The debut edition of The World’s 50 Best Hotels was revealed at a live awards ceremony in London’s Guildhall on 19th September. Bringing together the global hotel community for the first time, the brand-new list celebrates the finest establishments and travel experiences across the world.
Featuring hotels from 35 destinations across six continents, explore the ranking to find out which world-leading establishments have been awarded for their stellar hospitality, including the location named the first-ever World’s Best Hotel
No.50 Hôtel de Crillon
Paris
rosewoodhotels.com
@rosewoodhoteldecrillon
Overlooking the iconic Place de la Concorde, Hôtel de Crillon is a Parisian palace suffused with sophistication and glamour, merging all the historic architectural detail of a landmark property with a quietly confident display of interior-design grandeur.
No.49 Six Senses Ibiza
Portinatx
sixsenses.com
@sixsenses.ibiza
Opened in July 2021, Six Senses Ibiza offers a seamless blend of wellbeing, sustainability and impeccable design, tied together with an unfaltering dedication to stellar hospitality. Located on the island’s Xarraca coast, it’s a perfect getaway to lose and then rediscover yourself across a stay.
No.48 Equinox Hotel New York
New York City
equinox-hotels.com
@equinoxhotels
Fitness giant Equinox opened its New York City hotel offshoot in July 2019 to create the ultimate temple to health and wellbeing. From its flagship gym, which spans a staggering 60,000 sq ft, to its nutrition and immunity-boosting food offerings, any guest who enters its doors is destined to leave healthier and happier than when they arrived.
No.47 The Savoy
London
thesavoylondon.com
@thesavoylondon
Inspired by the hotel boom of America’s Gilded Age, The Savoy has been a synonym for luxury since it first opened its doors in 1889. A household name across the world, it’s retained its status over centuries thanks to its infallible service, character and storied history of world-class restaurants and bars housed within.
No.46 NoMad London
London
thenomadhotel.com
@thenomadhotel
Located within a former magistrate’s court, NoMad London is all about contemporary sleek hospitality paired with tasteful art and design elements of the New York Jazz Age. It’s all about culture, food and drink, with a serious selection of bars and restaurants located within its prime central London address.
No.45 The Oberoi Amarvilas
Agra
oberoihotels.com
@oberoiamarvilas
For travellers heading to see India’s most important tourist attraction, the Taj Mahal, there is no better place to stay than The Oberoi Amarvilas. With every single one of its immaculately designed rooms and suites offering unobstructed views of the wonder, there’s nowhere else like it in the world.
No.44 Atlantis The Royal
Dubai
atlantis.com
@atlantistheroyal
When luxury hotels are as commonplace as they are in Dubai, you have to go big to stand out among esteemed competition. When Atlantis The Royal opened its doors in early 2023, it did just that. Boasting nearly 800 rooms, 17 restaurants and bars and over 90 swimming pools, it’s the ultimate hub of opulence and grandiosity within the region.
No.43 Badrutt's Palace
St. Moritz
badruttspalace.com
@badruttspalace
Towering over Switzerland’s Engadin valley within the glitzy resort town of St. Moritz, Badrutt’s Palace is a fairy-tale-turreted hotel wonderland, opened by Caspar Badrutt in 1896. Come summer, it’s a fantasy lake getaway; come winter, it’s a snow-saturated skiers' valhalla.
No.42 The Siam
Bangkok
thesiamhotel.com
@thesiamhotel
Designed by hotel guru Bill Bensley, The Siam is a lush riverside palace inspired by all things Art Deco. With just 38 rooms on offer, all of which are painted in monochrome tones, it’s the ideal quiet and cultured getaway from the hustle and bustle of Bangkok.
No.41 Eden Rock
St. Barths
oetkercollection.com/hotels/eden-rock-st-barths
@er_stbarths
With its pedigree as one of the best addresses in St. Barths, Eden Rock has long been lauded as one of the area’s flagship hotels. Overlooking the crystal-clear waters of Baie de St Jean, each red-roofed room and villa is a unification of warm walnut woods, colourful textures and artworks that enhance its unparalleled panoramas.
No.40 Desa Potato Head
Bali
seminyak.potatohead.co
@potatoheadbali
The hotel arm of Bali’s Potato Head arts and culture megacomplex, this establishment is more than just another Bali boutique hotel. It sits in stark contrast to the classic splendour of heritage beach resorts across the island thanks to its funky and unique amenities, alongside an unrivalled dedication to sustainability as the first group in Asian hospitality to go carbon neutral.
