Global Traveler Reveals 2024 Leisure Lifestyle Awards Winners

We are thrilled to announce the winners of the 12th Leisure Lifestyle Awards. Our annual survey recognizes the best in leisure and lifestyle travel—covering products, services, destinations, hotels, airlines, airports, cruises and more. Below you’ll find this year’s standout winners, chosen by our well-traveled readers. Thank you to everyone who voted and helped make this year’s results possible.

Our destination winners highlight cities, islands and towns that capture imagination and invite relaxation. Greece earned Best Historical Attractions, International for the third consecutive year, while Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, took Best Historical Attractions, Domestic. Adventure travelers favored Thailand as Best Adventure Destination, International (two years running), with Alaska named Best Adventure Destination, Domestic.

Aruba topped the list for Best Beaches. The Dominican Republic again secured Best Caribbean Island/Destination for the fourth consecutive year, and Santoríni remained Best Island in Europe for the 11th straight year. The Islands of Tahiti were named Best Island Pacific Rim for the second consecutive year, and Amelia Island, Florida, claimed Best Island in the United States.

Ski and snowboard destinations earned high marks as well: Telluride, Colorado, was voted Best North American Ski Destination for the sixth year in a row, while Whistler, British Columbia, was Best International Ski Destination for the third consecutive year. Golfers favored Bandon Dunes Golf Resort as the top golf destination.

Other destination winners include Nashville, Tennessee, named Best Leisure Destination in the United States for the second year running; Zambia, Best Leisure Destination in Africa; İstanbul, Türkiye, Best Leisure Destination in Europe for the third consecutive year; Panama City, Panama, Best Leisure Destination in Latin/South America for the third year running; Tulum, Best Leisure Destination in Mexico; Taipei, Best Leisure Destination in Asia; and Dubrovnik, Croatia, Best Leisure Destination for Groups for the second year.

Savannah, Georgia, earned Best Weekend Destination in North America for the fifth straight year, achieving Quint Status, while Dublin, Ireland, was voted Best Weekend Destination in the World for the third consecutive year.

The cruise categories showcased established leaders and rising stars. Royal Caribbean won Best Family Cruise Line for the second consecutive year, and Seabourn Cruise Line repeated as Best Luxury Cruise Line. Regent Seven Seas Cruises was recognized for Best Cruise Line Suites. PONANT was honored as Best Adventure Cruise Line and Best Expedition Cruises. Cunard Line took Best Large-Ship Cruise Line, along with Best Cruise Line to Alaska and Best World Cruise, each for the second year in a row. Windstar Cruises emerged as Best Small-Ship Cruise Line, and Princess Cruises again won Best Cruise Line Entertainment. Virgin Voyages earned Best Cruise Line Spas, and Crystal Cruises won Best Cruise Ship Excursions.

AmaWaterways was again Best River Cruise Line, and Azamara won Best Cruise Line Dining for the second year. Oceania Cruises was honored for Best Cruise Line Rewards Program, and The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection led Best Cruise Line Caribbean Sailings. PortMiami earned Best Cruise Port for the second time, and American Cruise Lines was named the first-ever Best American River Cruise winner.

On land, leading hotel groups and resort brands received recognition. Meliá Hotels International repeated as Best Luxury Leisure Hotel Group in the World, and InterContinental Hotels & Resorts won Best Hotel Chain Resorts. JW Marriott was named Best Hotel Chain in the Caribbean. Marriott Hotels was recognized as Best Family Resort Chain for the third year running. Anantara Hotels, Resorts & Spas took Best Hotel Chain in Thailand, Hilton Hotels & Resorts were honored as Best Eco-Friendly Hotel Chain, Sonesta won Best Pet-Friendly Hotel, and Hyatt Ziva was voted Best All-Inclusive Resort.

Airport and airline winners included iGA Istanbul Airport as Best Airport for Layovers (third consecutive year) and Orlando International Airport as Best Airport for Recreation (two years running). TAP Air Portugal secured its sixth win for Best Stopover Program, while Air Canada achieved six consecutive wins for Best Airline for Onboard Entertainment and Best Premium Economy Class. Korean Air won Best Airline Onboard Menu in first class, United Airlines was named Best Eco-Friendly Airline for the third time, and Air Tahiti Nui was Best Leisure Airline for the second straight year.

