DESTINATION, BEST HOTEL RENOVATION: PARK HYATT TOKYO, JAPAN
Following a meticulous 19-month transformation, this iconic Shinjuku landmark has reopened with reimagined guest rooms, elevated dining options, and restored public spaces that honor its cinematic history while embracing contemporary luxury. The redesign preserves the hotel’s serene, residential atmosphere while introducing refined materials, expanded views, and a renewed sense of understated sophistication.
BEST BUCKET-LIST TRAVEL EXPERIENCES: SCOTT DUNN
Scott Dunn curates extraordinary journeys tailored to the specific dreams of every client. From private safaris and Arctic expeditions to bespoke cultural immersions, their expert team crafts unforgettable adventures, providing seamless service and exclusive access to turn any travel bucket list into reality.
BEST BAREFOOT LUXURY: THE FLORIDA KEYS
Stretching 125 miles into the Atlantic, The Florida Keys take laid-back luxury to a new level. From the world-class diving in Key Largo to the eclectic culture and rich history of Key West, this tropical paradise offers effortless charm, exceptional dining, and endless adventure, making it the ultimate toes-in-the-sand getaway.
BEST WELLNESS DESTINATION, U.S.: THE RANCH, MALIBU, CALIF.
Set on 200 rugged acres in the Santa Monica Mountains, this results-oriented retreat offers a transformative, highly structured program limited to just 25 guests. The daily schedule is anchored by scenic hikes, strength training, yoga, and daily massages, all complemented by plant-forward cuisine and advanced wellness therapies to provide an immersive reset for the mind and body.
BEST HOTEL RENOVATION, HAWAI‘I: WAILEA BEACH RESORT, MAUI
Commanding 22 oceanfront acres, the redesigned Wailea Beach Resort draws inspiration from its island surroundings, featuring hibiscus-inspired pinks, lava-flow grays, and the warm tones of koa and bamboo. Highlights include four Signature Oceanfront Villas—configurable as one- to four-bedroom retreats with gourmet kitchens—and 51 suites, including the Sundeck Collection, which offers expanded outdoor spaces, fire pits, and outdoor tubs.
BEST ADVENTURE LODGE: EXPLORA PATAGONIA TORRES DEL PAINE LODGE, CHILE
Located within the breathtaking Torres del Paine National Park—a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve—this legendary 49-room lodge offers a cinematic Patagonia experience. Guests enjoy floor-to-ceiling views of Lake Pehoé, expertly guided expeditions across glaciers and granite towers, and restorative evenings of Chilean wine and spa rituals after days spent traversing one of the world’s most dramatic landscapes.
BEST VIEW IN PARIS: HÔTEL DE SERS PANORAMIC SUITE, FRANCE
Perched high above the Golden Triangle, the Panoramic Suite at Hôtel de Sers frames one of Paris’ most enchanting vistas. Its sweeping terrace spans the city skyline, from the Eiffel Tower to Montmartre, revealing the capital’s layered rooftops in cinematic fashion. Whether from the private terrace or the hotel’s glass-roofed salon below, guests can savor the panorama as if from their own Parisian pied-à-terre, all just steps from the Champs-Élysées.
BEST BIOHACKING RETREAT: CHENOT PALACE WEGGIS, SWITZERLAND
Overlooking the serene waters of Lake Lucerne, Chenot Palace Weggis has become the gold standard for modern longevity retreats. It blends advanced diagnostics, detox therapies, and cutting-edge biohacking protocols with Swiss medical expertise, all within the tranquility of an Alpine wellness sanctuary.
BEST LUXURY RANCH: SAN YSIDRO RANCH, CALIFORNIA
A favorite of Hollywood stars and political figures, this lush property in the foothills of Santa Barbara was the honeymoon destination of Jacqueline and President John F. Kennedy. With 38 individually decorated bungalow-style cottages, the 550-acre estate dazzles with blooming rose gardens, lavender fields, jasmine, and magnolias, alongside the beloved Stonehouse Restaurant, which is housed in a 19th-century citrus packing house.
BEST ECO LODGE: PENINSULA HOT SPRINGS, AUSTRALIA
Located an hour south of Melbourne on the Mornington Peninsula, the beautiful Peninsula Hot Springs is a 42-acre property featuring fresh Eco Lodges, each equipped with its own private hot spring or outdoor mineral bath. Designed for optimal sleep and relaxation, these well-appointed accommodations perfectly complement the property’s more than 70 bathing and wellness experiences.
BEST “SET-JETTING” DESTINATION: BANYAN TREE KRABI, THAILAND
With Krabi serving as a primary filming location for the recent box office hit Jurassic World Rebirth, this seaside luxury resort is the ideal setting for soaking up the area’s wild natural beauty. Each of the property’s 72 suites and villas features a private pool and is nestled within a lush tropical rainforest. Adventures include sailing the Andaman Sea on the resort’s traditional long-tail boat, The White Pearl, or unwinding at Krabi’s first hydrotherapy spa, The Rainforest.
