Leisure Travel Awards 2014 Winners: Top Picks and Highlights

As the saying goes, “All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.” GT readers know this well: business trips often dominate their schedules, but they still prioritize leisure travel. On average, our readers take three international and six domestic leisure trips each year, proving they balance work with play.

Ten years ago we asked readers to nominate the best travel experiences focused on business travelers’ needs. This year, for the second consecutive edition, we asked for their input on the best in leisure travel. Which islands captivate them? Which resorts provide the best escapes? Where do they go for top leisure activities?

The answers are in. Here are the results of our second annual Leisure Travel Awards. Congratulations to all 2014 winners—those recognized as the best in leisure travel this year.

THE PENINSULA NEW YORK offers an urban sanctuary amid the bustle of Manhattan. Peninsula Spa blends Asian, European and Ayurvedic treatments, complemented by spa cuisine, a modern fitness center, a glass-enclosed pool and panoramic city views. These features helped it earn the Best Spa award.

Some winners repeated their success from last year. Hong Kong again takes Best Shopping, where shoppers find everything from local crafts to high fashion. Australia repeats as Best Natural Attractions, home to the Greater Blue Mountains and the Great Barrier Reef. Rome earned Best Historical Attractions for its unrivaled history and landmarks.

If you crave snow and slopes, readers voted Utah Best for Skiing, with top resorts such as Deer Valley and Park City. For sun and surf, the Hawaiian Islands were selected Best Beach Destination for their abundant beaches and tropical variety.

Readers also chose Best Adventure Travel Destination, Best Safari Destination and Best Hiking Destination: New Zealand, South Africa and Hawai’i, respectively. New Zealand’s dramatic landscapes set the stage for bungee jumping, skydiving, caving and canyoning. South Africa offers luxury safari camps across Kruger National Park, Sabi Sands, Manyeleti and more—luxury lodges include Royal Malewane and Singita. Hawai’i delivers hiking for every level; Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park on the Big Island alone has over 150 miles of trails.

CRUISE AWARDS saw Silversea Cruises named Best Small Ship Cruise Line again, praised for intimate ships that access remote destinations. Norwegian Cruise Line is recognized as Best Large Ship Cruise Line, with expansive itineraries including Eastern Caribbean voyages on their newest ship, Norwegian Escape. Viking River Cruises retained Best River Cruise Line and is expanding into ocean cruising with the new Viking Star, offering Scandinavian and Mediterranean itineraries.

For curated journeys, Abercrombie & Kent won Best Luxury Tour Operator again. Known for tailor-made, high-end experiences, the company’s “Africa: Across the Continent by Private Jet” exemplifies their distinctive offerings, carrying small groups across multiple African countries in a single, luxury itinerary.

WHERE TO STAY? Our readers named top resorts worldwide.

Bellagio Las Vegas is the Best Resort in the United States and Canada, famed for its fountain shows and comprehensive amenities: luxury rooms, a spa and salon, Cirque du Soleil performances, restaurants, casinos and meeting facilities.

Four Seasons properties appear twice: Four Seasons Resort Hualālai at Ka’ūpūlehu is Best Resort in Hawai’i, evoking classic island elegance across 243 rooms and bungalows; Four Seasons Resort Costa Rica at Peninsula Papagayo is Best Resort in Central and South America, appealing to eco-conscious travelers through local materials, artwork and sustainable design.

Seven Stars Resort, Turks and Caicos, earned Best Resort in the Caribbean, Bermuda and Bahamas for its personalized pre-arrival planning, complimentary breakfasts, daily housekeeping, children’s programs, complimentary WiFi and babysitting services.

JW Marriott Cancun Resort & Spa, named Best Resort in Mexico, features private balconies, club-level options and a Mayan-inspired spa in the heart of Cancún’s Hotel Zone. The St. Regis Bora Bora, winner for Asia and the South Pacific, offers iconic overwater bungalows and activities ranging from diving to Jeep safaris. Le Royal Monceau, Raffles Paris, chosen Best Resort in Europe, blends luxury accommodations with proximity to the Champs-Élysées, Arc de Triomphe and top cultural sites.

Hilton Seychelles Northolme Resort & Spa is Best Resort in Africa, set in Beau Vallon Bay on Mahé with dramatic views and fine dining. Taj Palace, Dubai, chosen Best Resort in the Middle East, delivers spacious rooms, a full-service spa and premium amenities.

