Sheraton Hotels is to roll out a new spa concept globally, the chain announced September 7.

“Shine for Sheraton” spas will be introduced across the chain’s hotels around the world over the next few years, including 12 openings in the next 15 months.

The spas will offer products by spa and skincare brand Germaine de Capuccini, as well as five signature treatments including a massage, facial, body treatment, manicure/pedicure and a treatment for two.

With pet ownership on the rise in an increasingly affluent China, savvy entrepreneurs are opening animal spas offering dogs a full makeover — even transformation into a panda.

Sun Ruowen opened her pet salon in central Beijing in May. Already, dozens of customers wanting to pamper their pets — mainly dogs — have bought pre-paid service cards which can cost more than 1,000 dollars.

“People are spending more money these days, and more and more people have dogs, so I decided to open a top-end pet store which offers luxury services such as spa and massage”.

Asia Pacific’s leading spa, wellness and travel magazine AsiaSpa has just released its first Philippines supplement.

The supplement details and lists the hottest spas and newest travel trends associated with the Philippines – one of Asia’s hottest new destinations.

The new supplement was written by Catharine Nicol who travelled the country to research and interview local personalities in the spa and wellness industry.

“The spa industry in the Philippines has boomed since my first visit five years ago,” says Catharine.

Japan’s craze for Beaujolais nouveau has beaten the recession, with tourists taking a dip in a hot mountain spring coloured red with the fruity wine.

The Hakone Kowakien Yunessun spa resort celebrated the annual uncorking of the seasonal drop by having a sommelier pour a few bottles into an open-air hot spring bath as holiday-makers enjoyed soaking themselves.

It was the fourth annual bath using the produce of the French winery Laboure Roi at the spa, which also offers baths with green tea, coffee and sake.

The winners of the 2009 AsiaSpa Awards were announced at a glamorous gala awards ceremony held at Armani Bar Hong Kong last Thursday.

The majority of Asia’s spa destinations won an award, including properties in, Thailand, The Philippines, The Maldives, China, Cambodia and Hong Kong.

Established in 2005, the AsiaSpa Awards continues to be one of the industry’s most esteemed recognitions in the Asia Pacific region.

It aims to set the standards, highlighting innovation and quality.

Resorts, companies, organizations and personalities that take home the much-coveted trophy are deemed benchmarks for this fast-growing enterprise.