applications are charged €100 once through Stripe. We verify the payment on the server before paid screening. A successful payment screen is not a publication decision. We email the owner when the profile is publicly accessible, including its link and any ranking awarded. Publication problems, payment disputes and identity questions go to the team. For a billing issue, cancellation or correction, contact Spa Awards.
