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Leading hoteliers from across the globe gathered in London from 17-19 September for the debut reveal of The World’s 50 Best Hotels. Spanning banquets and live bands, celebratory cocktails and on-stage emotion, relive the best moments of the event programme in 28 pictures…
1. The World’s 50 Best Hotels lands in London.jpg)
Spirits were high as the globe’s hotel community arrived in the UK capital for a series of festivities designed to celebrate the leading lights in hospitality. The excitement was palpable among luxury hotels as the brand-new list prepared to platform the very best properties and travel experiences from across the world.
2. The Aubrey serves up a storm
Away from the temperamental English weather that cascaded on the London streets outside, The Aubrey at the Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park served up its signature Japanese-inspired cocktails and izakaya offering at the ‘Welcome to London!’ event. Helmed by renowned bartender Pietro Rizzo, specially crafted concoctions included a Coffee Rum Old Fashioned made with 1895 Lavazza coffee and Flor de Caña rum, alongside Mezcal Palomas made with The Lost Explorer Espadín and London Essence Pink Grapefruit Crafted Soda.
3. Hoteliers head to The Langham, London.jpg)
Ahead of the main reveal taking place the following evening, the first assembly of the world’s leading hoteliers took place at The Langham, London, for The Opening Banquet. This event gathers the teams behind the soon-to-be-listed properties for an evening of gastronomic delights, welcoming them to the 50 Best family.
4. Cocktails and canapes flow in the Palm Court
Upon arrival, hoteliers were greeted into The Langham’s Palm Court, where a range of pre-dinner canapes made by Angelo Sato, the chef behind lauded London eatery Humble Chicken awaited them. To match the exemplary plates of smoked buttermilk chicken karaage, avocado tataki and more, cocktails created by the hotel’s fable bar, Artesian (a four-time winner of The World’s Best Bar Award) were also on offer, including the S.O.S (Strawberries On Smoke) made with No.3 London Dry Gin and Vermouth Carlo Alberto Rosso.
5. Michel Roux Jr. oversees The Opening Banquet
Following the drinks reception, guests made a dramatic entrance into the ballroom area to the soundtrack of jazz musician Gary Williams, ahead of a full banquet created by chef Michel Roux Jr. of Le Gavroche fame. Within the foraging-themed ballroom, Roux Jr.’s menu saw the hoteliers enjoy courses of hand-dived Orkney scallops in a beurre blanc sauce, perfectly roasted beef fillet with pickled girolles and a cepes and ivoire cream dessert topped with caramelised bacon crumb, which were well received.
6. Everyone heads down the pub…
After dinner, a walking band guided the crowds around the corner to The Wigmore, The Langham’s on-site traditional pub, via a brief stop at The Hatch along the way, where miniature espresso martinis were distributed.
7. Night caps (and cheese toasties) bring the evening to a close
Within the pub, guests were greeted by a classic cocktail list including a Whisky Highball made with Nikka Whisky, a Gin & Tonic made with No.3 London Dry Gin and Dark ‘n’ Stormy, made with Flor de Caña rum and London Essence Original Indian Tonic Water, among others. To pair with the concoctions, The Wigmore’s renowned XXL Cheese Toastie was served en-masse to the delight of all who were present.
8. All eyes on the Guildhall
The stage was set at the City of London’s Guildhall on the evening of 19th September ahead of the reveal of the first-ever list of The World’s 50 Best Hotels, created from the votes of almost 600 hotel and travel experts from across the globe.
9. The donning of the famous red scarves…
As each hotel team arrived on the red carpet, they were welcomed with their 50 Best signature red scarves, signalling their inclusion in the upcoming ranking. With representation from all 50 hotels on the list present, everything was set for the evening to be an all-out celebration of the hotel sector.
10. The Academy Chairs hit the red carpet
The industry leaders who selected The World’s 50 Best Hotels Academy of voters made their appearance. Left to right, Cecilia Núñez (Latin America inc. Caribbean); Michael Harden (Oceania); Yolanda Edwards (US and Canada); Lauren Ho (Europe); Jeninne Lee-St John (Southeast Asia); Isabella Sullivan (Middle East and Africa); Zinara Rathnayake (South Asia); Danielle Demetriou (Japan and South Korea) and Kee Foong (China, Hong Kong Macau and Taiwan).
11. Guests take their seats in the Great Hall
Eager hoteliers and leading figures in the travel world were welcomed into the Great Hall to take their seats in anticipation of the live countdown from No.50 to No.1, interspersed with a series of special awards.
12. The Lodge at Blue Sky is presented with the Lavazza One To Watch Award 2023
The first special accolade of the evening was presented to The Lodge at Blue Sky in Utah recipient of the Lavazza One To Watch Award 2023. The only award chosen by the 50 Best team, it was bestowed upon the US property as a rising-star hotel with the potential to break into the ranking in the future. Co-owners Mike and Barb Phillips alongside general manager Joe Ogdie proudly collected the trophy crafted by Cristaux International on stage.
