As January marks the start of a new year, it also begins voting for the GT Tested Reader Survey awards. In 2019 the survey entered its 16th year, and this month also concludes voting for the Leisure Lifestyle Awards, another reader-voted poll focused on leisure travel providers such as resorts, cruise lines and island destinations. With both surveys running at once, it’s an important moment to make your voice heard.
We invited members of the Globility Board to share their perspectives on voting to encourage readers to participate, whether online or using the paper ballots included in this issue. The Globility Board is a vetted group of well-traveled subscribers who act as a sounding board for the magazine, offering candid input about their travel habits and experiences.
Below, board members discuss their favorite hotels, resorts and cruise lines, explain why they vote, and describe what the surveys mean to them.
I enjoy voting in these surveys because I’m a firm believer in voting in all forms—whether it’s for political office or for a favorite hotel. There’s a small thrill when the final results show my choice counted and a hotel I love appears on the list. The annual changes keep the rankings fresh and reflective of real guest sentiment. No property should rest on reputation alone; this democratic process forces continual improvement and rewards excellence with the GT seal of approval.
I don’t always pick the usual suspects. Sometimes I vote for a quirky property or a hotel I adore for its terrific rooms, outstanding service and excellent location—like the Marriott Biscayne Bay with its sweeping corner views, or the uniquely charming InterContinental Amsterdam.
— SUE CASTORINO
I vote because GT provides another place for like-minded travelers to rate and comment on hotels and travel companies. I consult GT winners alongside TripAdvisor and other review sites when deciding on destinations, properties and even small details like restaurants or car services. These reviews help shape my final choices.
Loyalty matters: sticking with a brand or hotel often yields the best treatment, upgrades and special amenities. For example, The Ritz-Carlton Istanbul impressed me with its location and room quality, and as a longtime Starwood Preferred Guest member I appreciated the brand integration with The Ritz-Carlton.
When we travel to regions without large chains, we often return to the same independent property to ensure consistent service. At the Grand in Cannes we were upgraded to a penthouse suite with a spa on the patio and sea views—examples of the kind of personalized attention we value. Our Viking River Cruise from Budapest to Germany was educational and well executed, with good food and satisfying excursions.
Recently we rented a house via HomeAway in the south of France and had a very positive experience. In Europe we prefer renting cars from Sixt for their higher-end fleet, and we’re seeing Sixt expand its presence in the United States.
— STEVEN WHITE
Over the years we’ve stayed in a wide range of hotels across many countries, from global chains to family-run inns. Once I find a hotel chain that consistently provides the amenities I value—such as reliable free WiFi and an on-site restaurant—I tend to remain loyal to that brand.
When choosing a cruise, we start with the destination and desired itinerary, then compare cabin prices and book as early as possible. We usually book flights separately to allow more flexibility and extra time before or after the cruise.
— JIM ELLIOTT
Global Traveler’s GT Tested Reader Survey is always worth reading. I check how my favorites rate and who tops the lists. My preferred brands combine strong loyalty programs, consistent service and worldwide reach—brands such as Marriott/Starwood and Oceania stand out to me.
— PAULA VOGEL
Travel plays a central role in our lives, so we enjoy providing feedback and voting to highlight the vendors we prefer. Voting tells other travelers which companies we favor, lets vendors know they’re doing well, and hopefully motivates those that fall short to improve.
We’re Lifetime Platinum/Gold Marriott members and consistently find the service level a notch above other chains. The Marriott/Starwood merger reduced competition somewhat, which is unfortunate, but Marriott’s commitment to strong service remains evident. We prefer full-service hotels for their restaurants and lounges and often make use of executive lounges when available. We also value affiliate brands like The Ritz-Carlton and properties under The Luxury Collection.
Our favorite cruise lines are Princess and Norwegian. Princess consistently delivers a broadly enjoyable onboard experience with varied activities, while Norwegian offers excellent value and strong cuisine.
— JOE CESTARO
I look forward to voting each year because recognizing exceptional service matters. Great service means staff who know guests by name, anticipate needs—like arranging a late check-out or securing a table at a popular restaurant—and maintain an enthusiastic, can-do attitude that makes guests feel genuinely special.
Some hotels are remarkable for their concept—one of my stays included an underwater room with a view of a marine habitat—but even striking design falls flat without attentive service.
— ERIC CHIANG
I vote to show appreciation for hotels that deliver consistently great experiences. I’m an InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) fan, particularly the InterContinental brand. IHG’s global reach often serves my travel to less-traveled destinations better than other hotel families, though recent industry consolidations have shifted the landscape.
— MIKE RUSSO
Several Mid-Atlantic resorts deserve mention. Our family has long enjoyed The Greenbrier in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia, a classic property with rich history and broad amenities.
Primland in Meadows of Dan, Virginia, near the Blue Ridge Parkway, is ideal for fall foliage, offering expansive grounds, excellent golf and hiking. Fort Lewis in Millboro, Virginia, is a smaller mountain inn with warm innkeepers and convivial family-style meals. And The Inn at Little Washington in the Blue Ridge foothills is widely regarded as one of the finest inns in the country, combining superb rooms with outstanding dining under Patrick O’Connell’s guidance.
— DOROTHY WOOD
We recently returned from a four-night cruise from Miami to Key West and Havana aboard the Azamara Journey. Having cruised with Celebrity, Norwegian and Royal Caribbean previously, we appreciated Azamara’s smaller ships and the calmer, less crowded atmosphere that a smaller vessel provides.
— MARVIN SINGER
I vote because I want the brands we love to hear our voices. The best hotels are customer-obsessed, and that focus shows not only in how guests are treated but in how employees are empowered and recognized by the brand.
— IRIS CHILDRESS
I vote to support the magazine and to encourage brands that deliver consistently excellent service. Loyalty programs shape our choices: I usually stay with Hyatt or Hilton properties because of the benefits and consistency they provide.
— TOM LINHARD