Caroline Newton, Aqua Sana Manager at Center Parcs Longford Forest, holding the IMAGE Best Spa Award in the middle with Aqua Sana management team. Also pictured is David Robinson, Leisure Services Line Manager at Center Parcs Longford Forest at the recent IMAGE Business of Beauty Awards in Dublin.

Two local winners at IMAGE beauty awards in Dublin

Deirdre Verney

Published: Mon 26 Sep 2022, 11:48 AM

Last updated: Mon 26 Sep 2022, 1:14 PM

There were two local winners at the recent IMAGE Business of Beauty Awards which is described as Ireland's biggest glitter and style fest honouring the very best in Irish hair and beauty.

Aqua Sana at Center Parcs Longford Forest, near Ballymahon, was named Best Spa in Ireland for the second time at the first ceremony since 2020, beating off stiff competition from The Spa at Adare Manor, who took silver and bronze going to The Spa at Galgorm in Ballymena, Co Antrim.

In the Best Brow Artist category, Keara Lennon from Face Brow Bar, 15 Payne's Lane, Athlone, took the bronze placing to the overall winner Michelle Fox, Michelle Fox MUA and PhiBrow. The silver went to Kim O’Sullivan from The Dublin Makeup Academy.

Commenting on the success for Center Parcs, David Robinson, Leisure Services Line Manager at Center Parcs Longford Forest, said: “The IMAGE Awards celebrate the best and brightest of Ireland’s hair and beauty industry, so it’s an honour to even be shortlisted, and an absolute privilege to be named Best Spa for the second time. The team here work so hard and this award is testament to everything they do to make Aqua Sana Longford Forest the number one spa in Ireland.”

This latest award also comes after Aqua Sana Longford Forest was named Best Destination Spa and National Spa of the Year at the Irish Tatler Wellness and Spa Awards 2022.Aqua Sana is a luxurious spa nestled in the woodland of Center Parcs Longford Forest and offers a unique experience.

Aqua Sana’s four spa zones and 21 experiences are all themed around the natural world. For instance, the Nordic Forest takes its inspiration from Scandinavia and features an Alpine steam room, Nordic sauna (with panoramic views of the woodland), an ice cave and a Scandinavian snug, complete with flickering fire and cosy blankets.

The spa offers two unique experiences which cannot be found at any other Aqua Sana spa – the first is Forest Awakening, a mindful garden walk allowing time for reflection. The second, the Forest Garden, is a beautiful room filled with greenery, with a skylight flooding the room with natural light, and the sound of trickling water to calm the mind.

The IMAGE Business of Beauty Awards which took place at the Clayton Hotel in Dublin on September 18, are a yearly highlight in Ireland’s beauty awards calendar and recognise the best of the industry.