2025 Readers’ Choice Awards – the results you’ve been waiting for

Thousands of International Traveller readers voted in our 2025 Readers’ Choice Awards. The results are in, and here are your winners.

We asked you to vote for your favourite travel experiences around the world, and we received thousands of responses. Here are the results: the most dreamy destinations, incredible hotels and unforgettable journeys to inspire your next year of travel.

Read more about each of the winners and runners-up in our 2025 Readers’ Choice hub.

Best country

Winner: Italy

Runners-up:
Japan
France
New Zealand
Spain

Best city

Winner: Paris

Runners-up:  
London
Tokyo
Rome
New York City

Best beach or island escape

Winner: Maldives

Runners-up:
Fiji
Hawai‘i
Bali
Thailand

Best destination for wildlife and nature

Winner: South Africa

Runners-up:
New Zealand
Canada
Kenya
Borneo

Best hidden gem

Winner: Sri Lanka

Runners-up:
Slovenia
Vietnam
New Zealand
Maldives

Best spot for a family holiday

Winner: Fiji

Runners-up:
Japan
Bali
New Zealand
Singapore

Best foodie destination

Winner: Italy

Runners-up:
Japan
France
Vietnam
Singapore

Best destination for solo travel

Winner: Japan

Runners-up:
New Zealand
London
Thailand
Vietnam

Best destination for wellness

Winner: Bali

Runners-up:
Thailand
New Zealand
Japan
Switzerland

Best destination for skiing and snowboarding

Winner: Japan

Runners-up:
New Zealand
Canada
Switzerland
Austria

Best place for a short break from Australia

Winner: New Zealand

Runners-up:
Fiji
Bali
Singapore
Vanuatu

Best cruise line

Winner: Royal Caribbean

Runners-up:
Princess
Carnival Cruise Line
Viking
Celebrity Cruises

Best cruising destination

Winner: Mediterranean

Runners-up:
Alaska
South Pacific
Caribbean/New Zealand

Best ocean cruise line

Winner: Royal Caribbean

Runners-up:
Princess
Carnival Cruise Line
Viking
Cunard

Best river cruise line

Winner: Viking

Runners-up: 
Scenic
Uniworld Boutique River Cruises
Tauck
APT Luxury Travel
Avalon Waterways

Best expedition cruise line

Winner: Hurtigruten & HX Expeditions

Runners-up:
Scenic
Silversea
Viking
PONANT

Best cruise line for shore excursions

Winner: Viking

Runners-up:
Princess
Royal Caribbean
Carnival Cruise Line
Scenic Curated

Best cruise line for dining

Winner: Celebrity Cruises

Runners-up:
Viking
Royal Caribbean
Princess
Cunard

Best airline

Winner: Singapore Airlines

Runners-up:
Qantas
Emirates
Qatar Airways
Virgin Australia

Best airport to spend time in

Winner: Singapore Changi Airport

Runners-up:
Dubai International Airport
Hamad International Airport
Hong Kong International Airport

Best stopover city

Winner: Singapore

Runners-up:
Dubai
Hong Kong
Tokyo
Bangkok

Best destination for a walking holiday

Winner: New Zealand

Runners-up:
Spain
Italy
Japan
Scotland

Best road trip destination

Winner: USA

Runners-up:
New Zealand
Italy
France
Canada

Best destination for rail journeys

Winner: Switzerland

Runners-up:
Canada
Japan
Italy
France

Best tour operator

Winner: Intrepid Travel

Runners-up:
Trafalgar
Contiki
Scenic
APT Luxury Travel

Best hotel

Winner: Marina Bay Sands

Runners-up:
Raffles Singapore
Capella Bangkok
Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise
Ritz Paris

Best hotel or resort brand

Winner: Hilton

Runners-up:
Marriott
Four Seasons
Accor
Sofitel

Best family accommodation

Winner: OUTRIGGER Fiji Beach Resort

Runners-up:
Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa
Sheraton Fiji Golf & Beach Resort
Plantation Island Resort
Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki Beach Resort
InterContinental Fiji Golf Resort & Spa

Best island resort

Winner: Soneva Fushi

Runners-up:
Shangri-La Yanuca Island, Fiji
Six Senses Laamu
Four Seasons Resort Bora Bora
Amanpulo

Editors’ Choice

Winner: Peru

Runners-up:
Morocco
Malta
India 
South Korea

Read more about each of the winners and runners-up in our 2025 Readers’ Choice hub.