Newly appointed Minister of Tourism and Entertainment, the Hon. Dr. Wykeham McNeill, has described Jamaica’s resounding success at the 2011 World Travel Awards Grand Final Gala Ceremony, held on January 11 in Doha, Qatar, as a ‘monumental achievement’. This as Jamaica won the coveted award for World’s Leading Honeymoon Destination, and was recognized for the sixth consecutive year as the World’s Leading Cruise Destination.

Several of Jamaica’s resorts and travel partners were also big winners, being recognized as the: World’s Leading All-Inclusive Company (Sandals Resorts International), World’s Leading Tourism Development Project (Port Authority of Jamaica – Port of Falmouth), World’s Leading Hotel Villas (Round Hill Hotel and Villas), World’s Leading Boutique Hotel Group (Island Outpost), World’s Leading Family All-Inclusive (Beaches Resorts) and World's Leading Caribbean Attraction Company (Island Routes).

Sofitel Queenstown

Courtesy of Sofitel, New Zealand

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The most memorable treatments don’t just help travelers unwind and unplug, they actually deepen your connection to a destination. So it’s no surprise that many of the World’s Best Spas offer treatments that highlight native ingredients or healing techniques.

Earlier this year, T+L readers were asked to rank their favorite hotel spas on criteria including ambience, treatments, service, and value. So which peaceful retreat is the World’s Best Hotel Spa? Read on for the top 10.

No. 1 Sofitel Hotel and Spa Queenstown, New Zealand

The Sofitel’s French-inspired LeSpa, set within this 82-room Queenstown hotel, is the place for classic European facials and traditional Maori rituals using greenstones and Manuka honey. The space is also home to the country’s only infrared sauna, which helps boost circulation and soothe sore muscles.

Ritz-Carlton New Orleans

Courtesy of Ritz-Carlton, New Orleans

No. 2 Ritz-Carlton New Orleans

Here, you’ll find southern hospitality, elegant beau monde design, and a lovely 25,000-square-foot spa featuring N’awlins-inspired treatments (café au lait massages and Marie Laveau Voodoo Love baths), just a block from Bourbon Street.

Couples Tower Isle

Courtesy of Couples Tower Isle

No. 3 Couples Tower Isle, St. Mary, Jamaica

Once a getaway for the 1950s Hollywood set, this retro-chic all-inclusive in St. Mary, Jamaica, pampers with peppermint-seaweed wraps and Four Layer facials, as well as freshwater swimming pools. (Spa services are not included in the all-inclusive rate.)

A three-mile stretch of beach on the island of Barbuda was renamed Princess Diana Beach on July 1, during a ceremony celebrating the day she would have turned 50.

RELAX. CONNECT. DISCOVER.

Photo of Club Mobay; courtesy- http://www.clubkingston.com

Imagine being able to continue enjoying the best of Jamaican hospitality and heritage or just catch up on business matters, as you prepare to depart from either of our international airports.  Enjoy a unique, first class lounge experience and premium Jamaican hospitality in a dynamic environment of exhibits and audio-visual presentations showcasing the best of Jamaica. Everything from Jamaica's own world renowned beer, Red Stripe, to the arts, music, food and specialty rooms that will reflect the rich cultural expressions of Jamaica. Our relationships with Jamaica's centres of cultural expression enable us to give guests the opportunity to continue immersing themselves in all things Jamaican, right up to the point of departure.

Photo of Club Mobay; courtesy- http://www.clubkingston.com