Readers’ Favorite

With crystal clear waters and fantastically fresh seafood, the Caribbean and its sister destinations, Bermuda, and the Bahamas, are home to some of the world’s most beautiful hotels and resorts. Choosing the best of the best can be quite challenging. Each year, for our World’s Best Awards survey,GoTravelDailyasks readers to weigh in on travel experiences around the globe, sharing their opinions on top hotels, resorts, cities, islands, cruise lines, spas, airlines, and more.

The cruise industry is continuously evolving to adapt to the needs and desires of travelers. Lines such as Royal Caribbean International and Norwegian have introduced new suite accommodations and family-friendly attractions, thereby appealing to multigenerational groups. Meanwhile, Holland America worked with renowned interior designer Adam D. Tihany to create a sleek, contemporary aesthetic for its newest launch.

Who could argue with the magic of French Polynesia? The stunning majesty of Bora Bora’s Mount Otemanu, the primal beauty of the Marquesas Islands, and the tranquil pristine landscapes can make anyone feel like they have docked at the end of the world. Moreover, many of these breathtaking destinations are best explored by boat. Cruising not only simplifies logistics but also provides the opportunity to return after a day of exciting excursions to high-thread-count sheets and enjoy an excellent glass of wine.

The South Pacific often lands high on travelers’ bucket lists. The views of the ocean, the fresh cuisine, and the simple ease of accommodations are hard to beat. However, finding the perfect place to stay isn’t so easy. Do you choose something small near the water or a larger fantasy resort where the staff will cater to your every need?

With its captivating beaches, elegant vineyards, enticing boutiques, and iconic mountain, Cape Town serves as a cornerstone of luxury for travelers. This year, Cape Town alluringly features five of the top ten urban hotels in Africa and the Middle East. Notably, Cape Grace and One&Only, perennial favorites located in the city’s Victoria & Albert Waterfront, secured the second and fifth spots on this prestigious list. Moreover, Ellerman House, an exquisite Cape Edwardian mansion overseeing the South Atlantic Ocean, showcased its unique offering with just 11 rooms, two suites, and two villas. The hotel provides guests with two lounges, a well-stocked library, a spa, and multiple remarkable venues for relaxation—including a brandy lounge, a wine gallery, and a Champagne cellar.

Head southwest past Hawaii, stop just short of New Zealand, and if you’re very lucky you will find yourself in the Cook Islands, a 15-isle volcanic atoll in the South Pacific. With jungles for hiking and a seascape for pondering how many shades of blue you can name, it is little wonder the Cooks rank high on the list of the top five islands in Australia, New Zealand, and the South Pacific. Every year for our World’s Best Awards survey, GoTravelDaily asks readers to weigh in on travel experiences around the globe — to share their opinions on the top cities, islands, cruise ships, spas, airlines, and more. Readers rated islands according to their activities and sights, natural attractions and beaches, food, friendliness, and overall value. This year’s winner is the New Zealand island of Waiheke, praised by our readers for its “great bohemian, artistic vibe,” and “wine, sun, and great food, plus outdoor activities,” which make this not only a unique getaway but also a “must.” Located just a 40-minute ferry ride away from New Zealand’s North Island, Waiheke is that rare destination that seems to have it all: beaches, vineyards, great cuisine, and friendly locals. Three islands in French Polynesia also scored big with our readers, with Huahine, Bora-Bora, and Moorea (up from No. 3 on the list last year) all receiving top honors. The lush Huahine is revered for its lack of development and tourists compared with its more popular neighbor Bora-Bora, an atoll that continues to draw celebrities to its luxurious resorts with overwater bungalows. Moorea is surrounded by a blue lagoon that affords unparalleled diving and snorkeling; you can even feed reef sharks if that’s your idea of a good time. Hikes through the inland mountainous terrain are rewarded with a cooling shower under one of Moorea’s many waterfalls. Our advice when it comes to choosing between these places? Open an atlas to this area of the world, close your eyes, and lower your finger. Among these five destinations, one can only go right.

Portugal has been on a serious roll lately—so much so thatGoTravelDailynamed it Destination of the Year for 2016—due in part to a revitalization of urban centers like Lisbon and Porto. The wine industry in the Douro Valley is also thriving (and bottles are unbelievably reasonable). Moreover, the beaches and charming coastal towns are less known to American travelers than those in France and Italy, yet that’s part of the appeal. The country’s moment in the sun continues with Convento do Espinheiro, a Luxury Collection Hotel & Spa set in the town of Évora, receiving top honors among resort hotels in Spain and Portugal. Évora, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is one of the top attractions in the Alentejo region, which is experiencing growing popularity for its sweeping landscapes, robust food and wine culture, and rich history. Convento do Espinheiro, housed in a former convent building with vaulted cloisters and expansive grounds, offers a winning combination of atmosphere, setting, and luxury. One respondent lauded it as “one of the most beautiful experiences of my life,” praising its “excellent service, dreamy comfort, extraordinary history,” and restaurant, which “will blow your mind.” Every year for our World’s Best Awards survey, respondents share their opinions on travel experiences worldwide—ranking top hotels, resorts, cities, islands, cruise ships, spas, airlines, and more. Hotels were evaluated based on their facilities, location, service, food, and overall value. Properties were classified as City or Resort based on their locations and amenities. The Penha Longa Resort, located in the historic resort town of Sintra, 30 minutes outside Lisbon, secured second place this year. Set in the rolling hills of a 545-acre national park bordering two magnificent beaches, the property features a 27-hole golf course, a 19th-century palace, and a Michelin-starred restaurant. The only Spanish property on this year’s list was the Marbella Club Hotel, Golf Resort & Spa. This legendary hotel, which opened in 1954 and captivated celebrity beachgoers in the 1960s and 70s, continues to attract a glamorous crowd with its impeccable styling and lush gardens.

