For the fourth consecutive year, Global Traveler reviews the world of leisure travel and presents the Leisure Lifestyle Awards winners for 2016, honoring the best destinations, airlines, cruises, hotels, travel providers and luxury brands.
Nominations were submitted by Global Traveler’s Globility Board—an experienced group of well-traveled subscribers—and by the magazine’s seasoned editorial staff. The final winners were selected by the publication’s Advisory Board, composed of travel-savvy executives from a variety of industries.
Launched in 2012, the Globility Board provides firsthand insight into readers’ preferences and travel habits, complementing the magazine’s survey data and research. The Advisory Board then evaluates the nominees to determine the year’s top choices.
Leisure travel takes many forms: sightseeing historic sites, cruising in comfort, indulging in high-end shopping, or embarking on a scenic road trip. The 2016 winners reflect excellence across the full spectrum of leisure experiences, from adventure and relaxation to luxury goods and innovative services.
We are pleased to announce the 2016 Leisure Lifestyle Awards winners. Congratulations to all who earned recognition for outstanding service, unforgettable experiences and exceptional quality.
Spain © VLADIMIR SAZONOV | DREAMSTIME.COM
The competition for best historic attractions is fierce, with ancient ruins and iconic architecture drawing travelers worldwide. In 2016, Spain is recognized as Best Historical Attractions, celebrated for landmarks such as the Alhambra, El Escorial and the Sagrada Familia.
For travelers seeking adrenaline and exploration, India is named Best Adventure Travel Destination. From safaris and white-water rafting to trekking, scuba diving and skiing, India offers diverse adventure opportunities across its vast landscape.
Shoppers looking for a deluxe retail experience chose The Dubai Mall as Best Shopping in the World. One of the planet’s largest shopping complexes, The Dubai Mall hosts around 1,200 stores and features amenities that include hotels, cinemas, restaurants, cafés, valet services, an ice rink, an aquarium and an indoor theme park.
The Dubai Mall © TEA | DREAMSTIME.COM
For pure relaxation, the award-winning beach and island destinations include Turks and Caicos (Best Beaches, second year running); U.S. Virgin Islands (Best Caribbean Island); Santoríni (Best Island in Europe, third consecutive year); and the Cook Islands (Best Island Pacific Rim).
Santoríni © HARIS VYTHOULKAS | DREAMSTIME.COM
Cruise lines earned recognition across family programming, luxury suites, dining, entertainment and expedition experiences. Celebrity Cruises tops the list as Best Family Cruise Line with programs that span all ages and efforts that include autism-friendly initiatives.
Silversea Cruises is named Best Luxury Cruise Line, known for intimate, all-inclusive ships that visit more than 800 destinations across seven continents. The Haven by Norwegian captures Best Cruise Line Suites for its exclusive ship-within-a-ship concept and 24-hour butler service.
For adventure on the water, Lindblad Expeditions—celebrating 50 years of Antarctic voyages—wins Best Adventure Cruise Line, while Viking River Cruises secures Best River Cruise Line for the fourth consecutive year. Paul Gauguin Cruises and Cunard Line are honored as Best Small-Ship and Best Large-Ship Cruise Lines, respectively.
Royal Caribbean International receives Best Cruise Line Entertainment for its extensive onboard programming, while Azamara Club Cruises earns Best Cruise Line Dining for its variety of dining venues. Princess Cruises wins Best Cruise Ship Excursions for the range and quality of its shore experiences. Holland America Line’s Mariner Society is recognized as Best Cruise Line Rewards Program for frequent travelers.
On land, several hotel groups and properties stood out for luxury, family amenities and pet-friendly services. Meliá Hotels International is named Best Luxury Leisure Hotel Group in the World for the second year running, operating hotels across Europe, Asia, Africa and the Americas.
Westin Hotels & Resorts takes Best Hotel Chain Resorts again, emphasizing well-being through signature programs and partnerships focused on sleep, nutrition, fitness and balance. Loews Hotels & Resorts earns Best Pet-Friendly Hotel for its Loews Loves Pets program, which provides welcome gifts, room amenities and pet-friendly services.
