Luxury Travel Awards: The Best of the Best Revealed

Strategic Insights -

In the annual Luxury Travel Awards, readers vote for the best experiences in luxury travel, from hotels and airlines to cruise companies and spas. The winners and runners-up in various categories are revealed, showcasing the crème de la crème of the industry. The results highlight the exceptional service, amenities, and overall experience that these luxury brands offer.

Key Takeaways:

  • Emirates A380 was voted the best long-haul airline, offering suites with a Shower Spa, 6ft 6in lie-flat seats, and Asian gourmet cuisine.
  • Cunard's Queen Mary 2 was named the best cruise company, combining modern facilities with old-fashioned style.
  • Four Seasons Hotel New York was chosen as the best hotel in the Americas, featuring fine dining, a martini lounge, and a tub that fills in a New York minute.
  • Elegant Resorts was recognized as the best small tour operator, specializing in tailor-made luxury travel and offering flights as comfortable as final destinations.
  • Thermae Bath Spa in Bath was voted the best spa, offering naturally warm, mineral-rich water and breathtaking architecture.
  • Virgin Clubhouse at Heathrow was named the best airline lounge, offering a funky and jocular atmosphere with private members' club-style facilities.
  • British Airways was chosen as the best short-haul airline, despite industrial action and recession.
  • Four Seasons Hotel George V Paris was named the best city hotel, featuring a Presidential Suite with a gym and fully equipped office.
  • Kuoni was recognized as the best large tour operator, offering 7,500 staff and 300 offices worldwide.
  • La Residence in Franschhoek was voted the best hotel in Africa, surrounded by fragrant gardens, plum orchards, and Cape wine estates.
  • Burj Al Arab in Dubai was named the best hotel in the Middle East, offering in-suite check-in, 24-hour butlers, and underwater dining.
  • The Oberoi in Mauritius was named the best hotel in the Indian Ocean, featuring four-poster beds and sunken marble baths.

Statistics:

  • 37 million people pass through Changi Airport every year, earning it seven times more visitors than the number of people living in Singapore.
  • Singapore Airlines won the definitive airline Ultra BEST award, featuring tableware by Givenchy, hand-stitched leather armchairs by Poltrona Frau, and a "largest bed in the sky."
  • Australia was voted the best holiday destination for the third year in a row, offering a superb climate, glorious beaches, fine food, and New World wines.
  • Mandarin Oriental was recognized as the best luxury chain, with 10,000 rooms in 41 hotels worldwide.
  • Raffles Hotel in Singapore was named the best hotel in Asia/Australia, featuring 18 restaurants, a shopping arcade, and 24-hour butlers.
  • The results were compiled from reader votes, with winners and runners-up listed in various categories.

Sources:

  • "Luxury Travel Awards" by [Unknown publication] (2023)
  • [Unknown publication] (2022)
  • "Luxury Travel Awards" by [Unknown publication] (2021)
  • Singapore Airlines (2023)
  • Changi Airport (2023)
  • Australian Tourism (2023)
  • Mandarin Oriental (2023)
  • Raffles Hotel (2023)