Waiheke Island was named the fifth best island in the world and the best in Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific. Photo / Getty Images
Waiheke Island was named the fifth best island in the world and the best in Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific. Photo / Getty Images
A Kiwi island, two luxury resorts and our national carrier have been given accolades in Travel + Leisure magazine's annual World's Best Awards.
In Travel and Leisure's Best Island in the World category, Waiheke was named in fifth place – beating top destinations like Mauritius, the Galapagos Islandsand the Greek island of Paros.
It was lauded for its beaches ("unrivaled) and its "verdant beauty, stellar vineyards, and artsy scene".
"A lovely day trip from Auckland to visit the wineries," said one reader. "You can consider a stay at the bohemian, three-room Oyster Inn, or book yourself into luxury at Delamore Lodge, which has its own helipad for easy commuting."
It's not the first time Waiheke has received international praise – it was also named as the No5 region to visit in Lonely Planet's Best In Travel 2016.
Java in Indonesia was named best island in the world. Photo / 123RF
Two Indonesian islands were named best in the word - Java and Bali in first and second place respectively. And it's convienient for Kiwi travellers, with Emirates launching the first direct Auckland to Bali service in June this year.
In the Top 10 International Airlines list, Air New Zealand made fifth place, while Singapore Airlines took out the top spot, followed by Emirates and Qatar Airways in second and third.
Two Kiwi lodges were also named among the best in the world in the magazine's Top 100 Hotels list.
Taupo's Huka Lodge made the list at number 27, while The Farm at Cape Kidnappers, in Hawkes Bay, was tied for 80th place with Qualia, on Queensland's Hamilton Island.
Huka Lodge was also named as the best resort hotel in Australia and New Zealand, with The Farm at Cape Kidnappers again tied with Qualia for third place.
The Farm at Cape Kidnappers. Photo / Supplied
Topping the list of the 100 Top Hotels was the Four Seasons Resort Bali at Sayan, Indonesia, a luxury retreat nestled in the forests of the Ayung River Valley.
Elsewhere in the world, San Miguel de Allende in Mexico was voted the best city in the world for the second year in a row.
"This is one of the best cities in the world," one T+L reader wrote. "There are lots of stores selling local artisan crafts, jewelry, and art. Bring an extra suitcase!"
San Miguel de Allende in Mexico was named the best city in the world. Photo / 123RF
It was followed by another Mexican city, Oaxaca, in second place and Udaipur, India in third.
See all of the results from Travel + Leisure's 2018 World's Best Awards here.
