GT 2011 Travel Awards

Istanbul, Turkey

Hottest International City: Istanbul

Runner-up: New York City

The legendary metropolis that was born as Byzantium then became Constantinople and is now Istanbul has captivated the world’s imagination for millennia. Few places can hold a light to the charm and beauty of this fabled city whose heart belongs to both Europe and Asia. With a treasury of world-renowned wonders from the Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque to the Grand Bazaar and a litter of glittering palaces beside the Bosphorus Strait, it’s no surprise Istanbul is our expert panel’s choice for Hottest International City in 2011. The accolade might have something to do with the spotlight that shone on Turkey’s largest city last year as a reigning European Capital of Culture. More likely it’s simply recognition of all the excitement of the Golden Horn, from fairytale accommodation and a melting pot of cuisines to imperial remains and a thriving social scene that rivals Manhattan’s. www.tourismturkey.org

PHOTOGRAPHY GETTY IMAGES

MONA, Tas

Standout Australian Travel Experience: MONA, Tas

Runner-up: Qualia, Qld

Hobart millionaire David Walsh, iconoclastic owner of the Museum of Old and New Art, successfully dazzles and defies the conventions of gallery going> with his fantastic new museum on the fringe of the Tasmanian capital. The Fender Katsalidis-designed fortress of rusted steel fused onto primitive sandstone feels like a metaphor for Walsh’s eclectic private art collection (reputedly the nation’s largest) that marries ancient artefacts with bracingly modern installations. So keenly awaited and so feverishly hyped, since opening in January MONA has proved itself to be that rare commodity among Australian attractions – an instant success, an international drawcard and a growing source of national pride. www.mona.net.au

PHOTOGRAPHY WILLIAM MEPPEM

Sal Salis Ningaloo Reef, WA

Best Sustainable Tourism Venture: Sal Salis Ningaloo Reef, WA

Runner-up: The Maria Island Walk, Tas

Wild Bush Luxury pioneered sustainable, African-style safari tourism in Australia but the concept finds its environmentally purest expression on WA’s North West Cape. Sal Salis comprises just nine comfortable tents – set among the dunes about 50 metres from the Indian Ocean shoreline – where the power is solar, the water supply is carefully monitored and filtered on-site and the human impact is offset by clever cleansing technologies. But being kind to the environment of the Cape Range National Park does not mean skimping on creatures or comforts; high thread-count bedding, ensuite bathrooms, and sunset dinners with an audience of kangaroos and wallabies are all part of the experience. And, right on the camp’s doorstep, one of Australia’s great reef ecosystems teems with hundreds of fish and coral species, turtles, humpback whales and manta rays. www.salsalis.com.au

Abercrombie & Kent

Best Tour Operator: Abercrombie & Kent

Runner-up: Intrepid Travel

After half a century of touring, Abercrombie & Kent has established a reputation for indulgent and intrepid travel to the furthest corners of the globe. Bespoke itineraries catapult guests to exotic locations such as Abu Simbel, the Yangtze River and> Antarctica, always in the utmost comfort and with expert guides in tow to ensure a once-in-a-lifetime experience. A&K adventures can range from classic rail journeys and small-ship cruises to more extreme pursuits (anyone for dog sledding in the Arctic? Diving the Blue Hole of Belize?), or private journeys tailored to individual desires. The company’s formidable contact book guarantees exclusive entrée to unforgettable world events and one-off encounters, always accompanied by A&K’s signature style and outstanding service. www.abercrombiekent.com.au

PHOTOGRAPHY SHARYN CAIRNS

Saffire Freycinet, Tas

EXPERT PANEL AWARDS

Best New Hotel, Resort or Lodge: Saffire Freycinet, Tas

Runner-up: Crown Metropol, Vic

When Saffire debuted last June it was obvious it would swiftly join the ranks of Australia’s most desirable resorts. That showstopping view across Great Oyster Bay to the granite hulk of the Hazards and beyond is enough to arouse wanderlust in the most sensible of souls. Dream location aside, Saffire’s other strong qualities are its size – just 20 luxurious suites among the peppermint gums – and sweeping architecture. Shaped like the stingrays that glide through the clear waters below, the main hall features a graceful roofline of celery-top pine and expansive glass walls that frame the views from every angle. Natural finishes resonate with the untouched environment outdoors, where invigorating outings to Freycinet National Park await. www.saffire-freycinet.com.au

