As I usually do when I’m starting to write our annual awards article, I research the meaning and significance of the awards’ annual year — this year, our Leisure Lifestyle Awards turns 14! In my digging, I learned in numerology 14 means “the necessity of balance to avoid turmoil,” and I thought, “Could there be a more apt way to describe the beautiful essence of leisure travel?” It delivers a break from the routine and allows travelers to find the perfect symmetry between reality and escape, recentering the traveler to return to a more refreshed everyday structure. All of that is to say: We offer our hearty congratulations as we bring you the winners of the 14th annual Leisure Lifestyle Awards, honoring the best in the world of leisure and lifestyle travel, awarding goods, services, destinations, hotels, airlines, airports, cruises and more.

We’d also be remiss not to say thank you to our readers, the most seasoned travelers we know, for voting in this year’s survey. These winners are determined by the people who are regularly traveling and attempting to achieve that perfect balance.

We get started with our destination winners, some of the best places around the globe in which to indulge in the art of leisure travel. We start with Greece, Best Historical Attractions, International, for the fifth consecutive year (earning it Quint Status, which recognizes a destination or company winning the same award for five consecutive years), and New Orleans, Louisiana, Best Historical Attractions, Domestic, two years running. If it’s adventure you seek, Jordan, Best Adventure Destination, International, second year in a row, and Asheville, North Carolina (another two-timer!), Best Adventure Destination, Domestic, are the spots to visit. Aruba earns its third nod for Best Beaches.

Here’s a look at the best in leisure destinations by region: Charleston, South Carolina, Best Leisure Destination in the United States, second consecutive year; Morocco, Best Leisure Destination in Africa; Kraków, Poland, Best Leisure Destination in Europe; Seoul, South Korea, Best Leisure Destination in Asia, second year in a row; Panamá City, Panamá, Best Leisure Destination in Latin/ South America, for an impressive fifth year in a row; Los Cabos, Mexico, Best Leisure Destination in Mexico, second year running; Dubrovnik, Croatia, four-time Best Leisure Destination for Groups; Las Vegas, Best Weekend Destination in North America; Bermuda, Best Weekend Destination in the World; Jackson Hole, Wyoming, Best North American Ski Destination; Whistler, British Columbia, Best International Ski Destination, five times over; and The Sea Pines Resort, Best Golf Destination.

And now let’s take it to the islands: Dominican Republic wins Best Caribbean Island/Destination for its sixth consecutive time, while Santoríni, Greece, holds on to its Best Island in Europe title for the 13th consecutive year. Fiji earns Best Island Pacific Rim, and Amelia Island, Florida, wins Best Island in the United States for the third consecutive year.

Next up, we sail over to our cruise winners, starting with Best New Ship EXPLORA II from Explora Journeys; its sister ship, EXPLORA I, was the inaugural winner last year. Regent Seven Seas Cruises sails away with a duo of awards: Best Luxury Cruise Line and Best Cruise Line Suites for its Regent Suite, three years running.

Other cruise lines picking up more than one award this year include Princess Cruises, two-time Best Large-Ship Cruise Line and eight-time Best Cruise Line Entertainment; Oceania Cruises, winning Best Cruise Line Dining for the second consecutive year and Best World Cruise; and Crystal Cruises, Best Cruise Ship Excursions, three years in a row, and Best Cruise Line Caribbean Sailings.

Rounding out our cruise line winners, we have AmaWaterways, Best River Cruise Line, four consecutive years; Riverside Luxury Cruises, Best River Cruise Line Cabins; Virgin Voyages, Best Cruise Line Spas; Windstar Cruises, Best Small-Ship Cruise Line; Cunard Line, Best Cruise Line Rewards Program for its Club World; Holland America Line, Best Cruise Line to Alaska; and Atlas Ocean Voyages, Best Expedition Cruises. PortMiami earns its fourth Best Cruise Port award.

Find your comfort zone at these hotel and resort winners. Meliá Hotels International takes its fourth Best Luxury Leisure Hotel Group in the World nod. For Best Hotel Chain Resorts, the winner is InterContinental Hotels & Resorts for the third consecutive year. Loews gets two paws up from man’s best friend for Best Pet-Friendly Hotels. Other top- tier options this year include Fairmont Hotels & Resorts, Best Hotel Chain in Hawai‘i and the South Pacific; Kimpton Hotels + Restaurants, Best Eco- Friendly Hotel Chain, second year in a row; Casa de Campo Resort & Villas, Best Island Resort in the Caribbean; Fiesta Americana Travelty Group, Best Hotel Chain in the Caribbean; and The Excellence Collection, Best All-Inclusive Resorts.

These winning airports and airlines ensure every aspect of a leisure trip is as seamless and relaxing as can be: iGA Istanbul Airport as Best Airport for Layovers; TAP Air Portugal, eight-time Best Stopover Program; Air Tahiti Nui, Best Leisure Airline; United Airlines, five-time Best Eco- Friendly Airline; Qatar Airways, Best Airline for Onboard Entertainment; Korean Air wins Best Airline Onboard Menu for its first class cabin for the third year in a row; and Delta Air Lines, Best Premium Economy Class, second consecutive year.

Helping leisure travelers earn points toward their next dream getaway, winning credit cards include Chase Aeroplan Card, Best Leisure Credit Card, four years running; United Explorer Card from Chase, Best Airline Affinity Credit Card for Leisure; IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card from Chase, Best Hotel Affinity Credit Card for the third year in a row; and Royal Caribbean Visa Signature Credit Card from Bank of America, Best Cruise Line Credit Card, also for the third year.

This illustrious list of winners concludes with Abercrombie & Kent, Best Tour Operator; Lucid Motors, Best Luxury Vehicle, second consecutive year; Hertz, nine-time Best Leisure Car Rental; and Bacardi, Favorite Liquor Brand.

Congratulations to the 2026 Leisure Lifestyle Awards winners!

SPECIAL ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS
Each year, in addition to our Leisure Lifestyle Awards, Global Traveler acknowledges those travel companies going above and beyond. Congratulations to this year’s honorees.New this year, we recognize winners for Outstanding Loyalty Program Leisure, Airlines, and Outstanding Loyalty Program Leisure, Hotels. The inaugural winners are perennial favorites: United MileagePlus, from United Airlines, and IHG One Rewards, from IHG Hotels & Resorts.

Visit Malta set the standard for social responsibility in the LGBTQIA+ community through a variety of important initiatives, including protecting gender identity, banning conversion therapy, holding a Gay Pride Annual Festival in Valletta, and creating a safe environment for residents and travelers in and to Malta. For this and many other reasons, Visit Malta earns this year’s Outstanding Social Responsibility honor.

Kerzner International comes out on top for Outstanding Customized Services. Through its four distinct brands — Siro, Atlantis, One&Only and Rare Finds — Kerzner can deliver something different for every traveler. Properties can be found around the world, from Dubai to Montenegro and beyond, making Kerzner International an obvious choice for this accolade.

Red Sea Global is an ongoing development along the Red Sea in Saudi Arabia, and sustainability and the environment are at the forefront of all development plans. Water conservation, coral preservation, mangrove nurseries and renewable energy rank high on the list of priorities, so it’s no wonder the brand received this year’s Outstanding Environmental Initiatives award.

Airlines are ever-innovating, and Alaska Airlines is no exception. There are many reasons the airline is tops for innovation, among them its Smart Ramp Program to modernize baggage handling and ramp operations at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. For this and all its ingenuity, Alaska Airlines is this year’s Outstanding Innovations winner.