From the consumers' perspective, these lists help travelers validate their decisions, says Mimi Weisband of Crystal Cruises, a regular on a number of lists. People like to feel like they're going with the best, and particularly when it's higher-priced, people want to get a sense of why it costs more. Nabbing a spot may reinforce a company's marketing pitch, but not everyone is convinced of the validity of the lists, regardless of whether they're blatant promotional gimmicks or statistically valid surveys. For instance, the St. Regis in New York City, which the well-heeled subscribers to Andrew Harper's Hideaway Report voted No. 1 U.S. hotel, didn't register a blip on this year's Conde Nast Traveler readers' poll. Here, a snapshot of four popular annual travel-related best lists and how they're compiled.
Readers write in all responses, rather than selecting from a predetermined list.
This year's results are based on 2,500 responses. Conde Nast Traveler Readers' Choice Awards, since 1988, rates cities, islands, cruise lines, monuments, hotels, spas, resorts, car rental companies and airports, bestowing awards in 30 categories. This year's results are based on 24,000 responses. Institutional Investor World's Best Hotels, since 1981, ranks the top 100 hotels worldwide. This year's results are based on responses from 10,000 subscribers.