editorial

<p class="da-article-byline">Words by Alison Marshall<br />March 6, 2026</p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><span class="dropcap">T</span>he leading lights in the travel and hospitality industry have been celebrated at the <a href="https://destinasian.com/readers-choice-awards/winners">2026 <em>DestinAsian</em> Readers’ Choice Awards</a>.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Held on March 5 at The St Regis Resort Bali, the annual Readers’ Choice Awards (RCA), now in their 19th year, attracted more than a million votes worldwide, from 45,000 readers, covering 38 categories—from best airline to best island.</span></p>
<p><a href="https://destinasian.com/readers-choice-awards/winners">The Awards</a> celebrate the most outstanding contributions to travel in the region and 2026 is a particularly special year for the region&#8217;s leading travel magazine which celebrates its 25th anniversary.</p>
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				<a href='https://staging.destinasian.com/readers-choice-awards/winners/best-airlines-overall/singapore-airlines-best-airlines-overall-readers-choice-awards-2026/'><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="750" height="750" src="https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/Singapore-airlines-best-airlines-overall-readers-choice-awards-2026-1024x1024.jpg" class="attachment-large size-large" alt="A picture of a Singapore Airlines plane on the tarmac." aria-describedby="gallery-1-152782" srcset="https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/Singapore-airlines-best-airlines-overall-readers-choice-awards-2026-1024x1024.jpg 1024w, https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/Singapore-airlines-best-airlines-overall-readers-choice-awards-2026-300x300.jpg 300w, https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/Singapore-airlines-best-airlines-overall-readers-choice-awards-2026-150x150.jpg 150w, https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/Singapore-airlines-best-airlines-overall-readers-choice-awards-2026-768x768.jpg 768w, https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/Singapore-airlines-best-airlines-overall-readers-choice-awards-2026.jpg 1200w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 750px) 100vw, 750px" style="width:100%;height:100%;max-width:1200px;" /></a>
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				Singapore Airlines swept the board in every category where they were eligible.
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				<a href='https://staging.destinasian.com/readers-choice-awards/winners/best-airports-asia/singapore-changi-airport-best-airports-readers-choice-awards-2026/'><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="750" height="750" src="https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/Singapore-changi-airport-best-airports-readers-choice-awards-2026-1024x1024.jpg" class="attachment-large size-large" alt="A picture of the waterfall at Changi Airport." aria-describedby="gallery-1-152772" srcset="https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/Singapore-changi-airport-best-airports-readers-choice-awards-2026-1024x1024.jpg 1024w, https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/Singapore-changi-airport-best-airports-readers-choice-awards-2026-300x300.jpg 300w, https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/Singapore-changi-airport-best-airports-readers-choice-awards-2026-150x150.jpg 150w, https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/Singapore-changi-airport-best-airports-readers-choice-awards-2026-768x768.jpg 768w, https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/Singapore-changi-airport-best-airports-readers-choice-awards-2026.jpg 1200w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 750px) 100vw, 750px" style="width:100%;height:100%;max-width:1200px;" /></a>
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				Singapore Changi Airport was voted Best Airport in Asia.
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<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">It was a great year for <a href="https://destinasian.com/readers-choice-awards/winners/best-airlines-overall">Singapore Airlines</a>, topping the polls in every category where they were eligible, including <a href="https://destinasian.com/readers-choice-awards/winners/best-frequent-flyer-program">Best Frequent Flyer Program</a>. The airline’s home base: Changi Airport remained our readers’ favorite for the <a href="https://destinasian.com/readers-choice-awards/winners/best-airports-asia/singapore-changi-airport">best airport in the region</a>.</span></p>
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				<a href='https://staging.destinasian.com/readers-choice-awards/2025-winners/best-hotel-loyalty-programs/marriott-bonvoy-wins-best-hotel-loyalty-program/autosgnak-1519764/'><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="750" height="750" src="https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/autoSGNAK.1519764-1024x1024.png" class="attachment-large size-large" alt="Picture of a family in a hotel room, looking out of the window." aria-describedby="gallery-2-142840" srcset="https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/autoSGNAK.1519764-1024x1024.png 1024w, https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/autoSGNAK.1519764-300x300.png 300w, https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/autoSGNAK.1519764-150x150.png 150w, https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/autoSGNAK.1519764-768x768.png 768w, https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/autoSGNAK.1519764.png 1080w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 750px) 100vw, 750px" style="width:100%;height:100%;max-width:1080px;" /></a>
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				Marriott Bonvoy topped the polls in the Best Hotel Loyalty Program.
