For the fourth consecutive year, Global Traveler takes a closer look at the world of leisure travel, recognizing the world’s best leisure destinations, airlines, cruises, hotels, other travel providers and luxury goods to name the Leisure Lifestyle Awards winners for 2016.

Nominations in each category came from Global Traveler’s elite Globility Board as well as highly experienced magazine staff. From these nominations, Global Traveler’s esteemed Advisory Board selected the final winners.

Launched in 2012, Global Traveler’s Globility Board consists of well-traveled subscribers who act as a direct link between the magazine, our clients and our readers. These savvy world travelers serve as a conduit for information about our readers’ interests and insights in leisure travel that goes far beyond the data we can garner from our surveys and research. Our Advisory Board comprises well-traveled executives from a variety of industries.

When it comes to leisure travel and luxury lifestyle habits, what suits your fancy? Maybe it is sightseeing historic attractions or hitting the high seas on a pampering cruise. Perhaps it is shopping ’til you drop at high-end stores, or it might be renting a car and going on a luxurious road trip. Whatever your pleasure, we’ve highlighted the best of the best among all the areas of leisure lifestyle and travel.

With great pleasure we announce the 2016 winners. Congratulations to those deemed the very best in the world of leisure travel.

Spain © VLADIMIR SAZONOV |
DREAMSTIME.COM

IN REGARDS TO historic attractions worldwide, the competition is stiff. From ancient ruins to world-famous architecture, there’s plenty to see. For 2016, Spain reigns supreme as Best Historical Attractions. We’ve got visions of the Alhambra, El Escorial, Sagrada Familia and more dancing in our travel-planning brains.

For some, leisure means being active. Adventure-seekers chose India as Best Adventure Travel Destination this year. Safaris, rafting, bungee jumping, trekking, scuba diving, cycling, skiing — you name it, chances are you can partake of your favorite activity throughout India.

For an active pursuit of a slightly different nature, work out your wallet at The Dubai Mall, named Best Shopping in the World. One of the largest in the world, The Dubai Mall boasts 1,200 stores and opened in 2009. Aside from shopping, the complex includes a hotel; multiple cinema screens; restaurants; cafés; more than 14,000 parking spaces; valet services; an ice rink; an aquarium; an indoor theme park and more.

The Dubai Mall © TEA | DREAMSTIME.COM

For pure, unadulterated relaxation, pull up your lounge chair and slather on the sunscreen in any of these award-winning locales: Turks and Caicos (Best Beaches, second consecutive year); U.S. Virgin Islands (Best Caribbean Island); Santoríni (Best Island in Europe, third consecutive year); and Cook Islands (Best Island Pacific Rim).

Santoríni © HARIS VYTHOULKAS | DREAMSTIME.COM

SET SAIL WITH a number of accolade-earning cruise lines, achieving recognition in this year’s winners list for everything from family-friendliness and food to suites and excursions.

Celebrity Cruises earns the No. 1 spot in the Best Family Cruise Line category with programs for kids that span all age groups, including Toddler Time, Fun Factory and X Club. The cruise line achieved Autism Friendly Cruise Line status, awarded for efforts to ensure products and services are inclusive.

Previously an honoree as Best Small-Ship Cruise Line, Silversea Cruises this year captured the title of Best Luxury Cruise Line. The intimate ships are all-inclusive and all luxury, sailing to more than 800 destinations across all seven continents. Also serving up luxury, The Haven by Norwegian is the winner of this year’s Best Cruise Line Suites. The ship-within-a-ship includes fine amenities and 24-hour butler service.

Looking for adventure on the high seas? Two-time Best Adventure Cruise Line winner Lindblad Expeditions is your answer. This year the cruise line celebrates 50 years of sailing to the Antarctic. For river cruising, Viking River Cruises earns the top spot for the fourth consecutive year.

Ships large and small entice seafaring travelers, but our bets are with Paul Gauguin Cruises and Cunard Line, Best Small-Ship Cruise Line and Best Large-Ship Cruise Line, respectively. Paul Gauguin Cruises sails to destinations in Fiji, French Polynesia, Melanesia, Indonesia and Tahiti, among others. Cunard Line travels throughout the world, including its popular trans-Atlantic cruises.

