Global Traveler 2016 Leisure & Lifestyle Awards Winners

For the fourth year running, Global Traveler highlights the very best in leisure travel with the 2016 Leisure Lifestyle Awards, recognizing top destinations, airlines, cruises, hotels, travel providers and luxury brands.

Nominations were submitted by Global Traveler’s Globility Board and experienced editorial staff. From those nominations, the magazine’s Advisory Board selected the final winners.

Established in 2012, the Globility Board is made up of well-traveled subscribers who provide direct insight into readers’ interests and preferences, complementing the magazine’s survey and research data. The Advisory Board includes seasoned executives from a range of industries who bring further travel expertise to the selection process.

Leisure travel takes many forms — from exploring historic sites to cruising the oceans, from high-end shopping to road trips. This year’s winners represent exceptional choices across every category of leisure lifestyle and travel.

We’re pleased to announce the 2016 award recipients. Congratulations to all honorees for delivering outstanding experiences to leisure travelers worldwide.

When it comes to historic attractions, competition is fierce. For 2016, Spain tops the list for Best Historical Attractions, with landmarks such as the Alhambra, El Escorial and Sagrada Família among its many draws.

For travelers seeking thrills, India was named Best Adventure Travel Destination. From safaris and rafting to trekking, scuba diving, skiing and more, India offers a wide range of active pursuits.

Shopping enthusiasts selected The Dubai Mall as Best Shopping in the World. One of the planet’s largest retail complexes, it features more than 1,200 stores as well as hotels, cinemas, restaurants, an ice rink, an aquarium, an indoor theme park and extensive parking and valet services.

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 Cook Islands (Best Island Pacific Rim).

Cruise lines earned recognition across a variety of categories, from family programming and luxury suites to entertainment and excursions. Celebrity Cruises leads as Best Family Cruise Line with programs for all ages and initiatives to be more inclusive for travelers with autism. Silversea Cruises was selected Best Luxury Cruise Line for its intimate, all-inclusive ships visiting more than 800 destinations worldwide. The Haven by Norwegian won Best Cruise Line Suites for its ship-within-a-ship concept featuring premium amenities and 24-hour butler service.

For adventurous voyages, Lindblad Expeditions — a two-time winner — continues to excel, marking 50 years of Antarctic expeditions. Viking River Cruises was again voted Best River Cruise Line for the fourth straight year. Paul Gauguin Cruises and Cunard Line took top honors for Best Small-Ship Cruise Line and Best Large-Ship Cruise Line, respectively.

Royal Caribbean International won Best Cruise Line Entertainment for its wide-ranging productions, and Azamara Club Cruises earned Best Cruise Line Dining for its variety of dining options. Princess Cruises was named Best Cruise Ship Excursions for its compelling shore experiences. Holland America Line’s Mariner Society received recognition as Best Cruise Line Rewards Program.

On land, a number of hotel groups and resorts stood out for luxury, family offerings and guest services. Meliá Hotels International was voted Best Luxury Leisure Hotel Group in the World for the second year, while Westin Hotels & Resorts again claimed Best Hotel Chain Resorts for its focus on well-being through its Sleep Well, Eat Well, Move Well, Feel Well, Work Well and Play Well pillars.

Loews Hotels & Resorts was honored as Best Pet-Friendly Hotel for its Loews Loves Pets program, offering welcome gifts and amenities for dogs and cats. Vida Hotels and Resorts, named Best Lifestyle Leisure Hotel Group in the World, emphasizes contemporary, effortless luxury. Wyndham Hotels and Resorts was chosen Best Family Resort Chain in the World for its family-friendly properties and programming.

Notable resort winners include Mohonk Mountain House, named Best Family Resort in North America, and Atlantis, The Palm in Dubai, named Best Family Resort in the Gulf. Burj Al Arab Jumeirah’s Al Mahara was recognized as Best Hotel Restaurant for its immersive dining environment centered around a dramatic floor-to-ceiling aquarium.

In air travel, Hawaiian Airlines was voted Best Leisure Airline for the second year, offering in-flight amenities, entertainment and upgraded seating across some aircraft. China Airlines received Best Premium-Economy Class for the design and features of its Boeing 777-300ER premium-economy cabin. United Airlines was recognized as Best Pet-Friendly Airline for its PetSafe program, which includes 24-hour assistance and specialized services for traveling pets.

For immersive travel experiences, Abercrombie & Kent was named Best Luxury Tour Company, offering bespoke and private-jet tours, while The Royal Canadian Pacific won Best Luxury Train for its vintage luxury rail journeys through Canada’s dramatic landscapes. Hertz was selected Best Car Rental for Leisure Travel for its range of vehicles and traveler-focused technology.

In the luxury goods categories, Cadillac was named Best Luxury Vehicle. Louis Vuitton was honored as Favorite Luxury Fashion Brand, Tiffany & Co. as Favorite Luxury Jewelry Brand, and TAG Heuer as Favorite Luxury Watch Brand.

For the third consecutive year, Global Traveler presented Special Achievement Awards honoring companies that excel in customization, environmental initiatives, innovation and social responsibility. EVA Air’s Hello Kitty jets received Outstanding Customized Service for their themed passenger experience. Airbus was recognized for Outstanding Environmental Initiatives for its focus on eco-efficiency across aircraft design, operations and lifecycle. Royal Caribbean International’s robotic bartender aboard Quantum of the Seas earned Outstanding Innovations, and Air Canada received Outstanding Social Responsibility for philanthropic work through the Air Canada Foundation.

With such a diverse slate of winners, travelers can be confident that these providers deliver memorable, high-quality leisure experiences. Congratulations to everyone on the 2016 winners’ list.

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