BEST NEW HOTEL, ITALY: ORIENT EXPRESS LA MINERVA, ROME
As the first hotel in the world for the Orient Express brand, this exquisite property debuted in spring 2025, capturing the hearts of travelers in the Eternal City. Located just steps from the Pantheon, the hotel is housed within a meticulously restored 17th-century palazzo redesigned by artist-architect Hugo Toro. It offers a deeply immersive experience reflective of the legendary train service, from Rivolta Carmignani-crafted linens to the newly opened Mimi Kakushi Japanese restaurant.
MOST STYLISH NEW HOTEL, ITALY: THE CARLTON, MILAN
Set in the heart of Italy’s fashion capital, The Carlton, Milan is a refined new address for the Rocco Forte family, blending Milanese elegance with contemporary luxury. The hotel pairs sophisticated interiors with an intimate, residential feel, offering a quieter alternative to the city’s larger grand hotels. Its prime location neareps from Milan’s most exclusive shopping, dining, and cultural landmarks
BEST NEW COOLCATION: OCTOLA II, FINLAND
Building on the global acclaim of Octola Private Wilderness, the debut of Octola II ushers in a new pinnacle of Arctic luxury. Hidden deep within the boreal wilderness of Finnish Lapland, the off-grid estate offers total seclusion with front-row views of the northern lights, creating one of the rarest wellness environments on earth. With expansive private lodges, spa rituals rooted in Nordic tradition, and access granted only by invitation, Octola II defines a new era of quiet, science-backed luxury for those seeking absolute privacy and restorative escape.
BEST EXPEDITION CRUISE SHIP: PONANT’S LE COMMANDANT CHARCOT
As the world’s only Polar Class 2 cruise ship, Ponant’s hybrid electric icebreaker Le Commandant Charcot invites passengers to explore the Arctic and Antarctica in unparalleled luxury. With gourmet dining by Alain Ducasse, a heated outdoor pool, and expert-led adventures like kayaking fjords and visiting Inuit villages, it is where true exploration meets five-star comfort.
BEST MULTIGENERATIONAL FAMILY DESTINATION: SOUTH WALTON, FLA.
With 16 unique beach neighborhoods, this northwest Florida nook offers something for every generation. From sugar-white sand beaches to state parks, local art galleries, and fresh Gulf-to-table dining, it is a destination tailor-made for creating lasting family memories together.
BEST LUXURY EXPEDITION: MINARET STATION, NEW ZEALAND
Accessible solely by helicopter, Minaret Station boasts the first premium Alpine chalets in New Zealand, breathtakingly located in a glacial valley in the Southern Alps. This is glamping at its finest, with luxurious tented suites outfitted with wall-to-wall sheepskin carpets and possum fur throw blankets. By day, you will navigate magnificent fjords, hike untouched glaciers, and indulge in hearty meals of beef, lamb, and venison—all with snowcapped mountains as your backdrop.
BEST NEW MINDFULNESS RETREAT: SIX SENSES KRABEY ISLAND, CAMBODIA
BEST NEW HOTEL, JAPAN: IMPERIAL HOTEL, KYOTO
Set within the historic Yasaka Kaikan, this luxury retreat blends Gion’s traditional charm with refined hospitality. Across 55 rooms, including heritage spaces and tatami suites, guests experience authentic Japanese aesthetics and floor-to-ceiling city views. This Tangible Cultural Property offers a serene, culturally immersive stay in Kyoto.
BEST SOLO TRAVEL DESTINATION: SIX SENSES VANA, INDIA
Cradled within a sal forest in the Himalayan foothills near Dehradun, Six Senses Vana is an immersive wellness retreat rooted in Ayurveda, Sowa Rigpa, and yoga. It offers personalized programs, guided nutrition, and serene, minimalist surroundings designed to restore balance across the body, mind, and spirit.
MOST ANTICIPATED CRUISE LINE: ORIENT EXPRESS
Measuring 220 meters with three majestic sails, the Corinthian—setting sail in June to the Mediterranean and in October to the Caribbean—is a sustainable floating palace crafted in France. Featuring 54 panoramic suites designed by Maxime d’Angeac, the yacht blends vintage-inspired artisanal luxury with a sensorial Guerlain sanctuary, reimagining high-sea travel as a refined, conscious philosophy.
BEST REMOTE LUXURY: MIAVANA BY TIME + TIDE, MADAGASCAR
Set on a remote island in Madagascar, the property pairs white-sand beaches and coral reefs with an inimitable sense of place. Fourteen villas feature private pools, ocean views, and indoor-outdoor design, while experiences range from wildlife encounters to conservation-focused exploration across land and sea.
BEST CALMCATION DESTINATION: ROUND HILL HOTEL AND VILLAS, JAMAICA
Round Hill Hotel and Villas delivers a unique vision of Caribbean luxury on Jamaica’s north coast. Private villas with dedicated staff, Ralph Lauren-designed interiors, and a calm beachfront setting anchor the experience, while Michelin-level dining, serious sport programming, and impressive wellness offerings sustain long-stay appeal.
