Luxurious sanctuary Australia’s best spa

BALLARAT Sanctuary Day Spa has been named Australia’s Best Luxury Day Spa for the second time.

Director Sarah Emmanuel has owned the business for 12 years and said creating a space where her clients can “leave life’s stresses” at the door and re-enter their world in a “better headspace” has always been the goal.

She also said the gong is a testament to the professionalism, skill, and attitudes of her staff who believe in this experience and make it happen.

“This award is about all the girls that work alongside me, and the exceptional service they provide. Without them, we are just a pretty building,” she said,

“I am so proud of them and am glad that they, as a team, get this recognition.

“We do just want to work and do what it is that we love, so to receive this award is a bit of a boost for us all.”

Operating the spa in the stop-start COVID climate of the last 18 months, Ms Emmanuel said people have needed the Sanctuary environment more than ever.

But as a business owner, she has still questioned herself amidst the unpredictability, so this recognition from the World Luxury Spa Awards’ judges and voters couldn’t come at a better time.

“This is a mental reward; we’re doing the right thing,” she said.

Ballarat Sanctuary Day Spa was also nominated in the Best Hotel Spa and Best Spa Team categories of this year’s World Luxury Spa Awards, which are based in South Africa.

An expansion of the purpose-built day spa site at Mercure Ballarat is planned for 2022.