On 15 September, the hospitality world gathered in Paris for the reveal of The World’s 50 Best Hotels 2026 list. The ceremony at Les Salles du Carrousel represented the first time the event had taken place outside London since its launch. The wider 50 Best organisation also introduced a new brand identity, adopting the name ‘The 50’ and unveiling an updated logo.
Europe and Asia featured prominently in the top 10, with Rosewood Hong Kong taking the top spot for the second year in a row. It became the first hotel to retain the No. 1 ranking since the global list launched in 2023.
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Image courtesy of Rosewood Hong Kong
Rosewood Hong Kong Keeps Its Crown
After climbing from No. 3 in 2024 to No. 1 in 2025, Rosewood Hong Kong has secured a second consecutive win – an impressive achievement for a hotel that opened in 2019. The 413-room Tsim Sha Tsui property also takes home the title of ‘Best Hotel in Asia’, adding a regional honour to its leading position on the World’s 50 Best Hotels 2026 list.
Its continued success is about more than its photogenic harbour setting. Occupying 43 floors of the K11 Victoria Dockside development, the hotel pairs contemporary luxury with a strong connection to the city. Tony Chi’s richly detailed interiors, public spaces filled with museum-calibre art, and expansive suites overlooking the harbour make the hotel a destination in its own right. Service that remains personal despite the hotel’s scale completes the experience, while the location places Hong Kong’s cultural attractions, waterfront walks, dining and shopping close at hand.
That sense of connection extends to the experiences within the hotel. The Asaya wellness retreat provides a tranquil space for rest and renewal, while BluHouse, CHAAT, XX and The Legacy House add to the draw with distinctive menus and atmospheres. Together, they make wellness, dining and drinking integral to the stay.
Image courtesy of Capella Bangkok
Asia & Europe Lead The Hospitality Charge
Asia and Europe dominate the 2026 World’s 50 Best Hotels list, together accounting for 39 of the top 50 entries.
Asia’s lead is particularly clear in the top 10, where it claims seven spots. Rosewood Hong Kong takes first place, followed by Capella Bangkok at No. 2 and Four Seasons Bangkok at Chao Phraya River at No. 3. Atlantis The Royal in Dubai ranks fourth, with Mandarin Oriental Qianmen Beijing at No. 7, The Upper House in Hong Kong at No. 8 and Mandarin Oriental Bangkok at No. 10. Completing the top tier are Passalacqua on Lake Como at No. 5, Rosewood São Paulo at No. 6 and Chablé Yucatán in Chocholá at No. 9.
Further down the rankings, Italy, France and the UK make a strong showing with hotels that pair historic grandeur with modern comforts. Four Seasons Firenze places 12th, followed by Claridge’s in London at No. 13 and Hôtel de Crillon in Paris at No. 14. Singapore also earns a prominent place, with Raffles Singapore at No. 17, alongside multiple entries across Hong Kong, Japan, Thailand and mainland China.
The list’s geographical reach extends to Capella Sydney at No. 16, San Ysidro Ranch in Santa Barbara at No. 22 and Royal Mansour in Marrakech at No. 26. Copacabana Palace in Rio de Janeiro ranks 29th, while Mount Nelson in Cape Town takes 34th.
Celebrating hospitality at its finest, the 2026 list offers considerable inspiration for a future stay – and an ambitious travel wishlist for anyone with annual leave to spare and a budget to match.
Image courtesy of Las Ventanas al Paraíso
Beyond The Ranks: Individual Honours
The ceremony also recognised individual achievements in hospitality, with special awards for notable new openings, purposeful design, sustainability and exceptional service.
Patina Osaka (No. 33) received the Nikka Best New Hotel Award, while Modena’s Casa Maria Luigia (No. 18) took home the Lavazza Highest New Entry Award. Las Ventanas al Paraíso in Los Cabos (No. 25) secured the WhistlePig Highest Climber Award. Italy’s Passalacqua (No. 5) collected two titles: Best Hotel in Europe and Best Boutique Hotel, retaining the latter for a third consecutive year.
Design, sustainability and service each received dedicated recognition. Hôtel du Couvent in Nice (No. 38) won the Johnnie Walker Art of Design Award, while Chablé Yucatán in Chocholá (No. 9) received the Bombay Sapphire Eco Hotel Award. The SeiBellissimi Art of Hospitality Award went to Badrutt’s Palace in St. Moritz (No. 36), and Atlantis The Royal in Dubai (No. 4) was named Best Beach Hotel.
The awards also acknowledged the people and groups shaping the industry. Nihi Hotels founder James McBride received the SevenRooms Icon Award, and Rosewood Hotels & Resorts took home the Ferrari Trento Most Admired Hotel Group Award.
Recognition extended outside the top 50, too. The Fifth Avenue Hotel in New York City (No. 78) received the American Express Travel One To Watch Award, putting it firmly on the radar for future editions.
Asia and Europe may dominate the numbers, but the list celebrates outstanding hospitality across the globe. Sydney’s urban glamour, Marrakech’s palatial retreats, Mexico’s wellness experiences and Osaka’s design-forward hotels each offer a different reason to travel. The most coveted stays belong to no single region – or time zone.
Born in Korea and raised in Hong Kong, Min Ji has combined her degree in anthropology and creative writing with her passion for going on unsolicited tangents as an editor at Friday Club. In between watching an endless amount of movies, she enjoys trying new cocktails and pastas while occasionally snapping a few pictures.
