Maui, Kauai among the top 10 islands on Travel + Leisure ‘World’s Best’ list

Travel + Leisure magazine has released its 2013 World’s Best Awards, ranking the top 25 resorts in Hawaii, naming Maui and Kauai among the world’s best islands, and naming Honolulu-based Hawaiian Airlines among the best domestic carriers.

The Mauna Kea Beach Hotel was No. 10 on Travel + Leisure magazine’s list of the top 25 resorts in Hawaii as part of its 2013 World’s Best Awards.

Travel + Leisure asked its readers to cast their votes for the hotels, destinations and companies that define the best in travel. The No. 1 and 2 spots of the world’s best islands were awarded to Palawan and Boracay, both in the Phillippines, but Maui earned the No. 3 spot, moving up from No. 4 in 2012. Kauai ranked No. 7 both this year and last.
Travel + Leisure also ranked the top five islands in Hawaii. From first to fifth, the islands ranked: Maui, Kauai, Oahu, Big Island and Lanai. Oahu and the Big Island traded spots compared to 2012 rankings. All but Lanai have also been named to Travel + Leisure’s “Hall of Fame.”
Hawaiian Airlines (Nasdaq: HA) was ranked No. 4 on the list of the top domestic airlines, down from No. 3 in 2012. The top three spots were claimed by airlines which do not serve Hawaii: Virgin America, JetBlue Airways and Southwest Airlines. Sun Country Airlines, which also doesn’t fly to Hawaii, was ranked No. 5.
Meanwhile, Travel + Leisure ranked the top 25 resorts in Hawaii as follows:
1. Four Seasons Resort Hualalai, Big Island;
2. Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea;
3. Kahala Hotel & Resort, Oahu;
4. Four Seasons Resort Lanai, The Lodge at Koele;
5. St. Regis Princeville Resort, Kauai;
6. Halekulani, Oahu;
7. Royal Hawaiian, A Luxury Collection Resort, Oahu;
8. Fairmont Kea Lani, Maui;
9. Honua Kai Resort & Spa, Maui;
10. Mauna Kea Beach Hotel, Big Island;
11. Koa Kea Hotel & Resort, Kauai;
12. Four Seasons Resort Lanai at Manele Bay;
13. Fairmont Orchid, Big Island;
14. Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua, Maui;
15. Travaasa Hana (Formerly Hotel Hana-Maui & Honua Spa), Maui;
16. Mauna Lani Bay Hotel & Bungalows, Big Island;
17. JW Marriott Ihilani Resort & Spa, Oahu;
17. Outrigger Waikiki on the Beach, Oahu;
19. Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort & Spa;
20. Wailea Beach Marriott Resort & Spa, Maui;
21. Sheraton Kauai Resort, Kauai;
22. Sheraton Maui Resort;
23. Hyatt Regency Waikiki Beach Resort & Spa, Oahu;
24. Grand Wailea, a Waldorf Astoria Resort, Maui;
25. Embassy Suites Waikiki Beach Walk, Oahu.