Global Traveler’s 2016 Leisure & Lifestyle Awards

For the fourth year running, Global Traveler presents its Leisure Lifestyle Awards, honoring the world’s finest leisure destinations, airlines, cruises, hotels, travel providers and luxury brands for 2016. Nominees were proposed by Global Traveler’s Globility Board and experienced magazine staff, and final winners were chosen by the magazine’s Advisory Board. Launched in 2012, the Globility Board is made up of well-traveled subscribers who provide direct insight into reader interests and leisure travel trends. The Advisory Board includes seasoned executives from diverse industries who contributed their expertise to determine this year’s honorees. Whether your ideal getaway involves exploring historic sites, cruising the high seas, indulging in luxury shopping or setting off on a scenic road trip, the 2016 winners represent the best in leisure travel and lifestyle. We congratulate all recipients for delivering memorable, high-quality experiences.

The competition for best historic attractions is fierce, with ancient ruins and iconic architecture drawing travelers from around the globe. For 2016, Spain earns the top honor for Best Historical Attractions, celebrated for landmarks such as the Alhambra, El Escorial and Sagrada Família. Adventure travelers voted India the Best Adventure Travel Destination — a place for safaris, rafting, bungee jumping, trekking, scuba diving, cycling and skiing. Shoppers named The Dubai Mall Best Shopping in the World; the massive complex opened in 2009 and features around 1,200 stores plus hotels, cinemas, restaurants, an ice rink, an aquarium and an indoor theme park.

For beach lovers and those seeking pure relaxation, the awards highlight standout shorelines and islands: Turks and Caicos is Best Beaches for the second consecutive year; U.S. Virgin Islands are Best Caribbean Island; Santoríni earns Best Island in Europe for the third straight year; and the Cook Islands are Best Island Pacific Rim. These destinations offer sun, sand and memorable seaside experiences.

Cruise lines received recognition across many categories, from family programming and dining to luxury suites and expedition travel. Celebrity Cruises tops the Best Family Cruise Line list with comprehensive children’s programming that includes Toddler Time, Fun Factory and X Club, and the line has earned Autism Friendly Cruise Line status for its inclusive services. Silversea Cruises, previously noted as a top small-ship operator, is named Best Luxury Cruise Line; the all-inclusive fleet sails to more than 800 destinations worldwide. The Haven by Norwegian wins Best Cruise Line Suites for its ship-within-a-ship option featuring premium amenities and 24-hour butler service. Lindblad Expeditions, a two-time winner, is Best Adventure Cruise Line and continues to lead in expedition travel, including decades of Antarctic voyages. Viking River Cruises is the top river cruise operator for the fourth consecutive year. Paul Gauguin Cruises and Cunard Line are recognized as Best Small-Ship and Best Large-Ship Cruise Lines, respectively, each offering distinct itineraries and onboard experiences.

Entertainment, dining and excursions are key parts of the cruise experience. Royal Caribbean International is Best Cruise Line Entertainment for its wide-ranging production shows and onboard activities. Azamara Club Cruises takes Best Cruise Line Dining for its varied culinary offerings, while Princess Cruises is recognized for Best Cruise Ship Excursions. Holland America Line’s Mariner Society is celebrated as Best Cruise Line Rewards Program for delivering meaningful benefits to repeat travelers.

On land, leading hotel groups and individual properties earned accolades for luxury, well-being, family offerings and pet-friendly services. Meliá Hotels International is named Best Luxury Leisure Hotel Group in the World for its extensive global portfolio. Westin Hotels & Resorts tops the Best Hotel Chain Resorts category, emphasizing guest well-being through programs that focus on sleep, nutrition, movement and balance. Loews Hotels & Resorts wins Best Pet-Friendly Hotel for its Loews Loves Pets program, which provides thoughtful amenities and services for traveling pets. Vida Hotels and Resorts is once again Best Lifestyle Leisure Hotel Group in the World, offering modern, vibrant luxury that appeals to travelers seeking a youthful, effortless experience.

Wyndham Hotels and Resorts is named Best Family Resort Chain, with many of its properties offering kid-friendly amenities and programming. Mohonk Mountain House in New York’s Hudson Valley wins Best Family Resort in North America, and Atlantis, The Palm in Dubai is Best Family Resort in the Gulf. Burj Al Arab Jumeirah’s Al Mahara is honored as Best Hotel Restaurant, notable for its dramatic floor-to-ceiling aquarium and refined dining experience.

Airlines recognized for leisure travel offerings include Hawaiian Airlines, which is Best Leisure Airline for the second year and continues to enhance comfort and inflight services. China Airlines earns Best Premium-Economy Class for the design of its Boeing 777-300ER cabin, featuring personal touchscreens, power outlets, USB ports and improved recline. United Airlines is Best Pet-Friendly Airline for its PetSafe program that supports safe, trackable travel for animals on longer journeys.

Tour operators, luxury train experiences and car rental providers also feature among winners. Abercrombie & Kent is Best Luxury Tour Company, known for bespoke journeys and private jet offerings. The Royal Canadian Pacific is Best Luxury Train, delivering vintage-style rail travel amid Canada’s mountain scenery. Hertz is named Best Car Rental for Leisure Travel, offering a wide selection of vehicles and travel-friendly technology like navigation and satellite radio.

Luxury goods winners reflect a taste for craftsmanship and heritage. Cadillac is Best Luxury Vehicle, Louis Vuitton is Favorite Luxury Fashion Brand, Tiffany & Co. is Favorite Luxury Jewelry Brand, and TAG Heuer is Favorite Luxury Watch Brand. These brands continue to set standards in design and quality.

The Leisure Lifestyle Special Achievement Awards honor organizations that excel in customization, sustainability, innovation and social responsibility. EVA Air’s Hello Kitty jets win Outstanding Customized Service for their immersive, themed onboard experience. Airbus receives Outstanding Environmental Initiatives for its eco-efficiency work across product development and operations. Royal Caribbean International’s robotic bartenders aboard Quantum-class ships earn Outstanding Innovations for enhancing onboard service. Air Canada is recognized for Outstanding Social Responsibility for philanthropic efforts through the Air Canada Foundation, supporting pediatric health and child wellness charities.

For your next leisure trip, consider the providers and destinations awarded here — each has been recognized for delivering exceptional experiences, whether you seek relaxation, adventure, luxury or family-friendly fun. Congratulations to all the winners for their commitment to outstanding service and memorable travel.

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 Ulysse 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