Latest news with #2025Travellers'ChoiceAwards
Irish Daily Mirror
02-05-2025
- Irish Daily Mirror
Beautiful European beach rated best in the world and it's only €53 from Ireland
With summer holiday season just around the corner, many people across Ireland will already be planning their sun-soaked escapes. If you're a beach lover and still undecided, TripAdvisor has just named the best beaches in the world - and the number one spot is right here in Europe with flights from Ireland starting at just €53. As part of its 2025 Travellers' Choice Awards, TripAdvisor ranks favourite destinations, hotels, restaurants and things to do around the world, based on reviews and ratings collected over 12 months. This means the winners were decided by real travellers from all over, who shared real opinions and stories. Elafonissi Beach in Greece has been crowned the world's best beach, thanks to its jaw-dropping pink sands, clear turquoise waters and unspoiled natural beauty. Tripadvisor said: "With pink (yes, pink) sands and turquoise waters, Elafonissi Beach is just one of those places you have to see to believe. The shallow lagoons are perfect for curious children, while the deeper waters invite all sorts of adventure for adults: swimming, snorkelling, you name it. Just make sure to stick around until sunset - you won't regret it." This beautiful sandy strip is located on the island of Crete, and it rejoins the list for the first time in four years. According to Tripadvisor, the best time to visit is between May and September, when the destination is warm and has sunny weather with significantly fewer crowds compared to the peak summer months of June, July and August. And there's good news for those planning to visit from Ireland. Ryanair flies direct from Dublin to Chania, Crete from June to October, with fares as low as €53 in October. Summer flights are still affordable too - from €89 in August and €67 in September. You can check out the various different flight options on Skyscanner here. Chania Airport is about a 90-minute drive from Elafonissi, and there are a number of local and international travel agencies that operate bus trips to the beach everyday. Among the options in Chania town is the Ruby Luxury Suites hotel, which has received a remarkable 9.7 out of 10 star rating on and costs €682 for a week's stay in May. For those wanting to stay closer to the beach itself, visitors will find accommodation like the top-rated Elafonisi Resort by Kalomirakis Family hotel, just 150m from the beach, from just €599 for a week's stay in May. There are plenty of budget-friendly stays nearby, as well as restaurants. Aer Lingus also offers routes to Heraklion in Crete - slightly further away but still reachable at around 210km from the beach. Visitors have been raving about the experience on Tripadvisor. Peter from Dublin said: "The beach is magnificent but be prepared for lots of other visitors and a long walk down from the carparks. Make sure you don't stop at the first carpark as there are lots of carparks much closer to the beach entrance. Sun beds are expensive but necessary unless you have your own sun umbrella with you. If you are travelling through the mountains be sure to stop at the small vendors along the way selling lots of natural Cretan products including honey balm which is amazing. Also take the coast road home it is a magnificent drive but not for the faint hearted! Enjoy the sunset too." A couple from Cork also left a review, saying: "Our first impression of this beach was why was it in the top 25 in world. However as we walked on and discovered an area to ourselves we begun to understand. Many beaches in Ireland match this beach in scenery and beauty. No beaches in Ireland have waters that warm! We sat on a rock eating a picnic with our feet in the water. Bring a rubbish bag with you if you plan a picnic. We then went for a gorgeous swim. I'm glad we went on this day trip!" The beach itself also boasts a small island you can wade to, a shallow kite-surfing lagoon, scenic walking trails, daily boat trips and even a lighthouse for the explorers. President of Tripadvisor Kristen Dalton said: "Tripadvisor's Travellers' Choice Awards uniquely reflect the voices of millions of global travellers and help guide people to plan their best trip yet. In my family, beaches aren't just for sunbathing - we like to get out and explore! The diversity of this year's winners really showcases everything that a beach trip can have to offer. "Whether it's strolling the beautiful pink sand beaches of our world winner, Elafonissi beach, in Greece, experiencing breath-taking vistas in Indonesia, whale watching in Hawaii or diving in magical bioluminescent waters in Thailand - there really is something for everyone. This year's lists span an incredible six continents and 50 countries with over 100 of the very best beaches showcasing the eclectic mix of coastal spots across the world."
