... and not just by anyone! The judges were international readers of luxury SpaFinder magazine, whose Reader’s Choice is one of the most important consumer awards in the global wellness market.

Readers were influenced above all by the spa and wellness resort’s ‘fabulous design’ (courtesy of Viennese artist and architect Friedensreich Hundertwasser), the perfect harmony of nature and architecture, grass covered roofs, organically curved walls and bold white and pastel colour-blocked facades, which produce a unique feeling of space. Guests also praised the thermal springs and fitness facilities, the beauty salon, the restaurants and cafes as well as the quality of guest services.

Petra Stolba, Director of the Austrian National Tourist Office was one of the first to congratulate the resort: ‘The team at the Austrian National Tourist Office was especially pleased to hear of this award, because the brand Holidays in Austria is reinforced by such shining examples of excellence as the Rogner Spa Bad Blumau’.

This year SpaFinder magazine rated more than 1500 spas and thermal spring resorts, and readers from all around the world were only allowed to nominate spas that they had personally visited in the last three years.

No. 1 for hygiene and water quality

Almost simultaneously, the just published RELAX Guide 2008 pronounced a verdict of “excellent” on the Rogner Spa Bad Blumau. Following evaluation by 450 anonymous testers, the Rogner Thermal Spa Bad Blumau was rated as one of the two best resorts in Austria in the important category of ‘hygiene and water quality’ and the best spa resort in Styria, the land of hot springs.

All these factors and also the ‘originality and uniqueness’, which make the Rogner Bad Blumau ‘surprisingly timeless’, led to its best rating since the resort opened more than ten years ago. With 18 points it missed the highest ‘Four Lilies’ award by a whisker. However, Robert Rogner Sr. rose to the challenge: ‘We are aiming for four Lilies at our next evaluation. We will do everything possible to reach this goal.’

Rogner Bad Blumau is a member of Austria's Finest Spa Hotels & Resorts. Find out more on www.spa.austria.info

Notes to Editors:

Austria’s Finest Spa Hotels & Resorts is a collection of the best spa properties the country has to offer. All four or five star hotels, specifically selected for their dedication to relaxation, wellbeing and spa-ing. Awe-inspiring views, superb treatment rooms, relaxation rooms and some of the world’s best saunas and steam rooms that in winter glisten pure white and come summer burst with lush meadow life.

Nowhere in Europe can match Austria’s prices when it comes to value for money. The average 2 ½-hour treatment at a luxury West End hotel spa costs £235. Compare this to a typical Austrian spa where a 3-night summer stay half-board, with free use of spa and sauna facilities, 1 mud or hay blossom wrap, a massage, a honey and Swiss stone bath and airport transfers costs from £357 per person.