Meredith Corporation’s Travel + Leisure has announced the results of the World’s Best Awards 2021 readers’ survey, revealing the top travel destinations and companies in the U.S. and around the globe, from cities, islands and hotels to cruise lines, airlines, airports and more. The complete survey results are featured now on TravelandLeisure.com/worlds-best and in the October issue of Travel + Leisure, on newsstands September 17.
Among the rankings are Top Cities in the World, with San Miguel de Allende, Mexico; Udaipur, India; and Istanbul, Turkey placing first through third and Top Islands in the World, with Milos, which is featured on the October issue cover, and Folegandros, both in Greece, taking the No. 1 and No. 2 spots, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines at No. 3. On the regional lists, such as Top City Hotels in the Continental U.S., Viceroy Chicago, takes the No. 1 spot, followed by Inn of the Five Graces in Santa Fe, New Mexico, and The Lowell in New York City. For the first time, Top U.S. National Parks is a survey category and Yellowstone National Park ranks No. 1.
The Travel + Leisure World’s Best Awards is a leading barometer of the places and companies that satisfy some of the most passionate and discerning travelers. In the 26 years that the World’s Best Awards readers’ survey has been published, Singapore Airlines has been the only honoree to be named a No. 1 winner in its category – World’s Best International Airline — every year.
Travel + Leisure Editor in Chief, Jacqui Gifford, says, “The 2021 standouts are as far-flung as ever, and suggest a renewed appreciation for places that offer unparalleled natural beauty and, in many places, fewer crowds. Forced to think on their feet, the properties that made the cut in 2021 all found innovative ways to deliver exceptional hospitality to their guests. Our readers delighted in taking trips closer to home, a fact we’ve recognized with several new domestic resort lists to provide even more trip inspiration. With a continued interest in the great outdoors, we also asked readers to vote on their favorite U.S. national park. This year’s results are a testament to the travel industry’s resilience under enormous strain. Nearly two years into the pandemic, there is still much we don’t know about COVID-19. But we do know that some parts of the world have struggled more than others. I’m hopeful that the World’s Best Awards will continue to serve as inspiration to explore the world, and in doing so, support those places and companies that rely on tourism to thrive.”
To make it easy for consumers to experience destinations and hotels recognized in this year’s World’s Best Awards, Travel + Leisure is debuting a new subscription travel club and travel booking platform today that offers curated itineraries to select locations at travelandleisure.com/go. The new retail travel site, Travel + Leisure GO, will launch with ten exclusive World’s Best Awards customizable travel itineraries that feature top destinations, hotels and activities from this year’s winners together in fully bookable travel experiences, as well as insider tips to help travelers make the most of their getaways.
TRAVEL + LEISURE TOP 10 WORLD’S BEST CITIES 2021
1. San Miguel de Allende, Mexico
2. Udaipur, India
3. Istanbul, Turkey
4. Ubud, Indonesia
5. Kyoto, Japan
6. Florence, Italy
7. Mexico City, Mexico
8. Oaxaca, Mexico
9. Chiang Mai, Thailand
10. Bangkok, Thailand
TRAVEL + LEISURE TOP 10 U.S. CITIES 2021
1. Charleston, South Carolina (pictured)
2. Santa Fe, New Mexico
3. Savannah, Georgia
4. New Orleans, Louisiana
5. New York City
6. San Antonio, Texas
7. Chicago, Illinois
8. Bend, Oregon
9. Williamsburg, Virginia
10. Honolulu, Hawaii
The 2021 results, including the Top 100 Hotels, Best Domestic Airlines, Best Islands in the World, Best Resort Hotels in the Continental U.S., Best Resort Hotels in Hawaii, Top Caribbean Resort Hotels, Best Hotels in Paris, Best U.S. National Parks, Best Domestic Airports, Best Mega-Ship Cruise Lines, and Best Safari Outfitters, among many other lists, are now posted on TravelandLeisure.com/worlds-best.
Travel + Leisure Editor in Chief Jacqui Gifford will host Toast & Post, a virtual celebration that kicks off this evening at 5 pm ET on Instagram Live @TravelandLeisure to honor the World’s Best Awards 2021 winners. Raise a toast to this year’s honorees and post a picture using the hashtags #TLWorldsBest and #TLToast, and tag @TravelandLeisure today and in the weeks ahead.