Vida Hotels and Resorts—meaning “life” in Spanish—is recognized as Best Lifestyle Leisure Hotel Group in the World for its youthful, modern approach to luxury. Wyndham Hotels and Resorts is named Best Family Resort Chain in the World for its family-friendly properties and programming.
Vida Hotels and Resorts © VIDA HOTELS AND RESORTS
Standout family resorts include Mohonk Mountain House in New York’s Hudson Valley (Best Family Resort in North America) and Atlantis, The Palm in Dubai (Best Family Resort in the Gulf). Burj Al Arab Jumeirah is honored for Best Hotel Restaurant with Al Mahara, which features a dramatic floor-to-ceiling aquarium.
In the airline categories, Hawaiian Airlines is voted Best Leisure Airline for the second year running, offering onboard meals, entertainment and upgraded comfort on select aircraft. China Airlines is recognized for Best Premium-Economy Class thanks to thoughtful cabin design and amenities. United Airlines is named Best Pet-Friendly Airline for its PetSafe program, providing dedicated services and tracking for traveling pets.
China Airlines © CHINA AIRLINES
For immersive luxury travel, Abercrombie & Kent is named Best Luxury Tour Company and is known for tailor-made journeys, including around-the-world private jet tours. The Royal Canadian Pacific earns Best Luxury Train for its vintage, five-star rail experiences through Canada’s mountains.
For independent travelers who prefer driving, Hertz is voted Best Car Rental for Leisure Travel, offering a wide selection of vehicles and in-car technology such as navigation and satellite radio. Cadillac is recognized as Best Luxury Vehicle, while Louis Vuitton, Tiffany & Co. and TAG Heuer are named Favorite Luxury Fashion, Jewelry and Watch brands, respectively.
Special Achievement Awards honor brands that excel in customization, environmental stewardship, innovation and social responsibility. EVA Air’s Hello Kitty jets win Outstanding Customized Service for their unique, themed onboard experience. Airbus is recognized for Outstanding Environmental Initiatives. Royal Caribbean’s robotic bartenders on Quantum-class ships receive Outstanding Innovations, and Air Canada is honored for Outstanding Social Responsibility through its Air Canada Foundation.
EVA Air’s Hello Kitty jets © EVA AIR
Leisure travel opens doors to new experiences, and this year’s winners represent the highest levels of service, innovation and enjoyment. For your next getaway, consider one of the award-winning providers highlighted here for a truly memorable trip.
WINNERS’ CIRCLE
BEST HISTORICAL ATTRACTIONS
Spain
Greece
Turkey
India
Egypt
Israel
Italy
Jordan
United Kingdom
Peru
BEST BEACHES
Turks and Caicos
Roatán, Honduras
Cayman Islands
Krabi, Thailand
The Big Island, Hawai’i
Phuket, Thailand
Lopes Mendes, Brazil
Mykonos, Greece
Seychelles
Sanibel Island, Fla.
BEST ADVENTURE TRAVEL DESTINATION
India
Chile
South Africa
Thailand
Alaska
Argentina
New Zealand
California
Hawai’i
Israel
BEST CARIBBEAN ISLAND
U.S. Virgin Islands
Grand Cayman
British Virgin Islands
St. Vincent and the Grenadines
Curaçao
Puerto Rico
St. Lucia
Nevis
St. Barth’s
Jamaica
BEST ISLAND IN EUROPE
Santoríni
Ireland
Sicily
England
Capri
Mykonos
Elba
Crete
Mallorca
Sardinia
BEST ISLAND PACIFIC RIM
Cook Islands
Bali
Bora Bora
Tahiti
Okinawa
Phuket
The Big Island, Hawai’i
Hong Kong
Mau’i, Hawai’i
Japan
BEST SHOPPING IN THE WORLD
The Dubai Mall
Mall of Asia, Philippines
Villagio Mall, Doha
Ala Moana Shopping Center, Honolulu, Hawai’i
Istanbul Cevahir, Turkey
Wafi Mall, Dubai
Galleria, Houston, Texas
Siam Paragon, Bangkok, Thailand
Mall of America, Bloomington, Minn.
