Lonely Planet Travel Awards 2015

India’s favourite travel magazine brings you the Lonely Planet Magazine India Travel Awards 2015, powered by Flight Shop, showcasing the experiences most loved by the Indian traveller.

For the fourth year running, Lonely Planet Magazine India called upon the country’s discerning travellers to choose their favourite destinations and hotels. Nominations for the awards were shortlisted by a panel of travel experts and professionals, and LPMI readers voted both online and in the magazine. The panel comprised LPMI Editor Vardhan Kondvikar; Veena Patil, Managing Director, Veena World; Manu Kashyap, Director, Windmill Holidays; Sucheta Potnis and Hans Tuinman, Founders, Travellers-palm.com; Madhavan Menon, Managing Director, Thomas Cook India Ltd; and Deep Kalra, CEO, Makemytrip.com.

Compered by actor and all-round funny man (stand-up comedian) Cyrus Sahukar, the LPMI Travel Awards 2015, powered by Flight Shop, held on Monday, June 22, 2015, at the JW Marriott Hotel Mumbai Sahar, felicitated 32 of India’s favourite experiences. The winners were joined by the who’s who of the national travel industry and several international invitees.

Vardhan Kondvikar, Editor of Lonely Planet Magazine India, said, "The Lonely Planet Magazine India Travel Awards, firmly established as the industry-best measure of what Indian travellers love, is now in its third year, taking the concept of relevant traveller-voted awards to new heights. Focussing this year on destinations and accommodation choices that Indians appreciate, we began with a strong list of nominees selected by industry-wide travel experts from India's premier travel facilitators, which were then voted on by Lonely Planet Magazine India's army of well-informed readers. We have some exciting new winners this year, alongside some perennial favourites, demonstrating the widening range of experiences that Indian are willing to open their hearts to."

Commenting on the Lonely Planet Magazine India Travel Awards 2015, powered by Flight Shop, Deepak Lamba, CEO, Worldwide Media Ltd, said, “Lonely Planet Magazine India, for the last five years has been successfully giving the rapidly-growing set of curious Indian travellers the inspiration, encouragement and help they’ve needed to find great experiences each time they leave the house, be it abroad, in India, even within their own city. And clearly, our readers appreciate this: we have been voted India’s most significant travel magazine multiple times, including by Trip Advisor.

Our aim with the Lonely Planet Magazine India Travel Awards 2015 is to present not only the most coveted, but also the most relevant awards in the Indian travel industry: our readers should be able to pick up the awards issue, pick a destination blindfolded and have a great experience. Our annual awards are our way of giving back to the industry that has helped us be part of it, recognising the efforts of the nations, the people and the organisations that make these experiences great for Indian travellers."

The winners are:

India’s Favourite Destination – The USA

Best Emerging Destination – South Korea (International), Daman & Diu (Indian)

Best Destination for Culture – China (International), Punjab (Indian)

Best Destination for Adventure – New Zealand (International), Uttarakhand (Indian)

Best Destination for Wildlife – South Africa (International), Madhya Pradesh (Indian)

Best Destination for Families – Singapore (International), Kerala (Indian)

Best Value Destination – Thailand (International), Goa (Indian)

Best Destination for Food & Drink – Hong Kong (International), New Delhi (Indian)

Best Destination for Relaxation – The Maldives (International), Puducherry (Indian)

Best Destination for Shopping – London (International), Mumbai (Indian)

Best Destination for Romance – Switzerland (International), Himachal Pradesh (Indian)

Best Wildlife Resort – Elephant Reach, Yala National Park, Sri Lanka (International), The Oberoi Vanyavillas, Ranthambore, Rajasthan (Indian)

Best Hotel for Relaxation – The Leela Kovalam, Thiruvananthapuram

Best Business Hotel – St Pancras Renaissance Hotel London (International), ITC Maurya, New Delhi (Indian)

Best Value Hotel – The House of MG, Ahmedabad

Best Heritage Hotel – Taj Umaid Bhawan Palace, Jodhpur

Best Luxury Hotel – Victoria-Jungfrau Grand Hotel & Spa, Switzerland (International), Taj Lake Palace, Udaipur, (Indian)

Best Hotel for Romance – Ri Kynjai – Serenity by the Lake, Shillong, Meghalaya

Best Homestay – Silver Brook Estate, Coorg