Havelock North's Mantra Beauty owner Pritika Devi heads to Russia for international award

Pritika Devi's love of all things beauty has scored her a win in the World Luxury Spa Awards and she will go to Russia in July for the awards ceremony.

The owner of Mantra Beauty in Havelock North said she was both shocked and surprised to receive the news because the awards were "the pinnacle of achievement in the luxury spa industry".

"When they contacted me I thought it was spam so never paid attention to it.

"At that time I had lots of technical issues with our email, landline, internet connection so I never received their email request until the World Luxury Spa co-ordinator messaged us via my business Facebook page asking for the manager's contact details.

"I still didn't believe it but still gave my email address."

The award ceremony will be held on July 6 at the State Hermitage Museum Official Hotel in St Petersburg, Russia.

"I have no idea who nominated me, I have a feeling it was something to do with a mystery shopper who came in."

More than 250,000 international travellers vote each year during a four-week period to select the winners.

Devi has been based in Havelock North for nearly four years and specialises in all things beauty including eyebrow threading, ionithermie treatment, massage and more.

"Every treatment has been carefully designed, crafted and mastered by me for maximum results within the practice and I make my own body treatment products."

She also keeps her facials fresh, as they change each season.

"I've travelled over 60 countries and worked with over 30 nationalities, cultural backgrounds and received spa treatments all around the world, while giving them as well. Most of my treatments are new to New Zealand and Hawke's Bay as well."

Devi did "white star service training" with Cunard at White Star Academy in the UK in 2014, and the name of her spa and salon Mantra has a special personal meaning.

"This means Mantra stands synonymous with elegance, luxury, and very high standard not just in services and treatments but in every aspect of the business."

Devi will leave her cosy beauty parlour and head towards a Russian summer in early July.