News.com.au
01-05-2025
- News.com.au
Best hotel in the world for 2025 revealed by Tripadvisor
Tripadvisor just released its 2025 Travellers' Choice Awards, a list of the best hotels in the world that analyses places with a high volume of above-and-beyond reviews and opinions from their online community. Less than 1 per cent of the platform's 8 million entries earn the status. Topping the list is the Secrets Akumal Riviera Maya in Akumal, Mexico, a luxurious, all-inclusive stay on the beach of a wild sea turtle sanctuary. In fact, its name means 'place of the turtle'. The location's infinity pool, spa and restaurants were real standouts to guests who enjoy the 'grand escape full of both relaxation and adventure' on the Caribbean Sea. The hotel sits on the shores of the Mesoamerican Reef, the world's second-largest, home to several varieties of wild sea turtles. 'Wellness lovers will head for the fitness centre, steam room, and spa, while adventurers gear up for diving and bicycle tours. Plus, the resort's ideal location for snorkelling adds a bucket-list activity to your vacay,' Tripadvisor said. It's also a short trip away from the Mayan sites of Tulum and Coba. And you won't see any kiddos running around or splashing you in the pool: Secrets Akumal Riviera Maya is an adults-only getaway that opened a decade ago and has become a favourite for couples looking to be pampered. Each building has its own concierge who guarantees guests enjoy a seamless stay and can indulge in any way they want, whether it be a dinner table overlooking the sunset or a stocked minibar to enjoy the in-suite plunge pool. Only one American location made the top 10 — the French Quarter Inn in Charleston, South Carolina, landing at No. 8. It was lauded for its 'nice mix of old-world charm and modern comfort,' as well as amenities including 'cozy' furniture, Italian marble bathrooms, gas fireplaces and balconies. The 10 best hotels in the world, according to Tripadvisor 1. Secrets Akumal Riviera Maya, Mexico 2. Grandvrio Ocean Resort Danang, Vietnam 3. Gokulam Grand Turtle on the Beach, India 4. Romance Istanbul Hotel, Türkiye 5. Bucuti & Tara Beach Resort Aruba, Caribbean 6. St. Ermin's Hotel, Autograph Collection, UK 7. Hyatt Zilara Cap Cana, Caribbean 8. French Quarter Inn, Charleston, South Carolina, USA 9. Chandys Windy Woods, India 10. Siyam World Maldives, Maldives
New York Post
30-04-2025
- New York Post
Best hotel in the world for 2025 revealed by TripAdvisor — and it's on the beach of a wild turtle sanctuary
Get your out-of-office email ready. TripAdvisor just released its 2025 Travellers' Choice Awards, a list of the best hotels in the world that analyzes places with a high volume of above-and-beyond reviews and opinions from their online community. Fewer than 1% of the platform's 8 million entries earn the status. Topping the list is the Secrets Akumal Riviera Maya in Akumal, Mexico, a luxurious, all-inclusive stay on the beach of a wild sea turtle sanctuary. In fact, its name means 'place of the turtle.' 5 The Secrets Akumal Riviera Maya in Akumal, Mexico, landed at No. 1. TripAdvisor The location's infinity pool, spa and restaurants were real standouts to guests who enjoy the 'grand escape full of both relaxation and adventure' on the Caribbean Sea. The hotel sits on the shores of the Mesoamerican Reef, the world's second-largest, home to several varieties of wild sea turtles. 'Wellness lovers will head for the fitness center, steam room, and spa, while adventurers gear up for diving and bicycle tours. Plus, the resort's ideal location for snorkeling adds a bucket-list activity to your vacay,' TripAdvisor said. 5 The hotel's infinity pool, spa and restaurants were real standouts for guests. TripAdvisor 5 The hotel sits on the shores of the Mesoamerican Reef, which is home to several varieties of wild sea turtles. TripAdvisor 5 The resort opened a decade ago and has since become a favorite for couples looking to be pampered. TripAdvisor It's also a short way away from the centuries-old Mayan sites of Tulum and Coba. And you won't see any kiddos running