Tanzanian Lodge Named Best Hotel

A survey by Travel + Leisure named a hotel in Tanzania the best in the world. Readers voted on hotels, cities, islands, airlines and more for the magazine’s 16th annual World’s Best Awards.

The winning hotel was Singita Grumeti Reserves in Serengeti National Park, Tanzania. The newly revamped hotel won the title because of its design, relaxing atmosphere and sightings of wildebeest, zebras and gazelles on the property.

For the 11 years straight New York City has captured the title of Best City in the U.S. and Canada. Not only did it top the chart again, but the Big Apple rose to its highest ranking since 2000. However, the city is only fourth overall, with Bangkok retaining the number one world ranking for the second consecutive year.

The World’s Best Island Overall was Santorini, Greece, up from sixth in 2010. Last year’s chart topper, Galápagos, slipped to number 10 overall, while three of the Hawaiian Islands made the top 10. The Big Island was seventh — up from 10 last year — Kauai grabbed eighth — down from second — and Maui settled at ninth — a drop from eighth.

In the Caribbean, Cuba was named the Best Island, which is last held in 2003.

“It’s clear that remote and exotic destinations — places that convey a sense of authenticity and adventure — are ruling the day once again in Travel + Leisure’s World’s Best Awards,” Nancy Novogrod, editor-in-chief of T+L, said in a statement. “The top 10 hotels overall are African camps and lodges; resorts in India; a property in Chiang Mai; and a luxury lodge in Montana. The top cities overall span the globe — Bangkok, Florence, New York, Istanbul, Siem Reap and Sydney, to mention a few.”