Virtuoso Travel Experts Reveal Their Favorite Cruises And Hotels For 2025
In celebrating the global luxury industry, travel network Virtuoso has revealed the nominations for its 2025 Best of the Best awards at this year's Virtuoso Travel Week held in Las Vegas this month. Now in its 37th year, the prestigious event celebrates top travel advisors, agencies, and preferred partners across the luxury sector.
Selected through a network-wide survey of top travel agencies, the nominees represent a curated list of Virtuoso's most prestigious collaborators. More than 12,000 travel advisors vote to determine the winners across multiple categories, including Most Innovative Experience and Best Achievement in Design.
While the nominations naturally reflect the preferences of Virtuoso's internal network, they offer a view of what's trending in high-end travel. Last year's shortlist notably excluded U.S. properties in the Best New Hotel category, despite several high-profile debuts, while Italy took over the spotlight with most entries in the Best Hotel category. This year's nominations present a more globally balanced lineup.
The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection Edgardo Contreras Crystal - In 2022, travel company A&K Travel Group acquired the Crystal brand, and they refurbished and relaunched several of their ships. Guests can dine at the only restaurant at sea by the award-winning chef, Nobu Matsuhisa. Also relax with personal butler service for every spacious guest room and suite
- In 2022, travel company A&K Travel Group acquired the Crystal brand, and they refurbished and relaunched several of their ships. Guests can dine at the only restaurant at sea by the award-winning chef, Nobu Matsuhisa. Also relax with personal butler service for every spacious guest room and suite Explora Journeys - Elegant ships inspired by superyachts, this company selects off the beaten path locations, focusing on a slower pace with longer stays in each destination.
- Elegant ships inspired by superyachts, this company selects off the beaten path locations, focusing on a slower pace with longer stays in each destination. Regent Seven Seas Cruises - Personalized service, all-inclusive luxury, culinary excellence and immersive destinations are all what keep fans returning.
- Personalized service, all-inclusive luxury, culinary excellence and immersive destinations are all what keep fans returning. Silversea (Winner in 2023 and 2024) - Continues its reign with bespoke experiences, small ship journeys with spacious, ocean-view suites and butler service.
(Winner in 2023 and 2024) - Continues its reign with bespoke experiences, small ship journeys with spacious, ocean-view suites and butler service. The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection- Bringing its iconic hotel-style luxury to open waters. They recently launched their new superyacht Ilma offering spacious suites with private terraces, open-air lounges and an aft Marina right on the water.
Aria Amazon Aqua Expeditions AmaWaterways - This family-owned company offers luxury cruises through famous capitals and quaint towns. They dock near city centers, so that you can step right off the ship and explore.
- This family-owned company offers luxury cruises through famous capitals and quaint towns. They dock near city centers, so that you can step right off the ship and explore. Aqua Expeditions - Ponant Explorations Group recently acquired the cruise line which has become famous for its intimate small ship expeditions to distant parts of the world.
- Ponant Explorations Group recently acquired the cruise line which has become famous for its intimate small ship expeditions to distant parts of the world. Heritage Line - The company operates from three to nine-night luxury cruises on the Upper Mekong with more itineraries downriver in Cambodia and Vietnam.
- The company operates from three to nine-night luxury cruises on the Upper Mekong with more itineraries downriver in Cambodia and Vietnam. Tauck River Cruising - This family-owned company offers exclusive access to rare destinations and excursions with a focus on cultural connections along the way. They recently announced new land journeys explore hidden Greece, and the legends of the Scottish Highlands.
- This family-owned company offers exclusive access to rare destinations and excursions with a focus on cultural connections along the way. They recently announced new land journeys explore hidden Greece, and the legends of the Scottish Highlands. Uniworld Boutique River Cruises (Winner in 2023) The company puts a focus on a luxury boutique hotel experience on water. Each ship is inspired by the rivers which they cruise, and feature butler service, and large all-marble bathrooms. Celebrity Cruises - Their luxury Celebrity Flora expedition ship offers the largest and most premium accommodations in the Galapagos Islands. The 100-guest ship is designed exclusively for sailing the islands and every stateroom on board is a suite.
- Their luxury Celebrity Flora expedition ship offers the largest and most premium accommodations in the Galapagos Islands. The 100-guest ship is designed exclusively for sailing the islands and every stateroom on board is a suite. Lindblad Expeditions - Lindblad joined forces with National Geographic in 2004 providing guests with unique experiences, including immersive programs for photographers, young explorers and undersea enthusiasts, as well as opportunities to explore alongside the National Geographic Experts who join select voyages.
