The winners of the 2023 Luxury Travel Gold List Awards are here

After a months-long judging and voting process, the winners of the 2023 Luxury Travel Gold List Awards were announced on 29 November 2023. Without further ado, here are the world’s best hotels, resorts, tours, cruise lines and more. Drumroll, please…

LUXURY HOTEL OR RESORT BRAND

Winner

COMO Hotels & Resorts

Each of COMO Hotels and Resorts’ properties demonstrates a commitment to curating exceptional adventures in alluring destinations. From paradisiacal Fiji to mystical Bhutan, COMO properties showcase a strong mind-body wellness ethos while serving world-class cuisine and providing meticulous service, to create an extraordinary experience for their guests.

Honourable mention

Aman

Finalists

Indian Hotels Company
One&Only Resorts
Robertson Lodges
Small Luxury Hotels of the World
Taj Hotels

NEW HOTEL OR RESORT DESIGN

Winner

Capella Sydney

Set within a heritage-listed building in Sydney’s Sandstone Precinct, Capella Sydney opened in March 2023 as a luxury hotel with cultural immersion at its core. As the first Capella in Australia, it impressed the judges and public alike with its balance of storied architectural features and contemporary design aesthetic that collectively celebrate the Australian panorama.

Honourable mention

Cap Karoso, Indonesia

Finalists

1 Hotel Hanalei Bay, Hawaii
Aman, New York
Jumeirah, Bali
Pan Pacific Orchard, Singapore
The Reef House at Vomo Island, Fiji
The Ritz-Carlton, Melbourne

BOUTIQUE PROPERTY, VILLA OR LODGE (Less than 50 Rooms)

Winner

Kokomo Private Island

Considered one of the world’s most beautiful private islands, Kokomo Private Island is a secluded luxury haven surrounded by unspoiled natural environment. The island retreat boasts some of the best diving on the world’s fourth-largest barrier reef, and is committed to the regeneration and sustainability of the island’s natural beauty.

Honourable mention

Nihi Sumba, Indonesia

Finalists

Aman, Venice
ÀNI, Thailand
The Landing Residences, New Zealand
Tokoriki Island Resort, Fiji

SUSTAINABLE LUXURY RESORT

Winner (joint)

Sal Salis Ningaloo Reef

Nestled among the dunes within Cape Range National Park, with Ningaloo Reef on its doorstep, Sal Salis is exemplary as a sustainable luxury property. This unique and intimate eco-luxury camp offers guests an escape where the outback, reef and ranges meet, and was designed to operate in tune with the local environment, with strict principles of minimal impact and sustainability.

Soneva Fushi

One of the industry’s sustainability trailblazers, Soneva Fushi implements a range of eco-friendly practices, such as renewable energy sources, waste-to-wealth initiatives and water conservation. The resort actively engages in reforestation projects and marine conservation efforts, and prioritises social responsibility by supporting local communities through education and healthcare initiatives.

Honourable Mention

&Beyond Phinda Private Game Reserve

Finalists

Amanjiwo, Indonesia
Anantara Golden Triangle Elephant Camp Resort, Thailand
The Datai Langkawi, Malaysia

LUXURY OCEAN CRUISE BRAND (Ships Under 750 Guests)

Winner

Regent Seven Seas Cruises

Sailing the high seas for 30 years, Regent Seven Seas Cruises’ vessels – Seven Seas Explorer, Seven Seas Mariner, Seven Seas Navigator, Seven Seas Splendor, Seven Seas Voyager and Seven Seas Grandeur – carry no more than 746 guests. Spacious and stylish, ‘The World’s Most Luxurious Fleet’ visits over 500 immersive destinations globally.

Honourable mention

Silversea Cruises

Finalists

Seabourn

Luxury Ocean Or River Cruise Brand (With Ships Under 300 Guests)

Winner

Uniworld Boutique River Cruises

Luxury river cruise line Uniworld offers itineraries in spectacular destinations throughout Europe, Egypt, Asia and Peru. Their fleet features luxurious ships with an average capacity of 120 guests – one of the highest crew-to-guest ratios in the river cruise industry, and offers enticing shore excursions, world-class gourmet cuisine, impeccable hospitality and the highest degree of all-inclusive benefits on the rivers.

Honourable mention

The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection

Finalists

Avalon Waterways
Star Clippers

LUXURY EXPEDITION CRUISE BRAND

Winner

PONANT

PONANT’s fleet of 13 French-flagged small luxury expedition ships is fitted with the latest environmental technologies, in a commitment to more responsible tourism that spans 35 years. The brand’s purposeful voyages offer a unique mix of French-inspired hospitality, barefoot luxury and educative and sustainable exploration to places such as the Geographic North Pole, Australia’s Kimberley Coast or Antarctica’s Ross Sea.

