The March issue includes a recap of our annual award festivities, held at L’Ermitage Beverly Hills. We were excited to celebrate our 21st anniversary of the GT Tested Reader Survey awards in Los Angeles on Dec. 11. We continue to support the efforts to return the fire-ravaged areas to the way they were when our event took place. Our hearts go out to the victims in the Palisades, Altadena and other affected areas.
As travelers, you need to know Los Angeles is open for business, and nothing should keep you from visiting and enjoying the city. I completed a trip a few weeks ago, staying at Sofitel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills. I enjoyed its main restaurant, Esterel, which has been reimagined as a fusion of Asian and Latin cuisines. It was also great to catch up with Jason Ro, director of sales and marketing, who offered a tour and update, which I will cover in a future GT Tested review. Traversing from West Los Angeles to El Segundo most of the trip, I was pleased to land home at the Sofitel in the evenings.
A special shout out to the winners who have taken the awards for all 21 years — including United Airlines MileagePlus, Chicago O’Hare International Airport and Asiana Airlines — and those who continue to shake up the voting results. Voting is taking place now for the 2025 GT Tested Reader Survey awards; you can either complete the form in this copy of Global Traveler or the digital version located at www.globaltravelerusa.com/gt-tested-awards- ballot.
Our next event — the 13th Leisure Lifestyle Awards — takes place May 22 at the beautiful InterContinental Miami. Join us as we award our readers’ selections for the best cruise lines, destinations and airlines in the luxury leisure sector. Weddings, weddings … it seems to be the year of weddings! We are traveling to Austin, Philadelphia, Ireland and the United Kingdom, all in a short period. It’s also time to start thinking about where to go for my October birthday — I will reveal that tough decision in a subsequent letter.
Happy traveling!
Francis X. Gallagher, publisher and CEO
Read This Next
Introducing
FX Excursions
FX Excursions offers the chance for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in destinations around the world.
#globility
Insta FeedSeptember 2026
Sep 19, 2026Seven Seas Prestige to Feature New Spaces
Regent Seven Seas Cruises unveils its all-new Solara Sports Deck and Solara Pool Deck aboard Seven Seas Prestige, introducing a new era of open-air relaxation and active luxury.
Sponsored Content
IHG Business Edge: A Smarter Way for Small- and Mid-Sized Businesses to Travel
IHG Business Edge is a complimentary travel program designed to help small- and mid-sized businesses manage travel more efficiently while saving on hotel stays. Members enjoy access to guaranteed discounts, loyalty benefits, and partner offers across IHG Hotels & Resorts’ global portfolio of 7,000-plus hotels in more than 100 countries.
Daily
Sep 18, 2026Downtown Phoenix Welcomes First Upscale Urban Retreat
This month, in Phoenix, Arizona, Pacific Hospitality Group opens Denū Hotel & Spa, the newest hotel property in The Meritage Collection.
Daily
Sep 18, 2026New Short-Term Rental Brand Just Hit the Scene … And It’s Worth a Second Look
In early 2026, more than 5,500 former Vacasa homes across 24 markets were quietly taken over by an emerging brand. From beach destinations along Florida’s Gulf Coast to mountain getaways in Park City, Utah, these properties are now under Avari, formally launched this month.
Sponsored Content
What Actually Happens If You Get Sick or Hurt on a Cruise?
You’ve booked your cabin, mapped the ports and packed the sunscreen. Hopefully, you also bought some insurance. But have you ever thought about what actually happens if a medical emergency strikes mid-voyage?
Daily
Sep 18, 2026Windstar Unlocks Tower of London After Dark and Other New 2027 Experiences
Explore three different remarkable European destinations in 2027 with Windstar Cruises. The brand’s newest 224-guest, all-suite yacht, Star Explorer, debuts alongside complimentary Destination Discovery Events in Livorno, Dubrovnik and London.
METT Hotels to Debut in Albania
Daily
Sep 17, 2026Review: InterContinental Barcelona
eFlyer Reviews
Sep 17, 2026Conrad Washington D.C. Introduces 1/3/5 Experiences
Daily
Sep 17, 2026eFlyer News
Sep 16, 2026Celebrity River Cruises’ First Ship Completes Float Out for August 2027 Debut
Celebrity Cruises celebrated the float out of Celebrity Compass, the brand’s first ship in its highly anticipated Celebrity River Cruises fleet. Set to sail in August 2027, Celebrity Compass sets a new standard in river cruising, bringing Celebrity Cruises’ signature approach to elevated travel to the world’s most iconic rivers.
Sponsored Content
Extraordinary Moments, Made to Keep
The Excellence Collection offers a curated collection of luxurious resorts across Mexico and the Caribbean, promising exceptional experiences for every guest and taste. From upscale suite concepts to a plethora of gourmet dining options, from wellness experiences to curated activities, The Excellence Collection guarantees all this and more.
eFlyer News
Sep 16, 2026LXR Hotels & Resorts Coming to Costa Rica in 2029
Hilton’s LXR Hotels & Resorts debuts in Costa Rica in 2029 with the launch of Maravé Manuel Antonio, bringing a new level of luxury to Costa Rica’s Pacific beachfront. The property will sit on a nearly 40-acre estate of rare beachfront that descends from rainforest ridge to ocean.
ShareThis