Congratulations Maui! For an unprecedented 15th time, " MAUI, the MAGICAL Isle" captured " Best Island in the World" honors in the 22nd annual CONDE NAST TRAVELER reader's choice Awards Poll. With a score of 90.1, Maui was also voted "Best Pacific island" for the 19 th consecutive year.

In the "Best Pacific Island " category, sister island Kaua'i placed second with a score of 87.8. Bora Bora ranked third with 84.9.

"As destinations everywhere continue to endure challenging times, Maui has been able to capture the hearts and minds of treasured visitors from all across the globe, Stated Terryl Vencl,executive director, Maui Visitors Bureau. "We are truly blessed with stunning natural beauty and our cherished host culture while the gracious aloha of our residents continues to entice an inspire." She concluded, "this prestigious honor is yet again testament to Maui's visitor industry and most importantly, the people of our beloved island home."

CONDE NAST TRAVELER reported, "The pacific Ocean is the ratings powerhouse. Often island that score above 80, seven are Oceania and four are Hawaiian led-as usual, by Maui."

During the awards ceremony held Thursday evening in New York City before a crowd of hundreds, Maui was introduced as "the perennial favorite."

For the first time, the hotels of Maui Nui,(Maui, Molokai, and Lanai) dominated the "Top Hawaii Resorts" category. Of the publication's "Top Hawaii Resorts", four of the top five were Maui Nui properties including: 1)  Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea, 2) Four Seasons Resort, Lanai, The Lodge at Koele, 3)Hotel hana Maui and Honua Spa, and 4) Four seasons Lanai at Manele Bay.

Other Maui properties ranked at the top included #9 Fairmont Kea Lani, Maui, #12 Grand Wailea, #14 Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua, #15 Hyatt Regency Maui Resort and Spa, #20 Westin Maui Resort and Spa. In total, Maui captured nine of the "top 20" spots!

The magazine's annual Reader's Choice Awards poll analyzes the travel preferences of their readership in various categories including cities, islands, airlines, cruise lines, hotels, spas, resorts, and rental cars. Ratings are based on the responses of CONDE NAST TRAVELER subscribers who participated in the 22nd annual poll. More than 25,000 readers participated this year and the complete results are published in the November 2009 issue. For more information, visit www.visitmaui.com.