Virtuoso Travel Experts Reveal The Best Hotels, Best Cruise, And More For 2023

27.08.2023 - 10:43 / forbes.com / Cruise Line / Royal Caribbean International / River Cruises / Silversea Cruises

The luxury travel network Virtuoso® has revealed the winners for its 2023 Best of the Best awards announced at this year’s Virtuoso Travel Week held in Las Vegas at Bellagio Resort & Casino, ARIA Resort & Casino, and Vdara Hotel & Spa. The 35th annual gala spotlighted the network’s most esteemed travel agencies, advisors, and preferred partners.

Virtuoso surveyed hundreds of travel agencies and more than 11,400 high-end travel advisors to select the winners in each category, ranging from the most innovative experience to the best achievement in design. I have personally visited many of the nominated properties and agree with all of these selections as some of the very best in the world.

HOTEL OF THE YEAR:

Winner: San Domenico Palace, Taormina, A Four Seasons Hotel/Italy .

“Perched on a rocky promontory high above the Ionian Sea, the iconic San Domenico Palace welcomes guests to a 14th-century convent with panoramic views of Mount Etna and an ancient Greek theatre where they can savor award-winning dining, unwind in the spa and swim in a clifftop infinity pool. Escaping into the Four Seasons world of timeless beauty is easy at this property – with the charming town of Taormina at its doorstep and the best of Sicily waiting to be explored.”

Nominees were Kokomo Private Island, Mandarin Oriental Ritz, Madrid, an affiliate of the Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group, The Newbury Boston, One&Only Mandarina.

BEST ADVENTURE OPERATOR

Winner: Lindblad Expeditions

For more than 50 years, Lindblad Expeditions has been sailing to incredible destinations in pursuit of discovery, bringing adventurous travelers to share in the thrill of uncovering the world’s wild secrets.

Nominees were Abercombie & Kent, Aqua Expeditions, Big Five Tours & Expeditions, Swain Destinations

BEST CRUISE LINE

Winner: Silversea Cruises

Silversea ultra-luxury cruises offer all-inclusive cruising across 900 worldwide destinations. The smallest ships are created for discovery with spacious ocean-view suites, including butler service.

Nominees were AmaWaterways, Regent Seven Seas Cruises, Seabourn, Uniworld Boutique River Cruises

BEST FAMILY OPERATOR

Winner: Micato Safaris

Among my personal favorite operators in the world, Micato is legendary in crafting the ultimate private experiences for luxury travelers. They are the true leaders of African safaris and craft spectacular life-changing adventures throughout India.

Nominees were Family Twist, One&Only Palmilla, The Ritz-Carlton Orlando, Grande Lakes, Royal Caribbean International

BEST ULTRA LUXURY OPERATOR

Winner: Cheval Blanc Paris

Fronting the Seine, the hotel's perfect location highlights a 15-year renovation of the original Samaritaine building. In true Cheval Blanc