Rosewood Hong Kong has secured The World’s Best Hotel accolade for a second year and also earned the title of The Best Hotel in Asia. The fourth iteration of The World’s 50 Best Hotels was unveiled during a grand live event in Paris, at Les Salles du Carrousels under the beautiful Tuileries Garden.
The event marked a shift for the UK-based brand, which had previously held its awards in London. Capella Bangkok secured second place, while another Thai property, Four Seasons Bangkok Chao Phraya River, took third.
The Rankings
While Asia dominated the top positions, Europe emerged as the strongest continent overall, with 21 hotels on the list. Several luxury groups, including Rosewood, Four Seasons, Capella Hotels & Resorts, Aman, and Belmond, received multiple accolades.
The awards’ voting academy comprises over 800 anonymous experts, such as hoteliers, travel journalists, hotel educators, and frequent luxury travelers. Each member casts seven votes, ranking hotels based on stays within the past three years.
The process is strictly confidential, with Deloitte enlisted as an official independent adjudicator. The World’s 50 Best Hotels launched in 2023, following the global success of the brand’s 50 Best Restaurants and 50 Best Bars rankings.
Rosewood Hong Kong Wins Again
Rosewood Hong Kong secured first place for the second consecutive year, up from third in 2024. Opened in 2019 in Victoria Harbour, its 65-story design by Tony Chi has earned it a distinguished reputation in Hong Kong’s hospitality sector.
Alongside its 413 rooms and suites, the property features 11 restaurants and bars, plus Rosewood’s Asaya Spa. Speaking to media on the night, Hugo Montanari, managing director at the Rosewood Hong Kong, explained how last year’s award raised the profile of the hotel, with it becoming a destination in its own right and an increase in international visitors as a result.
Related Post: Palace Hotel Unveils Festive Holiday Event Calendar
“We saw it help us a lot, and we are particularly proud that it’s helped the destination of Hong Kong – putting it back on the map after the pandemic,” he said. Montanari added that what continues to make Rosewood Hong Kong stand out is its unique property, with a different layer on every single floor, making it a place where guests can spend days discovering different elements.
With high expectations tied to the title of The World’s Best Hotel, Montanari joked that “to win it again is no pressure” but added that the key to continued success is to “welcome every single person with the same level of warmth”.
European Hotels Shine
Although Asia led the rankings, Europe performed best as a continent, with 21 hotels in the top 50. France and Italy each had six properties, while the UK had four, including Claridge’s, Raffles London at The OWO, and The Connaught.
Passalacqua in Lake Como, with 24 rooms, ranked as the highest European property at No.5. Parisian winners included Rosewood’s Hôtel de Crillon, Le Bristol, Cheval Blanc Paris, and the new entry, Plaza Athénée.
A spokesperson for the awards said the choice of Paris for the ceremony was a natural one, given the city’s embodiment of timeless hospitality and its reputation for exceptional hotels. The Middle East saw Atlantis The Royal claim No.4, and Jumeirah Marsa Al Arab climbed five spaces to No.15.
Among new entries, Patina Osaka won Best New Hotel, ranking No.33, while Casa Maria Luigia in Italy debuted at No.18. Hôtel du Couvent in Nice received the Art of Design Award for its transformation from a convent into a luxury property.
Sustainable Hotels Recognized
Chablé Yucatan in Mexico reached No.9 and took home the Eco Hotel Award following an audit by the Sustainable Restaurant Association. The 50 Best Hotels ranking also includes an extended 51-100 list, shining a light on luxury hotels across 23 different territories, with Asia triumphing with 20 properties.
Read Also: Glenmorangie releases whisky at 36000 dollars
Four Seasons Bangkok at Chao Phraya River, Mandarin Oriental Qianmen, and Upper House Hong Kong are among the properties featured in the extended list. The list also includes hotels from Europe, such as Four Seasons Firenze and San Ysidro Ranch, as well as properties from North America, like One&Only Mandarina and Las Ventanas al Paraíso.
Rosewood Hong Kong’s managing director, Hugo Montanari, noted that the hotel’s team members are constantly evolving and that the key to success is to welcome every guest with the same level of warmth, and that the hotel has a five-year learning roadmap in place for every team member, which is not just about getting promoted, but about nourishing them with constant learning, and the hotel saw an increase in international visitors after last year’s award, with 1,200 team members working at the hotel.
Among the notable winners, Casa Maria Luigia in Italy was awarded the highest new entry on the list at No.18. This Modena-based property is owned by chef Massimo Bottura and Lara Gilmore, behind the fine dining restaurant Osteria Francescana.
New Entries and Awards
Patina Osaka took home the Best New Hotel Award and placed at No.33, a notable achievement for Capella’s first urban property under the Patina brand.
The extended 51-100 list shines a light on luxury hotels across 23 different territories, with Asia triumphing with 20 properties, followed by Europe with 16 hotels.
The Peninsula Hong Kong, which ranked No.46, is another notable property on the list, offering luxurious accommodations and exceptional service. The hotel’s inclusion on the list is due to its commitment to excellence and its reputation as a top destination in Hong Kong.