Condé Nast Traveller Readers’ Choice Awards 2026 | What the winners tell us about luxury travel
From legendary hotels to a new generation of all-inclusive resorts, this year’s results reveal a more personal approach to luxury travel.
Every year, the Condé Nast Traveller Readers’ Choice Awards offer an interesting insight into the places making the greatest impression on travellers around the world.
The 2026 results have now been revealed, recognising the best hotels, resorts, destinations and travel experiences as voted for by readers themselves.
Unlike an editorial list of the latest openings or the destinations tipped to become the next big thing, these awards reflect real travel experiences. They recognise the places people have visited, loved and would recommend to others.
And looking at this year’s winners, one thing becomes particularly apparent, there is no longer a single definition of luxury travel.
From historic city hotels and secluded Mediterranean retreats to all-inclusive resorts and extraordinary wilderness experiences, the results reflect the increasingly individual ways we choose to travel.
So, which names came out on top? And what do the Condé Nast Traveller Readers’ Choice Awards 2026 tell us about the future of luxury holidays?
The best luxury hotels in 2026
Some of the most interesting results come from the hotel categories, where established names continue to hold their own against an ever-growing collection of new luxury properties.
Finca Cortesín, Spain – Best Hotel in Spain
Set among the rolling hills of Andalucía, Finca Cortesín is one of Spain’s most celebrated luxury hotels.
Its appeal lies in an understated approach to Mediterranean luxury. Think beautiful gardens, spacious suites, exceptional restaurants and a world-class golf course, all within a setting that feels a world away from the busier resorts of the Costa del Sol.
Its recognition in the 2026 awards demonstrates the enduring appeal of hotels that prioritise space, privacy and attention to detail.
Rather than constantly introducing something new, Finca Cortesín has built its reputation around consistently delivering an exceptional experience.
The Carlyle, A Rosewood Hotel – Best Hotel in New York City
There are few hotels more closely associated with New York than The Carlyle.
An Upper East Side institution, the hotel is known for its Art Deco interiors, discreet hospitality and rich cultural history.
Its legendary Bemelmans Bar and Café Carlyle have welcomed generations of New Yorkers and international visitors, contributing to a personality that extends well beyond the hotel’s rooms and suites.
In a city where new luxury hotels regularly compete for attention, The Carlyle’s continued success suggests that heritage and atmosphere remain powerful attractions.
For some travellers, luxury isn’t about discovering somewhere new. It’s about returning somewhere that already feels special.
Mount Nelson, A Belmond Hotel – Best Hotel in Eastern and Southern Africa
Cape Town’s Mount Nelson offers another example of the enduring appeal of a heritage hotel.
Instantly recognisable for its pink exterior, the property has welcomed visitors for more than a century and remains one of South Africa’s most celebrated addresses.
Its expansive gardens, mountain views and established traditions give it a distinctive sense of place.
While contemporary luxury properties continue to open across Africa, Mount Nelson demonstrates that character, history and a recognisable style of hospitality still resonate with travellers.
The best luxury resorts in 2026
If the hotel winners celebrate heritage and established reputations, the resort categories reveal a broader interpretation of what a luxury holiday can look like.
From highly personalised wilderness experiences to contemporary all-inclusive escapes, the variety is striking.
Ikos Odisia, Corfu – Best Resort in Greece
One of the most interesting results is the recognition of Ikos Odisia as the best resort in Greece.
Set on Corfu’s coastline, the resort represents a new generation of premium all-inclusive holidays, where outstanding dining, beautiful accommodation and carefully curated experiences come together within one inclusive offering.
The Ikos concept challenges many of the traditional associations with all-inclusive resorts.
Rather than being defined primarily by convenience, the experience places considerable emphasis on quality, from à la carte restaurants and premium drinks to personalised hospitality and experiences beyond the resort.
Its success highlights how much the luxury all-inclusive market has evolved.
For travellers who value exceptional service without constantly having to think about the details, this approach has considerable appeal.
