The exclusive club that comprises recipients of Business Traveller Asia-Pacific’s annual Travel Awards saw its membership enhanced by eight new winners, who were announced at a dinner ceremony at Conrad Hotel Hong Kong.
The function, which also marked the publication’s 30th Anniversary, has become the premier annual event for the past 21 years that the travel and hospitality industry looks forward to. The top places in the 55 categories reflect the highest praise bestowed by Business Traveller readers on service providers, who have maintained impeccable standards that help make their journeys seamless and productive. The Readers Poll, conducted and interpreted by Ipsos, forms the ultimate basis for the results.
First-time winners included Sheraton Seoul D Cube City Hotel for Best New Business Hotel in Asia-Pacific, W Retreat & Spa Bali for Best Resort Hotel in Asia-Pacific, Hotel Indigo Shanghai on the Bund for Best Boutique Hotel in Asia-Pacific, Lufthansa for Best European Airline, Cathay Pacific for Best Airline First Class, Mandarin Oriental for Best Business Hotel in Jakarta, Futian Shangri-La for Best Business Hotel in Shenzhen and InterContinental for Best Business Hotel in Sydney.
Making a comeback in the top slots were Bali for Best Leisure Destination in Asia-Pacific, Hilton Hotels & Resorts for Best Business Hotel Brand in North America, Mandarin Oriental for Best Business Hotel in Bangkok, Grand Hyatt for Best Business Hotel in Beijing, The Oberoi for Best Business Hotel in New Delhi, Ascott Raffles Place Singapore for Best Serviced Residence in Asia-Pacific and Singapore Airlines for Best Airline Lounge in Asia-Pacific.
Many of last year’s winners maintained peak position, including IHG’s InterContinental, which was awarded Best Business Hotel Brand in the World for the third year running and Best Business Hotel Brand in Europe for the fourth straight year.
Another IHG member, Holiday Inn remained unbeaten for the 12th straight year as Best Mid-Market Hotel Brand in the World. Home-grown Asian brand Shangri-La came away with seven titles, including Best Business Hotel Brand in Asia-Pacific and Best Business Hotel in the World for Shangri-La Singapore and Best Business Hotel in Asia-Pacific for Island Shangri-La, as well as four Best Business Hotel titles in Hong Kong, Manila, Shanghai and Shenzhen. Closest rival Hyatt Hotels & Resorts bagged seven Best Business Hotel Brand titles in Beijing, Ho Chi Minh City, Macau, Melbourne, Osaka, Singapore and Tokyo.
Perennial airline frontrunner Singapore Airlines romped away with many top honours in the airline arena – Best Airline, Best Asia-Pacific Airline, Best Airline in Business and Economy, but yielded to Cathay Pacific in the Best Airline First Class category, while CX gave up the nod for Best Airline Lounge in Asia-Pacific to SIA’s facility at Changi Airport. CX still runs the Best Frequent Flyer Programme with Asia Miles, according to Business Traveller readers and Qantas found high favour for Best Airline Premium Economy.
A new category was introduced this year – Best Low-Cost Airline, a nod to the growing force of budget carriers – and first to assume the honour was AirAsia.
And there was no stopping great innovator Changi Airport, which again powered to first place for the 12th straight year as Best Airport in the World, while Incheon Airport repeated its victory of last year with Best Airport Duty-Free in the World.
Hong Kong still proved closest to the hearts of demanding Business Traveller readers, who loyally voted it Best Business City in the World and in Northeast Asia for the fourth year in a row, with worthy competitor Singapore as Best Business City in Southeast Asia.
The night was graced by the presence of two celebrity guests of honour, international songbird Frances Yip and acclaimed cellist Trey Lee, who both performed and handed out awards. Ms Yip and Mr Lee have attended previous Business Traveller Asia-Pacific award ceremonies before.
The shortlisted photos for the ‘Travel Memories of the 80s Photo Competition’ were submitted to the audience for voting and the winners were announced at the end of the programme.
