The Gold List: The world’s best in luxury travel

The Gold List: The world’s best in luxury travel

Australia’s Luxury Travel Magazine announced the winners of the publications 14th Annual Readers’ Choice Awards last week at their Gold List Awards dinner, held at Sofitel Sydney Wentworth.

The list is comprised of the world’s best in luxury, including hotels, destinations and experiences.

And thanks to the list, we have decided to visit every one of these places.

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But unfortunately, our boss won’t give us enough time off to do so.

Nevertheless, here is the full list of winners and finalists as voted by readers.

Best Australian resort

Winner: Qualia, Hamilton Island, QLD

Source: Qualia, Hamilton Island

Source: Qualia Resort, Hamilton Island

Finalists:

  • Saffire Freycinet, TAS
  • Emirates One&Only Wolgan Valley, NSW
  • Lizard Island, QLD
  • Southern Ocean Lodge, SA
  • El Questro, NT
  • Bedarra Island, QLD

Best overseas resort

Winner: AYANA Resort & Spa, Bali

Source: AYANA Resort & Spa

Source: AYANA Resort & Spa, Bali

Finalists:

  • Halekulani, Hawaii
  • Four Seasons Resort Bora Bora, Tahiti
  • Vomo Island, Fiji
  • Fregate Island Private, Seychelles
  • Jumeirah Vittaveli, Maldives
  • Anam Nha Trang, Vietnam
  • Sri Panwa Phuket, Thailand
  • Laucala, Fiji

Best Australian hotel

Winner: Sofitel Melbourne on Collins

Source: Sofitel Melbourne on Collins

Source: Sofitel Melbourne on Collins

Finalists:

  • Park Hyatt Sydney
  • COMO The Treasury, Perth
  • The Langham, Sydney
  • Crown Towers, Melbourne
  • Shangri-La Hotel, Sydney
  • Ovolo Woolloomooloo, Sydney
  • Sofitel Sydney Wentworth
  • Crown Towers Perth
  • Pier One Sydney Harbour
  • Park Hyatt Melbourne
  • InterContinental Sydney
  • Sheraton on the Park, Sydney
  • The Langham Melbourne

Best overseas hotel

Winner: Mandarin Oriental Hong Kong

Source: Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong

Source: Mandarin Oriental Hong Kong

Finalists:

  • Four Seasons Hotel George V, Paris
  • The Peninsula Hong Kong
  • Mandarin Oriental Bangkok
  • Marina Bay Sands, Singapore
  • Raffles, Singapore
  • Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise, Canada
  • Baur au Lac, Zurich
  • Belmond Copacabana Palace, Rio De Janeiro
  • Park Hyatt New York
  • Villa D’Este, Lake Como
  • Burj Al Arab Jumeirah, Dubai
  • The Savoy, London
  • Belmond Hotel Cipriani, Venice
  • Park Hyatt Tokyo
  • Bellagio, Las Vegas

Best South Pacific resort

Winner: Four Seasons Resort and Residences Bora Bora, Tahiti

Source: Four Seasons Resort and Residences Bora Bora, Tahiti

Source: Four Seasons Resort and Residences Bora Bora, Tahiti

Finalists:

  • InterContinental Bora Bora Resort & Thalasso Spa, Tahiti
  • Vomo Island, Fiji
  • The Havannah Vanuatu
  • St. Regis Bora Bora Resort, Tahiti
  • Laucala, Fiji
  • Kokomo, Fiji

Best Australian health & wellness retreat

Winner: Gwinganna Lifestyle Retreat, QLD

Source: Gwinganna Lifestyle Retreat

Source: Gwinganna Lifestyle Retreat

Finalists:

  • Gaia Retreat & Spa, QLD
  • Golden Door Elysia Health Retreat & Spa, Hunter Valley, NSW
  • Hepburn Spa Retreat, VIC

Best airline business class

Winner: Qantas

qantasFinalists:

  • Emirates
  • Singapore Airlines
  • Qatar
  • Cathay Pacific
  • Air New Zealand
  • United
  • Etihad
  • Virgin Australia
  • Japan Airlines

Best airline first class

Winner: Etihad

Etihad-1Finalists:

  • Emirates
  • Qantas
  • Singapore Airlines
  • Qatar
  • Cathay Pacific
  • Air France

Best country

Winner: Italy

Screen Shot 2018-08-01 at 10.32.30 AMFinalists:

  • France
  • New Zealand
  • Australia
  • United Kingdom
  • Thailand
  • Fiji
  • United States
  • Switzerland
  • Canada
  • Japan
  • Vietnam
  • Spain
  • Singapore
  • Germany
  • Greece
  • South Africa

Best ocean cruise line

Winner: Silversea

Silver Cloud, a luxury cruise ship operated by Silversea Cruises, leaves Tower Bridge heading to Dublin as part of Silversea 10 Years of Expedition celebrations. PRESS ASSOCIATION. Picture date: Saturday June 2, 2018. Photo credit should read: Isabel Infantes/PA WireFinalists:

  • Ponant
  • Cunard Line
  • Seabourn
  • Oceania Cruises
  • Crystal Cruises
  • Regent Seven Seas
  • SeaDream Yacht Club
  • Azamara Club Cruises

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