13. The Carlo Alberto Best Boutique Hotel Award goes to The Newt
The Bruton-based hotel known for its array of country escapades took home the award celebrating lodgings with fewer than 50 rooms that are not part of a large hotel chain or group. Its team delightedly took to the stage to celebrate the accolade.
14. Gleneagles collects the Art of Hospitality Award 2023
Loved for its superb Scottish hospitality and set within the country’s southern Highlands, Gleneagles was the recipient of the award focusing on exceptional service. Applause rang throughout the hall as the team accepted their landmark achievement.
15. Rosewood São Paulo is ranked The Best Hotel in South America
The Rosewood Hotel Group’s newest property, which opened in early 2022, took home the award as the highest ranked hotel from the South American continent, collected on stage by the hotel’s managing director, Eduoard Grosmangin.
16. Sonu Shivdasani is named the SevenRooms Icon Award winner
This title, which recognises an individual whose landmark contributions to the hotel sector, was granted to Sonu Shivdasani – the mastermind behind the Soneva hotel group. Due to an unfortunate illness, the award was collected on stage by Eddie Teh, general manager of Soneva Fushi, in Shivdasani’s absence to bring the trophy home to the Maldives-based hotelier.
17. Singita is celebrated for its green initiatives
Located within a South African nature reserve, Singita’s Kruger National Park property was recognised for its planet-friendly operation as the winner of the Flor de Caña Eco Hotel Award 2023. A family business, two generations of the Bailes family made their way onto the stage.
18. Brisbane’s The Calile bags The Best Hotel in Oceania title
Located in sunny Queensland, The Calile’s seamless blend of relaxed, new-wave Australian hospitality and mid-20th century motel aesthetic landed it the No.12 position and a continental award. Led by general manager Rob Unson, the team from down under collected its trophy with pride.
19. Capella Bangkok takes home the Nikka Best New Hotel Award 2023
Capella Bangkok was revealed as the highest ranked property that opened within The World’s 50 Best Hotels voting period (May 2021-2023), with GM John Blanco taking the plaudits on behalf of the team.
20. The Best Hotel in North America is in Mexico’s Nayarit Riveria
The One&Only group’s lauded brand of luxe hospitality and serenity was recognised at its property on the Mexican coast. Ranked at No.8 in the list, The Best Hotel in North America trophy was proudly accepted on stage by representatives for One&Only Mandarina.
21. Sandy Soneva Fushi is named the Lost Explorer Best Beach Hotel
Located on a private Maldivian island, the flagship property of the Soneva group, famed for its ‘no shoes, no news’ philosophy, was bestowed with the award as the highest-positioned hotel located within 20 metres of a beach.
22. Historic hotel La Mamounia is The Best Hotel in Africa
Since it opened in 1929, La Mamounia has been a bastion of luxury, great design and stellar service. After taking part in the recovery and aid efforts following a natural disaster in Marrakech, the hotel’s manager Pierre Jochem made the voyage to London to collect the property’s award as The Best Hotel in Africa 2023 with gratitude.
23. Rosewood Hong Kong leads in Asia
Rosewood Hong Kong took home the title of The Best Hotel in Asia, celebrated for its blend of extravagance and modern Asian elegance. Hugo Montanari, managing director of the hotel, and Vickie Ho, director of marketing and communications, made their way to the stage to share their pride in their Fragrant Harbour property, ranked No.2 I The World’s 50 Best Hotels.
24. Passalacqua is The World’s Best Hotel
The anticipation in the room was palpable as the first-ever No.1 in The World’s 50 Best Hotels was moments from being announced. Applause erupted throughout the room as the title headed to Italy and the banks of the idyllic Lake Como with the 18th-century converted villa, Passalacqua.
Owner Valentina De Santis and general manager Silvio Vettorello were in tears of disbelief as they embraced in the spotlight and made their way onto the stage. “If you can dream it, you can do it!” De Santis exclaimed, as the momentous achievement began to sink in.
25. All aboard the London red buses
Following the reveal of the debut list, the night was still young as all attendees were invited to board a trio of traditional red London double-decker buses headed for NoMad London, where the Official 50 Best After Party carried on the festivities.
26. NoMad London delivered sumptuous bites and stellar serves
Spirits were high at the after party - spread across the NoMad’s main atrium and two signature bars, Common Decency and Side Hustle - as the newly crowned hoteliers toasted their mutual success. A Mexican-inspired feast, including flame-grilled skewers and tacos, proved the perfect pairing for the tipples on offer, bringing the evening and the events programme of the first edition of The World’s 50 Best Hotels to a close.
27. No one goes home empty-handed….jpg)
Each hotel team was presented with a plaque marking its inclusion in The World’s 50 Best Hotels list to take back to their properties and be placed proudly on display.
28. See you next year!
The launch of The World’s 50 Best Hotels was the perfect gathering of the world’s leading figures and properties in the sector and will return in 2024 with a brand-new ranking. Until then, stay tuned on our channels to keep up to date on all hotel news.
Catch up the video highlights here:
The debut list of The World’s 50 Best Hotels was revealed at a live awards ceremony at London’s Guildhall on 19th September 2023. To stay up to date with all hotels news and announcements, browse the website and follow us on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.
