The Top 10 Hotels In The World For 2025

Exploring the world's most celebrated luxury hotels, as ranked by 50Best.

Nov 30, 2025

When it comes to luxury hotels, few rankings carry the weight of 50Best’s annual list. These aren’t our personal picks, but 50Best’s selection – which we’re shining a light on to give you a closer look at the properties, the experiences on offer, and what makes these spots so special.

Honorable Mentions

These hotels didn’t make the Top 10 but here are a few of our favourite picks from the wider list that deserve your attention.

10. Upper House, Hong Kong

Kicking off the list is Upper House Hong Kong, the first hotel project from designer André Fu, and we’d argue it’s still one of his best. This hotel is famously filled with art, from its architecture to subtle design details in every corner.

Even arriving feels like a moment: you pass through Thomas Heatherwick’s sculptural “Stone Curtains” façade – dramatic, of course, but somehow not over the top. Add in some impressive Victoria Harbour views, and it’s easy to see why this hotel made the cut.

9. Four Seasons Firenze, Florence

Set within two Renaissance palaces and bordering one of Florence’s largest private gardens, Four Seasons Firenze seems to just ooze romance. From the frescoed ceilings and quiet courtyards, to its small Ionic temple and Duomo views, no stone has been left unturned.

Fancy some fresh air? You can head out for a truffle hunt, peek inside a Florentine cashmere factory, or check out world-famous porcelain workshops. Between the gardens, the workshops, and the views, you’ll never really run out of things to do.

8. Chablé Yucatán, Chocholá

We all know that wellness retreats are undeniably popular right now, but Chablé Yucatán takes the idea of self-care to the max. It’s located in the Yucatán jungle, which was once the heart of the Maya civilisation.

As such, the hotel pays homage to its roots through carefully curated Mayan treatment programmes, a sacred cenote, and ceremonial rituals guided by a Mayan elder. And with palm-lined pathways and crystal-clear water surrounding you at every turn, it’s the kind of place where you think you’ll “switch off a little”, and end up wondering how you ever operated at a normal speed.

7. Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok

Some hotels have a reputation, and then there’s the Mandarin Oriental, which has been drawing in everyone from Stanley Tucci to Michelle Yeoh for decades. Originally established with just 12 rooms, this hotel has gradually expanded over the years and now boasts an impressive 400 lodgings.

Despite this expansion, the hotel hasn’t lost an ounce of its charm, resulting in an experience that still feels personal and refined. And if you’re the kind of traveller who judges a hotel by its breakfast (same), we’ve heard the buffet here is particularly impressive.

6. Atlantis The Royal, Dubai

With 796 rooms, 16 restaurants, and around 90 swimming pools, Atlantis The Royal may sound pretty excessive, but that’s exactly why it works. Since opening in 2013, this hotel has been impossible to ignore, partly because it can be spotted from almost anywhere in Dubai, and partly because nothing about it feels ordinary.

The scale is unbelievable, yes, but the delivery remains polished, tapping into that signature Dubai excess without the chaos. It’s been named The Best Hotel in the Middle East this year, and, truthfully, we can’t say we’re shocked.

5. Raffles, Singapore

Opened in 1899, Raffles proves that “classic” doesn’t have to mean “dated”. Here, the lobby bar is the obvious first stop, and one Singapore Sling is enough to remind you why this place holds such a reputation.

The service is what stays with you, though, especially the butlers, who are the first to spot the small things. Leave a book open, and you’ll return to a new leather bookmark, placed neatly on your page. It’s thoughtful, carefully nostalgic, and a reminder of how good hotels can be when every detail is accounted for.

4. Passalacqua, Lake Como

Passalacqua on Lake Como feels less like a hotel and more like someone’s beautiful private home (just one that happens to be seriously well-staffed). With only 24 rooms, everything here is undeniably intimate.

The gym sits quietly in a tucked-away olive grove, while the spa can only be reached via a 300-year-old tunnel. It all feels very secretive and secure, which is exactly what you’d expect from Europe’s best hotel.

3. Capella, Bangkok

Ever wanted a personal guide while on holiday? Capella Bangkok turns that into a standard perk. This hotel is the calm counterpoint to the city’s constant noise, and with every room facing the river, it’s remarkably easy to forget you’re in one of Asia’s busiest capitals.

As an extra touch, the hotel pairs each guest with a guide who can arrange the kind of access we secretly hope for on every trip – like a private monk blessing in an otherwise closed temple. For anyone who likes their city breaks with a mix of culture and calm, this one is a no-brainer.

2. Four Seasons, Bangkok

That brings us to the third and final Bangkok inclusion on this list. Just down the river from Capella, the Four Seasons Bangkok adopts an entirely different style, one where it feels more resort than city hotel.

Cascading water features, courtesy of Jean-Michel Gathy, and riverfront views block out the hustle and bustle of the city and make the whole place feel even more self-contained. And if you’re after a dose of nightlife, BKK Social Club – widely considered the country’s best bar – is right on site, so the only journey you’ll need to make is from your room to the barstool.

1. Rosewood, Hong Kong

Finally, Rosewood Hong Kong takes the top spot for good reason. In a city where space is usually the first luxury to go, even the smallest room here starts at 53 square metres, which, for the less numerically-inclined, is unusually generous for the market. However, what really wins people over is the curation.

Damien Hirst pieces on the walls, vintage cognac in the bar, and a sense of scale that somehow never sways too far into “corporate grand”. We love how every detail feels considered rather than showy, so the luxury never feels forced.