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				<a href='https://staging.destinasian.com/the-ritz-carlton-best-hotel-brand-for-business/'><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="750" height="500" src="https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/The-Ritz-Carlton-Best-Hotel-Brand-for-Business-1024x683.jpg" class="attachment-large size-large" alt="A wide shot of a Ritz-Carlton lobby." aria-describedby="gallery-2-153770" srcset="https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/The-Ritz-Carlton-Best-Hotel-Brand-for-Business-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/The-Ritz-Carlton-Best-Hotel-Brand-for-Business-300x200.jpg 300w, https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/The-Ritz-Carlton-Best-Hotel-Brand-for-Business-768x512.jpg 768w, https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/The-Ritz-Carlton-Best-Hotel-Brand-for-Business-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/The-Ritz-Carlton-Best-Hotel-Brand-for-Business-1568x1045.jpg 1568w, https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/The-Ritz-Carlton-Best-Hotel-Brand-for-Business.jpg 1800w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 750px) 100vw, 750px" style="width:100%;height:66.67%;max-width:1800px;" /></a>
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				The Ritz-Carlton was voted Best Hotel Brand for Business.
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				<a href='https://staging.destinasian.com/the-ritz-carlton-yacht-collection-best-luxury-cruises/'><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="750" height="500" src="https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/The-Ritz-Carlton-Yacht-Collection-Best-Luxury-Cruises-1024x683.jpg" class="attachment-large size-large" alt="A picture of the pool area of a Ritz-Carlton Yacht" aria-describedby="gallery-2-153768" srcset="https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/The-Ritz-Carlton-Yacht-Collection-Best-Luxury-Cruises-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/The-Ritz-Carlton-Yacht-Collection-Best-Luxury-Cruises-300x200.jpg 300w, https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/The-Ritz-Carlton-Yacht-Collection-Best-Luxury-Cruises-768x512.jpg 768w, https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/The-Ritz-Carlton-Yacht-Collection-Best-Luxury-Cruises-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/The-Ritz-Carlton-Yacht-Collection-Best-Luxury-Cruises-1568x1045.jpg 1568w, https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/The-Ritz-Carlton-Yacht-Collection-Best-Luxury-Cruises.jpg 1800w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 750px) 100vw, 750px" style="width:100%;height:66.67%;max-width:1800px;" /></a>
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				The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection was awarded the Best Luxury Cruise title.
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				<a href='https://staging.destinasian.com/four-seasons-best-hotel-brand-for-leisure/'><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="750" height="500" src="https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/Four-Seasons-Best-Hotel-Brand-for-Leisure-1024x683.jpg" class="attachment-large size-large" alt="Readers&#039; Choice Awards 2026; RCA 2026; Best Hotel Brands for Leisure; Four Seasons" aria-describedby="gallery-2-153769" srcset="https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/Four-Seasons-Best-Hotel-Brand-for-Leisure-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/Four-Seasons-Best-Hotel-Brand-for-Leisure-300x200.jpg 300w, https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/Four-Seasons-Best-Hotel-Brand-for-Leisure-768x512.jpg 768w, https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/Four-Seasons-Best-Hotel-Brand-for-Leisure-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/Four-Seasons-Best-Hotel-Brand-for-Leisure-1568x1045.jpg 1568w, https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/Four-Seasons-Best-Hotel-Brand-for-Leisure.jpg 1800w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 750px) 100vw, 750px" style="width:100%;height:66.67%;max-width:1800px;" /></a>
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				Four Seasons came in at number one as the Best Hotel Brand for Leisure.
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				<a href='https://staging.destinasian.com/readers-choice-awards/winners/best-boutique-city-hotel/capella-bangkok-best-boutique-city-hotels-readers-choice-awards-2026/'><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="750" height="750" src="https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/capella-bangkok-best-boutique-city-hotels-readers-choice-awards-2026-1024x1024.jpg" class="attachment-large size-large" alt="Capella Bangkok Best Boutique City Hotels 2026" aria-describedby="gallery-2-152892" srcset="https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/capella-bangkok-best-boutique-city-hotels-readers-choice-awards-2026-1024x1024.jpg 1024w, https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/capella-bangkok-best-boutique-city-hotels-readers-choice-awards-2026-300x300.jpg 300w, https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/capella-bangkok-best-boutique-city-hotels-readers-choice-awards-2026-150x150.jpg 150w, https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/capella-bangkok-best-boutique-city-hotels-readers-choice-awards-2026-768x768.jpg 768w, https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/capella-bangkok-best-boutique-city-hotels-readers-choice-awards-2026.jpg 1200w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 750px) 100vw, 750px" style="width:100%;height:100%;max-width:1200px;" /></a>
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				Capella Bangkok won the Best Boutique City Hotel award.
