2020 has been an extraordinary year for travel. As borders reopen and destinations, hotels and airlines prepare to welcome visitors again, we celebrate the resilience and spirit of travel with the winners of the eighth annual Leisure Lifestyle Awards. This survey recognizes excellence across leisure and lifestyle travel, honoring destinations, hotels, airlines, cruises, services and products that best serve travelers around the world.
Below we highlight the standout winners to inspire your next getaway. These destinations and providers represent exceptional leisure experiences—whether you seek history, relaxation, adventure or family-friendly options.
Leading our destination winners are some of the world’s most unforgettable places. Spain earns the title of Best Historical Attractions, International, while Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, is the Best Historical Attractions, Domestic winner. For beach lovers, Costa Rica takes Best Beaches for the third consecutive year. The U.S. Virgin Islands are named Best Caribbean Island, and Santoríni holds the title of Best Island in Europe for the seventh straight year. In the Pacific Rim, the Cook Islands win Best Island for the fifth consecutive year and join the ranks of Quint Status winners, awarded to any destination or company that secures the same honor five years running.
If snow is more your style, Telluride, Colorado, is Best North American Ski Destination for the second year in a row, while Lech, Austria, is Best International Ski Destination. Other notable leisure destinations include Charleston, South Carolina (Best Leisure Destination in the United States); South Africa (Best Leisure Destination in Africa and Best Adventure Destination, International); Seville, Spain (Best Leisure Destination in Europe); Taipei, Taiwan (three-time Best Leisure Destination in Asia); Panama City, Panama (Best Leisure Destination in Latin/South America); Puerto Vallarta, Mexico (Best Leisure Destination in Mexico); and Cabo San Lucas, Mexico (Best Leisure Destination for Groups).
For shorter escapes, Savannah, Georgia, is the Best Weekend Destination in North America, and Bermuda earns Best Weekend Destination in the World.
Cruise travelers have plenty to celebrate as well. Celebrity Cruises is named Best Family Cruise Line for the second consecutive year. Silversea Cruises receives its third win for Best Cruise Line Suites for its Owner’s Suite. Regent Seven Seas is recognized as Best Luxury Cruise Line, and Royal Caribbean International becomes the inaugural winner of Best Value Cruise Line. Adventure seekers can look to Hurtigruten, honored as Best Adventure Cruise Line, while Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection takes Best River Cruise Line for the third year running.
PHOTO: © PRINCESS CRUISES
Paul Gauguin Cruises is the five-time winner of Best Small-Ship Cruise Line and has reached Quint Status. Cunard earns its fifth win as Best Large-Ship Cruise Line and also qualifies for Quint Status. Princess Cruises celebrates a fifth win for Best Cruise Ship Excursions and secures Best Cruise Line Entertainment for the second consecutive year. Seabourn Cruise Line receives its second nod for Best Cruise Line Spas, while Azamara Club Cruises is honored for Best Cruise Line Dining. Oceania Club by Oceania Cruises wins Best Cruise Line Rewards Program. Port of Miami and Port Everglades tie for Best Cruise Port.
In the hotel sector, Meliá Hotels International is a six-time winner as Best Luxury Leisure Hotel Group in the World. InterContinental Hotels & Resorts earns the Best Pet-Friendly Hotel award for the first time. The Ritz-Carlton takes Best Hotel Chain Resorts for the second consecutive year, and Westin Hotels & Resorts secures its fourth win as Best Family Resort Chain in the World. Sandals Resorts International repeats as Best All-Inclusive Resorts for the third time.
Airports and airlines also feature prominently among winners. Miami International Airport is recognized as Best Airport for Layovers, and Denver International Airport is named Best Airport for Recreation. TAP Air Portugal wins Best Stopover Program, Air Tahiti Nui is Best Leisure Airline, and Air Canada takes Best Airline for Onboard Entertainment, Best Premium-Economy Class and Best Airline Onboard Menu for its business-class offerings. Alaska Airlines is honored as Best Pet-Friendly Airline.
