Now in its fifth year, Global Traveler’s Leisure Lifestyle Awards honor the finest in leisure travel — from products and services to stunning destinations, luxury hotels, airlines and cruise lines. We are pleased to present the 2017 winners, including many repeat champions.
Nominees in each Leisure Lifestyle category are chosen by Global Traveler’s Globility Board and magazine staff. Final winners are selected by our Advisory Board.
Since 2012, the Globility Board — a community of well-traveled subscribers — has provided the magazine with direct insight into the interests and preferences of leisure travelers. The Advisory Board is composed of seasoned executives from a variety of industries who travel frequently around the globe.
What does leisure travel mean to you? It might be discovering regional history on a private tour, sampling wines at a vineyard, relaxing on a white-sand beach or dining aboard a luxury cruise ship. Whatever your preference, these awards recognize the companies and destinations that deliver exceptional leisure experiences for discerning travelers.
We congratulate our 2017 winners for their outstanding contributions to leisure travel.
Spain earned the award for Best Historic Attractions for the second year running, thanks to architectural treasures such as the Aqueduct of Segovia, the Royal Palace of Madrid, the Sagrada Família in Barcelona and the Seville Cathedral.
BEST BEACHES: Cayman Islands © SORIN COLAC | DREAMSTIME.COM
For beach lovers, the Cayman Islands top our Best Beaches list, famed for the clear waters and coral sands of Seven Mile Beach. The U.S. Virgin Islands repeated as Best Caribbean Island, the Cook Islands again won Best Island in the Pacific Rim and Santoríni took Best Island in Europe for the fourth consecutive year.
Thailand, with abundant outdoor activities from ziplining in the jungle to sea kayaking and snorkeling, was named Best Adventure Destination.
At sea, Silversea Cruises was recognized as Best Luxury Cruise Line for the second consecutive year, while Crystal’s Penthouse accommodations won Best Cruise Line Suites. Azamara Club Cruises was chosen again for Best Cruise Line Dining, and Princess Cruises earned Best Cruise Ship Excursions for a second year.
Royal Caribbean had a standout year in 2016. Its Crown & Anchor Society won Best Cruise Line Rewards Program, the line captured Best Family Cruise Line for the first time, and Royal Caribbean took Best Cruise Line Entertainment for the second time.
BEST ADVENTURE CRUISE LINE: UN-Cruises © UN-CRUISES
UN-Cruises, noted for wildlife-focused and culturally immersive excursions, was named Best Adventure Cruise Line. AmaWaterways earned Best River Cruise Line for its exceptional journeys across Europe, Asia and Africa. Cunard Line retained Best Large-Ship Cruise Line, and Paul Gauguin Cruises won Best Small-Ship Cruise Line for the second year. Holland America Line’s ms Koningsdam, the first of the line’s Pinnacle Class, was voted Favorite Cruise Ship.
Where you stay matters, and our hotel winners stand out for their amenities, service and memorable properties.
Meliá Hotels International secured Best Luxury Leisure Hotel Group in the World for the third consecutive year, operating hundreds of distinctive properties across multiple brands. Westin Hotels & Resorts captured Best Hotel Chain Resorts for the third year and also earned Best Family Resort Chain in the World. Kimpton Hotels & Resorts was recognized as Best Pet-Friendly Hotel.
On the airline front, Hawaiian Airlines was named Best Leisure Airline for the third year running. Lufthansa won Best Premium-Economy Class, and United Airlines was honored as Best Pet-Friendly Airline for the second consecutive year thanks to its PetSafe program.
BEST LUXURY VEHICLE: Mercedes-Benz © MERCEDES-BENZ
In luxury goods, Mercedes-Benz was named Best Luxury Vehicle and Ralph Lauren was voted Favorite Luxury Fashion Brand. TAG Heuer repeated as Favorite Luxury Watch Brand, David Yurman was selected Favorite Luxury Jewelry Brand, and Fabletics topped the Favorite Athleisure Brand category.
Special achievement awards honor companies that push the travel industry forward through innovation, personalized service and responsible practices.
The Peninsula Beverly Hills won Best Customized Service for personalized touches such as flexible check-in and check-out, custom pillow options and unique in-room amenities. United Airlines received Best Innovations for its Polaris business-class product with improved onboard rest and dining options.
Alaska Airlines was recognized for Best Environmental Achievements after completing a cross-country flight using a sustainable biofuel blend derived from recycled forest materials. National Geographic Expeditions earned Best Social Responsibility for directing tour revenues to conservation and research initiatives that support sustainable travel.
Travel is more than a trip — it’s a way of life. These winners inspire new adventures and help travelers make the most of every journey. We congratulate the 2017 Leisure Lifestyle Award winners and thank them for their continued excellence.