What you do and see on and off the boat are just as important as the means of transportation, so we honor cruises lines exceeding expectations in the realms of entertainment, dining and excursions. From Broadway shows to 3D movies, Royal Caribbean International, Best Cruise Line Entertainment, certainly offers something for everyone. Azamara Club Cruises’ six distinct dining options helped earn the line Best Cruise Line Dining accolades. And for off-shore fun, Princess Cruises, Best Cruise Line Excursions, whets every appetite.

But what about rewards? Frequent cruisers understand the benefits and perks associated with multiple journeys on the same provider, and they find the Mariner Society by Holland America Line does, too.

ON LAND, WE celebrate a number of hotels bringing the best of the best to luxury leisure travelers — and their four-legged friends, too.

For the second consecutive year, Meliá Hotels International was voted Best Luxury Leisure Hotel Group in the World. The brand offers more than 90 hotels in major cities in Germany, Austria, Bulgaria, Croatia, Spain, France, Greece, Italy, Luxembourg, Portugal, the United Kingdom and throughout Asia, Africa and the Americas.

Also winning for a second year in a row, Westin Hotels & Resorts takes the No. 1 spot for Best Hotel Chain Resorts. With a focus on well-being, a visit to a Westin resort guarantees to help guests feel their best. Experience what makes Westin a winner by taking part in the brand’s innovative partnerships and programs and its six pillars of well-being: Sleep Well, Eat Well, Move Well, Feel Well, Work Well and Play Well.

For furry guests, Loews Hotels & Resorts proves a winner. Voted Best Pet-Friendly Hotel for its Loews Loves Pets program, the brand offers dogs and cats welcome gifts including a name tag, bowl and special treats; a “pet in room” sign; loanable pet accessories; a gourmet room service pet menu and other services.

Another two-time winner is this year’s Best Lifestyle Leisure Hotel Group in the World, Vida Hotels and Resorts. Vida, meaning “life” in Spanish, embraces a philosophy of youthful vitality, offering all the modern luxury a traveler desires but without all the fuss.

Vida Hotels and Resorts © VIDA HOTELS AND RESORTS

Wyndham Hotels and Resorts operates upscale, full-service properties in both business and leisure destinations worldwide, with a number of the resorts dubbed kid-friendly for their amenities and programming, and for which the brand has been named the 2016 Best Family Resort Chain in the World.

When it comes to families, two other resorts top the charts in this year’s Leisure Lifestyle Awards: Mohonk Mountain House, in New York’s Hudson Valley, and Atlantis, The Palm, in Dubai. Respectively, they won Best Family Resort in North America and Best Family Resort in the Gulf.

Another Dubai hotel makes an appearance on this year’s list of winners: Burj Al Arab Jumeirah, honored as Best Hotel Restaurant for its Al Mahara. The floor-to-ceiling aquarium inside the restaurant is just the beginning of the experience — an experience that is about to be reinvented with an aesthetic renovation set for June to September 2016, reopening October 2016 under Chef Nathan Outlaw.

THE ALOHA SPIRIT kicks off the second leisure travelers board a Hawaiian Airlines aircraft. The airline, voted Best Leisure Airline for the second consecutive year, offers meals and drinks, in-flight entertainment, snacks and new Extra Comfort seats on its Airbus A330s. Also this year, Hawaiian Airlines will outfit A330 premium cabins with 180-degree, lie-flat seats.

China Airlines © CHINA AIRLINES

The award-winning design of China Airlines’ newest Boeing 777-300ER helped earn its premium-economy cabin Best Premium-Economy Class in this year’s Leisure Lifestyle Awards. The cabin features seating with fixed backshell and front-sliding seat recline, 12.1-inch personal entertainment touchscreens, power outlets and USB ports, personal storage space and a reading light.

For those leisure travelers flying longer distances with their beloved pets, United Airlines, Best Pet- Friendly Airline, has you covered with its PetSafe program, including a 24-hour PetSafe desk, pet tracking abilities and dedicated facilities and services.

LEISURE TRAVELERS ARE venturing out in other ways these days. For truly immersive luxury experiences, many turn to tour operators. Abercrombie & Kent nabs the top spot as Best Luxury Tour Company. The company even boasts around-the-world private jet tours.

Or opt to travel via luxury train, perhaps on Best Luxury Train winner The Royal Canadian Pacific. The fleet of Pacific Railway vintage business train cars offers 5-star accommodations amid the epic scenery of Canada’s mountains.