No.39 Hoshinoya Tokyo
Tokyo
hoshinoya.com/tokyo
@hoshinoya.official
Conceived as 14 contemporary ryokans (Japanese-style inns) stacked on top of each other, Hoshinoya Tokyo is smack in the middle of the skyscraping finance district of the Japanese capital. But the second you step inside and the giant cypress doors slide shut behind you, you’ll quickly forget that, thanks in part to its hot-spring baths and minimalist interiors designed to place you in a state of total zen.
No.38 Amangalla
Galle
aman.com/resorts/amangalla
@amangalla
Sitting atop Galle’s hilltops in a 17th-century UNESCO-listed fort, Amangalla’s location has a storied 300-year history of hospitality, previously welcoming steamship passengers and curious travellers over prior centuries. Today, the hotel is a white-washed mosaic of lofty-ceilinged suites, antique furniture, dark wood and lush gardens, with enough contemporary touches to elevate the experience to world-class levels.
No.37 The Newt
Bruton
thenewtinsomerset.com
@thenewtinsomerset
The Newt is a country hotel like no other. Located near the creative enclave of Bruton, the hotel maximises its surrounding estate to deliver unforgettable rural escapes for its guests, offering everything from cider press demonstrations to gardening museums and reconstructed Roman villas with a functioning bathhouse in tow. All these factors have contributed to The Newt winning the Carlo Alberto Best Boutique Hotel Award 2023.
No.36 Soneva Jani
Maldives
soneva.com/resorts/soneva-jani
@discoversoneva
The playful younger sister of iconic Soneva Fushi, the second Maldivian outpost from hotelier husband and wife team Sonu Shivdasani (winner of the SevenRooms Icon Award) and Eva Malmström Shivdasani is just as slick and serene as its older sibling. Arrive here by seaplane, then refresh and disconnect from the outside world with the sand between your toes.
No.35 Four Seasons Astir Palace
Athens
fourseasons.com/athens
@fsathens
Framed by fragrant pines, Astir Palace first came to life in the 1960s as the area gained pace as a seaside resort, and has remained one of its leading hotels since. Across its lifespan, it has attracted a crowd that spanned from Greek royalty to Hollywood glitterati and elite jetsetters, all of whom seek its historic and unwavering hospitality.
No.34 Cheval Blanc
Paris
chevalblanc.com
@chevalblancparis
Sat directly adjacent to the Seine within Paris’ landmark La Samaritaine building, the location of Cheval Blanc alone is to die for. Within its Art Deco-inspired rooms and suites, expect light-saturated luxury, illuminated by the floor-to-ceiling windows that manage to capture views of both the Eiffel Tower and Notre Dame within one sleek frame.
No.33 Hotel Du Cap-Eden-Roc
Antibes
oetkercollection.com/hotels/hotel-du-cap-eden-roc
@hotelducapedenroc
Gatsby-era gilded opulence is the order of the day at Antibes’ premier lodgings. A glittering, chateau-style hotel awaits all that travel there, perched on basalt rocks above the deep blue sea, promising a retro, romantic stay. It's everything you’d want and expect from a getaway in the French Riviera.
No.32 Gleneagles
Auchterarder
gleneagles.com
@thegleneagleshotel
Founded in 1924 in an idyllic location within Scotland’s Southern Highlands, Gleneagles has a long-held reputation for beautiful surrounds matched by an unwavering dedication to create the ultimate country escapade for its guests. For its unique and memorable service, Gleneagles is the winner of the Art of Hospitality Award 2023.
No.31 La Réserve
Paris
lareserve-paris.com
@lareserveparis
When La Réserve opened in 2015, it redefined Parisian luxury with its unique character and colour. Despite having just 25 suites and 15 rooms available, it boasts all of the amenities and comforts of a hotel far greater in size. Set moments from the Champs-Elysées, to step through the burgundy drapes of its entranceway is to enter a scene that could have been plucked from the literary pages of the fin de siècle.