Mall of the Emirates, Dubai
BEST FAMILY CRUISE LINE
Celebrity Cruises
Royal Caribbean International
Disney Cruise Line
Norwegian Cruise Line
Holland America Line
BEST LUXURY CRUISE LINE
Silversea Cruises
Crystal Cruises
Cunard Line
Regent Seven Seas
Celebrity Cruises
Paul Gauguin Cruises
SeaDream Yacht Club
Seabourn Cruise Line
BEST CRUISE LINE SUITES
The Haven by Norwegian
Queens Grill Suites, Cunard Line
Crystal Cruises Penthouse
Royal Loft by Royal Caribbean International
Celebrity Cruises Penthouse Suites
Owner’s Suite, Silversea Cruises
Regent Suite, Regent Seven Seas
Oceania Cruises Owner’s Suite
Princess Grill Suites, Cunard Line
BEST ADVENTURE CRUISE LINE
Lindblad Expeditions
American Safari
Windstar Cruises
Quark Expeditions
Azamara Club Cruises
BEST SMALL-SHIP CRUISE LINE
Paul Gauguin Cruises
Azamara Club Cruises
Seabourn Cruise Line
Crystal Cruises
Viking River Cruises
Oceania Cruises
SeaDream Yacht Club
Windstar Cruises
Regent Seven Seas
Hurtigruten Cruises
BEST LARGE-SHIP CRUISE LINE
Cunard Line
Norwegian Cruise Line
Celebrity Cruises
Royal Caribbean International
Holland America Line
Princess Cruises
BEST RIVER CRUISE LINE
Viking River Cruises
Tauck
AmaWaterways
Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection
Avalon Waterways
BEST CRUISE LINE ENTERTAINMENT
Royal Caribbean International
Celebrity Cruises
Cunard Line
Princess Cruises
Disney Cruise Line
Norwegian Cruise Line
BEST CRUISE LINE DINING
Azamara Club Cruises
Royal Caribbean International
Celebrity Cruises
Oceania Cruises
Cunard Line
SeaDream Yacht Club
Norwegian Cruise Line
Seabourn Cruise Line
Viking River Cruises
Regent Seven Seas
BEST CRUISE SHIP EXCURSIONS
Princess Cruises
Silversea Cruises
Royal Caribbean International
Celebrity Cruises
Norwegian Cruise Line
Cunard Line
Holland America Line
BEST CRUISE LINE REWARDS PROGRAM
Mariner Society, Holland America Line
Latitudes, Norwegian Cruise Line
Crown & Anchor Society, Royal Caribbean International
Captain’s Club, Celebrity Cruises
Captain’s Circle, Princess Cruises
World Club, Cunard Line
Castaway Club, Disney Cruise Line
BEST LUXURY LEISURE HOTEL GROUP IN THE WORLD
Meliá Hotels & Resorts
Belmond
The Waldorf Astoria
Conrad Hotels & Resorts
Westin Hotels & Resorts
Four Seasons
Marriott Hotels & Resorts
Hyatt Hotels
The Peninsula Hotels
The Ritz-Carlton
BEST HOTEL CHAIN RESORTS
Westin Hotels & Resorts
The Ritz-Carlton
St. Regis Hotels & Resorts
Four Seasons
Hyatt Hotels
Sheraton Hotels & Resorts
InterContinental Hotels & Resorts
Montage Hotels & Resorts
Marriott Hotels & Resorts
BEST PET-FRIENDLY HOTEL
Loews Hotels & Resorts
Kimpton Hotels & Resorts
The Peninsula Hotels
Westin Hotels & Resorts
Sheraton Hotels & Resorts
W Hotels
The Ritz-Carlton
Mandarin Oriental
Marriott Hotels & Resorts
BEST LIFESTYLE LEISURE HOTEL GROUP IN THE WORLD
Vida Hotels and Resorts
Andaz
W Hotels
Indigo Hotels
Meliá Hotels & Resorts
BEST FAMILY RESORT CHAIN IN THE WORLD
Wyndham Hotels and Resorts
Loews Hotels & Resorts
Disney Resorts
Kimpton Hotels & Resorts
