The best hotel in the world is Passalacqua, an 18th century villa on the edge of Italy’s Lake Como.
That’s according to the 50 Best organization, which announced the results of “The World’s 50 Best Hotels” in London on Tuesday.
The villa hotel is the former home of composer Vincenzo Bellini and sits among seven acres of terraced gardens. Rates start at $1,300 per night, according to the 50 Best organization.
The list marks the first time that 50 Best organization is delving into hotel rankings, though it’s been ranking “The World’s 50 Best Restaurants” and “The World’s 50 Best Bars” for years.
The rankings are based on nominations made by 580 anonymous voters comprising travel journalists, hoteliers and luxury travelers around the world, the organization said.
The ’50 best’ hotels in the world
1. Passalacqua, Moltrasio, Italy2. Rosewood Hong Kong, Hong Kong3. Four Seasons Bangkok at Chao Phraya River, Thailand4. The Upper House, Hong Kong5. Aman Tokyo, Japan6. La Mamounia, Marrakech, Morocco7. Soneva Fushi, Maldives8. One&Only Mandarina, Puerto Vallarta, Mexico9. Four Seasons Firenze, Florence, Italy10. Mandarin Oriental Bangkok, Thailand11. Capella Bangkok, Thailand12. The Calile, Brisbane, Australia13. Chable Yucat?n, Chochola, Mexico14. Aman Venice, Italy 15. Singita Lodges, Kruger National Park, South Africa16. Claridge’s, London, United Kingdom17. Raffles Singapore, Singapore18. Nihi Sumba, Wanokaka, Indonesia19. Hotel Esencia, Tulum, Mexico20. Le Sirenuse, Positano, Italy21. Borgo Egnazia, Savelletri, Italy22. The Connaught, London23. Royal Mansour, Marrakech, Morocco 24. Four Seasons Madrid, Spain25. Aman New York, United States26. The Maybourne Riviera, Roquebrune-Cap-Martin, France27. Rosewood Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil28. Capella Singapore, Singapore29. Le Bristol Paris, France30. Park Hyatt Kyoto, Kyoto, Japan31. La Reserve, Paris, France32. Gleneagles, Auchterarder, Scotland33. Hotel Du Cap-Eden-Roc, Antibes, France34. Cheval Blanc Paris, France35. Four Seasons Astir Palace Hotel Athens, Greece36. Soneva Jani, Maldives37. The Newt in Somerset, Bruton, United Kingdom38. Amangalla, Galle, Sri Lanka39. Hoshinoya Tokyo, Japan40. Desa Potato Head, Bali, Indonesia41. Eden Rock St. Barths, Caribbean 42. The Siam, Bangkok, Thailand43. Badrutt’s Palace, St. Moritz, Switzerland44. Atlantis The Royal, Dubai, UAE45. The Oberoi Amarvilas, Agra, India46. NoMad London, United Kingdom47. The Savoy, London, United Kingdom48. Equinox New York, United States49. Six Senses Ibiza, Balearic Islands, Spain50. H?tel de Crillon, Paris, France
Overall, the list is dominated by hotels in Europe and Asia, with Asia taking half of the spots in the top 10 list.
France is home to the most hotels on the list, with six properties scattered around the country, while Italy has five — though none in Rome. On a city level, Paris, London and Bangkok each have four hotels on the list.
Other awards
The 50 Best organization announced individual awards for standout hotels in specific categories including Singita Lodges in Kruger National Park, which received the “Eco Hotel” award 2023 for pioneering eco-tourism, and England’s The Newt which won the “Best Boutique” hotel award.
Regarding newcomers, Capella Bangkok was named the “Best New Hotel,” and Utah’s The Lodge at Blue Sky, which opened in 2019, was named the “One to Watch” for having top potential to break into the top 50 list in the future.
The voting system
Voters, who are split into nine regions across the world, name the seven best hotels that they’ve stayed at in the past two year, in their order of preference. Votes are limited to three properties within the same hotel group, according to the rules.
Voters can nominate any hotels they want, regardless of size, facilities or location.