Top credit card winners for leisure travelers included the Chase Aeroplan Card for Best Leisure Credit Card, the United Quest Card from Chase for Best Airline Affinity Credit Card for Leisure, IHG One Rewards Premier Card for Best Hotel Affinity Credit Card, and the Royal Caribbean Visa Signature Credit Card from Bank of America for Best Cruise Line Credit Card.

Additional winners span a range of travel and lifestyle categories: Abercrombie & Kent was named Best Tour Operator; Mercedes‑Benz was Best Luxury Vehicle; TAG Heuer was the Favorite Luxury Watch Brand; Hertz continued as Best Leisure Car Rental; Dune Jewelry was Best Vacation Jewelry Brand; and Bacardi was voted Favorite Liquor Brand.

Congratulations to all the 2024 Leisure Lifestyle Awards winners!

WINNERS’ CIRCLE

Best Beaches
1. Aruba
2. Cayman Islands
3. Mykonos, Greece
4. Turks & Caicos
5. The Big Island, Hawai‘i

Best Historical Attractions, Domestic
1. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
2. New Orleans, Louisiana
3. Williamsburg, Virginia
4. Savannah, Georgia
5. Washington, D.C.

Best Historical Attractions, International
1. Greece
2. Türkiye
3. Spain
4. Egypt
5. Italy

Best Adventure Destination, Domestic
1. Alaska
2. Asheville, North Carolina
3. Albuquerque, New Mexico
4. Nashville, Tennessee
5. Hilton Head, South Carolina

Best Adventure Destination, International
1. Thailand
2. Australia
3. India
4. The Galápagos Islands
5. New Zealand

Best Leisure Destination in the United States
1. Nashville, Tennessee
2. Savannah, Georgia
3. Charleston, South Carolina
4. Asheville, North Carolina
5. Napa Valley, California

Best Leisure Destination in Africa
1. Zambia
2. South Africa
3. Seychelles
4. Morocco
5. Kenya

Best Leisure Destination in Asia
1. Taipei, Taiwan
2. Seoul, South Korea
3. Phuket, Thailand
4. Tokyo, Japan
5. Singapore

Best Leisure Destination in Europe
1. İstanbul, Türkiye
2. Lisbon, Portugal
3. Porto, Portugal
4. Prague, Czech Republic
5. Seville, Spain

Best Leisure Destination in Latin/South America
1. Panamá City, Panamá
2. Bogotá, Colombia
3. Buenos Aires, Argentina
4. Montevideo, Uruguay
5. Mendoza, Argentina

Best Leisure Destination in Mexico
1. Tulum, Mexico
2. Cancún, Mexico
3. Cabo San Lucas, Mexico
4. San Miguel de Allende, Mexico
5. Cozumel, Mexico

Best Leisure Destination for Groups
1. Dubrovnik, Croatia
2. Italy
3. Cabo San Lucas, Mexico
4. Costa Rica
5. Napa Valley, California

Best Weekend Destination in North America
1. Savannah, Georgia
2. Nashville, Tennessee
3. Asheville, North Carolina
4. Las Vegas, Nevada
5. New Orleans, Louisiana

Best Weekend Destination in the World
1. Dublin, Ireland
2. Rome, Italy
3. Paris, France
4. Bermuda
5. Lisbon, Portugal

Best North American Ski Destination
1. Telluride, Colorado
2. Whistler, British Columbia
3. Aspen Snowmass, Colorado
4. Vail, Colorado
5. Alta, Utah

Best International Ski Destination
1. Whistler, British Columbia
2. Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy
3. St. Moritz, Switzerland
4. Niseko, Japan
5. Gstaad, Switzerland

Best Golf Destination
1. Bandon Dunes Golf Resort
2. Streamsong Resort
3. Kiawah Island Golf Resort
4. Pebble Beach
5. Pinehurst Resort

Best Caribbean Island/Destination
1. Dominican Republic
2. Bahamas
3. Grand Cayman
4. U.S. Virgin Islands
5. Curaçao