Maui is named ‘Best Island in the World’ again
By HARRY EAGAR, Staff WriterMaui's getting a reputation. Fourteen times, it has been ranked the "Best Island in the World" in the Conde Nast Traveler Readers' Choice Awards.
"It has a certain cachet," said Keli'i Brown, the director of public relations for the Maui Visitors Bureau. He said California travel writers are particularly likely to bring up Maui's unprecedented run of wins when he is on promotional tours.
Maui not only finished atop all islands; its score of 89.5 was higher than the score for any destination. Sydney, the Best Australia/Pacific City, scored 87.2. Every other destination was far behind.
In a coup for the state of Hawaii, Maui came in first as the Best Pacific Island and Kauai finished second, its score of 87.1 topped only by Sydney and Maui.
"We are extremely proud to receive this honor yet again," said Terryl Vencl, MVB executive director. "Maui's stunning natural beauty, our cherished host culture and the gracious aloha of our people continue to make this possible. This is wonderful recognition for our industry and most importantly, for the residents of Maui."
Other islands ranking in the Best Pacific Island category were Bora Bora (third, 84.3 score); Great Barrier Reef (fourth, 83.6); Moorea (fifth, 83.3); Big Island (sixth, 81.9); Oahu (seventh, 80.4); Lanai (eighth, 78.0); Tasmania (ninth, 75.4) and Cook Islands (10th, 74.5).
Trailing Maui and Sydney among the top destinations were San Francisco (Best U.S. City, 85.2); Florence (Best European City, 84.5); Cape Town (Best Africa/Middle East City, 83.0); Bangkok (Best Asian City, 82.8); and Buenos Aires (Best Americas City, 82.2).
Maui County hotels also scored high in the Top Hawaii Resorts category, with three in the top five.
The Four Seasons Resort Maui, which is the only resort in the islands to attain both the AAA Five Diamond and Mobil Five Star ratings, was tops, with a score of 96.0 (also tied for 14th in the world).
Other top Hawaii resorts were Four Seasons Resort Hualalai (second, 94.5); Four Seasons Resort Lanai, Lodge at Koele (third, 92.5); Four Seasons Resort Lanai at Manele Bay (fourth, 91.6); the Halekulani on Oahu (fifth, 90.7); Hotel Hana-Maui (sixth, 89.9); and the Fairmont Kea Lani (ninth, 88.6).
The magazine's annual poll analyzes the preferences of its readers in various categories including cities, islands, airlines, cruise lines, hotels, spas, resorts and rental cars. The poll has been conducted for 21 years. Complete results will be published in the November issue, which will arrive on newsstands later this month.
* Harry Eagar can be reached at heagar@mauinews.com.
This story includes a correction stating the correct number of times Maui received an award.
