updated: April 27, 2016 @8:08 pm

What is it that describes an item, a service or an experience “the best?” Surely the best is a matter of taste, budget, and opinion.

If one is economizing, then the best can be defined by in a different way than if one is capable of and in the mood for some liberal spending.

The best does not mean the most expensive because often the most expensive is a function of popularity and supply and demand.

To me, the best relates to a simple formula:

VALUE = price/quality X experience X flow – struggle.

Here are some examples of how to apply this formula:

1. NOT THE BEST: If the price is high, the quality is high, the experience is low and it doesn’t flow (in other words not in the zone).
2. NOT THE BEST: If the price is low, the quality is low, the experience is low and it doesn’t flow (in other words not in the zone).
3. NOT THE BEST: If the price is low, the quality is high, the experience is low and it doesn’t flow (in other words not in the zone).
4. THE BEST: If the price is high, the quality is high, the experience is high and it flows (in other words in the zone).
5. THE BEST: If the price is low, the quality is high, the experience is high and it flows (in other words in the zone).

So based on the above the best is very subjective.

So far I have made it to 51 countries and over 500 cities. Below is my list of the very best of the best Hotels, Resorts, Restaurants etc. I have traveled the world looking for suppliers, places, products, and experiences.

The Best of The Best

Best Tropical Island Resort

• The Ritz-Carlton Resort & Spa – Bali, Indonesia

Best Tropical Island Family Resort

• The Westin Resort – Maui, Hawaii

Best Tropical Beach

• 7 Mile Beach, Grand Cayman

Best Romantic Tropical Island

• Bora Bora, French Polynesia

Best Computer

• Apple Macbook Pro

Best Airline Frequent Flyer Program

• OneWorld

Best Hotel Frequent Guest Program

• Starwood Preferred Guest

Best Luxury Hotel Chain

• Four Seasons

Best All Round Hotel Chain

• Starwood – Westin, Sheraton, St. Regis, Luxury Collection, W Hotels

Best Bank

• HSBC Premier if you travel a lot or do a lot of International Transfers

Best London Hotel

• The Lanesborough

Best Athens Hotel

• The Grande Bretagne

Best Resort in Southern California

• St. Regis Monarch Beach – Dana Point, USA

Best Tropical Island

• Maui – Hawaii, USA

Best Rental Car Company

• Hertz – especially Platinum Service

Best Men’s Shoes

• John Lobb – handmade

Best Flight Luggage

• Victorinox

Best Attaché

• Henk – totally customized

Best Airline Lounges

• Qantas

Best Mineral Water

• Chåteldon

Best Men’s Casual Watch

• Bell & Ross – in Rose Gold

Best Men’s Dress Watch

• Breguet – in White Gold

Best Hotel in Singapore

• Regis

Best Hotel in Hong Kong

• Four Seasons

Best Hotel in Paris

• Hôtel Ritz

Best Hotel in Vienna

• Hotel Imperial

Best Hotel in Rome

• St Regis Grand – the dining room in the Presidential Suite is an OMG

Best Resort in Maui

• The Four Seasons

Best Dairy Products

• From New Zealand of course!
• Followed by Isigny Sainte-Mère, France…

Best Scuba Diving

• Red Sea

Best Tax Free Jurisdiction

• Samoa

Best Tax Free Island

• Grand Cayman

Best Tax Free Jurisdiction Bank

• HSBC Hong Kong

Best Free Agent Financial Service

• PayPal with a Mastercard Debit Card

Best International Health Care Insurance

• William-Russell from the UK

Best Banking System in the World

• They say Canada

Best Pro-Business Economy

• USA

Best Tax Regime

• Hong Kong – Tax Free for International Business, and 16% all other

Best Restaurant in Grand Cayman

• The Lighthouse – wish I was there now

Best Place in the World for Banana Bread

• Double Bay, Australia

Best Australian Resort Town

• Noosa, Queensland

Best Rental Car Fun

• Any convertible…

Best Pizza

• Boston North End Pizza, Hawaii

Best American Meal

• Turkey Dinner

Best Swimming Water

• 7 Mile Beach, Grand Cayman

Best View From an Airplane Window

• Flying Into the Bahamas

Best Place to find World Music

• London, UK

Best Taxi Driver Conversation

• London Cabbi

Best First Class Seat

• Any you can get! (especially Singapore airlines)
• Emirates is awesome value

Best In-flight Food

• Singapore Airlines First Class

Best Concierge When You Need Help

• Any Four Seasons (you can even call from a different Country)

Best Cappuccino in the World

• Any coffee shop in Australia!

Best Coffee

• Lion Coffee from Hawaii

Best Macadamia Nuts

• Mauna Loa from Hawaii

Best Spa Environment

• Banyan Tree – Phuket, Thailand

Best Spa Variety

• The Grand Wailea Resort – Maui, Hawaii

Best Spa Treatment Room

• Sofitel – Bali, Indonesia

Best Hotel Bed

• The Burj Al Arab in Dubai – especially their Royal Suite, OMG!

Best Hotel Bathroom

• The Burj Al Arab in Dubai – especially their Royal Suite, OMG!

Best Hotel Shower

• The Grande Bretagne (it has a private steamer built in)

Best Resort Walking Trail

• Noosa – Queensland, Australia

Best Mega Shopping Center

• Ala Moana Shopping Center – Honolulu, Hawaii

Best Coffee on the Road

• Nespresso – it is predictable

Best Cafe to be Seen in Sydney

• Cosmo Double Bay

Best Contrasting Scenery

• Santorini – Greek Islands, Greece

Best International Airport

• Singapore

Best Sunglasses

• Gucci

Best Bed

• Hästens Vividus – this bed is an OMG!

Best Men’s Shirts

• Charvet – Place Vendôme, Paris

Best Men’s Suits

• Brioni – Roma

Best Macaroons

• Ladurée, Paris

Best Croissant in Paris

• Ladurée, Paris

Best Limousine

• Maybach

Best Presidential Suite

• Burj Al Arab Royal Suite (take the Helicopter)

Best Drive

• Day trip through Tuscany in a convertible

Best OMG Food and View and Service

• Chateau de la Chevre d’or – Ez, between Nice and Monaco

Best Croquette Monsieur

• Café Imperial – Rue de Rivoli, Paris

Best City in Switzerland

• Lausanne, on Lake Geneva (Lac Léman)

Best Champagne

• Dom Pérignon – the older the better

Best Video Game Console

• PlayStation 4