The World’s 50 Best Hotels 2026 list is out and the top spot has been claimed by the same hotel for the second year in a row.
That honour goes to the Rosewood Hong Kong, following its ranking as No.1 in 2025 and No.3 in 2024. Rising 65 storeys above Victoria Harbour, the ultra-luxurious Rosewood Hong Kong is a standout presence on the city’s skyline, judges said that inside, guests will ‘find a world of its own’ with 11 dining and drinking venues, extensive wellness facilities, gallery-worthy art, elegant rooms and suites and a seamless service style that has become its signature.
Rounding out the top five this year are Capella Bangkok, Four Seasons Bangkok at Chao Phraya River, Atlantis The Royal Dubai and Passalacqua Lake Como.
Now in its fourth year, the awards have become one of the travel industry’s most telling barometers of taste, with a glitzy ceremony held in London this year to announce the winners.
The list, which spans 22 destinations across six continents, is compiled from the votes of more than 800 anonymous experts – a mix of hoteliers, travel writers, educators and frequent travellers – each asked to nominate the stays that impressed them most over the past three years. The voting panel is refreshed by 25% each year.
The longlist of 50-100 was previously revealed earlier in the month, and saw Taupo luxury riverside resort Huka Lodge represent New Zealand at number 82, six spots up from its number 88 placing last year.
In this year’s top 50, Australia is represented by one hotel, with Capella Sydney named at No.16, while The Calile in Brisbane made the wider Top 100 at No.83. The Brisbane hotel has been recognised in the Top 100 each year since the awards started, reaching its highest position of No.12 in 2023.
Europe is home to the largest number of hotels in the top 50 with 21, while Asia has 18.
In its special awards category, the encompassing design considerations of Hôtel du Couvent in France earned the Art of Design Award, while the sustainability efforts of Chablé Yucatán in Mexico saw it take out the Eco Award.
The World’s 50 Best Hotels 2026 Top 10
1. Rosewood Hong Kong, Hong Kong
2. Capella Bangkok, Bangkok
3. Four Seasons Bangkok at Chao Phraya River, Bangkok
4. Atlantis The Royal, Dubai
5. Passalacqua, Lake Como
6. Rosewood São Paulo, São Paulo
7. Mandarin Oriental Qianmen, Beijing
8. Upper House Hong Kong, Hong Kong
9. Chablé Yucatán, Chocholá
10. Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok
The full list is at The World’s 50 Best Hotels 2026.
