Global Traveler, the source for luxury travelers, announces the winners of its 14th annual Leisure Lifestyle Awards in its April Leisure Travel Issue. Global Traveler is part of FXExpress Publications, Inc.’s family of brands, which also includes www.globaltravelerusa.com, trazeetravel.com and whereverfamily.com.
Global Traveler conducted a survey of its readers Aug. 1, 2025–Jan. 31, 2026, with open-ended questions for the best in many categories of leisure, luxury and lifestyle travel. The survey ran in the magazine, as an insert to subscriber copies, as a direct mail questionnaire, online and was emailed.
“Congratulations to the winners of our 14th annual Leisure Lifestyle Awards! Leisure travel shows no signs of slowing down, and these winners are the providers that know exactly what leisure travelers seek,” said Francis X. Gallagher, publisher and CEO, FXExpress Publications, Inc. “And who better to vote for the winners than our readers, intrepid luxury travelers who know the best of the best in the travel industry; thank you to all who voted. These accolades are well-earned.”
Global Traveler once again named Special Achievement Awards alongside the Leisure Lifestyle Awards. VisitMalta won Outstanding Social Responsibility and Alaska Airlines won Outstanding Innovations. Red Sea Global earned the Outstanding Environmental Initiatives recognition. The Outstanding Customized Services honor went to Kerzner International. United MileagePlus and IHG One Rewards were named Outstanding Loyalty Program Leisure, Airlines, and Outstanding Loyalty Program Leisure, Hotels, respectively. A special Publisher’s Award this year went to Michelle Buttigieg, representative North America, Malta Tourism Authority, for Destination Leader of the Year.
Global Traveler also named its Cruise Line of the Year. Congratulations to Explora Journeys!
The winners will be celebrated at an event at InterContinental Miami on April 20. Learn more about this year’s Leisure Lifestyle Awards in Global Traveler’s April Leisure Travel Issue, available now in print and at www.globaltravelerusa.com.
A complete list of winners is as follows:
Best Historical Attractions, International
Greece
Fifth Consecutive Year
Best Historical Attractions, Domestic
New Orleans, Louisiana
Second Consecutive Year
Best Beaches
Aruba
Third Consecutive Year
Best Adventure Destination, International
Jordan
Second Consecutive Year
Best Adventure Destination, Domestic
Asheville, North Carolina
Second Consecutive Year
Best Leisure Destination in the United States
Charleston, South Carolina
Second Consecutive Year
Best Leisure Destination in Africa
Morocco
Best Leisure Destination in Europe
Krakow, Poland
Best Leisure Destination in Asia
Seoul, South Korea
Second Consecutive Year
Best Leisure Destination in Latin/South America
Panamá City, Panamá
Fifth Consecutive Year
Best Leisure Destination in Mexico
Los Cabos, Mexico
Second Consecutive Year
Best Leisure Destination for Groups
Dubrovnik, Croatia
Fourth Consecutive Year
Best Weekend Destination in North America
Las Vegas, Nevada
Best Weekend Destination in the World
Bermuda
Best North American Ski Destination
Jackson Hole, Wyoming
Best International Ski Destination
Whistler, British Columbia
Fifth Consecutive Year
Best Golf Destination
Sea Pines Resort
Best Caribbean Island/Destination
Dominican Republic
Sixth Consecutive Year
Best Island in Europe
Santoríni, Greece
13th Consecutive Year
Best Island in the Pacific Rim
Fiji
Best Island in the United States
Amelia Island, Florida
Third Consecutive Year
Best New Ship
EXPLORA II from Explora Journeys
Best Luxury Cruise Line
Regent Seven Seas Cruises®
Best Cruise Line Suites
Regent Suite, Regent Seven Seas Cruises®
Third Consecutive Year
Best Small-Ship Cruise Line
Windstar Cruises
Best Large-Ship Cruise Line
Princess Cruises
Second Consecutive Year
Best River Cruise Line
AmaWaterways
Fourth Consecutive Year
Best River Cruise Line Cabins
Riverside Luxury Cruises
Best American River Cruise
UnCruise Adventures
Best Cruise Line Entertainment