And as expectations surrounding all-inclusive holidays continue to rise, resorts such as Ikos Odisia are increasingly competing with traditional five-star hotels on the overall quality of the experience.
JOALI Maldives – Best Resort in the Indian Ocean
The Maldives has long been synonymous with luxury travel, but JOALI brings a particularly distinctive perspective to the destination.
Located on Muravandhoo Island, the resort combines extraordinary natural surroundings with a strong emphasis on art, architecture and design.
Its overwater and beachfront villas are complemented by carefully considered creative experiences, giving the property an identity beyond the familiar imagery of turquoise lagoons and white-sand beaches.
JOALI’s recognition reflects a growing appetite for luxury resorts with a personality of their own.
A spectacular location remains important, but increasingly travellers are looking for something beyond the view.
Four Seasons Tented Camp Golden Triangle – Best Resort in Thailand
In northern Thailand, Four Seasons Tented Camp Golden Triangle offers an entirely different interpretation of luxury.
Surrounded by bamboo forests and overlooking the landscapes where Thailand, Laos and Myanmar meet, the property combines tented accommodation with immersive experiences in an extraordinary natural setting.
Here, luxury is less about grand hotel lobbies and more about privacy, adventure and a connection to the surrounding environment.
It’s the kind of experience that illustrates why luxury travel has become difficult to define through traditional categories alone.
For one traveller, the ideal holiday might involve a beachfront villa in the Maldives. For another, it could be a tented retreat in the Thai wilderness.
Both can deliver an exceptional experience, but for entirely different reasons.
Jade Mountain, St Lucia – Best Resort in the Caribbean and Atlantic
Perched above St Lucia’s dramatic coastline, Jade Mountain is famous for its extraordinary views towards the Pitons and its open-air sanctuary suites.
The architecture is designed around the surrounding landscape, with expansive spaces that blur the boundaries between the accommodation and the natural environment.
Private infinity pools and an emphasis on seclusion make it particularly appealing to couples seeking a memorable escape.
Its recognition reinforces the appeal of properties that offer a genuine sense of escape, where the location itself becomes a defining part of the experience.
Beyond the hotels | The best destinations
The Condé Nast Traveller Readers’ Choice Awards extend well beyond individual hotels and resorts.
The destination results are equally interesting, particularly for anyone considering where to travel in 2027.
Greece was voted the best country in the world, reinforcing its continued popularity among travellers seeking everything from island escapes and historic cities to outstanding food and contemporary luxury resorts.
Meanwhile, Bangkok was named the world’s best city, reflecting the enduring appeal of a destination known for its dynamic restaurant scene, cultural attractions and impressive collection of luxury hotels.
For winter travel, Zermatt in Switzerland was recognised as Europe’s best ski resort.
With the Matterhorn providing one of the world’s most recognisable mountain backdrops, Zermatt combines exceptional skiing with mountain restaurants, luxury chalets and a beautiful car-free village.
These results demonstrate the breadth of experiences that travellers continue to value.
The perfect destination might be a Mediterranean island, an energetic capital city or an alpine village. What matters increasingly is how well it matches the experience someone wants from their holiday.
Our take | The future of luxury travel is personal
One of the most valuable things about the Readers’ Choice Awards is whose opinions they represent.
These aren’t predictions about the next big destination or simply a showcase of the latest openings. They’re a reflection of real travel experiences and the places that have made a lasting impression.
And with so many extraordinary hotels and destinations to choose from, the challenge isn’t necessarily finding somewhere five-star.
It’s finding somewhere that’s right for you.
That’s where recommendations from fellow travellers and advice from people who know these destinations personally become particularly valuable.
Because sometimes, the people who’ve already been and seen really are the best people to ask.
At Travel Seen, we explore the people, places and ideas shaping how we travel. When inspiration turns into plans, our specialist travel advisors across the Travel Seen Group can help create a holiday tailored to you.
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