ISLANDS were also honored for their unique draws. Kaua’i, known for dramatic coastlines and lush valleys like Waimea Canyon, is Best Island in the United States and Canada. The British Virgin Islands, with its array of landscapes across more than 60 islands, is Best in the Caribbean, Bermuda and Bahamas.

Cozumel, with Maya roots dating to AD 300, won Best Island in Mexico, Central and South America. The island blends archaeological sites with modern activities like scuba diving, golf and shopping. Bora Bora retained Best Island in Australia and the South Pacific, famed for its striking beauty and romance. Santoríni, with its whitewashed cliffs and blue domes, is Best Island in Europe. Bali, winner in Asia and Africa, welcomes travelers with unique Hindu culture, surf, diving and trekking.

Close your eyes, picture sand beneath your feet and raise a chilled drink: join us in celebrating the 2014 Leisure Travel Awards winners. Congratulations to all!

The Method

Voting for GT’s Leisure Travel Awards took place May 1–Dec. 31, 2013, via an online ballot. Each category listed nominees and allowed write-in votes. Global Traveler surveys attract thousands of responses annually. Employees of FXExpress Publications, Inc., and related travel-industry affiliates were excluded from voting.

Winners’ Circle

Best Spa
The Peninsula New York

Best Shopping
Hong Kong*

Best Natural Attractions
Australia*

Best Historical Attractions
Rome

Best Skiing
Utah

Best Beach Destination
Hawai’ian Islands

Best Adventure Travel Destination
New Zealand

Best Safari Destination
South Africa*

Best Hiking Destination
Hawai’i

Best Small Ship Cruise Line
Silversea Cruises*

Best Large Ship Cruise Line
Norwegian Cruise Line

Best River Cruise Line
Viking River Cruises*

Best Luxury Tour Operator
Abercrombie & Kent*

Best Resort in the United States and Canada
Bellagio Las Vegas

Best Resort in Hawai’i
Four Seasons Resort Hualālai at Ka’ūpūlehu

Best Resort in the Caribbean, Bermuda and Bahamas
Seven Stars Resort, Turks and Caicos

Best Resort in Central And South America
Four Seasons Resort Costa Rica at Peninsula Papagayo

Best Resort in Mexico
JW Marriott Cancun Resort & Spa

Best Resort in Asia and the South Pacific
The St. Regis Bora Bora Resort

Best Resort in Europe
Le Royal Monceau, Raffles Paris

Best Resort in Africa
Hilton Seychelles Northolme Resort & Spa

Best Resort in the Middle East
Taj Palace, Dubai

Best Island in the United States and Canada
Kaua’i, Hawai’i*

Best Island in the Caribbean, Bermuda and Bahamas
British Virgin Islands

Best Island in Mexico, Central and South America
Cozumel, Mexico

Best Island in Australia and the South Pacific
Bora Bora*

Best Island in Europe
Santoríni

Best Island in Asia and Africa
Bali*

* Second Consecutive Year

Special Achievement Awards

In 2014 we introduced Special Achievement Awards recognizing brands that demonstrate exceptional environmental and social responsibility.

Outstanding Social Awareness: Delta Air Lines was honored for its Force for Global Good program, which supports global diversity, health and wellness, environmental sustainability, education, and arts and culture. Delta and its employees contribute time, resources and volunteer efforts to numerous causes and community programs.

Outstanding Customized Services: Hyatt Hotels & Resorts received recognition for its Women’s Experience program. After research into female travelers’ needs, Hyatt implemented communication tools, an amenities service called Hyatt Has It, healthy menu options and premium bath products to improve comfort and convenience for female guests.

Outstanding Environmental Initiatives: InterContinental Bora Bora Resort & Thalasso Spa was honored for its seawater air-conditioning system. Seawater passes through a titanium thermal exchanger to cool a freshwater circuit that conditions the property; the seawater is then returned to the ocean. The resort’s technology and sensitive approach to its natural surroundings earned this environmental award.

Special Achievement Awards

Outstanding Social Awareness
Delta Air Lines

Outstanding Customized Services
Hyatt Hotels & Resorts

Outstanding Environmental Initiatives
InterContinental Bora Bora Resort & Thalasso Spa