With hearty congratulations we are delighted to bring you the 12th Leisure Lifestyle Awards winners! Our annual survey honors the best in the world of leisure and lifestyle travel, awarding goods, services, destinations, hotels, airlines, airports, cruises and more. Read on to find out who dominates in the leisure travel industry, and see if your favorites made the cut. We also offer a hearty thank you to our readers, the most seasoned travelers we know, for voting in this year’s survey.

PHOTO: © PIXELPODLLC | DREAMSTIME.COM

We get started with our destination winners, some of the best cities, islands and towns around the world for leisure travel, the ones that beckon us with photographs and stay with us forever. These exceptional, award-winning spots are the places to kick back, starting with Greece, Best Historical Attractions, International, for the third consecutive year, and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Best Historical Attractions, Domestic. If it’s adventure you seek, Thailand, Best Adventure Destination, International, two years in a row, and Alaska, Best Adventure Destination, Domestic, prove the spots to visit.

Aruba appears in the top spot for Best Beaches. The Dominican Republic wins Best Caribbean Island/ Destination for the fourth consecutive year (one more year until Quint Status!), while Santoríni holds on to its Best Island in Europe title for the 11th consecutive year. The Islands of Tahiti again earn Best Island Pacific Rim, second consecutive year. Amelia Island, Florida, becomes Best Island in the United States.

Skiers and snowboarders applaud the best locations here and abroad: Telluride, Colorado, earned Best North American Ski Destination for the sixth year in a row. Whistler, British Columbia, takes the title as Best International Ski Destination for the third year in a row. For golfers, Bandon Dunes Golf Resort is the top spot to hit the links.

PHOTO: © PHOTOPERSPECTIVE | DREAMSTIME.COM

What other destinations can now be called award-winning? Nashville, Tennessee, is Best Leisure Destination in the United States, two years in a row, alongside Zambia, Best Leisure Destination in Africa; İstanbul, Türkiye, Best Leisure Destination in Europe for the third consecutive year; Panamá City, Panamá, three years running as Best Leisure Destination in Latin/South America; Tulum, Best Leisure Destination in Mexico; Taipei, Taiwan, Best Leisure Destination in Asia; and Dubrovnik, Croatia, Best Leisure Destination for Groups, two straight years.

Savannah, Georgia, and Dublin, Ireland, round out our destination winners as Best Weekend Destination in North America, five years running, and Best Weekend Destination in the World, third consecutive year, respectively. With its fifth straight win in the category, Savannah earns Quint Status.

It’s smooth sailing with our winning cruise lines, start- ing with Royal Caribbean, Best Family Cruise Line, two years running, and Seabourn Cruise Line, Best Luxury Cruise Line, also for the second year. Regent Seven Seas Cruises makes its mark on this survey as Best Cruise Line Suites for its Regent Suite.

PHOTO: © WINDSTAR CRUISES

PONANT wins Best Adventure Cruise Line and Best Expedition Cruises. Cunard Line returns as Best Large-Ship Cruise Line winner while also winning Best Cruise Line to Alaska and Best World Cruise, both for the second consecutive year. Windstar Cruises upsets a long-time winner to sail away with Best Small-Ship Cruise Line. Princess Cruises appears for its sixth Best Cruise Line Entertainment nod. Joining Princess is Virgin Voyages, winning Best Cruise Line Spas. Crystal Cruises takes the title of Best Cruise Ship Excursions.

Rounding out our cruise line winners, we have AmaWaterways, Best River Cruise Line for the second consecutive year; Azamara, Best Cruise Line Dining, two years running; Oceania Cruises, Best Cruise Line Rewards Program for its Oceania Club, another two-time honoree; and The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection, Best Cruise Line Caribbean Sailings. PortMiami earns its second Best Cruise Port award, while American Cruise Lines becomes the inaugural Best American River Cruise winner.

On land, these award-winning resorts and hotels are calling your name … with a beach lounger and a frozen cocktail. Meliá Hotels International returns as Best Luxury Leisure Hotel Group in the World for the second year in a row. For Best Hotel Chain Resorts, the winner is InterContinental Hotels & Resorts. Best Hotel Chain in the Caribbean goes to JW Marriott. Check out these other top-tier options: Marriott Hotels, Best Family Resort Chain in the World, three years running; Anantara Hotels, Resorts & Spas, Best Hotel Chain in Thailand; Hilton Hotels & Resorts, Best Eco-Friendly Hotel Chain; Sonesta, Best Pet-Friendly Hotel; and Hyatt Ziva, Best All-Inclusive Resort.

