As the saying goes, “All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.” GT readers understand the significance of this statement all too well. For intrepid business travelers, work can often overwhelm periods of relaxation, and business duties trump personal pursuits.

Through our independent research, we realized that as much as business puts our readers on the road, they are quick to understand the importance of leisure travel, taking an average of three international and six domestic leisure trips per year. Jack and Jill are dull no longer.

Ten years ago, we turned to our readers to select the best in travel, looking specifically at their business travel needs. For the second year in a row, we turn to you for input on the very best in leisure travel. What islands do you favor? Which resorts provide the best respite? Where do you go to indulge in your favorite leisure activities?

All of those answers and more are revealed in the results of our second annual Leisure Travel Awards. We are pleased to announce the 2014 winners. Congratulations to those named the best of the best in leisure travel this year.

WHILE THE HUSTLE and bustle of New York City may not immediately bring relaxation to mind, it can be found in the Big Apple. The Peninsula New York’s Peninsula Spa defines urban oasis, providing a range of treatments combining Asian, European and Ayurvedic practices. Spa cuisine, a state-of-the-art fitness center, a glass-enclosed pool and panoramic views are a few other highlights that propelled the property to a Best Spa win.

Our next two winners are no strangers to the Leisure Travel Awards, both earning their second consecutive wins as Best Shopping and Best Natural Attractions, respectively. From local wares to haute couture, shoppers delight in all that Hong Kong offers. Travelers look down under for Best Natural Attractions, finding the Greater Blue Mountains and the Great Barrier Reef among Australia’s many natural wonders. For Best Historical Attractions, Rome took top honors.

Seeking snow and ski slopes? Visit Utah, voted Best Skiing by our readers. Some of the state’s best spots to ski include Deer Valley and Park City. Seeking sun and sand? The Best Beach Destination is the Hawai’ian Islands. This island chain offers plenty of beach choices.

If more active pursuits are what you’re after, our expert readers also weighed in on Best Adventure Travel Destination, Best Safari Destination and Best Hiking Destination. The winners? New Zealand, South Africa (for the second year running) and Hawai’i.

New Zealand’s numerous adventure options include bungee jumping, sky diving, caving and canyoning, all amid the idyllic scenery of the country. For some of the most luxe safari camps in South Africa, check out Kruger National Park, Sabi Sands, Manyeleti, Timbavati, Balule and Thornybush. For a 5-star lodge experience, try Royal Malewane or Singita. Hiking options abound on every Hawai’ian island at any experience level, but a good place to start is Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park on the Big Island, with more than 150 miles of trails.

WHEN IT COMES to sailing the seas, Silversea Cruises was again named Best Small Ship Cruise Line, a title it took in our inaugural awards last year. The cruise line recently christened its third expedition ship, Silver Discoverer. The smaller-sized ship will allow passengers to access some of the world’s most secluded and remote regions of the Pacific. Up to 120 guests will enjoy 62 all-ocean-view suites as well as a full menu of onboard programs.

New to the list this year is Norwegian Cruise Line, voted Best Large Ship Cruise Line. NCL recently announced its 2015/2016 itineraries, which include Eastern Caribbean sailings on the cruise line’s newest and largest ship to date, Norwegian Escape. Throughout Europe, Norwegian will offer itineraries from Barcelona; additional cruises are available in South America, the Panama Canal, the Mexican Riviera and the Bahamas and Florida.

For the second consecutive year, Viking River Cruises claimed the honor of Best River Cruise Line. Obviously exceling at river cruises, the cruise line is looking to the high seas, unveiling plans for its first ocean cruise vessel, Viking Star. The ocean itineraries will include Scandinavia and the Baltic as well as the Western and Eastern Mediterranean.

To make the most of their time away, many travelers opt for organized tours. And when they want to do so luxuriously, they choose Abercrombie & Kent, the Best Luxury Tour Operator for the second year in a row. For a truly one-of-a-kind experience, the company offers the “Africa: Across the Continent by Private Jet” tour, available Feb. 20–March 10, 2015. Over 19 days, 40 guests will travel to seven African countries on a privately chartered jet.

BUT WHERE TO STAY? Our readers offer several possible answers with their picks for the best in resorts around the globe.

Perhaps best known for its fountain shows, Bellagio Las Vegas will now also be known as Best Resort in the United States and Canada. As a standout on the Las Vegas strip, the Bellagio offers just about anything a traveler desires — grand accommodations, a spa and salon, a Cirque du Soleil show, nightlife, restaurants, shopping, casinos and meeting and event space.

Two Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts make appearances on this year’s list of winners. Four Seasons Resort Hualālai at Ka’ūpūlehu is Best Resort in Hawai’i, and Four Seasons Resort Costa Rica at Peninsula Papagayo is Best Resort in Central and South America. Set along Hawai’i Island’s Kona-Kohala Coast, the Four Seasons Resort Hualālai at Ka’ūpūlehu’s 243 guestrooms, two-story bungalows, evoke the Hawai’i of the past. Four Seasons Resort Costa Rica at Peninsula Papagayo perfectly appeals to eco-conscious travelers; the accommodations’ furnishings include comfortable rattan and bamboo pieces, local artwork, indigenous materials and stone finishing.

Personalized service is a hallmark at the Best Resort in the Caribbean, Bermuda and Bahamas winner, Seven Stars Resort, Turks and Caicos. Its personalized pre-arrival services include customized sightseeing itineraries, grocery shopping and reservations; upon arrival, other amenities include complimentary buffet breakfasts, twice-daily housekeeping, a children’s program, complimentary WiFi and babysitting.

