LT Reader Awards
17-Jan-08
TRAVEL COMPANIES
Best ocean cruise company
Silversea: 25% of votes in category
Runners-up: Princess; SeaDream Yacht Club (12 nominees)
Best river cruise company
Orient-Express Cruises: 25%
Runners-up: Silver Fleet; Oberoi Philae, Nile (8 nominees)
Best rail journey
Rovos Rail: 16%
Runners-up: Orient-Express Singapore to Thailand; Rocky Mountaineer (8
nominees)
AIRLINES
Best scheduled airline
Virgin Atlantic: 26%
Runners-up: Emirates; BA (9 nominees)
Best private charter
PremiAir: 30%
Runners-up: Air Charter; Monarch (8 nominees)
Best first class service
Virgin Atlantic Upper Class: 25%
Runners-up: Emirates; BA (8 nominees)
Best business class service
BA: 14%
Runners-up: Virgin Atlantic; Emirates (10 nominees)
DESTINATIONS
Best city break destination
New York: 17%
Runners-up: Barcelona; London (19 nominees)
Best beach destination
Anguilla: 14%
Runners-up: Barbados; Maldives (17 nominees)
Best exotic destination
Bali: 17%
Runners-up: Mauritius; Thailand Golden Triangle (13 nominees)
Best island destination
Maldives: 22% of votes in category
Runners-up: Necker, BVI; Bali (16 nominees)
Best cultural destination
China: 16%
Runners-up: Marrakech; France (21 nominees)
HOTELS & RESORTS
Best eco-friendly resort
Galapagos Islands: 14%
Runners-up: Ulusaba, South Africa; North Island,Seychelles (16
nominees)
Best ski lodge/chalet
Fairmont Chateau Whistler, Canada: 14%
Runners-up: Four Seasons, Whistler; Hospiz Alm, St Anton, Austria (7
nominees)
Best villa
Soneva Fushi Jungle Reserve, Maldives: 16%
Runners-up: Chateau du Domaine St Martin, France; Burj Al Arab, Dubai
(13 nominees)
Best activity resort
Evian Royal Resort, Lake Geneva, France: 11%
Runners-up: Necker Island, BVI; Ants Hill, South Africa (15
nominees)
Best golf resort
The Westin Turnberry, Scotland: 16%
Runners-up: La Manga Club, Spain; Four Seasons at Wailea, Hawaii (15
nominees)
Best spa resort
Banyan Tree, Seychelles: 17%
Runners-up: Kasbah Tamadot, Morocco; Bath House Spa at New Park Manor
Hotel (21 nominees)
Best honeymoon resort
Ulusaba, South Africa: 26%
Runners-up: The Residence Hotel, Mauritius; Anantara, Maldives
Best new hotel
Jade Mountain, St Lucia: 12%
Runners-up: Pezula Resort Hotel & Spa, South Africa; Singita Grumeti,
Tanzania
Best hotel chain
Von Essen Hotels: 23%
Runners-up: Virgin Limited Edition; Four Seasons
Best independent hotel
Cape Grace, South Africa: 12%
Runners-up: Island Hideaway, Maldives; Sandy Lane, Barbados
Best exclusive hire property
Necker Island, BVI: 31%
Runners-up: Cliveden House, UK; Cousine island, Seychelles
Best room in the house
Park Hyatt, Sydney: Penthouse: 11%
Runners-up: Kasbah Tamadot, Morocco Master Suite; Lower Slaughter Manor,
UK, Valentine Suite
Best table
Dower House, Royal Crescent Hotel, UK: any table: 15%
Runners-up: Le Manoir aux Quat' Saisons, UK, any table; One waterfront,
Cape Grace, South Africa, table 24.
GOLD AWARD
Necker Island, BVI 31% of votes in category
The second Gold Award has been won by Virgin Limited Edition's Necker Island. The resort beat more than 400 travel suppliers in 25 categories to clinch the title. It received more than 31% of the votes in the Exclusive Hire Property category and was runner-up in Best Activity category, as well as Best Island. 'To win two accolades for Necker Island is fantastic,' said Jon Brown, managing director, Virgin Limited Edition. 'For Necker Island to be voted best exclusive hire property is quite an achievement but then, to receive the Gold Award as well is, quite simply, overwhelming.'
"We are proud and delighted to win this award. Banyan Tree Seychelles continuously strives to maintain a high level of service both in the spa and the hotel and this accolade recognises all our hard work. We are incredibly grateful to the UK trade."
Fiona Lane, regional director of sales, Banyan Tree Seychelles
All awards will be presented at a celebratory luncheon on 18 January in London.
