Passalacqua in Lake Como, Italy has been named the Worldโs Best Hotel 2023 by the same authoritative body behind The Worldโs 50 Best Restaurants and The Worldโs 50 Best Bars.
The 24-room boutique hotel, located in the famously expensive commune of Moltrasio, has only been open for around two years but has already laid claim to such an ambitious accolade. That puts it ahead of storied properties like Londonโs The Connaught (#22) and The Savoy (#47), Le Bistrol in Paris (#29) and Four Seasons Firenze in Florence (#9).
Almost half of the 50 hotels are based in Europe, while 18 are in Asia and the rest are in the Americas. Only one is located in Australia: Brisbaneโs The Calile, putting up an impressive performance at #12.
Yet it seems Asia is home to the best hotels in the world, on average. Four of the top five properties are all based in Asia, with runner-up Rosewood Hong Kong leading the charge, ahead of Bangkokโs Four Seasons at #3, Hong Kongโs The Upper House at #4, and Aman Tokyo at #5.
Impressively, Dubaiโs Atlantis the Royal managed to crack the top 50 despite only opening earlier this year. That is, the hotel that hosted the most extravagant ribbon-cutting of all time with a private concert from Beyonce, a Tequila launch from Kendall Jenner, and a hell of a lot of fireworks. We were one of the few Australian publications at the grand opening which you can read about in our recap article.
Interestingly, none of New Yorkโs grand dame hotels like The Plaza or The Pierre made the inaugural Worldโs 50 Best Hotels list. Although Aman New York clocked in at #25, becoming the highest-rated North American hotel on the list.
Worldโs 50 Best Hotels For 2023
- Passalacqua, Moltrasio
- Rosewood, Hong Kong (Reviewed)
- Four Seasons Bangkok at Chao Phraya River
- The Upper House, Hong Kong
- Aman, Tokyo
- La Mamounia Marrakech
- Soneva Fushi Maldives
- One&Only Mandarina Puerto Vallarta
- Four Seasons Firenze Florence
- Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok
- Capella, Bangkok
- The Calile, Brisbane
- Chablรฉ Yucatรกn,Chocholรก
- Aman, Venice
- Singita Lodges, Kruger National Park
- Claridgeโs, London
- Raffles, Singapore
- Nihi Sumba, Wanokaka (Reviewed)
- Hotel Esencia, Tulum
- Le Sirenuse, Positano
- Borgo Egnazia,Savelletri
- The Connaught, London
- Royal Mansour, Marrakech
- Four Seasons, Madrid
- Aman, New York
- The Maybourne Riviera,Roquebrune-Cap-Martin
- Rosewood, Sรฃo Paulo
- Capella, Singapore
- Le Bristol, Paris
- Park Hyatt, Kyoto
- La Rรฉserve, Paris
- Gleneagles, St Andrews, Scotland
- Hotel Du Cap-Eden-Roc, Antibes
- Cheval Blanc, Paris
- Four Seasons Astir Palace, Athens
- Soneva Jani, Maldives
- The Newt, Bruton
- Amangalla, Galle
- Hoshinoya, Tokyo
- Desa Potato Head, Seminyak
- Eden Rock, St. Barths
- The Siam, Bangkok
- Badruttโs Palace, St. Moritz
- Atlantis The Royal, Dubai
- The Oberoi Amarvilas, Agra
- NoMad, London
- The Savoy, London
- Equinox, New York
- Six Senses Ibiza, Portinatx
- Hรดtel de Crillon, Paris