A rising star on Costa Rica's spa scene, Tabacón Grand Spa Thermal Resort has been named among the "Top 10 Hotel Spas in Mexico, Central and South America" by the influential readers of Travel + Leisure in the magazine’s 14th annual "2009 World's Best Awards."

Tabacón's Grand Spa ranked #6, appearing alongside such familiar luxury names as Ritz-Carlton, Four Seasons and JW Marriott. Additionally, the Grand Spa was named one of only two Great Values in the region, defined as those spas offering a 60-minute massage for $100 or less. The awards are based on data collected in the 2009 World's Best Awards reader's survey and the hotel spa results, reflecting readers' ratings in four categories: ambience, treatments, service and value.

The resort's inclusion is especially noteworthy given its independent management and ownership, said Managing Director Uwe Wagner. "The award underscores our emergence as one of most talked-about resorts in Costa Rica," he noted

No stranger to awards and accolades, Tabacón made Travel + Leisure's "World’s Best" list in 2006 and was named among the "Top 10 Best Mineral Spring Water Spas" in the 2009 Luxury SpaFinder Readers' Choice Awards for the fifth consecutive year. In addition, the spectacularly-sited resort, nestled in the heart of the rainforest at the base of a live volcano, was named one of the "10 Best Eco-Spas in the World" by Concierge.com and is a member of Leading Hotels of the World, Leading Spas of the World and Healing Hotels of the World.

In keeping with its commitment to the environment and sustainable tourism, Tabacón Grand Spa Thermal Resort is pursuing a goal to become 100% carbon neutral by the end of 2009. The resort is the recipient of four-leaf designation for Sustainable Tourism. Likewise, its regional sensibility and holistic approach to pampering is felt in its range of indigenous spa treatments, Costa Rican cuisine, and artwork and décor by Latin American artists and craftsmen.

Tabacón Grand Spa Thermal Resort, along with all of the 2009 World's Best Spas winners, is listed in the October issue of Travel + Leisure and on www.travelandleisure.com/worldsbest.