No.30 Park Hyatt Kyoto
Kyoto
hyatt.com/en-US/hotel/japan/park-hyatt-kyoto
@parkhyattkyoto
Tasteful, contemporary Japanese design defines the philosophy at Park Hyatt Kyoto, which opened its doors in autumn of 2019. Situated just a stone’s throw from bustling tourist hotspot Ninenzaka, it boasts an enviable location without crowds and noise, as all outside trembling quickly fades away upon entering the lobby of this serene paradise.
No.29 Le Bristol
Paris
oetkercollection.com/hotels/le-bristol-paris
@lebristolparis
Named after an 18th-century traveller famed for his love of comfort, this Parisian landmark hotel opened in 1925 and quickly became a regular haunt of the world’s cultural elite, from Coco Chanel to Pablo Picasso and Salvador Dali. Beloved by both fashion royalty and actual royalty, the hotel’s 190 rooms and suites are a symphony of Louis XVI-period furniture and antique elegance.
No.28 Capella Singapore
Singapore
capellahotels.com/en/capella-singapore
@capellasingapore
Combining 1880s colonial architecture with the curving ochre lines of its newer contemporary wings all set in a sprawling 30-acre lush estate, Capella Singapore feels like a tropical fairy tale. All 112 rooms, suites and villas make the most of its rainforest-like setting in creating a spacious and relaxing getaway in a city where space feels like a premium.
No.27 Rosewood São Paulo
São Paulo
rosewoodhotels.com/en/sao-paulo
@rosewoodsaopaolo
Rosewood’s first South American property, opened in 2022, is an architecturally dazzling, art-filled urban oasis set within the city’s central Cidade Matarazzo neighbourhood. A fashionable crew of local and international movers and shakers populate its 180 rooms and on-site restaurants and bars nightly. It is also named The Best Hotel in South America 2023.
No.26 The Maybourne Riviera
Roquebrune-Cap-Martin
maybourneriviera.com
@themaybourneriviera
Cantilevered across the cliffs of the glittering Côte d’Azur, with Monaco’s purring soundtrack on one side and the Bellini-coloured townhouses of Menton on the other, this 300m high villa is a lair of superlative seduction. It’s also a modernist temple to minimalist design, all about clean lines and bright natural lights.
No.25 Aman New York
New York City
aman.com/hotels/aman-new-york
@amannewyork
Aman is known for its ultra-luxurious accommodations – and the luxe hospitality brand’s NYC residence is no exception. It’s a secluded, hushed and affluent outpost located within the historic Beaux-Arts Crown Building following a grand 2022 renovation, delivering comfort and space in the city that never sleeps.
No.24 Four Seasons Madrid
Madrid
fourseasons.com/madrid
@fsmadrid
Four Seasons Madrid opened in 2020 following a seven-year project to restore seven landmark buildings within the city. The sprawling site is a beacon of modern hospitality that’s as much a hangout for locals as it is visitors, thanks in part to its alluring design and inviting aura.
No.23 Royal Mansour
Marrakech
royalmansour.com
@royalmansour
This oasis-like enclave of grandeur marries Moroccan design heritage with the international vernacular of modern luxury and heavy classical opulence. Step through its cyan doorway to bask in its grand marble bathrooms, silk-papered bedrooms and cedar-clad sitting rooms, before admiring the immaculately pruned gardens that perimeter the hotel.
No.22 The Connaught
London
the-connaught.co.uk
@theconnaught
Built in 1897, The Connaught remains a bastion of refined elegance in London’s crowded luxury hotel market. Service-led hospitality is second-to-none at this Mayfair institution, whether staying within one of its 121 rooms or downstairs at its twice-ranked No.1 in The World’s 50 Best Bars for a signature Martini.
No.21 Borgo Egnazia
Savelletri
borgoegnazia.com
@borgoegnazia
Don’t be fooled at first sight by this hotel masquerading as a picturesque historic Italian village. Opened in 2009, Borgo Egnazia created a make-believe Mediterranean wonderland with all of the beauty and splendour of a longstanding institution matched with the contemporary luxuries one comes to expect from world-class lodgings.
No.20 Le Sirenuse
Positano
sirenuse.it
@lesirenuse
Situated on the hilltops of the technicolour hotspot of Positano, this family summer house-turned-legendary hotel was opened in 1951 by a quadruple of Neapolitan siblings and has stayed in the family since. Each generation has honed its offering, perfecting its all-white, ceramic-filled luxury to match its million dollar-view.
