Lon Retreat & Spa Named Finalist in Two Categories at the World Spa & Wellness Awards 2026
Bellarine Peninsula retreat recognised on the world stage for Spa Team of the Year and Spa of the Year – Asia & Australasia
Lon Retreat & Spa, the award-winning destination spa nestled among the windswept dunes of Victoria's Bellarine Peninsula, has been named a finalist in two prestigious categories at the World Spa & Wellness Awards 2026: Spa Team of the Year and Spa of the Year – Asia & Australasia.
The World Spa & Wellness Awards are widely regarded as one of the most respected benchmarks of excellence in the global spa and wellness industry, recognising outstanding achievement in customer care, treatment delivery, sustainability, leadership and business performance. This year's finalists span luxury hotel spas, wellness retreats, independent spa businesses and spa teams from across Europe, Asia, the Middle East, Africa, the Americas and Australasia.
Being named a finalist in both categories is a remarkable dual recognition for Lon — honouring not only the retreat's exceptional spa offering and guest experience, but the dedicated team who bring it to life every day, lead by Spa Manager Jade Ogilvie.
"We are incredibly proud to be recognised on a world stage in not one, but two categories. The Spa Team of the Year nomination means so much to us — it reflects the heart and soul that our entire team pours into every guest experience, every single day. We are so proud to have built and lead a team with such professionalism and high standards. To be recognised in the same category as the major players world-wide is simply remarkable - especially for a small family-run business such as ours."— CLAIRE & ROB GEMES, FOUNDERS & OWNERS, LON RETREAT & SPA
Set on a family-owned working farm of more than 150 years, Lon Retreat & Spa — a member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World — is home to a destination spa fed by natural mineral springs flowing through ancient limestone caves deep beneath the property. Guests are invited to slow down through therapeutic massage, restorative facials, body rituals, private mineral bathing, and the retreat's recently opened outdoor Contrast Therapy Space — featuring a Finnish sauna, magnesium-rich plunge pool, Swedish soak bucket, and communal fire pit with sweeping views to the ocean and lighthouse beyond.
Lon's philosophy is rooted in a holistic, unhurried approach to wellness, with treatments delivered in partnership with Subtle Energies and Vanessa Megan Skincare. This approach, combined with the retreat's unique coastal setting and unwavering commitment to genuine care, has earned Lon a growing collection of industry accolades — including Best Holistic Health Spa 2025 and Best Spa in Australasia at the 2024 Asia-Pacific Spa & Wellness Awards.
The World Spa & Wellness Awards 2026 ceremony will take place on Sunday, 4 October 2026, at The Brewery in London, alongside the World Spa & Wellness Convention and Professional Beauty London.
