In The News – The World's Friendliest Islands

Travelers were asked to evaluate islands around the world, ranking individual characteristics like romance, food—and even how friendly they are. It’s no surprise that far-flung destinations like Fiji, the Maldives, Bali, and Tasmania took the top spots. We get it: what’s not to be happy about when there’s a beautiful beach everywhere you turn? They’re all known for their tropical surroundings, aquamarine waters ideal for a swim, and abundance of hotels that take the idea of getting away from it all to another level.

Yet over and over, voters made it clear how much local culture impacts their experience. But in the world of travel, friendliness also equates to standout service, and on each of these islands, travelers found that the people working at the hotels and resorts where they stayed played an integral part in making their experience a memorable one.
We have chosen 5 of the original list, to keep it brief.

Bermuda
Even Mark Twain—who called this British territory his second home at the end of his life—was a fan of the people here, an island he called “that happy little paradise.” (Before he died, he said, “You go to heaven if you want to—I’d rather stay right here in Bermuda.”) 

You can’t go wrong staying at the flamingo-pink Fairmont Hamilton Princess, where afternoon tea is served in the Heritage Court.  

Anguilla
You’ll feel the warm hospitality immediately upon stepping foot on this British West Indian Island, whose flat, limestone landscape gives way to some incredible beaches, including Shoal Bay and the wild Junks Hole. The only thing better than those pristine stretches of sand? The locals. 

Lanai, Hawaii
Travelers have more reasons than ever to visit the least inhabited of the Hawaiian islands, which is owned by Oracle billionaire Larry Ellison and is one of our top places to travel in 2016. The Four Seasons Lanai just reopened after extensive renovations, with new restaurants (including one overseen by master chef Nobu Matsuhisa), two pools, and 217 rooms decorated with woodcuts by local artist Dietrich Varez. 

Eleuthera, Bahamas
Fifty miles east of Nassau, this Bahamian island is home to everything from rocky bluffs and low-lying wetlands to large coral reefs. You’ll want to stay at the Cove, which reopened a few years ago after a head-to-toe redo. The property has two private beaches, rooms done up in white with wood and marble accents, and an open-air bar—the place to be for cocktails as the sun goes down.

Vancouver Island, British Columbia
This island west of mainland Canada is the place to go for a taste of rugged wilderness. Make your base The Wickaninnish Inn, set within a UNESCO biosphere reserve on a remote stretch of the cape. From here, you can walk along Chesterman Beach and watch the enormous waves, hike to hot springs, or just cozy up by the hotel’s fireplace. 

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