TRAVEL + LEISURE WORLD’S BEST AWARDS 2020 WINNERS OVERALL
WORLD’S BEST CITY San Miguel de Allende, Mexico
WORLD’S BEST HOTEL Mahali Mzuri, Masai Mara, Kenya
WORLD’S BEST HOTEL BRAND The Leela Palaces, Hotels and Resorts
WORLD’S BEST ISLAND Milos, Greece
WORLD’S BEST MEGA-SHIP OCEAN CRUISE LINE Disney Cruise Line
WORLD’S BEST LARGE-SHIP OCEAN CRUISE LINE Seabourn
WORLD’S BEST MIDSIZE-SHIP OCEAN CRUISE LINE Windstar Cruises
WORLD’S BEST SMALL-SHIP OCEAN CRUISE LINE Quasar Expeditions
WORLD’S BEST RIVER CRUISE LINE Uniworld Boutique River Cruises
WORLD’S BEST INTERNATIONAL AIRLINE Singapore Airlines
WORLD’S BEST DOMESTIC AIRLINE JetBlue Airways
WORLD’S BEST INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT Singapore Changi Airport
WORLD’S BEST DOMESTIC AIRPORT Portland International Airport, Oregon
WORLD’S BEST SAFARI OUTFITTER Micato Safaris
WORLD’S BEST TOUR OPERATOR Quasar Expeditions
WORLD’S BEST CAR-RENTAL COMPANY Enterprise Rent-A-Car
WORLD’S BEST INTERNATIONAL SPA Rancho La Puerta, Tecate, Mexico
WORLD’S BEST DOMESTIC SPA Shou Sugi Ban House, Water Mill, New York
TRAVEL + LEISURE WORLD’S BEST HOTEL 2021 WINNERS, BY REGION
CONTINENTAL U.S. OVERALL
BEST CITY HOTEL Viceroy, Chicago
BEST RESORT HOTEL Nobu Ryokan, Malibu, California
U.S. (BY REGION)
BEST RESORT HOTEL IN THE SOUTH Inn at Willow Grove, Orange, Virginia
BEST RESORT HOTEL IN THE MIDWEST Deer Path Inn, Lake Forest, Illinois
BEST RESORT HOTEL IN MID-ATLANTIC Reeds at Shelter Haven, Stone Harbor, New Jersey
BEST RESORT HOTEL IN THE WEST Lodge & Spa at Brush Creek Ranch, Saratoga, Wyoming
BEST RESORT HOTEL IN CALIFORNIA Nobu Ryokan, Malibu
BEST RESORT HOTEL IN FLORIDA Sunset Key Cottages, Key West
BEST RESORT HOTEL IN TEXAS Commodore Perry Estate, Auberge Resorts Collection, Austin
BEST RESORT HOTEL IN UTAH Lodge at Blue Sky, Auberge Resorts Collection, Park City
BEST RESORT HOTEL IN COLORADO Viceroy Snowmass
BEST RESORT HOTEL IN GREATER MIAMI BEACH The Setai, Miami Beach
BEST RESORT HOTEL IN ARIZONA Castle Hot Springs, Morristown
BEST CITY HOTEL IN NEW YORK CITY The Lowell
BEST CITY HOTEL IN GREATER LOS ANGELES The Peninsula, Beverly Hills
BEST RESORT HOTEL IN PUERTO RICO St. Regis Bahia Beach Resort, Rio Grande
BEST CITY HOTEL IN CHICAGO Viceroy
BEST CITY HOTEL IN WASHINGTON, D.C. The Hay-Adams
BEST CITY HOTEL IN CHARLESTON John Rutledge House Inn
BEST CITY HOTEL IN LAS VEGAS Wynn
BEST RESORT HOTEL IN HAWAII Halekulani, Oahu
BEST RESORT HOTEL IN NEW YORK STATE RESORT Lake House on Canandaigua, Canandaigua
BEST RESORT HOTEL IN SOUTH CAROLINA Sanctuary at Kiawah Island Golf Resort, Kiawah Island
BEST RESORT HOTEL IN NEW ENGLAND Pickering House Inn, Wolfeboro, New Hampshire
CANADA
BEST CITY HOTEL The Ritz-Carlton, Montreal, Quebec
BEST RESORT HOTEL Manoir Hovey, North Hatley, Quebec
THE CARIBBEAN, BERMUDA & THE BAHAMAS
BEST RESORT HOTEL Kamalame Cay, Bahamas
MEXICO
BEST CITY HOTEL St. Regis, Mexico City
BEST RESORT HOTEL Viceroy Riviera Maya, Playa del Carmen
CENTRAL & SOUTH AMERICA
BEST CITY HOTEL Hotel Fasano, São Paulo, Brazil
CENTRAL AMERICA