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<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Other notable winners include Marriott International with seven awards, including <a href="https://destinasian.com/readers-choice-awards/winners/best-hotel-loyalty-programs">Best Hotel Loyalty Program</a> for Marriott Bonvoy, with The Ritz-Carlton topping the polls as the <a href="https://destinasian.com/readers-choice-awards/winners/best-hotel-brand-business/the-ritz-carlton">Best Hotel Brand for Business</a>, while the Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection was our readers’ <a href="https://destinasian.com/readers-choice-awards/winners/best-river-cruise-lines">Best Luxury Cruise Line</a>. Meanwhile, Four Seasons celebrated with six awards including the coveted <a href="https://destinasian.com/readers-choice-awards/winners/best-hotel-brand-leisure">Best Hotel Brand for Leisure</a> title. The Hyatt achieved five wins for the best hotels in India, Jakarta, New Zealand, Singapore and the Philippines. This was matched by Capella, scooping no less than five trophies for excellence across Asia Pacific including <a href="https://destinasian.com/readers-choice-awards/winners/best-boutique-city-hotel">Best Boutique City Hotel</a> with <a href="https://destinasian.com/readers-choice-awards/winners/best-boutique-city-hotel/capella-bangkok">Capella Bangkok</a>.</span></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
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				<a href='https://staging.destinasian.com/bangkok-best-cities/'><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="750" height="500" src="https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/Bangkok-Best-Cities-1024x683.jpg" class="attachment-large size-large" alt="The bright lights of Bangkok made it the top choice as Best City." aria-describedby="gallery-3-153772" srcset="https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/Bangkok-Best-Cities-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/Bangkok-Best-Cities-300x200.jpg 300w, https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/Bangkok-Best-Cities-768x512.jpg 768w, https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/Bangkok-Best-Cities-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/Bangkok-Best-Cities-1568x1045.jpg 1568w, https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/Bangkok-Best-Cities.jpg 1800w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 750px) 100vw, 750px" style="width:100%;height:66.67%;max-width:1800px;" /></a>
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				The bright lights of Bangkok made it the top choice as Best City.
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				<a href='https://staging.destinasian.com/editorial/2026-destinasian-readers-choice-awards-celebrate-the-best-in-travel-and-hospitality-across-the-region/bali-best-islands/'><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="750" height="500" src="https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/Bali-Best-Islands-1024x683.jpg" class="attachment-large size-large" alt="Bali topped the list as Best Island." aria-describedby="gallery-3-153771" srcset="https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/Bali-Best-Islands-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/Bali-Best-Islands-300x200.jpg 300w, https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/Bali-Best-Islands-768x512.jpg 768w, https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/Bali-Best-Islands-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/Bali-Best-Islands-1568x1045.jpg 1568w, https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/Bali-Best-Islands.jpg 1800w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 750px) 100vw, 750px" style="width:100%;height:66.67%;max-width:1800px;" /></a>
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				Bali topped the list as Best Island.
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<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Bali took the prize for Best Island; an unbroken win since the Awards began, while Bangkok picked up the award for Best City, for the third year running, closely followed in the polls by Tokyo, which reflects <em>DestinAsian</em> readers&#8217; increasing interest in traveling to Japan.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“This is a very special year for <em>DestinAsian</em> as we celebrate our 25th anniversary,” said <em>DestinAsian</em> publisher Ronald Liem. “The Readers’ Choice Awards are a yearly tribute to excellence across the region’s travel industry. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“Our readers are better traveled than ever before and more discerning about where and how they spend their vacations. It is an exciting time to be the region&#8217;s leading travel magazine when luxury travel in Asia is at the forefront of the expansion of the hospitality industry globally.” </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Discover all the winners at <a href="https://destinasian.com/readers-choice-awards/winners">destinasian.com/readers-choice-awards/winners</a></span></p>


2026 DestinAsian Readers’ Choice Awards Celebrate the Best in Travel and Hospitality Across the Region