- Ninth Annual Reader-Choice Awards: WhereverFamily announced its 2026 award winners based on votes cast by family travelers across hotel, airline, cruise, and destination categories.
- Quint Status Milestones: Marriott Hotels & Resorts and iGA İstanbul Airport achieved five consecutive years of top wins in family-friendly hospitality and airport service.
- Family Innovators of the Year: Special innovation honors recognized leaders like Lufthansa, Kempinski, Nickelodeon Resorts, Costco Travel, Enterprise, Lindblad Expeditions, and Poland.
- Top Destination Honorees: Fiji was named Best International Destination, Greece led Multigenerational Destination, Tampa Bay took Domestic Destination, and Tampa International Airport won Domestic Airport.
According to an official announcement from WhereverFamily, the trusted web publication for modern family travelers has revealed the winners of its ninth annual Wherever Awards. Part of the FXExpress Publications network, WhereverFamily serves as an essential resource for family travel, providing daily insights, destination guides, and budget-friendly to luxury travel recommendations. The annual awards highlight top-tier hospitality providers, destinations, and travel services chosen directly by intrepid reader votes submitted between September 2025 and April 2026.
This year’s awards celebrate excellence across domestic and international categories, recognizing industry leaders that cater to every family configuration. Top honors include Alaska Airlines as Best Family-Friendly Domestic Airline, United Airlines for North America, and TAP Air Portugal for international travel. Marriott Hotels & Resorts and iGA İstanbul Airport achieved Quint Status by securing their fifth consecutive wins in their respective categories. Destinations like Fiji, Greece, Tampa Bay, and Amelia Island earned top honors for delivering exceptional family-friendly beach, city, and multigenerational vacation experiences.
Additionally, WhereverFamily highlighted its Family Innovators of the Year to celebrate brands shaping the future of family travel. Recognized leaders include Lufthansa for airlines, Kempinski Hotels, Nickelodeon Resorts, Enterprise Rent-A-Car, Costco Travel, Poland as a standout destination, and Lindblad Expeditions for cruise lines. The winners were honored at a celebration held at The Peninsula Chicago, underscoring the dynamic growth, ongoing innovation, and bright future of global family travel.
Congratulations to the winners of the 2026 Wherever Awards:
Best Family-Friendly Domestic Airline
Alaska Airlines
Second Consecutive Year
Best Family-Friendly Airline in North America
United Airlines
Third Consecutive Year
Best Family-Friendly International Airline
TAP Air Portugal
Second Consecutive Year
Best Family-Friendly Frequent-Flyer Program
United MileagePlus®
Seventh Consecutive Year
Best Family-Friendly Hotel Chain
Marriott Hotels & Resorts
Fifth Consecutive Year
Best Family-Friendly Resort Chain
InterContinental Hotels & Resorts
Second Consecutive Year
Best Family-Friendly Individual Hotel
Atlantis Paradise Island Resort, Bahamas
Best Family-Friendly Frequent-Stay Program
Hilton Honors
Best Family-Friendly All-Inclusive Hotel
Finest Resorts
Best Family-Friendly Pet Hotel
IHG Hotels & Resorts
Third Consecutive Year
Best Family-Friendly Hotel Kids Club
Camp Cloister at Sea Island, Georgia
Best Family-Friendly Domestic Tour Company
National Geographic Family Journeys
Fourth Consecutive Year
Best Family-Friendly International Tour Company
Abercrombie & Kent
Second Consecutive Year
Best Family-Friendly Cruise Line
Princess Cruises
Second Consecutive Year
Best Family-Friendly MultiGen Cruise Line
Seabourn Cruises
Second Consecutive Year
Best Family-Friendly Cruise Line Kids Club
Princess Cruises Youth & Teen Club
Second Consecutive Year
Best Family-Friendly Credit Card
United℠ Explorer Card
Best Family-Friendly Credit Card Rewards Program
Atmos™ Rewards Ascent Visa Signature®
Best Family-Friendly International Destination
Fiji
Best Family-Friendly Domestic Destination
Tampa Bay, Florida
Best Family-Friendly Caribbean Island/Destination
Bahamas
Best Family-Friendly Beach Town,
Northeast United States
Ocean City, Maryland
Second Consecutive Year
Best Family-Friendly Beach Town, Southern United States
Tybee Island, Georgia
Second Consecutive Year
Best Family-Friendly Beach Town, Florida (East)
Amelia Island
Fourth Consecutive Year
Best Family-Friendly Beach Town, Florida (West)
Key West
Best Family-Friendly Beach Town, West Coast United States
Santa Monica, California
Second Consecutive Year
Best Family-Friendly Beach Town, Hawai’i
Waikīkī, O’ahu
Second Consecutive Year
Best Family-Friendly Sports City/Town
San Diego, California
Best Family-Friendly Multigenerational Destination of the Year
Greece
Fourth Consecutive Year
Best Family-Friendly Amusement Park
Hersheypark, Hershey, Pennsylvania
Best Family-Friendly Waterpark
Great Wolf Lodge
Second Consecutive Year
Best Family-Friendly Rental Car Company
Hertz
Second Consecutive Year
Best Family-Friendly Domestic Airport
Tampa International Airport
Best Family-Friendly International Airport
iGA İstanbul Airport
Fifth Consecutive Year
Best Family-Friendly Airport Dining
Chicago O’Hare International Airport
Best Family-Friendly Airport Shopping
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport
Sixth Consecutive Year
Family Innovator of the Year, Airline
Lufthansa
Family Innovator of the Year, Hotel
Kempinski
Family Innovator of the Year, Resort
Nickelodeon Resorts
Family Innovator of the Year, Rental Car
Enterprise Rent-A-Car
Family Innovator of the Year, Travel Provider
Costco Travel
Family Innovator of the Year, Destination
Poland
Family Innovator of the Year, Cruise Line
Lindblad Expeditions
Quint Status (When a company wins the same award for five straight years)
Best Family-Friendly Hotel Chain
Marriott Hotels & Resorts
Fifth Consecutive Year
Best Family-Friendly International Airport
iGA İstanbul Airport
Fifth Consecutive Year