Cathay Members’ Choice Awards

Cathay Members’ Choice Awards 2026: All-time favourite Cathay Pacific destination

From long-haul getaways to shorter regional trips, there’s always a favourite.
By Cathay
In partnership with
Long-tail boats travelling along a canal in Bangkok, featuring the golden Buddha statue of Phra Buddha Dhammakaya Thepmongkhon at Wat Paknam Phasi Charoen rising behind a bridge, with trees, riverside homes and distant high-rises framing the scene.
Credit: EoNaYa/Getty Images

Welcome to the Cathay Members’ Choice Awards. Our annual awards celebrate the very best in travel, dining and lifestyle – as voted by you, our global community of tastemakers. 

After counting the votes, we’re thrilled to announce the results of this year’s awards. Discover members’ all-time favourite Cathay Pacific destination, as well as the three nominees that made it to the shortlist. 

Not a member yet? Join now to unlock a world of benefits, rewards and experiences – and get the chance to vote in next year’s awards. 

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Wat Arun temple in Bangkok illuminated at dusk beside the Chao Phraya River, with a full moon hanging low in a deep blue sky and city lights reflecting on the water.

Credit: 056314d4 392/Getty Images

Winner: Bangkok

The booming Thai capital is one of the world’s most-visited cities and has now been voted an all-time favourite Cathay Pacific destination. Flavour-packed street food, world-class hospitality, electric nightlife, first-rate fine dining and some of the best shopping on Earth – Bangkok has it all, plus character in abundance. Between thoughtfully designed green spaces like Benjakitti Forest Park, a rapidly improving metro network, and an ever-expanding list of must-visit bars, restaurants and five-star hotels, Bangkok’s rise is simply unstoppable. 

Shortlisted nominees

Tower Bridge in London at sunset, with its twin towers and suspension walkways reflected in the calm River Thames under a softly coloured evening sky.

London

London has an effortless way of blending old and new, pairing historic architecture with award-winning dining, nightlife, art, theatre and can’t-miss events. London’s neighbourhoods keep evolving, too. The King’s Cross redevelopment has brought in a fresh crop of restaurants and cultural venues, while Hackney Wick remains a go-to for nightlife and creative energy. All this meets historic sites and treasured third spaces – pubs, parks, museums – giving the city a range few can match. 

Aerial view of Sydney Harbour on a sunny day, with the Sydney Opera House and tall buildings in the background.

Sydney

Few cities combine natural beauty and urban life like Sydney. Iconic harbour views, the brilliant Bondi and Manly beaches, and easy access to national parks complement a world-class dining scene and a year-round calendar of events – from the Biennale of Sydney to the Sydney Marathon and Vivid Sydney – ensuring there’s always something on. Add amazing neighbourhood bars and cafés, plus that laid-back Aussie charm, and Sydney always rates among the world’s most rewarding cities. 

Shibuya Crossing in Tokyo, crowded with pedestrians moving across a wide intersection, surrounded by tall buildings covered in bright digital billboards and signage.

Tokyo

Tokyo is special. It remains one of the world’s greatest places to eat, drink and explore, offering everything from exceptional ramen and omakase to world-class cocktail bars and a never-ending line-up of events. Yet it somehow balances its neon-lit energy with moments of meditative bliss in meticulously manicured parks and temples. With teamLab Borderless now settled in Azabudai Hills and new attractions such as PokéPark Kanto, there’s always a great reason to visit. 

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