Sydney, Australia: Room-Res Island has closed its third year on a high. Ten finalists, nine from across Australia and one from the United States, spent three unhurried nights at The Naka Island, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa, Phuket. Every finalist travelled with a guest. This felt nothing like a standard fam. It was a genuine reward for work well done.

The setting did the heavy lifting. The Naka Island, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa, Phuket delivered quiet coves, villas framed by palms and water, and service that made everything feel personal. Mornings started slowly and often drifted. Afternoons found their own rhythm by the pool or on the water. Evenings belonged to soft light, easy conversation and the kind of dining that makes people linger.

Energy had its moments. The cruise served generous food and drinks and opened the door to on-water fun. The silent disco returned and is quickly becoming a firm favourite. Activities ranged from cocktail lessons to gentle wellness time, so everyone could find a pace that felt right.

This year also saw the introduction of the inaugural Island Games. Teams laughed more than they worried about points, then used their advantages in the Room-Res Island Treasure Hunt. Quick thinking and a little luck decided the final sprint. The champion took home the major prize, and the Island Games winner received an extra $1,000 in Room-Res Rewards. It is the most generous rewards program in the industry, and those rewards can be used on whatever they like. Maybe even a return stay at The Naka Island, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa, Phuket.

"The Naka Island, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa, Phuket, set the tone from the first welcome. Calm, beautifully run and quietly indulgent," said an Australian finalist. "I sell luxury every day. This reminded me of how it should feel." The US finalist put it. "I expected polish. I did not expect it to feel this effortless. The treasure hunt was a buzz. The sunset sail is a memory I will keep."

"This was our first year running Room-Res Island in both Australia and the United States," said James Mooring at Room-Res. "We keep the path to qualify simple and fair. Then we create an experience that feels like a true thank you. The Naka Island, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa, Phuket helped us deliver exactly that."

Room-Res Island celebrates the real craft of great travel advisors. Finalists qualified through bookings on Room-Res and by uncovering hidden properties. The reward is time together in a place that matches the effort it took to get there. THE LUXURY EDITION did that with ease and set a fresh benchmark for what comes next.

Video highlights from this year's amazing adventure are available now here.