Honourable mention

Silversea Cruises

Finalists

Aurora Expeditions
Quark Expeditions
Scenic Eclipse
Seabourn Expeditions

WELLNESS SPA OR RESORT

Winner

Gwinganna Lifestyle Retreat

Gwinganna is one of Australia’s preeminent wellness destinations. Located in south east Queensland’s scenic hinterland on over 200 hectares, the retreat’s fully inclusive programs include accommodation and activities, selected spa and wellness therapies, organic cuisine, wellness seminars and the use of facilities including the Spa Sanctuary – the largest spa in the Southern Hemisphere.

Honourable mention

Aman, New York

Finalists

Aro ha Wellness Retreat, New Zealand
Chiva Som, Hua Hin, Thailand
Kamalaya Wellness Sanctuary, Thailand
Six Senses, Fiji
Soneva Soul within Soneva Jani, Maldives

GOURMET LUXURY TOURISM EXPERIENCE

Winner

Julang at Cap Karoso

Julang is a fine-dining communal table restaurant catering exclusively to the guests of luxury resort, Cap Karoso in Sumba. Rather than employing a single permanent chef, Julang engages world-renowned chefs from around the world for short residencies, tasking them with transforming ingredients from Cap Karoso’s organic farm into a sophisticated set menu that celebrates Sumba’s local produce.

Honourable mention

Gariwerd Luxury Escape at the Royal Mail Hotel, Victoria

Finalists

AKASA – Jumeirah Bali
Cap Karoso, Julang, Indonesia
Musashi by Aman, Aman Tokyo
Na`au pop-up and private dinner experiences, Hawaii
The View Dining at the Peak – The Ritz-Carlton, Koh Samui

SUSTAINABILITY INITIATIVE BY A DESTINATION / TOURISM REGION

Winner

Department of Tourism – Bhutan

In 2022, the nation of Bhutan transformed its tourism strategy to prioritise sustainability, immersive experiences and responsible travel, in line with global travel trends. Bhutan introduced a new Sustainable Development Fee for all tourists, the proceeds of which are invested in sustainable and conservation initiatives, free health care and education for all Bhutanese, and infrastructure upgrades.

Honourable mention

Tourism Tropical North Queensland

Finalists

Hawaiʻi Tourism Oceania

REGENERATIVE TOURISM EXPERIENCE

Winner

The Datai Pledge

The Datai Langkawi is situated in an ancient rainforest overlooking tranquil Datai Bay on the northwest tip of beautiful Langkawi island. The iconic property’s sustainability commitment – The Datai Pledge – comprises four pillars: Pure for the Future, Wildlife for the Future, Fish for the Future; and Youth for the Future, in a program that benefits the island’s many living creatures as well as the lives of resort guests, team members and the local community.

Honourable mention

WILDeconomy Masterclass, Africa

Finalists

Gaya Island Resort, Malaysia
Impact Destinations
Mālama ka Aina Tour at Kualoa Ranch Nature Reserve, Hawaii
Shakti Himalaya, India

AUSTRALIAN INDIGENOUS EXPERIENCE

Winner

Mandingalbay Authentic Indigenous Tours

100% Indigenous Owned and operated, this unique Indigenous small group experience is fully hosted by Traditional Owners. Guests embark on a short river cruise from Cairns and arrive to a traditional Welcome Ceremony. Joining the Mayi Bugan Trail, they discover native foods and traditional bush medicines, as well as ancient Aboriginal traditions, customs, and artefacts. Light refreshments are served surrounded by the sounds of the forest before heading back to Cairns.

Honourable mention

Wintjiri Wiru, Voyages Indigenous Tourism, NT

Finalists

Welcome Indigenous Experience, Pretty Beach House, NSW

LUXURY FAMILY EXPERIENCE

Winner

Lapland Christmas Magic, 50 Degrees North

This seven-day Christmas tour to Finnish Lapland begins on Christmas Eve and includes stays in private log cabins – with their own fireplace and sauna – and winter activities such as husky and reindeer sledding, ice fishing, snowmobiling and even a private visit with Santa in his cabin in the forest.

Honourable mention

Hands Up Holidays

Finalists

Family offer at Soneva Jani, Maldives
Farm Tour – A Farm to Table Experience, Kokomo, Fiji
Mangrove and Coral Planting, Fiji Marriott Resort Momi Bay, Fiji
Nanuku Cultural Experience, Fiji

LUXURY TRAVEL ADVISOR (INDIVIDUAL) – AUSTRALIA

Winner

Jo Kennedy, Kennedy & Turner Travel Associates

Jo Kennedy’s name is well-known in the luxury travel industry – just ask any luxury supplier. A luxury travel advisor since 1990, Jo has proudly held the title of Business Leader of Kennedy & Turner Travel Associates in Brisbane for 22 years and is Travel Associates’ most awarded and respected advisor. In 2023 she hit a sales target never achieved by an individual in this business’s history, cementing her position as the network’s Top Advisor.

Honourable mention

Rose Febo, Travel Managers

Finalists

Drew Kluska, The Tailor