No.19 Hotel Esencia
Tulum
hotelesencia.com
@hotelesencia
The former holiday home of an Italian duchess, this boutique bolthole on Xpu-Ha Beach in Tulum is one of Riviera Maya’s most private and intimate stays. Across its 50-acre estate there are just 51 effortlessly-chic rooms, suites and villas available, ensuring every guest experience is a remote and undisturbed affair.
No.18 Nihi Sumba
Sumba Island
nihi.com
@nihi
This 27-villa resort located in eastern Indonesia is a surfer's paradise. Located above renowned wave-seeking retreat, Occy’s Left, its design is inspired by traditional Sumbanese structures adorned with peaked roofs, hammering home the laid-back surfer shack spirit married with a full gamut of outdoor activities ready to round off the experience.
No.17 Raffles Singapore
Singapore
raffles.com/singapore
@raffleshotelsingapore
There is no hotel in Singapore more iconic than Raffles. This white-walled palace of hospitality first opened its doors in 1899 and was immediately lauded for its groundbreaking design. In the following centuries, it has retained its status as a stalwart of hospitality and one of the Lion City’s grand dame hotels through subtle tweaks and modernisations.
No.16 Claridge's
London
claridges.co.uk
@claridgeshotel
Since it opened in 1812, Claridge’s has been the home of classic English eccentricity, playing host to British high society and other discerning luxury travellers. It’s the jewel in the crown for the Maybourne Hotel Group, with a recent seven-year renovation project supercharging the property with a host of 21st century amenities.
No.15 Singita Lodges – Kruger National Park
Kruger National Park
singita.com
@singita_
Singita’s twin properties within South Africa’s breathtaking Kruger National Park offer sun-baked luxury, guided by a firm sustainable philosophy. Its sprawling estate places each guest in the heart of rural safari country without skimping on any of the creature comforts. For its connection to nature and guiding green principles, the hotel was named the inaugural winner of the Flor de Caña Eco Hotel Award 2023.
No.14 Aman Venice
Venice
aman.com/hotels/aman-venice
@aman_venice
Venice is no stranger to legendary hotels, and Aman’s property within the city of canals fits the bill with aplomb. In addition to its desirable location, the hotel is another Aman Group masterclass in seductive opulence and slick understatement, accented by Italian aristocratic touches and mesmerising ceiling artwork.
No.13 Chablé Yucatán
Chocholá
yucatan.chablehotels.com
@chableyucatan
Chablé Yucatán has been welcoming guests to its state-of-the-art, wellness-first escape in the heart of the Yucatán jungle since 2016. Prepare to enter a higher state of relaxation through the magnificent spa, thoughtful dining options and understated luxury that fills every nook and cranny.
No.12 The Calile
Brisbane
thecalilehotel.com
@thecalilehotel
Drawing double from the sunny chic of Palm Springs and Miami and the motels of 1960s Australia, The Calile has the Aussie brand of laid-back hospitality honed to a tee. Expect tropical plants, open air corridors and a young army of endearing staff decked out in cool linen, each ready to make your stay unforgettable. As the highest-ranked hotel in the continent, The Calile is named The Best Hotel in Oceania 2023.
No.11 Capella Bangkok
Bangkok
capellahotels.com/en/capella-bangkok
@capellabangkok
Opened in 2020 in the Thai capital’s revitalised Charoenkrung district, the modern Capella Bangkok lives and breathes local heritage. It’s a slick urban retreat overlooking the Chao Phraya River, with guests enjoying all the contemporary bells and whistles while historic Bangkok gently sails past down the river. As the highest-ranked property opened within the two-year judging period, Capella Bangkok is the recipient of the Nikka Best New Hotel Award 2023.
No.10 Mandarin Oriental Bangkok
Bangkok
mandarinoriental.com/en/bangkok/chao-phraya-river
@mo_bangkok
For over 150 years, this legendary hotel has been Bangkok’s hub for discerning luxury travellers and Hollywood A-listers, from Grace Kelly to Elizabeth Taylor and Stanley Tucci. Originally a 12-room affair, the world-famous hotel now boasts 393 rooms, but with the same attention to detail and customised guest experience from when the property had rooms in its tweens.
No.9 Four Seasons Firenze
Florence
fourseasons.com/florence
@fsflorence
Housed within Florence’s largest private garden, Four Seasons Firenze is an oasis of Italian tranquil luxury. Step through the doors of the 15th-century renovated Medici palace to be greeted by grand floral displays and frescoes, before being shown to one of its 116 bedrooms adorned in antique furnishings.