BEST WINE COUNTRY ESCAPE: THE YEATMAN, PORTUGAL
The Yeatman brings disciplined luxury to Porto, defined by its wine focus and commanding Douro views. A Relais & Châteaux member with a two-Michelin-starred restaurant, it pairs hillside seclusion with Port-lodge heritage, a Wine Spa, and indoor-outdoor infinity pools across seven landscaped acres.
BEST ANTARCTIC ADVENTURE: ALE THREE GLACIERS RETREAT, ANTARCTICA
Three Glaciers operates as an ultra-remote Antarctic outpost at the base of Mount Sporli, where three ice fields converge. Set within the Heritage Range, it offers serious access to snowmobiling, ski touring, climbing, and polar trekking in a stark, high-Alpine environment defined by scale, silence, and logistical precision.
BEST FAMILY RESORT: BAHA MAR, BAHAMAS
Spanning 1,000 beachfront acres on Nassau’s Cable Beach, Baha Mar is a glamorous sanctuary featuring three iconic hotels (Grand Hyatt, SLS, Rosewood), the Caribbean’s largest casino, and a Jack Nicklaus-designed golf course. Families adore the luxury water park, flamingo sanctuary, and world-class dining overlooking pristine turquoise waters.
BEST LUXURY CRUISE, FRENCH POLYNESIA: PAUL GAUGUIN CRUISES
Sailing through the idyllic waters of Tahiti, Bora Bora, and beyond, this luxury line offers an intimate, all-inclusive experience aboard the 330-guest m/s Paul Gauguin. Guests enjoy expert-led cultural excursions, water sports from an onboard marina, and authentic Polynesian hospitality, making every voyage a seamless blend of adventure and indulgence.
BEST TIMELESS EUROPEAN LUXURY: HOTEL PALACE PORTOROŽ, SLOVENIA
A century-old landmark in Portorož, this grand hotel balances secession, Bauhaus, and art deco architecture with a considered modern restoration. Set within a historic park in Istria, it provides access to Slovenia’s cultural highlights while maintaining a composed, heritage-led atmosphere suited to deliberate, unhurried stays.
BEST NEW HOTEL, DUBAI: MANDARIN ORIENTAL DOWNTOWN
The property sits within Wasl Tower on Sheikh Zayed Road, blending Asian heritage with local character. The 259-room hotel, 224 residences, and 10 dining venues crown a sculptural tower featuring a rooftop helipad, sustainable design, and a new standard for contemporary urban luxury.
BEST HOTEL RENOVATION, EUROPE: HÔTEL MÉTROPOLE, MONTE CARLO, MONACO
Hôtel Métropole Monte-Carlo has unveiled 45 rooms and suites reimagined by Jacques Garcia. Mediterranean tones and bespoke furnishings evoke timeless elegance, and Spa Métropole by Guerlain complements the design with exceptional treatments, including the Heat Experience, a ritual of alternating warmth and cold for revitalization.
BEST NEW WINE COUNTRY PROPERTY, U.S.: APPELLATION HEALDSBURG, CALIFORNIA
With 108 rooms, suites, expansive balconies, and curated culinary touches, guests enjoy two Charlie Palmer restaurants, Terroir Spa, pools, walking trails, and immersive workshops. Bonus: It is set within 8.5 acres of vineyards, gardens, and scenic landscapes reflecting the heart of Sonoma wine country.
MOST ANTICIPATED OPENINGS OF 2026
BVLGARI RESORT RANFUSHI, MALDIVES
The newest jewel in Bvlgari Hotels & Resorts’ portfolio brings the Roman house’s unmistakable glamour to a private Maldirystalline lagoons and stands as one of the most anticipated resort debuts in the Indian Ocean
LA RÉSERVE FIRENZE, ITALY
Poised to bring Michel Reybier’s refined sensibility to Florence, La Réserve Firenze will transform a historic riverside 15th-century palazzo into an intimate urban sanctuary, blending Renaissance grandeur with the brand’s signature emphasis on privacy, impeccable service, and quietly luxurious design.
NIHI ROTE, INDONESIA
From the team behind the cult-favorite NIHI Sumba comes this new frontier of barefoot luxury on the remote island of Rote, where a handful of oceanfront villas, world-class surf breaks, and immersive cultural programming promise a deeply restorative escape thoughtfully shaped by nature and local tradition.
THE RITZ-CARLTON BELLAGIO, ITALY
Poised to debut later this year, The Ritz-Carlton Bellagio is set to bring timeless luxury to the shores of Lake Como. Expect opulent suites, exquisite dining, and breathtaking views in an unforgettable Italian escape.
WYNN AL MARJAN ISLAND, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES
Rising on Ras Al Khaimah’s Al Marjan Island, this ambitious beachfront resort marks Wynn’s first Middle Eastern property, bringing the brand’s signature theatrical luxury—towering architecture, world-class dining, and a vibrant entertainment scene—to the shores of the Arabian Gulf.