The outstanding Galgorm Resort & Spa has been hailed by Condé Nast Traveler as one of the hottest new spas in the world.
The spa hotel in Ballymena is one of only two in Ireland - and the only in Northern Ireland - to make the Hot Spa 2008 list and joins 11 other hot spas in Europe and just 75 other hotels in the world.
The annual hot list is the essential insider's guide to the newest hottest spas opened up all over the world in the past year.
Only six months after opening, the Ballymena based hotel has been named as the only spa in Northern Ireland to make the highly coveted 'Hot List', after the magazine's annual world-wide search for the best spas on the planet.
Galgorm Spa is the result of three years development and an investment in excess of £5 million pound sterling.
The accolade comes at a time when the hotel - formerly known as Galgorm Manor - recently played host to the First Minister Ian Paisley and Taoiseach Bertie Ahern who officially re-launched the hotel amongst a media frenzy on February 1.
Since then, the hotel has cemented its reputation by attracting celebrities such as Mischa Barton, Keith Duffy, Phil Coulter and former Miss World Rosanna Davidson.
Dana Dickey, Condé Nast Traveler's Editor-at-Large said: "Galgorm really impressed us with its innovative décor... in particular the two freestanding tubs that face a glowing aquarium and its creative circuit of baths, pools, and steam and sauna facilities."
Karen Armstrong, Galgorm Spa Manager, is thrilled with the news and said the global recognition was testament to its world class offering and dedicated therapists and staff.
She said: "To be recognised on a global scale is simply fantastic, the facilities and treatment offering at Galgorm Resort and Spa are now confirmed as world class. The spa is bespoke in every way and allows guests to escape reality and its daily stresses and truly relax."
Elaine Craig of the Northern Ireland Tourist Board commented: "The inclusion of the Galgorm Resort Spa in the 2008 Condé Nast Traveler's Spa Hot List is a terrific achievement and the Northern Ireland Tourist Board congratulates Galgorm's owners and staff.
Designed by world-class Spa Consultant, Jennifer Gorman, it was from its very inception, created to rival other international spas such as Spa Village, Malaysia and Cilaos Spa, Martinique, also included in the Spa Hot List.
The Spa at Galgorm also received national recognition in January this year when it was one of only four spas throughout the UK to take part in a spa feature for GMTV's LK Today as representing the best in Ireland.
The property has also been chosen to accommodate over thirty celebrities for the George Best Celebrity Golf Invitational taking place in July.