Westin Hotels & Resorts
Hyatt Hotels
Sheraton Hotels & Resorts
JW Marriott
Omni Hotels & Resorts
BEST FAMILY RESORT IN NORTH AMERICA
Mohonk Mountain House
Westin La Paloma
Disney Grand Californian Hotel
Rocking Horse Ranch
Cloister at Sea Island
St. Regis Monarch Beach
Grand Hotel, Mackinac Island
Inn at Palmetto Bluff, Montage
Sanctuary at Kiawah
BEST FAMILY RESORT IN THE GULF
Atlantis, The Palm, Dubai
Shangri-La Barr Al Jissah Resort, Oman
Jumeirah Beach Hotel, Dubai
Madinat Jumeirah, Dubai
Six Senses Zighy Bay, Oman
Jumeirah Zabeel Saray, Dubai
One&Only Royal Mirage Dubai
BEST HOTEL RESTAURANT
Al Mahara at Burj Al Arab Jumeirah
Yan Toh Heen at InterContinental Hong Kong
Acquerello at St. Regis Venice
NoMi at Park Hyatt Chicago
Tin Lung Heen at The Ritz-Carlton, Hong Kong
Altitude at Shangri-La Sydney
Wing Lei at Wynn Las Vegas
Blue by Eric Ripert at The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman
BEST LEISURE AIRLINE
Hawaiian Airlines
Air Tahiti Nui
Fiji Airways
United Airlines
Virgin America
Alaska Airlines
Delta Air Lines
BEST PREMIUM-ECONOMY CLASS
China Airlines
Lufthansa
All Nippon Airways
EVA Air
United Airlines
American Airlines
Delta Air Lines
Virgin Atlantic Airways
British Airways
BEST PET-FRIENDLY AIRLINE
United Airlines
American Airlines
Delta Air Lines
BEST LUXURY TOUR COMPANY
Abercrombie & Kent
Cox & Kings
The Ultimate Travel Company
Carrier
Hayes & Jarvis
Wexas Travel
Southern Destinations
ITC Luxury Travel
Kuoni
Trailfinders
BEST LUXURY TRAIN
The Royal Canadian Pacific
Venice Simplon-Orient-Express
The Blue Train
The Rocky Mountaineer
Al Andalus Express
Trans-Siberian Express
The British Pullman
Royal Scotsman
Indian Pacific
The Ghan
BEST CAR RENTAL FOR LEISURE
Hertz
Avis
National Car Rental
BEST LUXURY VEHICLE
Cadillac
Tesla
Maserati
BMW
Mercedes-Benz
Land Rover
Acura
Porsche
Audi
Bentley
FAVORITE LUXURY FASHION BRAND
Louis Vuitton
Chanel
Armani
Cartier
Prada
Ralph Lauren
Burberry
Dior
Gucci
Tom Ford
FAVORITE LUXURY WATCH BRAND
TAG Heuer
Louis Vuitton
Tiffany & Co.
Omega
Movado
Panerai
Ulysee Nardin
A. Lange & Söhne
Patek Philippe
Cartier
FAVORITE LUXURY JEWELRY BRAND
Tiffany & Co.
Cartier
Chopard
Chanel
Roberto Coin
Van Cleef & Arpels
Bvlgari
Harry Winston
Dior
Graff
Special Achievement Awards
OUTSTANDING CUSTOMIZED SERVICE
EVA Air’s Hello Kitty Jets
Paradisus Resorts Family Concierge Program
American Airlines Cuddle Class
Westin Well-Being Movement
Korean Air’s Celestial Bar on Airbus A380
OUTSTANDING ENVIRONMENTAL INITIATIVES
Airbus
Munich Airport
United Airlines
InterContinental Hotels Group
Qantas
Marriott Hotels & Resorts
Hilton Hotels & Resorts
OUTSTANDING INNOVATIONS
Robotic Bartender, Royal Caribbean International
Botlr, Aloft Hotel Cupertino
InfoGates, Munich Airport
NexGen 777 Cabin Design, China Airlines
Keyless Entry, Hilton Hotels & Resorts
SPG Keyless System, Starwood Hotels & Resorts
OUTSTANDING SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
Air Canada
JetBlue
Marriott Hotels & Resorts
Singapore Airlines
Hilton Hotels & Resorts