Always and always, food is a priority for Traveler readers. When it comes to choosing where to visit, 41% of you said restaurants and food culture are a vital part of determining where you go, and rightfully so. Dining experiences are one of the best ways to learn about a place and its people, whether through the creative restaurants of Guatemalathe wine scenes of Uruguay or even ThailandOr Indigenous foods in the United States.

This emphasis on food also extends to where you stay. When selecting hotels or accommodations, 22% of you consider an establishment’s food and beverage offerings to be the main factor, after location (61%) and price (34 %). In fact, you all love food so much (it makes sense, we do too) that 11% of you said that dining experiences, from local cuisine to gourmet meals, encourage repeat visits.

Additionally, 9% of you consider award-winning fine dining and restaurants an essential part of the luxury travel experience. Depending on what type of traveler you are, that feeling of luxury may lie less in the white tablecloths and crystal goblets and more in the creativity of the chefs who prepare delicious dishes that tell a story about the place you’re visiting. (And their reviews on where to travel for food are the most valuable information you can get: For chef-approved recommendations on the tastiest places to eat around the world, check out our global food map of the world’s best restaurants.)

“Luxury” always starts with the hotel room

When asked about your travel priorities, you told us that you define “luxury” as a more nuanced thing. Luxury is also everything from opportunities to spend time away from home to the immersion of a culinary experience. But the absolute number one factor that makes travel feel like luxurious indulgence? It’s always about hotels. In the survey, 32% of you ranked accommodation as the main element when it comes to luxury travel, emphasizing the comfort and exclusivity of where you stay. We tend to agree; discover our latest iteration of the Condé Nast Traveler Gold List 2025 where we share our editor-favorite hotels that we return to again and again.

But your definition of what luxury can change

However, the importance of unique experiences is not far behind the hotel factor; 27% of you rated it high, which tells us that you are, as always, looking for memorable and distinctive activities, no matter which corner of the world you explore. And fun fact: Only 6% said transportation options, like flying first or business class, are what make a trip luxurious. This could indicate your changing priorities, proving that destination comfort and unique experiences are more prized than champagne and caviar at the front of the plane. That said, a bed lying 35,000 feet in the air doesn’t hurt, does it?

Finally, you stayed true to your most trusted hotel brands. Here’s your top 10 (and some ideas for where to book:

1. Marriott Hotels & Resorts
2. Hotels in Oberoi
3. Hotels in Taj
4. Hilton Hotels & Resorts
5. Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts
6. Leela Palaces, Hotels and Resorts
7. Fairmont Hotels & Resorts
8. Ritz Carlton Hotels & Resorts
9. InterContinental Hotels & Resorts
10. Belmond

Are you already planning for next year? For more inspiration, check out our full list of Readers’ Choice Awards winners. here.

Credits

Main editor: Lale Arikoglu

Editor: Arati Menon

Writer: Matt Ortile

Main visuals: Matthew Buck, Pete Winterbottom

Visuals: Andrea Edelman

Social networks: Mercedes Bleth, Fatama Choudhury

Audience development: Abigail Malbon