The World’s 50 Best Hotels Expands Its Universe
More Destinations, More Voices, More Independence
By NOS.3 Editorial Team
When The World’s 50 Best Hotels launched in 2023, it promised to celebrate excellence in hospitality with the same depth and global reach that turned its restaurant and bar counterparts into industry benchmarks. Two years later, it’s expanding the map.
Ahead of this year’s ceremony in London on October 30, the organization has unveiled its first-ever extended list, ranking hotels from 51 to 100, offering a broader look at the properties shaping how we travel now. The new list highlights 13 independent hotels, spans 24 territories and 40 cities, and captures a world where luxury is increasingly defined by character, culture, and connection.
New York’s Quiet Dominance
In North America, New York City leads the charge with four properties — Aman New York (No.61), The Carlyle (No.64), The Fifth Avenue Hotel (No.75), and The Greenwich (No.77). Together they mirror the city’s many personalities: sleek minimalism, old-world charm, avant-garde design, and a sense of belonging that transcends time zones.
Europe Still Rules, but Asia Rises
Europe claims 17 spots, with Italy emerging as the most represented country (nine hotels). Borgo Santandrea on the Amalfi Coast (No. 53), Casa Maria Luigia in Modena (No. 82), and Portrait Milano (No. 99) showcase Italy’s mastery of transforming heritage into emotion.
Asia, meanwhile, proves unstoppable with 16 hotels across the continent. Bangkok alone places four properties on the list, led by Aman Nai Lert (No. 51), while Kyoto, Hong Kong, and the Maldives offer an elegant blend of serenity and design precision.
The Power of Independence
From Nihi Sumba in Indonesia (No.56) to Huka Lodge in New Zealand (No.88), the 13 independent hotels in the extended ranking remind us that true luxury often lives outside the system. These properties thrive on narrative and reflect how travelers now seek meaning, not just comfort.
The Heavyweights Still Reign
Acommodations at the Aman New York (No. 61)
Despite the rise of independents, the big players remain formidable. According to the extended ranking: Aman (5), Four Seasons (5), Rosewood Hotels & Resorts (3) and Belmond (2), but also Hyatt (Park Hyatt) (1), Dorchester Collection (1) InterContinental Hotels Group (1), Oetker Collection, Mandarin Oriental (1), and several Independent hotels (13).
South America Shines Subtly
Latin America is represented by two icons: Hotel das Cataratas in Brazil and Palacio Nazarenas in Cusco, both part of the Belmond family. Each one captures its continent’s duality: wild nature and urban sophistication, heritage and reinvention.
A Broader Definition of Luxury
Pool at The Greenwich Hotel NYC (No. 77)
In a landscape where boundaries blur between resort and retreat, legacy and independence, The World’s 50 Best Hotels has found a way to tell a bigger story.
This year’s 51–100 list is not just a prelude to the top 50 — it’s a statement of intent. Luxury today is more layered, more local, and more human.
As Emma Sleight, Head of Content for The World’s 50 Best Hotels, put it: “The dedication and passion of the hotel industry means it is constantly growing and improving… From this year and beyond, we will be able to showcase an even larger pool of hotels and territories, and celebrate the exceptional teams who bring them to life.”
The full ranking will be revealed live on October 30 at Old Billingsgate, London, streamed via YouTube. Until then, this extended list is already rewriting the geography of desire.