White-sand beaches and turquoise waters beckon guests at JW Marriott Cancun Resort & Spa. Any number of details could have earned it the title of Best Resort in Mexico. Private balconies, club-level accommodations, a Mayan-inspired spa, a location in the heart of Cancún’s Hotel Zone — we’re guessing these are just a few of the reasons.

Whose image of true paradise doesn’t include Bora Bora’s sublime and private overwater bungalows? Nothing says relaxation more than watching the sun set over the water from the seclusion of your room at The St. Regis Bora Bora, 2014 Best Resort in Asia and the South Pacific. Aside from rejuvenating, available activities include jet skiing, Jeep safaris, shark and ray feeding, sailing, diving, hiking and cruising.

Paris is the city of romance, the perfect destination for a leisure trip with your love. The perfect accommodation for the excursion? Le Royal Monceau, Raffles. From here, guests can indulge in excellent gastronomy or sumptuous spas and take in some of Paris’ best sites from its location near the Champs-Élysées, Arc de Triomphe and Parc Monceau.

The Seychelles is garnering major buzz of late, and the Hilton Seychelles Northolme Resort provides the No. 1 spot for experiencing the destination. Dubbed Best Resort in Africa, the property, located among the hills and coves of Beau Valley Bay on Mahé, features picturesque views, a spa and fine dining.

Opulence and elegance reign in Dubai. For luxurious leisure, check in at Taj Palace, Dubai, where generously sized rooms and suites are only some of the perks. Others include a spa, club-level accommodations and top-of-the-line amenities.

WHAT’S A RESORT without an equally gorgeous environment to call home? Any place you choose to stay on these award-winning islands is sure to be exquisite.

A huge draw for the Hawai’ian island of Kaua’i is its diverse landscape. From a rugged and breathtaking coastline to Waimea Canyon and all the lush vegetation and beaches in between, one can easily guess why Kaua’i was named Best Island in the United States and Canada for the second consecutive year.

The best known of the British Virgin Islands’ more than 60 islands are Tortola, Virgin Gorda, Jost Van Dyke and Anegada. But with such a selection and an array of landscapes and options, there’s guaranteed to be something to please any type of leisure traveler in the island nation named Best Island in the Caribbean, Bermuda and Bahamas.

Cozumel’s rich history dates to the year 300, when the Maya settled the island. Today, the archaeological wonder, winner of the Best Island in Mexico, Central and South America title, remains rich with the magic of the ancient world and modern with activities galore — adventure pursuits, shopping, golf, restaurants, spas, scuba diving and more.

Bora Bora is often referred to as the most beautiful island in the world; for the second consecutive year, another lofty title joins that claim: Best Island in Australia and the South Pacific. Let this island enchant you; for many it also epitomizes romance.

A perennial contender for the most beautiful island in the world title is Greece’s Santoríni, voted Best Island in Europe. The name immediately conjures those iconic images of white buildings with bright blue roofs lining the precipitous cliff side. It offers a mental picture that should be a reality for any leisure traveler seeking peace and relaxation.

A warm Balinese welcome awaits travelers to the 2014 Best Island in Asia and Africa. The most well-known of the Indonesian islands and in the middle of the world’s largest archipelago, Bali also claimed this honor in 2013. While diving, snorkeling, trekking, rafting and surfing attract many tourists, the island’s unique Hindu culture is another facet of the island travelers should explore.

Close your eyes and feel the sand between your toes, allow your mind to escape to that favorite place of leisure, and join us in raising a frosty, frozen cocktail in celebration of our 2014 Leisure Travel Awards winners. Congratulations!

The Method

Voting for GT’s Leisure Travel Awards took place May 1–Dec. 31, 2013, online at globaltravelerusa.com/leisureawardsballot. Each category included a number of nominees as well as an option for voters to fill in and vote for their favorite. Global Traveler surveys receive thousands of responses yearly. Employees of FXExpress Publications, Inc., and affiliated members of the travel industry were not allowed to participate.

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

For the first time in 2014, the editors at Global Traveler opted to recognize the Leisure Travel Special Achievement Awards, highlighting three brands that go above and beyond to cater to the environment and to society.

The Outstanding Social Awareness recognition goes to Delta Air Lines, whose Force for Global Good is committed to five pillars of support: Supporting global diversity, expanding global health and wellness, sustaining the environment, advancing education, and promoting arts and culture. Through the program, the company and its employees contribute time, energy and millions of dollars to a host of causes. Employees volunteer in a number of ways, including building homes for Habitat for Humanity; donating blood to the American Red Cross; giving monetary contributions to United Way and many other organizations; spending time with children through programs like Junior Achievement, KaBOOM! and the YMCA; and working with environmental causes, military-related organizations, food banks and the Children’s Miracle Network.

Hyatt Hotels & Resorts’ new Women’s Experience program earned the corporation the Outstanding Customized Services honor. After an 18-month analysis of female travelers, Hyatt found they are looking for clean guestrooms, ongoing conversation with the property, an easy way to obtain items forgotten at home, ways to maintain health and well-being on the road, and high-quality bath products. In response, Hyatt offered a number of initiatives — communication cards, the Hyatt Has It service offering a number of travel essentials, new menus featuring smoothies and create-your-own options, and amenities from brands such as June Jacobs and Aromapothecary.

The InterContinental Bora Bora Resort & Thalasso Spa maintains an environmentally friendly unique seawater air-conditioning system. A primary circuit of seawater flows through a titanium thermal exchanger, transmitting the cold to a freshwater secondary circuit. This system air-conditions the entire property; the seawater is released back into the ocean. This groundbreaking technology, as well as the property’s respectful approach to the pristine nature surrounding it, earned the InterContinental Bora Bora Resort & Thalasso Spa the Outstanding Environmental Initiatives 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