WINNERS’ CIRCLE
BEST HISTORICAL ATTRACTIONS
1. Spain
2. Greece
3. India
4. Jordan
5. Turkey
6. Peru
7. Egypt
8. Israel
9. Italy
10. United Kingdom
BEST BEACHES
1. Cayman Islands
2. Turks and Caicos
3. Krabi, Thailand
4. The Big Island, Hawai’i
5. Phuket, Thailand
6. Lopes Mendes, Brazil
7. Mykonos, Greece
8. Seychelles
9. Fiji
10. Roatán, Honduras
BEST ADVENTURE DESTINATION
1. Thailand
2. New Zealand
3. India
4. Chile
5. South Africa
6. Alaska
7. Argentina
8. California
9. Colombia
10. Israel
BEST CARIBBEAN ISLAND
1. U.S. Virgin Islands
2. British Virgin Islands
3. Grand Cayman
4. St. Vincent and the Grenadines
5. St. Lucia
6. Curaçao
7. Nevis
8. St. Barth’s
9. Jamaica
10. Puerto Rico
BEST ISLAND IN EUROPE
1. Santoríni
2. Mykonos
3. Ireland
4. Sicily
5. England
6. Capri
7. Elba
8. Crete
9. Mallorca
10. Sardinia
BEST ISLAND PACIFIC RIM
1. Cook Islands
2. Bora Bora
3. Bali
4. Tahiti
5. Hong Kong
6. Okinawa
7. Phuket, Thailand
8. The Big Island, Hawai’i
9. Maui, Hawai’i
10. Japan
BEST FAMILY CRUISE LINE
1. Royal Caribbean International
2. Celebrity Cruises
3. Norwegian Cruise Line
4. Holland America Line
5. Disney Cruise Line
BEST LUXURY CRUISE LINE
1. Silversea Cruises
2. Cunard Line
3. Crystal Cruises
4. Regent Seven Seas
5. Paul Gauguin Cruises
6. Celebrity Cruises
7. SeaDream Yacht Club
8. Seabourn Cruise Line
BEST CRUISE LINE SUITES
1. Crystal Cruises Penthouse
2. Queens Grill Suites, Cunard Line
3. Haven Suites, Norwegian Cruise Line
4. Royal Loft, Royal Caribbean International
5. Celebrity Cruises Penthouse Suites
6. Owner’s Suite, Silversea Cruises
7. Regent Suite, Regent Seven Seas
8. Owner’s Suite, Oceania Cruises
9. Princess Grill Suites, Cunard Line
BEST ADVENTURE CRUISE LINE
1. UN-Cruises
2. Lindblad Expeditions
3. American Safari
4. Quark Expeditions
5. Azamara Club Cruises
6. Windstar Cruises
BEST SMALL-SHIP CRUISE LINE
1. Paul Gauguin Cruises
2. Azamara Club Cruises
3. Seabourn Cruise Line
4. Viking River Cruises
5. Oceania Cruises
6. SeaDream Yacht Club
7. Windstar Cruises
8. Crystal Cruises
9. Regent Seven Seas
10. Hurtigruten Cruises
BEST LARGE-SHIP CRUISE LINE
1. Cunard Line
2. Regent Seven Seas
3. Norwegian Cruise Line
4. Celebrity Cruises
5. Viking Cruises
6. Royal Caribbean International
7. Holland America Line
8. Princess Cruises
9. Crystal Cruises
BEST RIVER CRUISE LINE
1. AmaWaterways
2. Viking River Cruises
3. Tauck
4. Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection
5. Avalon Waterways
BEST CRUISE LINE ENTERTAINMENT
1. Royal Caribbean International
2. Norwegian Cruise Line
3. Cunard Line
4. Celebrity Cruises
5. Princess Cruises
6. Holland America Line
7. Disney Cruise Line
BEST CRUISE LINE DINING
1. Azamara Club Cruises
2. Regent Seven Seas
3. Cunard Line
4. Royal Caribbean International
5. Celebrity Cruises
6. SeaDream Yacht Club
7. Norwegian Cruise Line
8. Seabourn Cruise Line
9. Viking River Cruises
10. Oceania Cruises
BEST CRUISE SHIP EXCURSIONS
1. Princess Cruises
2. Royal Caribbean International
3. Silversea Cruises
4. Cunard Line
5. Celebrity Cruises
6. Norwegian Cruise Line
7. Holland America Line
BEST CRUISE LINE REWARDS PROGRAM
1. Crown & Anchor Society, Royal Caribbean International
2. Club World, Cunard Line
3. Mariner Society, Holland America Line
