Entries open: Gourmet Traveller's Hotel and Travel Awards 2026

Gourmet Traveller continues to celebrate the best of Australia with the return of its Hotel and Travel Awards. Entries are now closed, with winners to be revealed in the July 2026 magazine.

After launching last year, our Hotel and Travel Awards will again be judged by a panel of luxury travel experts (including Gourmet Traveller editor David Meagher) and spotlight the best hotel and travel experiences in the country. Last year’s winners included the Ritz-Carlton Melbourne (Hotel of the Year), Southern Ocean Lodge (Resort of the Year), Raes on Wategos (Boutique Hotel of the Year) and Cruise Line of the Year Silversea. In 2026, new award categories include Luxury Lodge of the Year, Hotel Transformation of the Year, Regional Hotel of the Year and Best Hotel Bar.

Gourmet Traveller readers also have their say when it comes to Best Tour Operator, Best Airline and Best Hotel Brand by voting for our People’s Choice Awards — while categories were different, last year’s winners included Alba Thermal Springs and Spa, and Emirates.

In addition to claiming awards, the top-rated properties and experiences will feature online in our high-traffic guide to Australia’s best hotels.

Gourmet Traveller Hotel and Travel Awards 2026 categories

Hotel of the Year — open to properties of all sizes across Australia.
Best New Hotel — open to properties that opened after 1 July 2025.
Boutique Hotel of the Year — open to hotels with fewer than 50 rooms.
Resort of the Year
Cruise Line of the Year— open to luxury cruise lines that operate in Australian waters.
Luxury Lodge of the Year
Hotel Transformation of the Year
Regional Hotel of the Year — open to coastal and rural properties, including lodges, situated in regional or remote locations.
Best Hotel Dining — properties can choose to nominate either a single restaurant or the overall F&B offering of the property.
Best Hotel Bar

Entries opened on Monday 16 February 2026 and closed on Friday 24 April 2026. See the full list of entry criteria.

People’s Choice Awards 2026 categories

Best Tour Operator
Best Airline
Best Hotel Brand

Voting for the People’s Choice Awards are open for voting now. See last year’s winners.

The Gourmet Traveller Team

Gourmet Traveller is Australia’s trusted authority on food, travel and luxury lifestyle, bringing the latest news and trends to life through quality journalism, enticing recipes and evocative photography. For more than 55 years, it has been inspiring and informing Australians with the best in cooking, dining, travelling and shopping. Our critics bring the expertise of years of critical eating, drinking and writing to the table. Plus, as the country’s leading title in the luxury sector, Gourmet Traveller works closely with Australia’s leaders in the travel and hospitality industries to give our readers exclusive access. The Gourmet Traveller legacy is one of trust, prestige and relevance.