On November 25, 2025, in the exclusive setting of theExcelsior Hotel Gallia in Milan, the first edition of the TRAVEL & SPA AWARDS, the event that celebrates international excellence in the world of hospitality, wellness and luxury tourism, comes to life.
We celebrate excellence in the world of tourism
7 YEARS, 182 FACILITIES TRIED, 6 CATEGORIES, 19 AWARDS, 100 STARS: THE BEST OF TRAVEL & SPA IN ONE GALA EVENING
An invitation-only gala, a star-studded dinner, an audience of one hundred industry players: hotel managers, tour operators, press offices, tourism boards, stakeholders and journalists. An evening combining elegance, prestige, and vision to pay tribute to those who turn hospitality into art.
An evening hosted by Vic with live DJ set by Franco Russo and dinner placée by Vincenzo Lebano, Executive Chef of the Gallia hotel, in collaboration with the multi-starred Fratelli Cerea. A high-level culinary experience with selected local products, because excellence in hospitality deserves excellence at the table as well.
The significance of an award
Behind every TRAVEL & SPA AWARDS award there is more than a plaque or a trophy: there is the story of a journey, the passion of those who every day make hospitality a form of excellence, the ability to excite and innovate.
An award that was created to give voice to the real protagonists of the luxury experience: not just places, but people, ideas, values. Because there is no travel without hospitality, and there is no hospitality without soul.
TRAVEL & SPA AWARDS categories.
From the best wellness facility to the most inspirational destination, the TRAVEL & SPA AWARDS recognize and highlight excellence in four main areas.
THE ICONS OF HOSPITALITY
Four categories recognizing the best in high-end hospitality:
- Best Luxury Hotel Experience
- Best Luxury Resort
- Best Luxury Urban Hotel
- Best Luxury Boutique Hotel
SPA & WELLNESS
Five categories celebrating excellence in the international wellness scene:
- Best Wellness Retreat
- Best Destination Spa
- Best Medical Spa
- Best Innovation Spa Concept
- Best Signature Wellness Treatment
TRAVEL & LIFESTYLE
Four awards recognizing excellence in experiential travel, food and wine, and luxury lifestyle:
- Best Wellness Travel Destination
- Best Destination Experience
- Best Tour Operator Experience
- Best Culinary Experience in Hospitality
ENVIRONMENT & WELL-BEING
An award that recognizes outstanding contributions toward more responsible and regenerative tourism through sustainable practices with real impact:
- Sustainability Excellence in Wellness Hospitality
EDITOR’S CHOICE
The award given by the Editorial Board of TRAVEL & SPA Magazine to a project, destination or reality that best represents the values and vision of TRAVEL & SPA Magazine.
PR EXCELLENCE AWARDS
Two special awards dedicated to the best tourism communication agencies and professionals to recognize those who contribute significantly to the reputation and visibility of the hospitality and wellness industry.
READER’S CHOICE
Reader-voted excellence:
- Best Hotel – Spa – Resort
- Best Destination
Voting ended on November 10, 2025, and the winners will be revealed at the ceremony on November 25, 2025.
Methods of Evaluation and Jury
The TRAVEL & SPA AWARDS are distinguished by a transparent and authoritative selection process.
Nominations are evaluated by a Technical Jury composed of industry experts, journalists, consultants and hospitality professionals appointed from year to year, an Editorial Jury with an advisory vote composed of TRAVEL & SPA contributors, and an Editorial Jury.
The votes of the Editorial Board and Editor-in-Chief have a higher weighting, ensuring consistency and quality.
For the Reader’s Choice categories, the choice is left exclusively to the public through the official voting portal.
The judgment of the Technical Jury and the Editorial Board is final.
A commitment to solidarity as well
In addition to celebrating excellence, the TRAVEL & SPA AWARDS uphold the value of solidarity.
All sponsorships of the evening will be equally divided and donated by TRAVEL & SPA to the official Charity Partners, Italian entities committed to social support and inclusion, represented for the 2025 edition by Fondazione Progetto Arca and Dynamo Camp.
Throughout the evening , participants will also have the opportunity to support the two entities in a tracked and transparent way.
