For the fourth consecutive year, Global Traveler honored the best of the best in the world of leisure lifestyle travel, including destinations, airlines, cruise lines and hotels, at its annual Leisure Lifestyle Awards celebration. For the first time we feted the winners at the Sofitel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills, enjoying a picture-perfect evening overlooking Beverly Hills from the hotel’s rooftop venue.
Industry elite enjoyed themed cuisine and cocktails as the sun set over the City of Angels. The Sofitel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills enjoys an enviable location and offers multiple options for hosting successful meetings and elegant affairs. Our May 19 celebration of the 2016 Leisure Lifestyle Awards was no exception.
Despite the beautiful setting, one furry guest in particular stole the show that evening: Seven, an Australian shepherd and pet actor on hand to help present United Airlines with the Best Pet-Friendly Airline award. A special thanks to Seven for bringing a bit of four-legged fun to the evening.
Among the most prestigious in the leisure travel industry, Global Traveler’s Leisure Lifestyle Awards highlight the standouts in the leisure travel and lifestyle worlds. Nominations in each category came from our elite Globility Board as well as our highly experienced magazine staff. From these nominations, our esteemed Advisory Board selected the final winners.
WINNERS’ CIRCLE
Best Historical Attractions Spain
Best Beaches Turks & Caicos
Best Adventure Travel Destination India
Best Caribbean Island U.S. Virgin Islands
Best Island in Europe Santoríni
Best Island Pacific Rim Cook Islands
Best Shopping in the World The Dubai Mall
Best Family Cruise Line Celebrity Cruises
Best Luxury Cruise Line Silversea Cruises
Best Cruise Line Suites The Haven by Norwegian
Best Adventure Cruise Line Lindblad Expeditions
Best Small-Ship Cruise Line Paul Gauguin Cruises
Best Large-Ship Cruise Line Cunard Line
Best River Cruise Line Viking River Cruises
Best Cruise Line Entertainment Royal Caribbean International
Best Cruise Line Dining Azamara Club Cruises
Best Cruise Ship Excursions Princess Cruises
Best Cruise Line Rewards Program Mariner Society by Holland America Line
Best Luxury Leisure Hotel Group in the World Meliá Hotels & Resorts
Best Hotel Chain Resorts Westin Hotels & Resorts
Best Pet-Friendly Hotel Loews Hotels & Resorts
Best Lifestyle Leisure Hotel Group in the World Vida Hotels and Resorts
Best Family Resort Chain in the World Wyndham Hotels and Resorts
Best Family Resort in North America Mohonk Mountain House
Best Family Resort in the Gulf Atlantis, The Palm
Best Hotel Restaurant Al Mahara at Burj Al Arab Jumeirah
Best Leisure Airline Hawaiian Airlines
Best Premium-Economy Class China Airlines
Best Pet-Friendly Airline United Airlines
Best Luxury Tour Company Abercrombie & Kent
Best Luxury Train The Royal Canadian Pacific
Best Car Rental for Leisure Hertz
Best Luxury Vehicle Cadillac
Favorite Luxury Fashion Brand Louis Vuitton
Favorite Luxury Watch Brand TAG Heuer
Favorite Luxury Jewelry Brand Tiffany & Co.
Special Achievement Awards
Outstanding Customized Service EVA Air’s Hello Kitty Jets
Outstanding Environmental Initiatives Airbus
Outstanding Innovations Robotic Bartender, Royal Caribbean International
Outstanding Social Responsibility Air Canada
Read This Next
Women in Travel
2016
Sep 22, 2016All Reads on This Topic
Read Them All
Introducing
FX Excursions
FX Excursions offers the chance for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in destinations around the world.
#globility
Insta FeedAirlines
Oct 9, 2026Contour Airlines Adds Non-Stop Flights Between Alabama, Dallas
Travelers flying in and out of Northwest Alabama Regional Airport in Muscle Shoals, Alabama, can now utilize Contour Airlines' new non-stop services to Dallas Fort Worth International Airport, beginning Nov. 12. As part of this addition, five weekly flights from its existing Muscle Shoals to Charlotte (CLT) schedule will relocate to Dallas, allowing for convenient connection opportunities at one of the nation's major aviation hubs.
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
Oct 9, 2026Cruise the Nile with an Egyptologist on This New River Boat
Learn about ancient Egypt like never before (or perhaps experience your own real-life version of The Mummy) with Travelmarvel. The river cruise line returns to Egypt with the debut of its newest river ship, Travelmarvel Sirius, now sailing the Nile.
Daily
Oct 8, 2026Four Seasons Resort Bali at Sayan Unveils Reimagined Suites
Designed in harmony with the Ayung River valley, Four Seasons Resort Bali at Sayan recently unveiled seven newly reimagined suites, with floor-to-ceiling windows framing the Ayung River valley and handcrafted Balinese details bringing a sense of place. The five Premier Duplex Suites and two Premier Family Suites were created with Hirsch Bedner Associates.
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.
October 2026
Oct 8, 2026Global Collaboration and Precision Design Transform Aerodynamic Ideas into Aircrafts
Diploma in hand, Brian Foley left Syracuse University in 1980 and headed west to Renton, Washington, for his dream job as a flight test engineer for the first Boeing 757 commercial airliner.
Review: Prestige Oceanfront Resort
eFlyer Reviews
Oct 7, 2026Why Morocco Should Be Your Next Golf Getaway
Daily
Oct 7, 2026Airlines
Oct 7, 2026Avelo Airlines Adds 4 New Non-Stop Destinations from Dallas’ DTX Airport
Avelo Airlines announced four new non-stop routes and a third based aircraft at Dallas’ McKinney National Airport, increasing the airline’s Collin County network to nine destinations.
Sponsored Content
The World Awaits with Turkish Airlines’ Global Access
Turkish Airlines enjoys the unique position as the airline flying to more countries than any other airline. Its unrivaled global reach is only the beginning of the experience that awaits passengers with Turkish Airlines.
Hotels
Oct 7, 2026Kimpton’s First All-Inclusive Resort Opens in Mexico’s Riviera Maya
Kimpton’s first all-inclusive resort officially opens within a 340-acre nature preserve in Mexico’s Riviera Maya. Kimpton Tres Rios – All Inclusive is the destination’s latest luxury property, spanning 335 accommodations.
ShareThis