The world of hospitality witnessed a momentous occasion on September 19, 2023, as the highly-anticipated list of The World’s 50 Best Hotels was unveiled during a captivating awards ceremony in London. This prestigious ranking, featuring outstanding hotels from 35 different destinations across six continents, marks 50 Best’s inaugural foray into the world of travel and hospitality, following its successful launch of The World’s 50 Best Bars in 2009.
Passalacqua, a luxury boutique hotel nestled on the picturesque shores of Lake Como in Moltrasio, Italy, emerged as the undisputed champion, securing the coveted title of The World’s Best Hotel 2023. This remarkable achievement is all the more impressive considering Passalacqua’s relatively recent opening in June 2022. Situated in an 18th-century villa with stunning terraced gardens cascading down to the water, the De Santis family has curated an exquisite 24-room property that exudes the ambiance of a private home.
Taking the second and third positions on the list are two Asian gems: Rosewood Hong Kong and Four Seasons Bangkok at Chao Phraya River, respectively. These hotels further reinforce Asia’s prominence in the global hospitality scene.
Tim Brooke-Webb, Managing Director for The World’s 50 Best Hotels, expressed his admiration for Passalacqua’s remarkable journey, stating, “Huge congratulations to Passalacqua for the achievement of making it to No.1, just two years after opening. It’s a true testament to the vision of the De Santis family, who has created this sublime sanctuary for guests with painstaking devotion to design detail, exquisite hospitality, and distinctive magic, which has clearly made a lasting impression on our Academy of expert voters.”
The inaugural ranking of The World’s 50 Best Hotels showcases the diversity and excellence of hotels worldwide, with 21 of the winning properties located in Europe. London, a global travel hub, is prominently featured with four hotels on the list: Claridge’s, The Connaught, NoMad London, and The Savoy. Additionally, Gleneagles in Scotland and The Newt in Somerset, England, earned well-deserved recognition.
In Asia, 18 hotels are honored, with Rosewood Hong Kong, Four Seasons Bangkok at Chao Phraya River, The Upper House in Hong Kong, and Aman Tokyo securing top positions. Soneva Fushi in the Maldives, named the Lost Explorer Best Beach Hotel, is uniquely situated within 20 meters of a pristine beach, offering travelers a truly exceptional beachfront experience.
The Flor de Caña Eco Hotel Award was presented to Singita Lodges in South Africa, renowned for its environmentally conscious hospitality in the Kruger National Park. This recognition reflects their commitment to preserving the environment while providing guests with an unparalleled African wildlife experience.
Capella Bangkok, a hotel that opened during the challenging COVID-19 pandemic, received the Nikka Best New Hotel Award, underscoring its resilience and dedication to providing exceptional experiences.
The evening also celebrated the recipient of the SevenRooms Icon Award, Sonu Shivdasani OBE, co-founder and CEO of Soneva, and founder and former CEO of Six Senses Resorts & Spas, acknowledging his remarkable contributions to the global hotel industry over the past 28 years.
The launch of The World’s 50 Best Hotels marks another significant milestone in 50 Best’s journey towards becoming the ultimate global reference point for the finest hospitality experiences across the world, encompassing restaurants, bars, and now, hotels.