Because true luxury is not only in comfort, but also in sharing and responsibility.
Event Partners.
TRAVEL & SPA AWARDS 2025 finalists.
The short-list of excellence.
While the nomination in itself represents recognition of above-average quality, here are the names of the finalists–chosen from more than 200 applicants after a rigorous selection process–who will compete for the most prestigious Awards in the 2025 edition:
A. THE ICONS OF HOSPITALITY
Best Luxury Hotel Experience
- SIX SENSES YAO US
- ROYAL MANSOUR MARRAKECH
- ATLANTIS PARADISE ISLAND BAHAMAS
Best Luxury Resort
Best Luxury Urban Hotel
- THE PLEIN HOTEL
- SINGER PALACE
- CONTINENTAL TRIESTE BY THE BEGIN COLLECTION
Best Luxury Boutique Hotel
- PALACIO CAN MARQUÉS GRAND LUXE by PURO
- SAINT HUBERTUS CERVINIA
- PORTINARI SALVIATI PALACE
B. SPA & WELLNESS
Best Wellness Retreat
- FONTEVERDE
- ZULAL WELLNESS RESORT QATAR
- VERDURA RESORT
Best Destination Spa
- TERME DI SIRMIONE SPA & THERMAL GARDEN (formerly AQUARIA)
- OLYMPIA SPA
- TERME DI SATURNIA NATURAL DESTINATION RESORT
Best Medical Spa
- CLINIQUE LA PRAIRIE
- ADLER RESORT BALANCE MEDICAL HEALTH
- VILLA EDEN THE PRIVATE RETREAT
- PALACE FIUGGI
Best Innovative Spa Concept
- PLUNHOF (MINERA SPA)
- NUN ASSISI RELAIS & SPA MUSEUM
- ALEPH ROME HOTEL, CURIO COLLECTION BY HILTON
Best Signature Wellness Treatment
- JUMEIRAH ZABEEL SARAY – TALISE OTTOMAN SPA – “HAMMAM RITUAL”
- EDEN SPA ROME – “THE GREAT BEAUTY” BY VALMONT
- ENGELS PARK – “MYLIFE CHANGER”
C. TRAVEL & LIFESTYLE
Best Wellness Travel Destination
- SLOVENIA
- ITALY
- DUBAI – UNITED ARAB EMIRATES
Best Destination Experience
- DHIGALI MALDIVES
- BAWE ISLAND BY THE COCOON COLLECTION
- DOMINA CORAL BAY
Best Tour Operator Experience
- ALIDAYS
- CARRÉBLU
- TURISANDA
Best Culinary Experience in Hospitality
- LA PETITE PLAGE – LE TALAIA HOTEL & SPA BIARRITZ – MGALLERY
- ROYAL TRAIN – VARIGNANA PALACE
- LES AMBASSADEURS – HOTEL METROPOLE MONTE-CARLO
D. ENVIRONMENT & WELL-BEING
Sustainability Excellence in Wellness Hospitality
- LEITLHOF
- AZULIK TULUM
- OMAANDA BY ZANNIER HOTELS NAMIBIA
The winners of the special categories PR EXCELLENCE AWARDS, EDITOR’S CHOICE and READER’S CHOICE will remain secret until the awards ceremony.
On November 25, 2025 during the TRAVEL & SPA AWARDS 2025 gala evening at theExcelsior Hotel Gallia in Milan, the winners will be unveiled: an awards ceremony that will see the protagonists of hospitality and tourism excellence take the stage.
The event is by reserved invitation only and will welcome about one hundred guests selected from hotel managers, tour operators, journalists, tourism boards, politicians and key industry stakeholders.
Who we are
The signature behind the Award
The TRAVEL & SPA AWARDS are the result of an editorial project by TRAVEL & SPA Magazine, a bilingual magazine of reference for luxury tourism, wellness and high-profile hospitality.
As of 2019, the magazine chronicles the world through its best expressions of travel, with more than 180 properties tested and reviewed in Italy and around the world. An authoritative, independent and recognized voice, now turning its experience into international recognition.