AIRLINES
Best Airline in the World
1. Singapore Airlines
2. Cathay Pacific
3. Qatar Airways
Best Asia-Pacific Airline
1. Singapore Airlines
2. Cathay Pacific
3. Thai Airways
Best China Airline
1. Air China
2. China Southern
3. China Eastern
Best European Airline
1. Lufthansa
2. British Airways
3. Virgin Atlantic
Best North American Airline
1. United Airlines
2. Delta Air Lines
3. Air Canada
Best Middle-East/African Airline
1. Qatar Airways
2. Emirates
3. Etihad Airways
Best Low Cost Airline
1. AirAsia
2. Jetstar
3. Cebu Pacific
Best First Class
1. Cathay Pacific
2. Singapore Airlines
3. Emirates
Best Business Class
1. Singapore Airlines
2. Cathay Pacific
3. Qatar Airways
Best Premium Economy Class
1. Qantas
2. Air New Zealand
3. Virgin Atlantic
Best Economy Class
1. Singapore Airlines
2. Cathay Pacific
3. Korean Airlines
Best Frequent-Flyer Programme
1. Cathay Pacific – Asia Miles
2. Singapore Airlines – Krisflyer
3. Malaysia Airlines – Enrich Miles
Best Airline Lounge in Asia-Pacific
1. Singapore Airlines – Changi Airport
2. Cathay Pacific – Hong Kong International Airport
3. Thai Airways – Suvarnabhumi Airport
AIRPORTS
Best Airport in the World
1. Singapore Changi
2. Hong Kong International
3. Incheon International
Best Airport in Asia-Pacific
1. Singapore Changi
2. Hong Kong International
3. Incheon International
Best Duty-Free in the World
1. Incheon International
2. Singapore Changi
3. Hong Kong International
BEST CITIES
Best Business City in Northeast Asia
1. Hong Kong
2. Seoul
3. Tokyo
Best Business City in Southeast Asia
1. Singapore
2. Bangkok
3. Kuala Lumpur
Best Business City in the World
1. Hong Kong
2. Singapore
3. London
Best Leisure Destination in Asia-Pacific
1. Bali
2. Bangkok
3. Singapore
HOTELS
Best Business Hotel Brand in the World
1. InterContinental
2. Grand Hyatt
3. Four Seasons
Best Business Hotel Brand in Asia-Pacific
1. Shangri-La
2. Peninsula
3. Grand Hyatt
Best Business Hotel Brand in Europe
1. InterContinental
2. Hilton Hotels & Resorts
3. Sheraton
Best Business Hotel Brand in North America
1. Hilton Hotels & Resorts
2. Grand Hyatt
3. Sheraton
Best Business Hotel Brand in Middle East/Africa
1. Jumeirah
2. Hilton Hotels & Resorts
3. InterContinental
Best Mid-Market Hotel Brand in the World
1. Holiday Inn
2. Courtyard by Marriott
3. Novotel
Best Business Hotel in the World
1. Shangri-La, Singapore
2. Island Shangri-La, Hong Kong
3. Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok
Best Business Hotel in Asia-Pacific
1. Island Shangri-La, Hong Kong
2. Shangri-La, Singapore
3. The Peninsula, Hong Kong
Best Airport Hotel in Asia-Pacific
1. Regal Airport, Hong Kong
2. Crowne Plaza Changi Airport, Singapore
3. Pan Pacific KLIA, Kuala Lumpur
Best New Business Hotel in Asia-Pacific
1. Sheraton Seoul D Cube City Hotel
2. The Ritz-Carlton, Hong Kong
3. The Fullerton Bay, Singapore
Best Resort Hotel in Asia-Pacific
1. W Retreat & Spa Bali – Seminyak
2. Shangri-La’s Boracay Resort & Spa
3. Banyan Tree Phuket
Best Boutique Hotel in Asia-Pacific
1. Hotel Indigo Shanghai on the Bund
2. The Upper House, Hong Kong
3. The Quincy Hotel, Singapore
Best Business Hotel in Bangkok
1. Mandarin Oriental
2. Grand Hyatt Erawan
3. Shangri-La
Best Business Hotel in Beijing
1. Grand Hyatt
2. Raffles
3. China World
Best Business Hotel in Guangzhou
1. Garden Hotel
2. The Westin
3. Shangri-La
Best Business Hotel in Hanoi
1. Hotel Sofitel Legend Metropole
2. InterContinental Hanoi Westlake
3. Hilton Hanoi Opera
Best Business Hotel in Ho Chi Minh City
1. Park Hyatt
2. InterContinental Asiana Saigon
3. The Caravelle
Best Business Hotel in Hong Kong
1. Island Shangri-La
2. Four Seasons
3. InterContinental
Best Business Hotel in Jakarta
1. Mandarin Oriental
2. Shangri-La
3. Grand Hyatt
Best Business Hotel in Kuala Lumpur
1. Hilton
2. Mandarin Oriental
3. Grand Hyatt
Best Business Hotel in Macau
1. Grand Hyatt
2. Mandarin Oriental
3. Hotel Okura
Best Business Hotel in Manila
1. Makati Shangri-La
2. The Peninsula
3. Crowne Plaza
Best Business Hotel in Melbourne
1. Park Hyatt
2. Grand Hyatt
3. The Langham
Best Business Hotel in Mumbai
1. The Taj Mahal Palace & Tower
2. Grand Hyatt
3. The Oberoi
Best Business Hotel in New Delhi
1. The Oberoi
2. The Taj Palace
3. The Leela
Best Business Hotel in Osaka
1. Hyatt Regency
2. The Ritz-Carlton
3. Hilton
Best Business Hotel in Seoul
1. Lotte
2. Grand Hyatt
3. Shilla
Best Business Hotel in Shanghai
1. Pudong Shangri-La
2. Grand Hyatt
3. Waldorf Astoria Shanghai on the Bund
Best Business Hotel in Shenzhen
1. Futian Shangri-La
2. Grand Hyatt
3. JW Marriott
Best Business Hotel in Singapore
1. Grand Hyatt
2. Shangri-La
3. Fullerton Bay
Best Business Hotel in Sydney
1. InterContinental
2. Shangri-La
3. Hilton
Best Business Hotel in Taipei
1. W Taipei
2. Le Meridien
3. Shangri-La’s Far Eastern Plaza
Best Business Hotel in Tokyo
1. Park Hyatt
2. Mandarin Oriental
3. ANA InterContinental
Best Serviced Residence in Asia-Pacific
1. Ascott Raffles Place Singapore
2. Ascott Jakarta
3. Parkroyal Serviced Suites Kuala Lumpur
Best Serviced Residence Brand in Asia-Pacific
1. Ascott
2. Oakwood
3. Marriott Executive Apartments