Travelers who prefer to take the wheel themselves and hit the open road favor Hertz, voted Best Car Rental for Leisure Travel. Hertz offers a range of vehicle options, from luxury and sports cars to hybrid vehicles, boasting technology including Hertz NeverLost navigation and SiriusXM Satellite Radio.

© CADILLAC

AN APPRECIATION FOR the finer things in life led to the selection of winners in the luxury goods categories of our Leisure Lifestyle Awards. Redefining the luxury car experience, Cadillac is catching the attention of car buyers, earning recognition as Best Luxury Vehicle.

Overall, the iconic Louis Vuitton has been dubbed Favorite Luxury Fashion Brand, a fitting title for a brand that truly has never gone out of style. Equally as recognizable and classic, Tiffany & Co. is the 2016 Favorite Luxury Jewelry Brand. Rounding out the list of winners is TAG Heuer, Favorite Luxury Watch Brand.

For the third year in a row, Global Traveler recognizes four brands that raise the bar in the travel industry by bringing unique customized services, practicing environmentally friendly initiatives, continually innovating and looking to the future, and encouraging community involvement within their companies. We are proud to present the 2016 Leisure Lifestyle Special Achievement Awards.

EVA Air’s Hello Kitty jets © EVA AIR

When it comes to customization, look no further than EVA Air, winner of Outstanding Customized Service, and its Hello Kitty jets. From check-in to on board, the entire experience is markedly unique by the ubiquitous presence of the popular Sanrio character — found everywhere from the bathroom soap to the butter pats. Jets, each with a different theme and name, service a number of destinations from Taipei (TPE), including Houston (IAH), where the Hello Kitty Shining Star made its debut in 2015.

Airbus, recognized for Outstanding Environmental Initiatives, makes environmentally friendly strides in a variety of ways, including practicing eco-efficiency within product development and operation and launching programs to minimize the environmental footprint of air travel. The company’s commitment to eco-efficiency extends beyond the design process, with a focus on in-service operation through to the eventual retirement of the aircraft.

Shaken or stirred? If you’re at sea on Royal Caribbean International’s Quantum of the Seas, that determination is at the discretion of a robotic bartender. The mechanical arms earned the cruise line Outstanding Innovations honors, and each set can make two drinks per minute, delivered in plastic cups via conveyor belt. Passengers place orders on tablets. After debuting in 2014, Royal Caribbean ordered three more for future ships, including Anthem of the Seas.

A commitment to community led to the 2012 establishment of the Air Canada Foundation, an extension of Air Canada’s dedication to childhood health and wellness and the catalyst behind the carrier being awarded for its Outstanding Social Responsibility. The company supports pediatric hospitals, assists more than 100 charities, raises funds and helps make the wishes of ill children come true.

In the world of travel, anything is possible. For your next leisure travel experience, pick your pleasure — and rest assured any of the winning providers in this year’s Leisure Lifestyle Awards will provide a first-rate, 5-star accompaniment to your experience. We tip our hats to the illustrious companies gracing the winners’ list. Congratulations!

WINNERS’ CIRCLE

BEST HISTORICAL ATTRACTIONS
Spain
Greece
Turkey
India
Egypt
Israel
Italy
Jordan
United Kingdom
Peru

BEST BEACHES
Turks and Caicos
Roatán, Honduras
Cayman Islands
Krabi, Thailand
The Big Island, Hawai’i
Phuket, Thailand
Lopes Mendes, Brazil
Mykonos, Greece
Seychelles
Sanibel Island, Fla.

BEST ADVENTURE TRAVEL DESTINATION
India
Chile
South Africa
Thailand
Alaska
Argentina
New Zealand
California
Hawai’i
Israel

BEST CARIBBEAN ISLAND
U.S. Virgin Islands
Grand Cayman
British Virgin Islands
St. Vincent and the Grenadines
Curaçao
Puerto Rico
St. Lucia
Nevis
St. Barth’s
Jamaica

BEST ISLAND IN EUROPE
Santoríni
Ireland
Sicily
England
Capri
Mykonos
Elba
Crete
Mallorca
Sardinia

BEST ISLAND PACIFIC RIM
Cook Islands
Bali
Bora Bora
Tahiti
Okinawa
Phuket
The Big Island, Hawai’i
Hong Kong
Mau’i, Hawai’i
Japan

