Best of Luxury Travel: ULTRAs Awards 2026 Winners Revealed
London, United Kingdom: The ULTRAs (Ultimate Luxury Travel Related Awards) 2026 have revealed their winners, recognising leading hotels, airlines, airports, cruise operators and destinations around the world. Held at the Tower of London on 1 October 2026, the ceremony celebrated excellence in luxury travel, with winners selected through votes from Ultratravel magazine readers and members of the GHA DISCOVERY loyalty programme.
Among the headline winners, Capella Sydney was named Ultratravel Collection Hotel of the Year, Anantara Hotels & Resorts received Luxury Brand of the Year, and Pan Pacific London was recognised as Best Hotel in Europe. Japan was once again voted Favourite Country for a Holiday, while William E. Heinecke, Founder and Chairman of Minor International, received a Lifetime Achievement Award for his contribution to global hospitality.
ULTRAs Awards 2026 Celebrate the Best of Luxury Travel
Organised by Nick Perry, Chairman of the multimedia brand Ultratravel, the ULTRAs are an annual event recognising achievements across the international luxury travel industry. The awards are associated with Ultratravel Collection, a joint venture involving Ultratravel and Global Hotel Alliance (GHA), the alliance of independent hotel brands that operates the GHA DISCOVERY loyalty programme.
The 2026 ceremony featured 18 categories and brought together hospitality leaders, travel industry figures and well-known personalities at the Tower of London, including the Jewel House and the White Tower.
Television presenters Natalie Pinkham and Gethin Jones hosted the event. Guests included British actor Hugh Bonneville, Sky News presenter Sarah-Jane Mee and rugby figures Simon Shaw, Alun Wyn Jones, Serge Betsen and Andrew Mehrtens.
The results reflected the preferences of Ultratravel readers and GHA DISCOVERY members, highlighting their choices across accommodation, aviation, cruising and destinations.
Capella Sydney and Anantara Lead Hotel Honours
Capella Sydney received the title of Ultratravel Collection Hotel of the Year, while Anantara Hotels & Resorts was named Luxury Brand of the Year. Anantara Koh Yao Yai Resort & Villas in Thailand also earned the Best New Hotel in the World award.
Other leading properties were recognised across regional categories. Pan Pacific London won Best Hotel in Europe, while Capella Bangkok was named Best Hotel in Asia/Pacific.
In the Middle East and Africa category, Marsa Malaz Kempinski, The Pearl, in Doha received Best Hotel in the Middle East/Africa. The Leela Palace New Delhi was recognised as Best Hotel in India/Indian Ocean, and The Surrey, A Corinthia Hotel, New York, won Best Hotel in the Americas/Caribbean.
The hotel awards highlighted properties across established luxury destinations, from major international cities to resort locations. Together, the winners represented a broad range of hospitality experiences and brands serving luxury travellers worldwide.
Emirates, Singapore Changi Airport and Global Aviation Winners
Emirates secured two major honours, winning Best Airline in the World and Best Airline in the Middle East. The Dubai-based airline’s double recognition placed it among the leading aviation winners in the 2026 awards.
Other airline awards were distributed across regions. Lufthansa received Best Airline in Europe, Singapore Airlines won Best Airline in Asia/Australasia, and Delta Air Lines was named Best Airline in the Americas.
Singapore Changi Airport took home Best Airport in the World, recognising the airport in the global travel awards programme.
In the cruise category, Regent Seven Seas Cruises was named Best Luxury Cruise Line. Japan was voted Favourite Country for a Holiday, reinforcing its continued popularity among the voters participating in the awards.
William E. Heinecke Receives Lifetime Achievement Award
William E. Heinecke, Founder and Chairman of Minor International, received the ULTRAs Lifetime Achievement Award. The honour recognised his contribution and lasting impact on the international hospitality industry.
Minor International operates across hospitality and related sectors, with Anantara among its hotel brands. The recognition of Heinecke and the Luxury Brand of the Year award for Anantara placed the group’s leadership and hospitality portfolio among the notable highlights of the ceremony.
The awards also introduced a new category in 2026: Favourite Luxury Lifestyle Brand. Louis Vuitton received the inaugural honour, reflecting the preference of GHA DISCOVERY members for the brand’s travel collection.
What the ULTRAs Winners Mean for Luxury Travellers
The 2026 ULTRAs results offer a snapshot of the hotels, airlines, destinations and travel experiences valued by participating luxury travellers. With winners spanning Asia, Europe, the Middle East, Africa and the Americas, the awards showcased the breadth of the global luxury travel market.
Commenting on the results, GHA CEO Chris Hartley said the ULTRAs reflected the standards and experiences that mattered to today’s luxury travellers, shaped by the views of Ultratravel readers and GHA DISCOVERY members.
The range of winners, from Capella Sydney and Pan Pacific London to Emirates and Singapore Changi Airport, illustrates how luxury travel extends beyond accommodation to include transport, destinations and experiences throughout a journey.
For travellers planning future trips, the awards provide a selection of internationally recognised names across different parts of the travel experience. For the industry, they offer insight into the preferences of an audience engaged with luxury hospitality and travel.
The ULTRAs Awards 2026 concluded with recognition for established international brands, regional hospitality leaders and destinations continuing to attract global interest.
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Ahmed Abdul Wasey
Managing Editor, Eat ‘N Stays
Ahmed Abdul Wasey is the Managing Editor in Eat ‘N Stays, overseeing all editorial coverage of travel, hospitality, and food across Saudi Arabia and the wider Gulf region. He sets the publication’s editorial direction and reviews coverage across hotels, restaurants, tourism, cruise, and industry news before it publishes.
Have a story tip, correction, or question about our coverage? Reach Ahmed directly at pr@eatnstays.com.