BEST RESORT HOTEL Nayara Tented Camp, Arenal Volcano National Park, Costa Rica
SOUTH AMERICA
BEST RESORT HOTEL Hotel Paracas, a Luxury Collection Resort, Paracas, Peru
EUROPE (OVERALL)
BEST CITY HOTEL Mandarin Oriental, Milan, Italy
BEST RESORT HOTEL Grace Hotel, Auberge Resorts Collection, Santorini, Greece
EUROPE (BY REGION)
BEST RESORT HOTEL IN ITALY Il Sereno Lago di Como, Torno
BEST RESORT HOTEL IN FRANCE Hôtel Crillon le Brave, Crillon-Le-Brave
BEST RESORT HOTEL IN THE U.K. & IRELAND Ballyfin, County Laois, Ireland
BEST RESORT HOTEL IN SPAIN AND PORTUGAL Penha Longa Resort, Sintra, Portugal
BEST RESORT HOTEL IN GREECE Grace Hotel, Auberge Resorts Collection, Santorini
BEST CITY HOTEL IN BARCELONA Cotton House Hotel, Autograph Collection
BEST CITY HOTEL IN PARIS La Réserve Paris – Hôtel & Spa
BEST CITY HOTEL IN LONDON Shangri-La the Shard
BEST CITY HOTEL IN ROME Hotel de Russie, a Rocco Forte Hotel
BEST CITY HOTEL IN FLORENCE St. Regis
BEST CITY HOTEL IN VENICE JW Marriott Venice Resort & Spa
ASIA OVERALL
BEST CITY HOTEL Opposite House, Beijing
BEST RESORT HOTEL Capella Ubud, Bali, Indonesia
ASIA (BY REGION)
BEST CITY HOTEL IN CHINA Opposite House, Beijing
BEST HOTEL IN BANGKOK Capella
BEST HOTEL IN SINGAPORE Fullerton Hotel
BEST CITY HOTEL IN TOKYO Park Hyatt
BEST RESORT HOTEL IN INDIA Oberoi Udaivilas, Udaipur
BEST RESORT HOTEL IN INDONESIA Capella Ubud, Bali
BEST RESORT HOTEL IN SOUTHEAST ASIA Six Senses, Con Dao, Vietnam
AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND
BEST CITY HOTEL The Langham, Melbourne, Australia
BEST RESORT HOTEL Matakauri Lodge, Queenstown, New Zealand
THE SOUTH PACIFIC
BEST RESORT HOTEL InterContinental Bora Bora Resort & Thalasso Spa, French Polynesia
AFRICA AND THE MIDDLE EAST
BEST NORTH AFRICA & THE MIDDLE EAST CITY HOTEL Burj Al Arab Jumeirah, Dubai
BEST NORTH AFRICA & THE MIDDLE EAST RESORT HOTEL Kasbah Tamadot, Atlas Mountains, Morocco
BEST AFRICA CITY HOTEL Cape Grace, Cape Town
BEST AFRICA RESORT HOTEL Matetsi Victoria Falls, Matetsi Private Game Reserve, Zimbabwe
BEST SAFARI LODGE Mahali Mzuri, Masai Mara, Kenya
TRAVEL + LEISURE WORLD’S BEST CITY AND ISLAND 2021 WINNERS, BY REGION
CONTINENTAL UNITED STATES
BEST CITY Charleston, South Carolina
BEST ISLAND Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
CANADA
BEST CITY Quebec City
BEST ISLAND Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia
CENTRAL & SOUTH AMERICA
BEST CITY Antigua Guatemala
MEXICO
BEST CITY San Miguel de Allende
MEXICO & CENTRAL & SOUTH
AMERICA
BEST ISLAND Galápagos Islands, Ecuador
EUROPE
BEST CITY Istanbul
BEST ISLAND Milos, Greece
ASIA
BEST CITY Udaipur, India
BEST ISLAND Andaman Islands, India
AUSTRALIA, NEW ZEALAND & THE SOUTH PACIFIC
BEST CITY Sydney
BEST ISLAND Fiji Islands
AFRICA & THE MIDDLE EAST
BEST CITY Cape Town
BEST ISLAND Seychelles
HAWAII
BEST ISLAND Island of Hawaii
THE CARIBBEAN, BERMUDA & THE BAHAMAS
BEST ISLAND St. Vincent and the Grenadines
TRAVEL + LEISURE WORLD’S BEST NATIONAL PARKS, UNITED STATES
UNITED STATES
BEST NATIONAL PARK
Yellowstone, Wyoming, Idaho, and Montana