BEST SHOPPING IN THE WORLD
The Dubai Mall
Mall of Asia, Philippines
Villagio Mall, Doha
Ala Moana Shopping Center, Honolulu, Hawai’i
Istanbul Cevahir, Turkey
Wafi Mall, Dubai
Galleria, Houston, Texas
Siam Paragon, Bangkok, Thailand
Mall of America, Bloomington, Minn.
Mall of the Emirates, Dubai

BEST FAMILY CRUISE LINE
Celebrity Cruises
Royal Caribbean International
Disney Cruise Line
Norwegian Cruise Line
Holland America Line

BEST LUXURY CRUISE LINE
Silversea Cruises
Crystal Cruises
Cunard Line
Regent Seven Seas
Celebrity Cruises
Paul Gauguin Cruises
SeaDream Yacht Club
Seabourn Cruise Line

BEST CRUISE LINE SUITES
The Haven by Norwegian
Queens Grill Suites, Cunard Line
Crystal Cruises Penthouse
Royal Loft by Royal Caribbean International
Celebrity Cruises Penthouse Suites
Owner’s Suite, Silversea Cruises
Regent Suite, Regent Seven Seas
Oceania Cruises Owner’s Suite
Princess Grill Suites, Cunard Line

BEST ADVENTURE CRUISE LINE
Lindblad Expeditions
American Safari
Windstar Cruises
Quark Expeditions
Azamara Club Cruises

BEST SMALL-SHIP CRUISE LINE
Paul Gauguin Cruises
Azamara Club Cruises
Seabourn Cruise Line
Crystal Cruises
Viking River Cruises
Oceania Cruises
SeaDream Yacht Club
Windstar Cruises
Regent Seven Seas
Hurtigruten Cruises

BEST LARGE-SHIP CRUISE LINE
Cunard Line
Norwegian Cruise Line
Celebrity Cruises
Royal Caribbean International
Holland America Line
Princess Cruises

BEST RIVER CRUISE LINE
Viking River Cruises
Tauck
AmaWaterways
Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection
Avalon Waterways

BEST CRUISE LINE ENTERTAINMENT
Royal Caribbean International
Celebrity Cruises
Cunard Line
Princess Cruises
Disney Cruise Line
Norwegian Cruise Line

BEST CRUISE LINE DINING
Azamara Club Cruises
Royal Caribbean International
Celebrity Cruises
Oceania Cruises
Cunard Line
SeaDream Yacht Club
Norwegian Cruise Line
Seabourn Cruise Line
Viking River Cruises
Regent Seven Seas

BEST CRUISE SHIP EXCURSIONS
Princess Cruises
Silversea Cruises
Royal Caribbean International
Celebrity Cruises
Norwegian Cruise Line
Cunard Line
Holland America Line

BEST CRUISE LINE REWARDS PROGRAM
Mariner Society, Holland America Line
Latitudes, Norwegian Cruise Line
Crown & Anchor Society, Royal Caribbean International
Captain’s Club, Celebrity Cruises
Captain’s Circle, Princess Cruises
World Club, Cunard Line
Castaway Club, Disney Cruise Line

BEST LUXURY LEISURE HOTEL GROUP IN THE WORLD
Meliá Hotels & Resorts
Belmond
The Waldorf Astoria
Conrad Hotels & Resorts
Westin Hotels & Resorts
Four Seasons
Marriott Hotels & Resorts
Hyatt Hotels
The Peninsula Hotels
The Ritz-Carlton

BEST HOTEL CHAIN RESORTS
Westin Hotels & Resorts
The Ritz-Carlton
St. Regis Hotels & Resorts
Four Seasons
Hyatt Hotels
Sheraton Hotels & Resorts
InterContinental Hotels & Resorts
Montage Hotels & Resorts
Marriott Hotels & Resorts

BEST PET-FRIENDLY HOTEL
Loews Hotels & Resorts
Kimpton Hotels & Resorts
The Peninsula Hotels
Westin Hotels & Resorts
Sheraton Hotels & Resorts
W Hotels
The Ritz-Carlton
Mandarin Oriental
Marriott Hotels & Resorts

BEST LIFESTYLE LEISURE HOTEL GROUP IN THE WORLD
Vida Hotels and Resorts
Andaz
W Hotels
Indigo Hotels
Meliá Hotels & Resorts