around or splashing you in the pool: Secrets Akumal Riviera Maya is an adults-only getaway that opened a decade ago and has since become a favorite for couples looking to be pampered. Each building has its own concierge who guarantees guests enjoy a seamless stay and can indulge in any way they want, whether it be a dinner table overlooking the sunset or a stocked mini-bar to enjoy the in-suite plunge pool. Only one American location made the top 10 — the French Quarter Inn in Charleston, South Carolina, landing at No. 8. It was lauded for its 'nice mix of old-world charm and modern comfort,' as well as amenities including 'cozy' furniture, Italian marble bathrooms, gas fireplaces and balconies. 5 Each building has a concierge to assist guests. TripAdvisor The 10 best hotels in the world, according to TripAdvisor Secrets Akumal Riviera Maya, Mexico Grandvrio Ocean Resort Danang, Vietnam Gokulam Grand Turtle on the Beach, India Romance Istanbul Hotel, Türkiye Bucuti & Tara Beach Resort Aruba, Caribbean St. Ermin's Hotel, Autograph Collection, UK Hyatt Zilara Cap Cana, Caribbean French Quarter Inn, Charleston, South Carolina, USA Chandys Windy Woods, India Siyam World Maldives, Maldives
Daily Mirror
30-04-2025
- Daily Mirror
'Best beach in the world' has pink sand and turquoise waters in gorgeous setting
Tripadvisor's 2025 Travellers' Choice Awards for the Best of the Best Beaches has named the best beach in the world as well as the top-rated beaches in the world A stunning European beach has just been crowned the best in the world, according to Tripadvisor's 2025 Travellers' Choice Awards for the Best of the Best Beaches. The awards highlight the top-rated beaches across the globe as reviewed by international travellers. The 2025 list covers six continents and celebrates a variety of coastal gems, from tranquil waters and powdery white sands to rugged cliffs and teeming marine life. Greece's Elafonissi Beach, with its distinctive pink sand, crystal-clear shallow waters, and secluded position on Crete's southwest coast, has been named the number one beach for its awe-inspiring beauty and is noted for being less crowded during May and September. Kristen Dalton, president at TripAdvisor, said: "Whether it's strolling the beautiful pink sand beaches of our world winner, Elafonissi beach, in Greece, experiencing breathtaking vistas in Indonesia, whale watching in Hawaii or diving in magical bioluminescent waters in Thailand - there really is something for everyone. "This year's lists span an incredible six continents and 50 countries with over 100 of the very best beaches showcasing the eclectic mix of coastal spots across the world." The remarkable pink sand is completely natural, formed from tiny seashells and the coloured microorganisms found in the lagoon, giving the sand its unique hue. The beach and its surrounding territory are part of a protected nature reserve, and the island itself is merely a short wade through shallow, warm waters away from the mainland, easily reachable on foot, reports the Express. Elafonissi Beach isn't just a stretch of sand; it's a natural wonderland with sand dunes, rare birds, indigenous plants, and protected loggerhead sea turtles. Its shallow waters are also perfect for snorkelling enthusiasts. Banana Beach in Phuket, Thailand snagged the second spot in TripAdvisor's 2025 rankings, while Eagle Beach in Oranjestad, Aruba took home third place. A TripAdvisor user was smitten with Elafonissi Beach, exclaiming: "W-O-N-D-E-R-F-U-L. There's no other word to describe this beach. It's one of the best beaches ever." Another visitor gushed: "A beautiful beach, a true paradise! Crystal clear water, shallow waters where you can walk for km , well cared for and managed by local associations, absolutely not to be missed!". Susanm from Barrow-in-Furness said: "It is a very beautiful beach with gorgeous pink tinged sand from millions of little pink shells. "The water is turquoise graduating into the deepest oceanic blue a truly stunning sight. As you approach the beach by road it can look like a Caribbean vista."