PHOTOGRAPHY LUKE BURGESS

Hamilton Island, Qld

Getaway Best Family Experience: Hamilton Island, Qld

Runner-up: Wet ’n’ Wild Water World, Qld

A host of new facilities, a spruce-up of existing ones and the irresistible Oprah effect have lent a new lease of life to the leading resort island of the Whitsundays. As Ms Winfrey discovered during her whirlwind visit last year, Hamilton Island is the ideal jumping-off point for those who want to experience the highlights of coastal Queensland – whether snorkelling the Great Barrier Reef, enjoying the world-renowned Whitehaven Beach or simply surrendering to the state’s well-honed holiday vibe. Hamilton pitches itself firmly at families with a range of deals offering free accommodation and meals for children, and ample activities to keep everyone entertained. Safe swimming and snorkelling at Catseye Beach, cuddling koalas at the wildlife park, fish-feeding safaris and more than 20km of bushwalking trails lead the list of attractions for all ages. www.hamiltonisland.com.au

Montalto Vineyard and Olive Grove, Vic

Best Wine Tourism Experience: Montalto Vineyard and Olive Grove, Vic

Runner-up: Port Phillip Estate, Vic

John & Wendy Mitchell’s Mediterranean-accented vineyard experience on Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula elevates the pleasures of grape and table to a fine art. In the handsome timber and glass dining room, chef Barry Davis makes the most of the property’s thriving kitchen garden and orchard to create accomplished, delicious meals with side serves of rolling hills and ocean glimpses. Casual summer dining on pizzas and cheese plates at the outdoor Piazza and Garden Café ensures Montalto’s mass appeal. Fine homegrown wines are grouped under the vineyard’s Pennon Hill and reserve Montalto labels but the restaurant’s exciting list of vine varieties ranges right across the peninsula, the nation and the world. Food and wine aside, the estate’s sculpture collection seems a natural fit for its picturesque hillside location and refined aesthetic. www.montalto.com.au

Gaia, NSW

Best Health Retreat: Gaia, NSW

Runner-up: Gwinganna, Qld

Set high in the Byron Bay hinterland, this healthy haven founded by Olivia Newton-John and friends works equally well as a residential retreat as it does a day spa for pampering and relaxation. Contemporary accommodation in the 20-villa resort ranges from forest-fringed bungalows to secluded suites with private deck and spa. Short-stay programs can be tailored to address problem areas (weight loss, detox, general fitness) or restore some yang to the yin through meditation, yoga programs and therapies ranging from reflexology to reiki. At the day spa, elixirs and unguents are from the indigenous Li’Tya line or fashioned from produce in Gaia’s own organic garden. The rainforest setting lends a natural tranquility to treatments such as hot-rock massages and full body wraps. Extracurricular activities extend to private training, tennis and the ultimate feelgood therapy – dolphin and whale watching on the Pacific Ocean. www.gaiaretreat.com.au

Orion Expedition Cruises

Best Cruise Line: Orion Expedition Cruises

Runner-up: Silversea

Homegrown cruise line Orion once again scoops the pool as our favourite operator at sea with its range of high-end, small-ship expeditions to some of the world’s most exotic destinations. With the launch this year of its second vessel, Orion II, Australia’s flagships now venture beyond the signature itineraries of the Kimberley, Antarctica and our island neighbours to explore the wilds of Russia, Japan, and south-east Asia, with itineraries including the volcanic Kuril Islands, Japan’s Ryukyu Islands, and Sabah. Defined by its commitment to quality and innovation, Orion’s unique approach to luxury cruising has resulted in such industry firsts as menus by noted Australian chef Serge Dansereau, and distinguished guest lecturers such as the renowned primatologist Dr Biruté Mary Galdikas, who shares her lifetime’s research into orangutans aboard Orion II’s new Borneo voyages. www.orionexpeditions.com

