The Philippines are enjoying a remarkable reputation. This year, three of the top 10 islands in the world, as determined by readers ofGoTravelDaily, are located in this stunning Asian archipelago.

Whether you’re planning to celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah, Eid Milad ul-Nabi, New Year, the solstice, or just the happy holidays, this is a time of year for giving. Therefore, why not whip up the wanderlust of a globetrotting relative or friend with one of these perfect presents for travellers?

When it comes to planning a relaxing resort vacation in Africa, you’re spoiled for choice. Do you crave lush green jungles, white-sand beaches, and turquoise waters? Jet off to the Seychelles, which compete with the South Pacific for jaw-dropping beauty. Can’t decide between the picturesque rolling hills of Napa and the old-world charm of the Loire? Experience the best of both worlds with a trip to the South African Winelands, where centuries-old vineyards are nestled in the sandstone mountains of the Western Cape. Every year for our World’s Best Awards survey, GoTravelDaily invites readers to weigh in on travel experiences around the globe to share their opinions on the top hotels, resorts, cities, islands, cruise ships, spas, airlines, and more. Hotels are assessed based on their facilities, location, service, food, and overall value. Properties are categorized as City or Resort based on their locations and amenities. This year, an impressive four out of the five winners hailed from one country: South Africa. While GoTravelDaily readers love visiting Cape Town, which was once again voted the No. 1 city in Africa, they also enjoy pairing their visits with stays at wine-country retreats or seaside resorts just outside the urban center. In the coastal getaway of Hermanus, Birkenhead House—an 11-suite, cliff-top former home—offers guests stunning views of surfers and whales breaching in the Atlantic below. One visitor even remarked that getting up close to the marine life via boat wasn’t necessary, as “we saw more whales from the hotel patio.” The other three South African properties, however, are located in wine country and are just as impressive.

Some of the most luxurious resort hotels on the planet are located in Indonesia, home to everything a well-traveled hotel connoisseur would expect: beautiful beaches, delicious food, postcard-perfect views, and faultless service. Therefore, it’s hardly a surprise that our readers are willing to endure multiple flights (and more than a full day of travel) to reach this archipelago of some 17,500 islands. Every year for our World’s Best Awards survey, readers weigh in on travel experiences around the globe — sharing their opinions on the top hotels, resorts, cities, islands, cruise ships, spas, airlines, and more. Hotels are rated on their facilities, location, service, food, and overall value. Importantly, properties are classified as City or Resort based on their locations and amenities. The love affair with Bali continues this year, as the island is home to four of the five resorts on the list. Of note is the recent renovation of the Four Seasons Resort Bali at Jimbaran Bay, where all 147 thatched-roof villas received a fresh look using traditional Balinese ikat fabrics, wooden sculptures, and local artwork. Each villa features its own infinity plunge pool and breathtaking views over Mount Agung, making it a very private and romantic setting for visitors. Amandari is a big hit with couples (and loyal Aman fanatics) due to its secluded setting near Ubud, nestled in Bali’s lush interior. Suites showcase coconut and teak wood accents and have their own private gardens, while the open-air lobby is modeled after awantilan(village meeting place). “The décor was stunning, and very true to the area and culture,” said one satisfied visitor. “Impeccable service,” they added. Moreover, in the beachside area of Nusa Dua, the St. Regis Bali Resort impresses with an almost 40,000-square-foot swimmable lagoon. However, the sole non-Bali resort on the list also happens to be this year’s winner. Nihi Sumba Island, formerly known as Nihiwatu, scored rave reviews across the board for its remote location (it’s an hour by plane from Bali). Owner Chris Burch, who acquired the property in 2012, expanded its facilities while managing to preserve the edge-of-civilization vibe and strong community connection. Read on to discover how each resort ranks.

