NEW YORK (March 29, 2005) – Small Luxury Hotels of the World, the exclusive hotel brand featuring over 320 independently-owned, luxury hotels in more than 50 countries, has extended their brand power and expertise in the form of the Spa Book, Exclusively by Small Luxury Hotels of the World.  The 64-page book, which highlights 53 of the most spiritually uplifting, sumptuous, full-service spas across the globe, resident within various SLH member hotels, will serve as a complete reference guide for travelers searching for the perfect spa vacation. Consistent with SLH’s dedication to complete service, the spa book will assist readers from beginning to end, starting with the selection of the appropriate spa, through to the actual booking of the treatments and vacation.  A non-exhaustive glossary of terms is provided to help guests understand the meaning of particular spa treatments and techniques, as well as a section on spa etiquette and spa culture to help the reader manage expectations in different parts of the world.  The Spa Book by Small Luxury Hotels is a robust, yet user-friendly guide to selecting some of the best spas around the world.

“Spas are a notoriously unregulated business.  We have now extended the benchmark of quality that SLH represents to cover the centers of therapeutic well-being that exist within our already qualified, pre-selected, luxurious hotels, offering consumers a reliable source and global seal of approval; one that has not existed in the past,” commented Brian Mills, Managing Director of Small Luxury Hotels.

The Spa Book details treatments and services from all walks of life and edges of the globe covering almost every genre of therapy and specialty treatment.  Each of the 53 spas featured in the book has a dedicated page that provides a detailed description of not only the spa, but the hotel of which it is a part.  Each page features two color photographs, in addition to a listing of the spa facilities on property highlighting the number of treatment rooms and other spa amenities such as a steam room, plunge pool or yoga studio.  Also listed on the page are hotel room rates; local area attractions and a listing of spa treatments offered at each respective property specifically denoting signature treatments, such as a green tea facial at the Huntington Hotel, a rainforest mist massage at Hotel Hana Maui, or a maple sugar body scrub at Mirror Lake Inn.

Other examples of interesting spa services highlighted in the book are an Indian spice wrap, a traditional Malaysian warrior treatment for men, and a skin cleansing using Alpine hay.  Also offered at several of the properties highlighted in the book are longevity treatments, massages for couples, jet lag therapies, crystal healing facials, and treatments using vine and grape extracts.

The SLH Spa Book also draws attention to the variety of exotic hotel environments in which many of the treatments take place.  These include a lava rock whirlpool, a rooftop infinity pool, open-air massage beds beside carp ponds, and volcanic thermal springs in subterranean caves.

Small Luxury Hotels, which has been shaping the unique and luxurious experiences of discerning travelers for more than a decade, recognized the growth in consumer demand for luxurious spa experiences and responded with a complete guide to the best spa experiences to be had around the world.  The Spa Book, the first published guide of its kind, is a clear example of SLH’s continued dedication to providing a global seal of approval based on the sole concern of consumer satisfaction. Furthermore, those hotels that have been identified in the book will undergo added quality control and inspection during the scheduled SLH mystery inspection process.

The spa directory, which acts as a companion to the award-winning hotel directory, will be available for consumers at each spa included in the book, as well as by sending an e-mail to [email protected] for a shipping and handling fee of $5.  It is complimentary for the travel trade. Reservations for any of the spa destinations can be made through www.slh.com or by calling toll free on 800-525-4800.  Specific spa treatments can be scheduled with the property by using the e-mail address provided on the particular hotel’s page.

The Small Luxury Hotels of the World brand is a collection of over 320 independently-owned exclusive hotels in more than 50 countries. Carefully selected for their style and sophistication, Small Luxury Hotels feature award-winning properties including spas, country houses, golf resorts, island retreats, city sanctuaries, and game and wilderness lodges.