PHOTOGRAPHY NICK RAINS

Qualia, Hamilton Island, Qld

Best Spa: Qualia, Hamilton Island, Qld

Runner-up: Wolgan Valley Resort and Spa, NSW

It’s the location as much as the leisure options that have helped Qualia capture the imaginations of Australia’s sybarites. This exclusive billionaire’s playground on Hamilton Island in the tropical> Whitsundays offers mere mortals the chance to (briefly) own their own slice of paradise. Infinity pools, luscious sun decks and sleek finishes define the 60 pavilions set among the eucalypts above the Coral Sea. The heart of the resort is the spa with its six treatment rooms and breezy sea-view setting. Treatments have an indigenous accent thanks to the use of Li’Tya and Sodashi products and their emphasis on Aboriginal healing therapies. The menu offers something for everyone, from deep-tissue remedial work to pregnancy massages and scalp treatments. Dining can have a restorative slant too, thanks to largely organic and sustainable ingredients transformed into nutritious meals. www.qualia.com.au

The Cullen, Melbourne, Vic

Best New Boutique Accommodation: The Cullen, Melbourne, Vic

Runner-up: The Lair, Tas

When Melbourne’s property-developing Deague family set their sights on creating a new breed of small hotel, they turned to modern art for inspiration. The result is not one but three new hotels in the southern capital that showcase the work of Australian art legends John Olsen, Charles Blackman and Adam Cullen. The Cullen, located in happening Prahran, is their debut property – a six-storey riot of colour and movement in bohemian Prahran. The 115-room hotel is adorned with more than 400 of Cullen’s artworks ranging from archival prints to two painted fibreglass cows in the foyer; there’s even an in-house curator on hand to interpret the collection for interested guests. www.artserieshotels.com.au

PHOTOGRAPHY ANSON SMART

Singapore Airlines

Best Airline Service: Singapore Airlines

Runner-up: Emirates

She’s more than 60 years old but manages to retain a youthful edge in both her fleet and her service. The always-innovative Singapore Airlines was the first carrier to pamper jetsetters with free drinks and headsets, first to provide an in-flight phone service and first to fly the A380, and holds the record for the longest non-stop flight on the planet (Singapore to Newark in 2004). Instead of resting on its considerable laurels, the airline publicly declares its ongoing commitment to excellence in every aspect of service, a trait that serves it well in a rapidly changing aviation industry where Middle Eastern carriers are rising to challenge their Asian adversaries. Now flying to nearly 100 destinations in more than 40 countries and five continents, Singapore’s national carrier is admired as much for its high-altitude entertainment as for its in-flight fare, conceived by a panel of nine renowned international chefs. www.singaporeair.com

Kooljaman at Cape Leveque, WA

Best Indigenous Tourism Experience: Kooljaman at Cape Leveque, WA

Runner-up: Anangu Waai, NT

The success of Kooljaman is proof that ingenuity and excellence exist in every corner of the continent. Perched on the Dampier Peninsula in Western Australia’s northern nether regions, Kooljaman at Cape Leveque is an Aboriginal-owned resort that specialises in reconnecting humans with nature. Accommodation at this coastal retreat in the Kimberley runs from campsites and beach shelters to log cabins and breezy safari tents, all handy to the calming rhythms of the Indian Ocean. The on-site restaurant captures views over Western Beach and along the pindan cliffs as diners feast on seafood, steak and BYO alcohol (the local Bardi communities are dry, but obligingly tolerant of visitors’ vices). In the ultimate in outback room service, guests can also have bush butlers deliver a ready-to-barbecue dinner to their cabin, to enjoy whenever they wish. www.kooljaman.com.au