The cities of Central and South America offer endless adventures. You can explore the arts in Buenos Aires, take in the vibrant beaches of Rio de Janeiro, or discover Incan history in Cuzco, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Indeed, Cuzco is prized as much for its Spanish-colonial architecture as for its rugged, mountainous setting. This gateway city on the road to Machu Picchu proves to be a favorite with travelers — three of the top 10 hotels, including this year’s winner, are located there. Each year, our World’s Best Awards survey invites travelers to weigh in on their experiences around the globe — sharing their opinions on the top hotels, resorts, cities, islands, cruise ships, spas, airlines, and more. Hotels are rated on their facilities, location, service, food, and overall value. Properties are classified as City or Resort based on their locations and amenities. Another standout city is Buenos Aires, where prominent hotels such as the Alvear Palace, the Four Seasons, and the Palacio Duhau Park Hyatt define the hotel scene. At the Alvear Palace, afternoon tea in the soaring lobby becomes a restorative art form, and the spacious rooms, adorned with Louis XVI-style furniture, offer a tranquil escape. One traveler gushed, “By far the best hotel in Argentina,” while another commented, “A grand hotel of the old school.” The Four Seasons, located in a former Belle Époque mansion in B.A.’s upscale Recoleta neighborhood, continues to shine, thanks in part to its light-filled guest rooms and lovely outdoor pool. The Waldorf Astoria Panama also made our list, as did Casa San Agustín, a recently renovated property nestled within the walls of Cartagena, Colombia. This boutique hotel consists of three interconnected buildings; its courtyard features a remarkable ancient aqueduct, and many of the rooms, styled in modern Colombian decor, come equipped with their own plunge pools or Jacuzzis.

Someone should really tell South Africa to lay low and let someone else have a turn in the spotlight. The country once again dominated our rankings of the best city hotels in Africa, with Cape Town (which has been on the best city in Africa list since 2001) taking four of the top five spots. The first-place winner, Ellerman House, a Cape Edwardian mansion with sweeping views of the Atlantic from its pool, shot up from its fourth-place ranking last year. Moreover, the Twelve Apostles Hotel & Spa, a 70-room property decorated in cool, coastal-inspired hues, nabbed second place in its first time on the list in several years.Location AdvantageIt’s only fair to note that the hotels of Cape Town have a location advantage. With the Atlantic on one side and Table Mountain, Lion’s Head, and the Twelve Apostles mountains on the other, there’s no such thing as a bad view at this town’s best properties. Although readers may have a soft spot for Cape Town, Johannesburg has plenty of five-star stays as well. It’s a testament to the Saxon Hotel, Villas, & Spa’s secluded location and eye-catching design (it houses 200 works by South African artists) that it’s been the lone Johannesburg pick for two years running. The Saxon, in fact, is close to making our Hall of Fame: it has placed on the list nine out of the past 10 years. Therefore, with travelers around the world finally giving Johannesburg’s thriving art and food scenes a second look, we expect the city’s five-star stays to prove stiff competition for Cape Town in coming years.World’s Best AwardsEvery year for our World’s Best Awards survey, we ask readers to weigh in on travel experiences globally—sharing their opinions on the top hotels, resorts, cities, islands, cruise ships, spas, airlines, and more. Hotels were rated on their facilities, location, service, food, and overall value. Properties were classified as City or Resort based on their locations and amenities. If you haven’t already started planning your next trip to Africa, these five hotels may be just the motivation you need. Read on for the perfect places to stay, pre- or post-safari.5. One&Only Cape TownCourtesy of One&OnlyScore: 92.974. Saxon Hotel, Villas & Spa, Johannesburg, South AfricaCourtesy of Saxon Hotel, Villas and SpaScore: 94.003. Cape Grace, Cape TownCourtesy of Cape GraceScore: 94.102. Twelve Apostles Hotel & Spa, Cape TownCourtesy of Twelve Apostles Hotel & SpaScore: 94.591. Ellerman House, Cape TownCourtesy of Ellerman HouseScore: 95.78When international royalty and celebrities like Oprah come to Cape Town, this is their stay of choice. Set on a cliff in the tony Bantry Bay neighborhood, Ellerman House has 13 rooms and two private villas. Consequently, with a staff-to-guest ratio of 3-to-1, there’s no better place in the city for exclusivity, privacy, and personal attention. Readers raved about its impressive art collection (the pieces on display are curated to give a comprehensive look at the history of South African art, and an on-site guide is available for private tours) as well as the exceptional food and top-notch wine cellar, which houses 7,500 bottles from around South Africa. One reader said it best: “I keep telling my husband that he could just leave me at Ellerman House and I would be very happy!”