- Lindblad joined forces with National Geographic in 2004 providing guests with unique experiences, including immersive programs for photographers, young explorers and undersea enthusiasts, as well as opportunities to explore alongside the National Geographic Experts who join select voyages. PONANT - The company recently launched Le Commandant Charcot, the first hybrid electric and liquefied natural gas polar exploration vessel with two laboratories allow scientists to collect data that contributes to the understanding of the poles. Le Boréal, L'Austral, Le Soléal, and Le Lyrial have access to isolated locations or ports reserved for small units.
- The company recently launched Le Commandant Charcot, the first hybrid electric and liquefied natural gas polar exploration vessel with two laboratories allow scientists to collect data that contributes to the understanding of the poles. Le Boréal, L'Austral, Le Soléal, and Le Lyrial have access to isolated locations or ports reserved for small units. Quark Expeditions (Winner in 2023 and 2024)- The company is a leader in polar adventure, and recently unveil its Arctic 2026 season, Ice, Fire, and The Eclipse. The new season celebrates 35 years of the company's exploration in the Arctic.
(Winner in 2023 and 2024)- The company is a leader in polar adventure, and recently unveil its Arctic 2026 season, Ice, Fire, and The Eclipse. The new season celebrates 35 years of the company's exploration in the Arctic. Silversea- In 2022, Silversea launched Silver Endeavour to its fleet—their most luxurious expedition ship, designed to take travelers to the world's most remote destinations, including both polar regions.
Suite at Royal Mansour Casablanca Royal Mansour Casablanca
Honoring debut properties and revivals, this category spotlights hotels that have redefined the luxury stay within the last year.
Among the nominations are two waterfront properties in the United States, Beach Club at The Boca Raton and Regent Santa Monica Beach. Only one European property made the list, Rocco Forte House in Milan, while Royal Davui Island Resort in Fiji, and Royal Mansour in Casablanca rounded out the selection.
Eden Rock Cap Cana in Punta Cana Eden Roc Cap Cana Best Independently Operated Hotel
In an effort to open up the selections, the nominations this year separated the best hotel categories with boutique properties listed apart from Best Brand Hotel. Several of the properties in this category have been previously nominated for Hotel of the Year including Passalacqua in Lake Como and The Dewberry Charleston in the U.S.
Eden Roc Cap Cana in Punta Cana rounds out the list of famed properties including Palazzo Margherita from Francis Ford Coppola in Bernalda, and The Place Firenze in Florence.
Carlton Cannes - a Regent Hotel in the French Riviera Regent Hotels Best Brand Hotel
This award recognizes an iconic hotel that epitomizes excellence in luxury hospitality with nominees Bvlgari Hotel in Tokyo, Carlton Cannes in France, Park Hyatt Milano in Italy, Regent Hong Kong, and Tambo del Inka, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa, Valle Sagrado in Peru. Hotelier Of The Year
This award recognizes a hotel manager or owner who demonstrates leadership and vision, an appreciation for detail, and an engaged commitment to the Virtuoso travel network. Silvio Vettorello , General Manager at Grand Hotel Tremezzo & Passalacqua in Italy (Owner Valentina de Santis won this category in 2022)
, General Manager at Grand Hotel Tremezzo & Passalacqua in Italy (Owner Valentina de Santis won this category in 2022) Claudio Meli , General Manager at The Place Firenze in Italy (nominated in 2023)
, General Manager at The Place Firenze in Italy (nominated in 2023) Christopher Southwick , Owner of Royal Davui Island Resort in Fiji
, Owner of Royal Davui Island Resort in Fiji Danilo Guerrini , General Manager of Borgo San Felice Resort in Italy
, General Manager of Borgo San Felice Resort in Italy Victorio Gonzalez, General Manager of Montage Big Sky in Montana
This year's list of nominees offers a look into Virtuoso's take on the pinnacle of luxury travel as well as offering a preview of where the industry is headed. According to Virtuoso advisors, travelers in the coming year are seeking cold weather escapes, solo cruise adventures, wellness retreats to recharge, TikTok-inspired destinations, and immersive culinary experiences that go beyond fine dining. MORE FROM FORBES Forbes The 15 Most Unique Hotels In The World, According To Tripadvisor Travelers Choice Awards By Jim Dobson Forbes 25 Dazzling New Luxury Hotels Opening In 2025 By Jim Dobson
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