Princess Cruises
Eighth Consecutive Year
Best Cruise Line Dining
Oceania Cruises
Second Consecutive Year
Best Cruise Line Spas
Virgin Voyages
Best Cruise Ship Excursions
Crystal Cruises
Third Consecutive Year
Best Cruise Line Rewards Program
Club World, Cunard Line
Best Cruise Port
PortMiami
Fourth Consecutive Year
Best Cruise Line to Alaska
Holland America Line
Best Expedition Cruises
Atlas Ocean Voyages
Best Cruise Line Caribbean Sailings
Crystal Cruises
Best World Cruise
Oceania Cruises
Best Luxury Leisure Hotel Group in the World
Meliá Hotels International
Fourth Consecutive Year
Best Hotel Chain Resorts
InterContinental Hotels & Resorts
Third Consecutive Year
Best Pet-Friendly Hotels
Loews
Best Island Resort in the Caribbean
Casa de Campo Resort and Villas
Best Hotel Chain in the Caribbean
Fiesta Americana Travelty Group
Best Hotel Chain in Hawai’i and the South Pacific
Fairmont Hotels & Resorts
Best Eco-Friendly Hotel Chain
Kimpton Hotels + Restaurants
Second Consecutive Year
Best All-Inclusive Resorts
The Excellence Collection
Best Tour Operator
Abercrombie & Kent
Best Airport for Layovers
iGA İstanbul Airport
Best Stopover Program
TAP Air Portugal
Eighth Consecutive Year
Best Leisure Airline
Air Tahiti Nui
Best Eco-Friendly Airline
United Airlines
Fifth Consecutive Year
Best Airline for Onboard Entertainment
Qatar Airways
Best Airline Onboard Menu
Korean Air First Class
Third Consecutive Year
Best Premium-Economy Class
Delta Air Lines
Second Consecutive Year
Best Leisure Credit Card
Chase Aeroplan® Card
Fourth Consecutive Year
Best Airline Affinity Credit Card for Leisure
The UnitedSM Explorer Card from Chase
Best Hotel Affinity Credit Card for Leisure
IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card from Chase
Third Consecutive Year
Best Cruise Line Credit Card
Royal Caribbean® Visa Signature® Credit Card from Bank of America
Third Consecutive Year
Best Luxury Vehicle
Lucid Motors
Second Consecutive Year
Best Leisure Car Rental
Hertz
Ninth Consecutive Year
Best Liquor Brand
Bacardi
Special Achievement Awards
Outstanding Loyalty Program Leisure, Airlines
United MileagePlus
Outstanding Loyalty Program Leisure, Hotels
IHG One Rewards
Outstanding Social Responsibility
VisitMalta
Outstanding Customized Services
Kerzner International
Outstanding Environmental Initiatives
Red Sea Global
Outstanding Innovations
Alaska Airlines
Cruise Line of the Year
Explora Journeys
Publisher’s Awards
Destination Leader of the Year
Michelle Buttigieg
Representative North America, Malta Tourism Authority
Quint Status
Best Historical Attractions, International
Greece
Fifth Consecutive Year
Best Leisure Destination in Latin/South America
Panamá City, Panamá
Fifth Consecutive Year
Best International Ski Destination
Whistler, British Columbia
Fifth Consecutive Year
Best Eco-Friendly Airline
United Airlines
Fifth Consecutive Year
For more information, visit www.globaltravelerusa.com.
About Global Traveler
With nearly 1.2 million readers, Global Traveler connects brands with U.S.-based frequent, affluent travelers. According to MRI Simmons, GT readers have an average net worth of $3.1 million and 50 percent are CEOs and owners of companies. Our readers average 18 domestic flights per year and 93 percent travel internationally on a regular basis (18 round-trips in the last three years), mostly in first and business class. More than 85 percent stay in 4- and 5-star hotels, at an average of 180 nights per year. Each year, Global Traveler awards the GT Tested Reader Survey awards and the Leisure Lifestyle Awards.
About FXExpress Publications, Inc.
FXExpress Publications, Inc., based in Yardley, Pa., is a privately held company publishing Global Traveler, www.globaltravelerusa.com, FX Excursions, eFlyer and several annuals. WhereverFamily LLC publishes whereverfamily.com and its related brands, and Trazee Travel, LLC publishes trazeetravel.com. FXExpress Publications, Inc., awards the annual Industry Leader Awards.
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