So many new hotels have emerged in this dynamic region, where cities have sprung up from the desert. With this expansion, GoTravelDaily has created a new category this year. Our readers’ choices spanned multiple countries, from a glass-and-steel high-rise in Dubai to a Moroccan hotel modeled after a royal residence. Every year, for our World’s Best Awards survey, readers are asked to weigh in on their travel experiences globally, sharing opinions on leading 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.

According to our readers, the best resort hotels in Southeast Asia fully embrace the surrounding environment and landscapes. Whether you prefer great swaths of hilly jungle, as in Thailand’s Golden Triangle, or the azure waters off white-sand beaches in the Philippines, this part of the world offers ample choice. Every year for our World’s Best Awards survey, GoTravelDaily asks readers to 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 were rated on their facilities, location, service, food, and overall value. Properties were classified as City or Resort based on their locations and amenities.

Especially noteworthy is this year’s runner-up, the Four Seasons Nam Hai in Hoi An, Vietnam. The luxury hotel group recently took over this oceanfront property, which features 200 feng-shui-influenced villas, three pools, and a cooking school that celebrates Vietnamese cuisine. Another standout in Vietnam is the InterContinental Danang Sun Peninsula Resort (No. 5), which combines a stunning natural setting along the Son Tra Peninsula Nature Reserve with a modern design sensibility crafted by Bangkok-based architect and interior designer Bill Bensley.

Thailand had a strong showing this year, with six resorts on the list, including two in the wilds of the Golden Triangle near the border with Laos and Myanmar. Anantara Golden Triangle Resort & Spa doubles as an elephant-conservation center, where guests can learn about the pachyderms’ significance in Thai society while getting up close and personal with the animals. The nearby Four Seasons Tented Camp Golden Triangle offers 15 luxury tents that seem to float amid the dense forest canopy, in addition to guided elephant rides.

Furthermore, Thailand is also home to the 137 Pillars House, this year’s winner. Located in Chiang Mai’s peaceful, picturesque Wat Gate neighborhood, the building was originally constructed in 1889, giving the 30-suite boutique hotel a profound sense of history. The wide terraces and large daybeds that accompany every suite overlook impeccably landscaped tropical gardens, which readers found ideal for early evening relaxation.

Paradise wasn’t lost, but it surely suffered. Hurricanes Irma and Maria bore down on the Caribbean last fall, affecting nearly 30 percent of the region. What’s incredible to see is that our readers voted in support of those in need: nine out of the 15 islands on this year’s World’s Best list were impacted by the storms, especially St. John, Virgin Gorda, and Vieques. Some will spend years recovering, while others, like Anguilla, are rebounding with remarkable speed. What all of these favorites have in common is unrivaled beauty and rich histories that outlive nature’s tempests.

There are some travelers who ask only that an island getaway deliver a beautiful beach and the promise of 90-degree weather. However, if you’re the kind of vacationer who craves more—such as world-class diving and wildlife encounters, or centuries-old ruins and an awe-inspiring coastline—the islands of Mexico and Central and South America are sure to deliver.

Unlike in most cities, L.A.’s power players see hotels as a premier venue for professional and social gatherings. Wander down to breakfast at the Peninsula Beverly Hills, and you’re sure to spot studio heads enjoying egg-white frittatas alongside aspiring screenwriters. Moreover, a banquette lunch at the Beverly Hills Hotel’s iconic Polo Lounge might place you a table away from actors taking a break from shopping on Rodeo Drive. No matter your day job, these hotels will make you feel like a celebrity.

While Hong Kong is Asia’s financial capital, the city of 7 million also boasts a burgeoning contemporary art scene, world-class culinary delights, and stunning natural landscapes. For travelers seeking a balance of excitement and tranquility, our selections reflect a desire to enjoy luxurious accommodations without straying far from the vibrant city life.

If you want to start your day on a beach and end it on a mountaintop, or grab lunch at some of the best restaurants in the world and then venture out to a 1,500-year-old archaeological site — it’s time to head south. From the glittering beaches of Rio de Janeiro to the exquisite culinary scene in Lima, South America’s largest cities are home to some of the finest hotels in the region. Notably, Cuzco, the gateway to Machu Picchu, boasts four excellent properties, a remarkable feat for a city with fewer than half a million inhabitants.

This time last year, the travel infrastructure in the Caribbean looked very different. In 2018, readers’ choices for the best Caribbean resorts understandably drew heavily from properties outside the main path of 2017’s devastating hurricanes. Jamaica and St. Lucia (largely untouched by the storms) and Anguilla and Turks and Caicos (some of the first destinations to recover), in particular, dominated the rankings.