No.8 One&Only Mandarina
Riviera Nayarit
oneandonlyresorts.com/mandarina
@oomandarina
Sandwiched between the tropical rainforests of Sierra de Vallejo reserve and the Pacific Ocean, this 88-acre resort was a trailblazer and trend-setter on Mexico’s Pacific shoreline. Each of the hotel’s 105 villas are nestled into treetops or on its rocky cliffs and come completed with One&Only’s signature style of luxury, with floor-to-ceiling windows and plunge pools to maximise its breathtaking vistas. As the highest-positioned property from its region, One&Only Mandarina is named The Best Hotel in North America.
No.7 Soneva Fushi
Maldives
soneva.com/resorts/soneva-fushi
@discoversoneva
The flagship of the Soneva group and the purveyor of the ‘no news, no shoes’ brand of hospitality, Soneva Fushi is the ultimate barefoot paradise. Access to the private island is by seaplane alone, and each of the 72 villas offers a level of privacy, serenity and comfort that make it very easy to forget that any other guests are actually present at the hotel. As the highest-ranked hotel located within 20 metres of a beach, Soneva Fushi is awarded the Lost Explorer Best Beach Hotel Award 2023.
No.6 La Mamounia
Marrakech
mamounia.com
@lamamouniamarrakech
Since its 1929 opening, La Mamounia has been renowned as one of the world’s finest lodgings, leading in high design, ultra-luxe interiors and best-in-class hospitality. A feast for the senses, the hotel’s design puts palatial splendour centre stage, merging Moroccan architectural tropes, Art Deco edge and modern elegance, each of which have contributed to its title as The Best Hotel in Africa 2023.
No.5 Aman Tokyo
Tokyo
aman.com/hotels/aman-tokyo
@aman_tokyo
Aman Tokyo may sit in the heart of the sprawling Japanese megalopolis – but its sleek, serene and unwaveringly deluxe atmosphere belies its location. The transition from city to escapism is instant upon arrival at the airy 33rd floor lobby, with its cathedral-high ceiling of crafted white washi paper; abstract seasonal floral and rock displays on reflective waters; and epic sweep of iconic Tokyo views. Be prepared to find it very hard to leave.
No.4 The Upper House
Hong Kong
thehousecollective.com/en/the-upper-house
@upperhouse_hkg
The brainchild of hotshot Asian designer André Fu, The Upper House is a visual story of creativity and architectural glory. Inside, its modern and restorative rooms are a calming palette of muted tones with floor-to-ceiling windows that showcase the city beyond. It’s Asian understated luxury at its most refined.
No.3 Four Seasons Bangkok at Chao Phraya River
Bangkok
fourseasons.com/bangkok
@fsbangkok
Set on the banks of the River of Kings, this Four Seasons property is the big, bold and buzzy new kid on block. The design-savvy retreat is all about cascading architecture, slick marble, abundant glass and high-ceilings, with 299 contemporary rooms and suites delivering a masterclass in Asian-inflected elegance.
No.2 Rosewood Hong Kong
Hong Kong
rosewoodhotels.com/en/hong-kong
@rosewoodhongkong
The Rosewood Hotel Group’s seventh location to open in Asia delivers its signature luxe hospitality experience to the stunning backdrop of Victoria Harbour and is now named The Best Hotel in Asia 2023. Its interior is the masterful work of Taiwanese-born designer Tony Chi, with contemporary art pieces lining its every room, hallway and marble-clad lobby.
No.1 Passalacqua
Lake Como
passalacqua.it
@passalacqualakecomo
Set within spectacular terraced gardens and unfolding over just 24 rooms in an 18th-century villa, Passalacqua is a showcase of the finest Italian craftsmanship in a sumptuous riot of ornate Baroque elegance. Ceiling carvings, original frescoes, Murano chandeliers and perfectly manicured gardens: it all comes together in a sublime retreat.
The hotel is the creation of the De Santis family, whose history in hospitality is manifest throughout the Passalacqua operation. Each element of the hotel, from its lauded design to its formidable staff and breathtaking location, works in total symbiosis to earn the establishment the inaugural title of The World’s Best Hotel 2023.
Now recap the list with the video:
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.
