Bali, Bangkok and Oberoi voted world’s best

NEW YORK - Asia has performed well in the latest Travel + Leisure magazine poll, with Oberoi Udaivilas in Udaipur, Bali, the Peninsula Hotel Bangkok and Singapore Airlines topping their classes.

Travel + Leisure magazine's 12th annual list of the world's best awards followed a poll of almost 19,000 conducted by researcher Harris Interactive.

The Oberoi Udaivilas in the heart of Rajasthan was voted the top hotel worldwide.

Prices for a room per night start at about US$600 with an exclusive suite with private pool priced from US$3,300, according to the hotel's website.

Florence topped the list of best cities while Buenos Aires was ranked second and Bangkok third.

Bali was named the world's best island.

Nancy Novogrod, editor-in-chief of Travel + Leisure, said the results of the 2007 survey underlined the fact that people were travelling more widely to find distinctive and authentic experiences.

"The extraordinary rise of India among the top hotels and resorts in the world is one sure reflection of this tendency," she said.

Following is a list of 10 of the awards which will be presented at a ceremony in New York on July 23:

1. Best city - Florence

2. Best hotel - Oberoi Udaivilas, Udaipur, India

3. Best island - Bali, Indonesia

4. Best large-ship cruise line - Crystal Cruises

5. Best small-ship cruise line - SeaDream Yacht Club

6. Best tour operator/safari outfitter - Micato Safaris

7. Best domestic airline - Midwest Airlines

8. Best international airline - Singapore Airlines

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