Frequently Asked
Questions

The Luxury Travel Gold List is an annual editorial edit of 30 exceptional travel experiences from around the world. The list spans luxury hotels, resorts and lodges, boutique properties, wellbeing retreats and luxury expedition, ocean and river cruise brands. The Gold List is global, unranked and presented alphabetically.

The 2027 Luxury Travel Gold List will be revealed in May 2027.

Culture, Design and Wellbeing are the three editorial pillars that help shape the Gold List.

Culture considers meaningful connections to destination, community, heritage, food, landscape and local life.
Design considers architecture, interiors and creative vision that enhance the travel experience and respond thoughtfully to place.
Wellbeing considers experiences that support rest, restoration and a richer sense of wellbeing.

Not every Gold List selection needs to reflect all three pillars equally, but each should demonstrate particular strength in at least one.

The Gold List is curated by Luxury Travel’s editorial team and informed by firsthand recommendations from our Expert Panel. Luxury Travel considers these recommendations alongside our own editorial coverage, knowledge of the global luxury travel landscape and the overall balance of the final list. The Gold List is an editorial selection, not a numerical ranking or public vote.

No. There is no public entry process or entry fee. Potential selections are considered through Luxury Travel’s editorial coverage and market knowledge, contributor experience and recommendations from the Expert Panel.

No. Sponsors, advertisers and commercial partners have no role in the consideration or selection process. Commercial partnerships support the presentation of the Gold List, never its selection.

The Expert Panel brings together respected travel writers, editors and luxury travel advisors with recent firsthand experience across the global luxury travel landscape. Panel members contribute recommendations and specialist knowledge across hotels and resorts, boutique properties, wellbeing travel, cruising and key international destinations.

No. The Expert Panel provides firsthand recommendations, while Luxury Travel’s editorial team makes the final selection. There is no panel ranking or public voting process involved in selecting the Gold List.

The Gold List Honours recognise standout selections from within the annual Gold List across the following areas:

• Boutique Property
• Hotel
• Resort
• Wellbeing
• Expedition Cruise
• Ocean Cruise
• River Cruise
• The Editor’s Selection

Gold List Honours are selected by Luxury Travel following review of Expert Panel recommendations and our own editorial knowledge.

Readers’ Choice is a separate audience vote that opens once the editorial Gold List has been revealed. Readers will be invited to vote for their favourite experience from the 2027 Gold List, with voting expected to run from May into June 2027. Readers’ Choice does not influence which experiences are selected for the Gold List or receive Gold List Honours.