Conde Nast readers’ survey: No. 3 Best Island in Asia after Thailand

When an earthquake rocked Cebu and Bohol on October 15, it was also the day these islands landed in a travel magazine’s list of Top 5 Islands in Asia.

Condé Nast Traveler Magazine announced online the winners of the 26th Annual Readers’ Choice Awards, which rank the best cities, islands, cruise lines, airlines, hotels and resorts in the world. The full list will appear in the magazine’s November 2013 issue.

It said Cebu and the Visayan islands “have it all, including all the shopping and restaurant needs for any traveler with the friendliest people anywhere in the world!” One reader said, “The nightlife is big here, but not as wild as Phuket. Entertainment is ‘smaller, more up-close and personal.’”

The Visayan Islands include the major islands of Cebu, Panay, Negros, Bohol, Leyte and Samar.

One survey taker said “in all my years of traveling, Cebu is my No. 1 choice!” while another said, “It is probably the best island city in the universe.”

Cebu and the Visayan islands got a Readers’ Choice Rating of 80.4 points, trailing behind Koh Samui, which is Thailand’s second largest island, but ahead of Phuket.

The Top 5 Islands in Asia were described as Bali, Indonesia with 83.1 points; Koh Samui, Thailand with 82.8 points; Phuket, (Thailand) with 78.9 points; and Lombok, Indonesia with 77.8 points.

Readers raved about Bali for its “exquisite hotels, exotic and rich culture and extraordinary food, and the sweetest people in the world.”

Although some readers felt Koh Samui was “almost too developed,” the island moved up to the 2nd slot from 5th last year, with some readers saying it is a “beautiful island with fun nightlife and great restaurants, and plentiful natural foliage and beauty.”

Phuket went down from number 2 to number 4 this year, with some readers saying “it’s good for families but too chaotic and filled with many tourists.”

In past years, Cebu was cited in the survey rankings, occupying 7th place five times in 2012, 2009, 2008, 2007 and 2004.. Thrice, it was ranked 8th best island destination in the same survey in 2011, 2006, 2005.

In 2010, Cebu was shut out from the list, with the honor bestowed on Luzon island at number 7 (75.1 points).

But on that year, another international magazine, Travel + Leisure, named Cebu the 3rd Best Island in Asia, in a global survey of best hotels, airlines, cruises, islands and cities.

Maui, Hawaii was ranked number 1 by Condé Nast in the Top 25 Islands in the World (with 93.9 points). Magazine readers called it a “veritable paradise; a combination of tropical ambience and American comforts.”

The Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards survey was conducted through a questionnaire. Candidates must receive a required minimum number of responses to be eligible for an award.

The criteria used a standard five-point scale: excellent, very good, good, fair and poor.

Island candidates were rated based on activities, atmosphere/ambiance, beaches, friendliness, lodging, restaurants and scenery.

Resorts were rated on activities/facilities, food/dining, location, overall design, rooms and service.

The highest scores for Cebu and the Visayan Islands were made in “friendliness” with 88.8, “scenery” and “beaches” with 83.5.

Other scores 78.5 for atmosphere; 68.3 for restaurants; 78.4 for lodging; and 79.2 for activities.

No Philippine city made it to the Top Ten Cities in Asia.

Kyoto, Japan was ranked number 1 for being a “beautiful city full of history.”

In the Top 25 Hotels in Southeast Asia, two came from the Philippines: Edsa Shangri-La Manila at no. 9 with 92.1 points, and Makati Shangri-La at no. 25 with 85 points.

Only Shangri-La’s Boracay Resort and Spa made it to the Top 20 Resorts in Asia, at number 8 with 92.5 points.

The island destinations were grouped into Australia and the Pacific; Asia, Africa and the Indian Ocean; Caribbean and the Atlantic; Canada, Unites States, and Europe.

A record-breaking 79,268 readers participated in the survey this year, almost double the number last year. They cast 1.3 million votes for more than 16,000 properties  around the world.

The Readers’ Choice Survey, begun in 1988, and is available through a secure website.

Condé Nast Traveler is an American magazine published by Condé Nast which began in 1987. A separate U k edition, Condé Nast Traveller, is produced from offices in London. Aside from the use of the British spelling, it has also a different format, content and design.