Other special recognitions include Abercrombie & Kent as Best Tour Operator, Volvo as Best Luxury Vehicle, Patek Philippe as Favorite Luxury Watch Brand, Hertz as Best Leisure Car Rental, Na Hoku as Best Vacation Jewelry Brand, and Johnnie Walker Blue as Favorite Liquor Brand. Special achievement awards acknowledge The Ritz-Carlton for Outstanding Social Responsibility, Tahiti Tourisme for Outstanding Customized Services, Oceania Cruises for Outstanding Environmental Initiatives, and Qatar Airways for Outstanding Innovations.
Congratulations to all 2020 Leisure Lifestyle Awards winners. Their dedication to service, comfort and memorable experiences helps keep the spirit of travel alive as we look forward to exploring the world again.
WINNERS’ CIRCLE
Cruise Line of the Year 2020
Cunard Line
Best Historical Attractions, Domestic
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Best Historical Attractions, International
Spain
Best Beaches
Costa Rica
Best Adventure Destination, Domestic
Albuquerque, New Mexico
Best Adventure Destination, International
South Africa
Best Leisure Destination in the United States
Charleston, South Carolina
Best Leisure Destination in Africa
South Africa
Best Leisure Destination in Europe
Seville, Spain
Best Leisure Destination in Asia
Taipei, Taiwan
Best Leisure Destination in Latin/South America
Panama City, Panama
Best Leisure Destination in Mexico
Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
Best Leisure Destination for Groups (four or more)
Cabo San Lucas, Mexico
Best Weekend Destination in North America
Savannah, Georgia
Best Weekend Destination in the World
Bermuda
Best North American Ski Destination
Telluride, Colorado
Best International Ski Destination
Lech, Austria
Best Caribbean Island
U.S. Virgin Islands
Best Island in Europe
Santoríni
Best Island in the Pacific Rim
Cook Islands
Best Family Cruise Line
Celebrity Cruises
Best Luxury Cruise Line
Regent Seven Seas
Best Value Cruise Line
Royal Caribbean Cruise Line
Best Cruise Line Suites
Owner’s Suite, Silversea Cruises
Best Adventure Cruise Line
Hurtigruten
Best Small-Ship Cruise Line
Paul Gauguin Cruises
Best Large-Ship Cruise Line
Cunard Line
Best River Cruise Line
Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection
Best Cruise Line Entertainment
Princess Cruises
Best Cruise Line Dining
Azamara Club Cruises
Best Cruise Line Spas
Seabourn Cruise Line
Best Cruise Ship Excursions
Princess Cruises
Best Cruise Line Rewards Program
Oceania Club, Oceania Cruises
Best Cruise Port (tie)
Port of Miami, Florida Port Everglades, Florida
Best Luxury Leisure Hotel Group in the World
Meliá Hotels International
Best Hotel Chain Resorts
The Ritz-Carlton
Best Pet-Friendly Hotel
InterContinental Hotels & Resorts
Best Family Resort Chain in the World
Westin Hotels & Resorts
Best All-Inclusive Resorts
Sandals Resorts International
Best Tour Operator
Abercrombie & Kent
Best Airport for Layovers
Miami International Airport
Best Airport for Recreation
Denver International Airport
Best Stopover Program
TAP Air Portugal
Best Leisure Airline
Air Tahiti Nui
Best Airline for Onboard Entertainment
Air Canada
Best Airline Onboard Menu
Air Canada Business Class
Best Premium-Economy Class
Air Canada
Best Pet-Friendly Airline
Alaska Airlines
Best Luxury Vehicle
Volvo
Favorite Luxury Watch Brand
Patek Philippe
Best Leisure Car Rental
Hertz
Best Vacation Jewelry Brand
Na Hoku
Favorite Liquor Brand
Johnnie Walker Blue
SPECIAL ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS
Outstanding Social Responsibility
The Ritz-Carlton
Outstanding Customized Services
Tahiti Tourisme
Outstanding Environmental Initiatives
Oceania Cruises
Outstanding Innovations
Qatar Airways