Seattle Gay News announces "Best of Travel 2011"

Going somewhere? Maybe we can help with a recommendation or two.

Seattle Gay News travel writers made numerous trips last year, from South Asia to the Caribbean to the bayou capital of New Orleans. From the many places we visited, and the hotels, restaurants and bars we experienced along the way, here's our picks for the "Best of Travel 2011". (Pictured: Barcelo Bavaro Hotel Deluxe).

BEST HOTELS

1 Andaz San Diego - San Diego, California USA
2 Aria Resort & Casino - Las Vegas, Nevada USA
3 Barcelo Bavaro Palace Deluxe - Punta Cana, Dominican Republic
4 Bourbon Orleans Hotel - New Orleans, Louisiana USA
5 Fairmont Chateau Laurier - Ottawa, ON Canada
6 Hyatt at Olive 8 - Seattle, Washington USA
7 Scarborough Fair B&B - Baltimore, Maryland USA
8 The Kahala Hotel & Resort - Honolulu, Hawaii USA
9 The Westin Kaanapali Ocean Resort Villas - Lahaina, Hawaii USA
10 The Westin Kierland Resort & Spa - Scottsdale, Arizona USA

BEST VISITOR ATTRACTIONS/ACTIVITIES

1 Altos de Chavon - La Romana, Dominican Republic
2 American Visionary Art Museum - Baltimore, Maryland USA
3 Ayutthaya Historical Park - Ayutthaya, Thailand
4 Dolphin Quest, at The Kahala Hotel & Resort - Honolulu, Hawaii USA
5 Canadian War Museum - Ottawa, ON Canada
6 Cemetery Voodoo Tour - New Orleans, Louisiana USA
7 Chiang-Dao Elephant Training Center - Chiang Mai, Thailand
8 Granville Island - Vancouver BC, Canada
9 Honolulu Academy of the Arts/The Contemporary Museum - Honolulu, Hawaii USA
10 Living with Hurricanes: Katrina & Beyond exhibit, at the Louisiana State Museum - New Orleans, Louisiana USA
11 Musical Instrument Museum - Phoenix, Arizona USA
12 National Gallery of Canada - Ottawa, ON Canada
13 Old Town Trolley Tours - San Diego, California USA
14 Sunset Horseback Trail Ride, at The Stables (Turtle Bay Resort) - Kahuku, Hawaii USA
15 Taipei 101 Observatory - Taipei, Taiwan
16 USS Midway Aircraft Carrier Museum - San Diego, California USA
17 The Original Haunted Walk of Ottawa - Ottawa, ON Canada
18 Vancouver Sea Plane Tour - Vancouver, BC Canada
19 Viva Elvis, at Aria Resort & Spa - Las Vegas, Nevada USA
20 Wailele Polynesian Luau, at The Westin Maui Resort & Spa - Lahaina, Hawaii USA

BEST RESTAURANTS

1 808 Grinds (food cart) - Portland, Oregon USA
2 AK's Cafe - Wailuku, Hawaii USA
3 Antoines Restaurant - New Orleans, Louisiana USA
4 Celestial Natural Foods - Haleiwa, Hawaii USA
5 The Court of Two Sisters - New Orleans, Louisiana USA
6 Courtyard Restaurant - Ottawa, ON Canada
7 Din Tai Fung (Zhongxiao Branch) - Taipei, Taiwan
8 Doug Fir Lounge - Portland, Oregon USA
9 Hofbrauhaus - Las Vegas, Nevada USA
10 Judas Goat Taberna - Vancouver BC, Canada
11 Julian Serrano, at Aria Resort & Casino - Las Vegas, Nevada USA
12 Moxie's Classic Grill (on Davie) - Vancouver, BC Canada
13 The Original, A Dinerant - Portland, Oregon USA
14 Quarter Kitchen, at Andaz San Diego - San Diego, California USA
15 Ruem Mai Horm - Chiang Mai, Thailand
16 St. Francis - Phoenix, Arizona USA
17 SWB - Scottsdale, Arizona USA
18 Thompson Bar and Restaurant (at Jim Thompson House) - Bangkok, Thailand
19 The Whole Earth Restaurant - Chiang Mai, Thailand
20 ZenKitchen - Ottawa, ON Canada

BEST BARS/LOUNGES

1 Celebrities Nightclub - Vancouver, BC Canada
2 City Cafe - Baltimore, Maryland USA
3 Delta Sky Club (at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport) - SeaTac, Washington USA
4 The Driftwood Room - Portland, Oregon USA
5 Ivy Wine Bar, at Andaz San Diego - San Diego, California USA
6 Mr. Rain's Fun House - Baltimore, Maryland USA
7 Oasis Ultra Lounge - Vancouver, BC Canada
8 Paniolo Lounge (at Travaasa Hana) - Hana, Hawaii USA
9 Paymon's Hookah Lounge - Las Vegas, Nevada USA
10 Piranha Nightclub / 8 1/2 Ultra Lounge - Las Vegas, Nevada USA
11 Silverado - Portland, Oregon USA
12 Telephone Pub, Restaurant & Karaoke - Bangkok, Thailand
13 Urbane - Seattle, Washington USA
14 The Veranda (at The Kahala Hotel & Resort) - Honolulu, Hawaii USA
15 ZuZu Lounge - Scottsdale, Arizona USA