Officially the Best Hotels in the World
Since 2002, fine dining enthusiasts have relied on the World’s 50 Best Restaurants list, a resource that stands high above all others, to find the world’s best places to eat year-on-year. Well, now that same extensively researched and substantial list of recommendations exists for the most luxury and exclusive hotels to be found throughout the globe as well.
Synonymous around the world, the 50 Best brand is a market leader in global gastronomy, with years of experience in showcasing the planet’s best restaurants and bars, and now it’s entered the hotel arena. Created by The World’s 50 Best Hotels Academy, the expertise of no fewer than 580 anonymous leaders in the hotel industry is drawn upon for this mammoth task.
Celebrating the finest hotel experiences around the world, this reliably expert-curated list is brand-new, its inaugural awards ceremony having taken place last month in London’s Guildhall. Featured on the list were 50 hotels from 35 different destinations, with Passalacqua, on Italy’s Lake Como, scooping the top prize.
The Winner
The recipient of the coveted inaugural crown was Lake Como’s Passalacqua, an incredible outcome considering the hotel only opened in 2022.
The 18th-century villa, which sits astride one of the world’s most spectacular bodies of water, is a family-owned establishment spread across seven acres of terraced gardens. Consisting of only 24 rooms, the hotel oozes exclusivity, while its opulent features pay homage to the country in which it resides.
The UK’s Entries
An impressive six UK hotels earned a place on the first-ever World’s 50 Best Hotels list, four of which are found in London. Sitting in 47th place, the Savoy made the cut by the skin of its teeth with its iconic Strand location and spacious suites doing just enough. Only one place ahead came NoMad London, a hotel that’s new to the scene and aims to channel New York influences from its location in the former Bow Street Magistrate’s Court and Police Station in Covent Garden.
As a firm favourite of Blend Group, we were delighted to see The Connaught rank at number 22, its Edwardian charm, high-end Aman spa and three-Michelin-starred restaurant helping it achieve its impressive chart position. The highest-ranked London hotel, however, was deservedly Claridge’s in 16th place. The 5-star Art Deco pride of Mayfair has a prestigious past and remains timeless in modern-day London.
Elsewhere in the UK, Scotland’s legendary Gleneagles made the list, as did The Newt in Somerset.
Other Notable Mentions
While the UK has cause to be particularly proud of its showing, France claimed the accolade of the single country with the most entries on the list, occupying six spots scattered throughout its land. Italy and England can both boast five places on the list, while Paris, Bangkok and London are the cities with the most representation, each with four properties to its name.
On a continent level, Asia has the highest concentration of names on the list, being home to 18 of the 50, while taking half of the spots within the top 10. Our congratulations also go to luxury, wellbeing-focussed Aman – the most awarded hotel group on the list, with four of its worldwide destinations garnering recognition.
At Blend Group, it’s our mission to provide bespoke, once-in-a-lifetime experiences for our valued clientele, meaning we partner with the finest, most luxury hotels and accommodations in the world.
Please get in touch with us here if you’d like us to put together an itinerary for you that includes 5-star, luxury accommodation and travel requirements, as well as any additional special experiences you’d like to enjoy.