The swankiest hotels on every continent are used to receiving accolades for their astounding hospitality, over-the-top amenities, and carefully curated aesthetic. These luxury accommodations go out of their way to make every guest feel as though they’ve stepped into their dream home away from home. To find the best of the best, we looked to the British media company William Reed’s prestigious “World’s 50 Best Hotels” report, which recently revealed its second annual installment. Here are the top five best hotels in the world for 2024.
5. The Upper House – Hong Kong
Coming in at No. 5 on the list of the world’s best hotels is this trendy accommodation in Hong Kong’s Admiralty District. With a curated collection of more than 400 art pieces — including abstract ceramics, sculptures, and metalwork — the five-star Upper House is creatively adorned within, juxtaposing its stark, brutalist-style, stone façade. Warm wood tones and cozy lighting enhance the ambiance in each of the 117 suites, while the on-site restaurant Salisterra offers refined Mediterranean-inspired cuisine. With all that to offer, the Upper House really is a temple of zen above the skyscrapers of bustling Hong Kong.
4. Cheval Blanc – Paris, France
It’s hard to beat a view of the Seine in Paris, and luckily for guests, almost all of Cheval Blanc’s 72 suites feature floor-to-ceiling windows that overlook the majestic river, with Notre-Dame Cathedral and the Eiffel Tower in the distance. The opulent rooms are draped in soft beige, cream, and taupe (an ode to the Cheval Blanc name), but throughout the property, you’ll also find art deco décor and bespoke Parisian touches. Guests can indulge in fresh-baked croissants straight out of the oven, luxury spa treatments, a dip in the curved infinity pool, or even a hot sauna session followed by an invigorating “snow shower” of ice crystals.
3. Rosewood Hong Kong – Hong Kong
Another Hong Kong hotel makes an appearance at No. 3 on this list. The Rosewood Hong Kong is perched 65 stories above Victoria Harbour in the Victoria Dockside arts and design district. With an infinity pool and loungers overlooking the skyline, the hotel is a streamlined oasis above the busy streets, with many suites offering private terraces and views of Kowloon Peak.
Ten on-site dining experiences are available, including a Michelin-starred Cantonese restaurant, the Legacy House, and the Michelin-starred Indian restaurant Chaat. Rosewood’s hallmark of experiences also allows guests to better interact with the culture and history of one of the globe’s most fascinating cities. Hotel ambassadors will create custom itineraries and provide a local lens into historic temples, modern architectural landmarks, and dynamic neighborhoods and street markets.
2. Passalacqua – Lake Como, Italy
One of the most romantic places in Italy, Lake Como is home to numerous elegant waterfront accommodations. But in the 2024 report of the world’s best hotels, Passalacqua, housed inside an 18th-century villa, reigns supreme. With just 24 suites, the award-winning hotel in Italy’s Lombardy region features original frescoes, palatial furnishings, manicured gardens, a pool lined with petal-like parasols, an underground spa in a vaulted stone chamber, and farm-to-table cuisine that can be enjoyed in the Italian countryside.
Sipping an Aperol spritz in the sun may just be the perfect way to enjoy all the property has to offer, but other activities include riding a Vespa through the area’s charming cobblestone alleyways, playing a game of bocce ball, taking Italian cooking lessons, going for boat rides on the iconic lake, and indulging in wine-and-cheese tastings, to name a few.
1. Capella Bangkok – Bangkok, Thailand
Earning the top spot as 2024’s most-promising property, Capella Bangkok caters to every guest’s individual experience. For instance, the five-star accommodation offers private meditation sessions in a 250-year-old temple for those seeking to find a spiritual connection, or walking tours of local attractions and a guided stop at the Michelin-starred Jay Fai to try some of Thailand’s famous street food.
With 101 modern suites and villas overlooking the iconic Chao Phraya river, the hotel is the perfect retreat to soak in a Jacuzzi after taking in the vibrant culture of the Thai capital. Other standout hotel features include a greenhouse to grow organic herbs and vegetables that are used in a variety of dishes and drinks at the hotel, including herbal teas at the property’s Tea Lounge, as well as a luxury spa specializing in Thai massages and facial treatments.
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