4. Latitudes, Norwegian Cruise Line
5. Captain’s Club, Celebrity Cruises
6. Captain’s Circle, Princess Cruises
7. Castaway Club, Disney Cruise Line
8. Oceania Club, Oceania Cruises
9. Crystal Society, Crystal Cruises
10. Seven Seas Society, Regent Seven Seas
FAVORITE CRUISE SHIP
1. ms Koningsdam, Holland America Line
2. Queen Mary 2, Cunard Line
3. Celebrity Equinox, Celebrity Cruises
4. Seven Seas Explorer, Regent Seven Seas
5. Celebrity Silhouette, Celebrity Cruises
6. Oasis of the Seas, Royal Caribbean International
7. Anthem of the Seas, Royal Caribbean International
8. Ovation of the Seas, Royal Caribbean International
9. Seabourn Encore, Seabourn Cruise Line
10. mv Viking Sea, Viking Ocean Cruises
BEST LUXURY LEISURE HOTEL GROUP IN THE WORLD
1. Meliá Hotels International
2. Westin Hotels & Resorts
3. The Peninsula Hotels
4. The Ritz-Carlton
5. Conrad Hotels & Resorts
6. The Waldorf Astoria
7. Belmond
8. Four Seasons
9. Marriott Hotels & Resorts
10. Hyatt Hotels
BEST HOTEL CHAIN RESORTS
1. Westin Hotels & Resorts
2. The Ritz-Carlton
3. St. Regis Hotels & Resorts
4. Marriott Hotels & Resorts
5. Four Seasons
6. Hyatt Hotels
7. Sheraton Hotels & Resorts
8. InterContinental Hotels & Resorts
9. Meliá Hotels & Resorts
10. Montage Hotels & Resorts
BEST PET-FRIENDLY HOTEL
1. Kimpton Hotels & Resorts
2. Loews Hotels & Resorts
3. Westin Hotels & Resorts
4. Sheraton Hotels & Resorts
5. The Peninsula Hotels
6. W Hotels
7. The Ritz-Carlton
8. Mandarin Oriental
9. Marriott Hotels & Resorts
BEST FAMILY RESORT CHAIN IN THE WORLD
1. Westin Hotels & Resorts
2. Loews Hotels & Resorts
3. Disney Resorts
4. Kimpton Hotels & Resorts
5. Omni Hotels & Resorts
6. Wyndham Hotels and Resorts
7. Hyatt Hotels
8. Sheraton Hotels & Resorts
9. JW Marriott
BEST LEISURE AIRLINE
1. Hawaiian Airlines
2. Fiji Airways
3. Air Tahiti Nui
4. United Airlines
5. Virgin America
6. Alaska Airlines
7. Delta Air Lines
BEST PREMIUM-ECONOMY CLASS
1. Lufthansa
2. United Airlines
3. China Airlines
4. EVA Air
5. American Airlines
6. Delta Air Lines
7. Virgin Atlantic
8. British Airways
9. All Nippon Airways
BEST PET-FRIENDLY AIRLINE
1. United Airlines
2. American Airlines
3. Delta Air Lines
BEST LUXURY VEHICLE
1. Mercedes-Benz
2. Cadillac
3. Tesla
4. Porsche
5. Maserati
6. BMW
7. Land Rover
8. Lexus
9. Acura
10. Audi
FAVORITE LUXURY FASHION BRAND
1. Ralph Lauren
2. Chanel
3. Dior
4. Armani
5. Cartier
6. Prada
7. Burberry
8. Louis Vuitton
9. Dior
10. Gucci
FAVORITE LUXURY WATCH BRAND
1. TAG Heuer
2. Omega
3. Patek Philippe
4. Movado
5. Louis Vuitton
6. Tiffany
7. Panerai
8. Ulysse Nardin
9. A. Lange & Söhne
10. Cartier
FAVORITE LUXURY JEWELRY BRAND
1. David Yurman
2. Van Cleef & Arpels
3. Cartier
4. Chopard
5. Tiffany & Co.
6. Harry Winston
7. Chanel
8. Roberto Coin
9. Bvlgari
10. Dior
FAVORITE ATHLEISURE BRAND
1. Fabletics
2. Lululemon
3. Sweaty Betty
4. Tory Sport
5. Outdoor Voices
6. Steeplechase
7. Vimmia
8. Live the Process
9. Under Armour
10. Yogasmoga
SPECIAL ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS
BEST CUSTOMIZED SERVICE
The Peninsula Beverly Hills
BEST ENVIRONMENTAL ACHIEVEMENTS
Alaska Airlines
BEST INNOVATIONS
United Airlines
BEST SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
National Geographic Expeditions