The Observatory Hotel, Sydney, NSW

Nespresso Best Large Luxury Hotel: The Observatory Hotel, Sydney, NSW

Runner-up: Park Hyatt, Melbourne, Vic

Orient-Express is known for restrained opulence, and the group’s 100-room Sydney showpiece is no exception. Built 18 years ago in historic Millers Point, the colonial mansion-style property capitalises on its dramatic views of Walsh Bay with private balconies and picture windows to showcase the striking surroundings. Interiors channel old-world comforts with polished mahogany furnishings, tapestry curtains and opulent marble bathrooms. Gourmet attractions include fine, old-school French dining at Galileo, and a sophisticated award-winning high tea held daily in the genteel Globe Brasserie & Bar. The Observatory’s lavish subterranean day spa offers premium La Prairie treatments and jet-lag revivers, while the adjoining health club features a heated pool beneath a ceiling of lights designed to mirror the southern night sky. www.observatoryhotel.com.au

PHOTOGRAPHY ANTHONY GEERNAERT

Cradle Mountain Huts, Tas

Best Adventure Tourism: Cradle Mountain Huts, Tas

Runner-up: Sal Salis, Ningaloo Reef, WA

Tasmania’s most popular long-distance walk follows a 65km path through the World Heritage-listed wilderness of the Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park. Walking the Overland Track is the only way to appreciate the region’s magical landscapes that rise from moorland to mountain, alpine plateau to button-grass plain, and abound with curious creatures such as the pademelon and the quoll and vegetation endemic to the island. Cradle Mountain Huts wipes the rough edges off this outback experience with its guided hikes, gourmet meals and purpose-built huts providing welcome shelter and a hot shower at the end of each day’s expeditioning. Guests can go to sleep in good conscience, knowing that the huts are as kind to the environment as they are. A choice of four- and six-day itineraries makes Cradle Mountain Huts the most flexible way to experience some of Australia’s greatest outdoors. www.cradlehuts.com.au

Lake House, Vic

Best Hotel or Resort Dining: Lake House, Vic

Runner-up: Saffire Freycinet, Tas

When Alla Wolf-Tasker and her husband Allan first conceived of a fine-dining restaurant by the shores of Lake Daylesford in 1984, she grasped her impossible dream and ran with it. The result of her single-minded determination and insistence on excellence is the Lake House, a boutique hotel and destination restaurant now known throughout the land. The polished restaurant remains Wolf-Tasker’s crowning achievement. Long before paddock to plate entered the omnivore’s vocabulary, she was geeing up local growers to produce the sort of premium ingredients expected of one of the country’s finest dining rooms. The boutique hotel’s 33 rooms range from waterfront suites with WiFi and double spas, to villas with open fireplaces and indulgent ceramic baths, and the new Retreat, a two-bedroom country house ideal for intimate house parties complete with fire pit and sunken outdoor hot tub. www.lakehouse.com.au

Qualia, Hamilton Island, Qld

READERS’ CHOICE AWARDS

Best Resort or Lodge: Qualia, Hamilton Island, Qld

Runner-up: Southern Ocean Lodge, Kangaroo Island, SA

Take one tropical isle in the midst of the world’s largest, most idyllic coral reef. Carve off a slice of the sun-soaked north of the island, shaded by eucalypts and drenched in dreamy Coral Sea views, for a resort like no other. Add 60 timber and stone pavilions, decked with fine linens and finishes and seasoned with sun decks and plunge pools. Add a further two swimming pools, an award-winning spa and a brace of bars and restaurants that showcase the refined cuisine of executive chef Jane-Therese Mulry (the first head chef of Marco Pierre White’s London empire) and the resort’s rather decent wine cellar. Pamper guests with personal golf buggies, a beach taxi service, an island chauffeur and a range of water-based activities that exploit the prime location, and you’ve got a fair idea why Qualia is our resort of the year. www.qualia.com.au