Here’s a look at the rest of this year’s honorees, starting with airports and airlines. We applaud the following winners: iGA Istanbul Airport as Best Airport for Layovers, third consecutive year, and Orlando International Airport, Best Airport for Recreation, also two years running.

PHOTO: © AIR CANADA

TAP Air Portugal secures its sixth win for Best Stopover Program, while Air Canada joins it with six consecutive wins for Best Airline for Onboard Entertainment and Best Premium Economy Class. Korean Air wins Best Airline Onboard Menu for its first-class cabin. United Airlines earns its third title as Best Eco-Friendly Airline. Last, but certainly not least, Air Tahiti Nui is Best Leisure Airline for the second year in a row.

The best credit cards for leisure travelers help them rack up the points for their dream vacay. Winners are Chase Aeroplan Card, Best Leisure Credit Card, two years running; United Quest Card from Chase, Best Airline Affinity Credit Card for Leisure, second consecutive year; IHG One Rewards Premier Card, Best Hotel Affinity Credit Card; and Royal Caribbean Visa Signature Credit Card from Bank of America, Best Cruise Line Credit Card.

The dazzling list of winners continues with Abercrombie & Kent, Best Tour Operator, three years running; Mercedes-Benz, Best Luxury Vehicle; TAG Heuer, Favorite Luxury Watch Brand; Hertz, seven-time Best Leisure Car Rental; Dune Jewelry, Best Destination Jewelry Brand; and Bacardi, Favorite Liquor Brand.

Congratulations to the 2024 Leisure Lifestyle Awards winners!

WINNERS’ CIRCLE

Best Beaches
1. Aruba
2. Cayman Islands
3. Mykonos, Greece
4. Turks & Caicos
5. The Big Island, Hawai‘i

Best Historical Attractions, Domestic
1. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
2. New Orleans, Louisiana
3. Williamsburg, Virginia
4. Savannah, Georgia
5. Washington, D.C.

Best Historical Attractions, International
1. Greece
2. Türkiye
3. Spain
4. Egypt
5. Italy

Best Adventure Destination, Domestic
1. Alaska
2. Asheville, North Carolina
3. Albuquerque, New Mexico
4. Nashville, Tennessee
5. Hilton Head, South Carolina

Best Adventure Destination, International
1. Thailand
2. Australia
3. India
4. The Galápagos Islands
5. New Zealand

Best Leisure Destination in the United States
1. Nashville, Tennessee
2. Savannah, Georgia
3. Charleston, South Carolina
4. Asheville, North Carolina
5. Napa Valley, California

Best Leisure Destination in Africa
1. Zambia
2. South Africa
2. Seychelles
4. Morocco
5. Kenya

Best Leisure Destination in Asia
1. Taipei, Taiwan
2. Seoul, South Korea
3. Phuket, Thailand
4. Tokyo, Japan
5. Singapore, Republic of Singapore

Best Leisure Destination in Europe
1. İstanbul, Türkiye
2. Lisbon, Portugal
3. Porto, Portugal
4. Prague, Czech Republic
5. Seville, Spain

Best Leisure Destination in Latin/South America
1. Panamá City, Panamá
2. Bogotá, Colombia
3. Buenos Aires, Argentina
4. Montevideo, Uruguay
5. Mendoza, Argentina

Best Leisure Destination in Mexico
1. Tulum, Mexico
2. Cancún, Mexico
3. Cabo San Lucas, Mexico
4. San Miguel de Allende, Mexico
5. Cozumel, Mexico

Best Leisure Destination for Groups
1. Dubrovnik, Croatia
2. Italy
3. Cabo San Lucas, Mexico
4. Costa Rica
5. Napa Valley, California

Best Weekend Destination in North America
1. Savannah, Georgia
2. Nashville, Tennessee
3. Asheville, North Carolina
4. Las Vegas, Nevada
5. New Orleans, Louisiana

Best Weekend Destination in the World
1. Dublin, Ireland
2. Rome, Italy
3. Paris, France
4. Bermuda
5. Lisbon, Portugal

Best North American Ski Destination
1. Telluride, Colorado
2. Whistler, British Columbia
3. Aspen Snowmass, Colorado
4. Vail, Colorado
5. Alta, Utah

Best International Ski Destination
1. Whistler, British Columbia
2. Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy
3. St. Moritz, Switzerland
4. Niseko, Japan
5. Gstaad, Switzerland

Best Golf Destination
1. Bandon Dunes Golf Resort
2. Streamsong Resort
3. Kiawah Island Golf Resort
4. Pebble Beach
5. Pinehurst Resort

Best Caribbean Island/ Destination
1. Dominican Republic
2. Bahamas
3. Grand Cayman 4. U.S. Virgin Islands
5. Curaçao