ESPA INNOVATION AWARD

Designing Serenity: How Gradiali Transforms Technology into Therapy

An interview with Irmantas Karpis, Head of Sales at Gradiali Medical SPA & Wellness, Lithuania — winner of the ESPA Innovation Award for Innovative Spa Design Hotel and Special Jury Award in category Innovative Medical Spa 1. What visual experiences do guests encounter, and how do these environments support therapeutic goals? At the heart of the new Gradiali SPA is an extraordinary visual experience – a...

Transforming Spa Management Education: The SpaEdu Revolution

An Interview with Ioana Marian, Founder of SpaEdu & Wellandia, Romania — Winner of the ESPA Innovation Award for Innovative Spa Education 1. SpaEdu by Wellandia is a spa management academy launched two years ago in Romania and is growing fast. What enabled this acceleration?We founded SpaEdu after 15 years of experience with Wellandia—a professional hub built since 2010 to strengthen the Spa & Wellness...

The Future of City Wellbeing Begins in Milan

Massimo Caputi on How De Montel – Terme Milano Became Winner of the ESPA Innovation Award in the category "Innovative Spa Destination" 1. This has been one of the largest investments in Europe’s spa and wellness sector in recent years. What was the driving vision behind this project, and what message do you hope it sends about the future of urban wellbeing in Europe? The driving...

Redefining Rehabilitation: How VR is Transforming Spa Therapy

An interview with Konstantin Novikov of VR Medical, Czech Republic, Winner of the ESPA Innovation Award in the category Innovative Spa Products Your system is the first MDR-certified VR rehabilitation in spa settings. What do patients typically do in the virtual environment, and how does it differ from traditional physiotherapy? In VR Medical, patients are immersed in carefully designed virtual scenarios that replicate meaningful movements and...

Winners of the ESPA Innovation Award 2025

One of the most anticipated and dazzling moments of the European Spas and Balneology Congress is undoubtedly the ESPA Innovation Award Ceremony. This year, the prestigious event took place in Haapsalu, Estonia, at the enchanting Kuursaal (Resort Hall) — a setting that perfectly reflected the elegance and excellence of the occasion. A record-breaking 27 applications were submitted across eight categories, each meticulously reviewed by a...

Wellandia Announces Partnership with ESPA and Innovation Awards

Wellandia has opened its platform to all European health, spa, and well-being destinations and spa hotels, with a focus on health. Wellandia is a complete universe - Wellbeing 360° - where customers can discover verified centers and clinics, carefully selected medical spas, relaxation spas, wellness packages, and trustworthy information on relaxation, nutrition, exercise, recovery, sleep, and modern wellness technologies. In addition, Wellandia serves as a...

Interview with Rokas Navickas, CEO of SPA VILNIUS

The ESPA Innovation Award winner in the category “Innovative SPA Hotel” Q1. SPA VILNIUS is the big winner in the "Innovative SPA Hotel" and "Innovative Health SPA Programme" categories of the European Spa Association's Innovation Awards for 2024. Could you briefly present the idea and the vision of SPA VILNIUS? Thank you! At SPA VILNIUS, we are guided by the belief that true wellness emerges from...

Interview with Mrs Nuša Korotaj, CEO of Terme Sveti Martin

The ESPA Innovation Award winner in the category "Innovative Medical SPA" Mrs Nuša Korotaj, congratulations! Terme Sveti Martin is the big winner in the "Innovative Medical SPA" category of the European Spa Association’s Innovation Awards for 2024. What do you think was the main factor that led the jury to award the program with the highest scores in the category?  Thank you! I believe our focus...

Interview with Ms. Anna Bielen, Head of Marketing at Gharieni Group

Winner in category Innovative Spa Product 1. Could you briefly present your company and products? Thank you! The Gharieni Group is a global leader in spa and wellness equipment, with a legacy of over 30 years in delivering exceptional innovations for the wellness industry. Our recently launched brand, Metawell, represents the culmination of this journey. Innovation is the DNA of Metawell – a natural alignment with...

Interview with Mr. Ričardas Malinauskas, Mayor of Druskininkai

"Druskininkai aims to be a modern and sustainable wellness and SPA hub in Europe" Q1. Druskininkai is the big winner in the "Innovative SPA Destination" category of the European Spa Association's Innovation Awards for 2024. Could you briefly present the history, the idea, and the vision of the Druskininkai for a Spa destination? The roots of Druskininkai as a resort date back to 1794 when the...