BEST FAMILY RESORT CHAIN IN THE WORLD
Wyndham Hotels and Resorts
Loews Hotels & Resorts
Disney Resorts
Kimpton Hotels & Resorts
Westin Hotels & Resorts
Hyatt Hotels
Sheraton Hotels & Resorts
JW Marriott
Omni Hotels & Resorts

BEST FAMILY RESORT IN NORTH AMERICA
Mohonk Mountain House
Westin La Paloma
Disney Grand Californian Hotel
Rocking Horse Ranch
Cloister at Sea Island
St. Regis Monarch Beach
Grand Hotel, Mackinac Island
Inn at Palmetto Bluff, Montage
Sanctuary at Kiawah

BEST FAMILY RESORT IN THE GULF
Atlantis, The Palm, Dubai
Shangri-La Barr Al Jissah Resort, Oman
Jumeirah Beach Hotel, Dubai
Madinat Jumeirah, Dubai
Six Senses Zighy Bay, Oman
Jumeirah Zabeel Saray, Dubai
One&Only Royal Mirage Dubai

BEST HOTEL RESTAURANT
Al Mahara at Burj Al Arab Jumeirah
Yan Toh Heen at InterContinental Hong Kong
Acquerello at St. Regis Venice
NoMi at Park Hyatt Chicago
Tin Lung Heen at The Ritz-Carlton, Hong Kong
Altitude at Shangri-La Sydney
Wing Lei at Wynn Las Vegas
Blue by Eric Ripert at The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman

BEST LEISURE AIRLINE
Hawaiian Airlines
Air Tahiti Nui
Fiji Airways
United Airlines
Virgin America
Alaska Airlines
Delta Air Lines

BEST PREMIUM-ECONOMY CLASS
China Airlines
Lufthansa
All Nippon Airways
EVA Air
United Airlines
American Airlines
Delta Air Lines
Virgin Atlantic Airways
British Airways

BEST PET-FRIENDLY AIRLINE
United Airlines
American Airlines
Delta Air Lines

BEST LUXURY TOUR COMPANY
Abercrombie & Kent
Cox & Kings
The Ultimate Travel Company
Carrier
Hayes & Jarvis
Wexas Travel
Southern Destinations
ITC Luxury Travel
Kuoni
Trailfinders

BEST LUXURY TRAIN
The Royal Canadian Pacific
Venice Simplon-Orient-Express
The Blue Train
The Rocky Mountaineer
Al Andalus Express
Trans-Siberian Express
The British Pullman
Royal Scotsman
Indian Pacific
The Ghan

BEST CAR RENTAL FOR LEISURE
Hertz
Avis
National Car Rental

BEST LUXURY VEHICLE
Cadillac
Tesla
Maserati
BMW
Mercedes-Benz
Land Rover
Acura
Porsche
Audi
Bentley

FAVORITE LUXURY FASHION BRAND
Louis Vuitton
Chanel
Armani
Cartier
Prada
Ralph Lauren
Burberry
Dior
Gucci
Tom Ford

FAVORITE LUXURY WATCH BRAND
TAG Heuer
Louis Vuitton
Tiffany & Co.
Omega
Movado
Panerai
Ulysee Nardin
A. Lange & Söhne
Patek Philippe
Cartier

FAVORITE LUXURY JEWELRY BRAND
Tiffany & Co.
Cartier
Chopard
Chanel
Roberto Coin
Van Cleef & Arpels
Bvlgari
Harry Winston
Dior
Graff

Special Achievement Awards

OUTSTANDING CUSTOMIZED SERVICE
EVA Air’s Hello Kitty Jets
Paradisus Resorts Family Concierge Program
American Airlines Cuddle Class
Westin Well-Being Movement
Korean Air’s Celestial Bar on Airbus A380

OUTSTANDING ENVIRONMENTAL INITIATIVES
Airbus
Munich Airport
United Airlines
InterContinental Hotels Group
Qantas
Marriott Hotels & Resorts
Hilton Hotels & Resorts

OUTSTANDING INNOVATIONS
Robotic Bartender, Royal Caribbean International
Botlr, Aloft Hotel Cupertino
InfoGates, Munich Airport
NexGen 777 Cabin Design, China Airlines
Keyless Entry, Hilton Hotels & Resorts
SPG Keyless System, Starwood Hotels & Resorts

OUTSTANDING SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
Air Canada
JetBlue
Marriott Hotels & Resorts
Singapore Airlines
Hilton Hotels & Resorts