Capella Bangkok, which opened in 2020 along Thailand’s Chao Phraya River, has been named The World’s Best Hotel 2024. Known for its exquisite suites and unique local excursions, all underpinned by warm Thai hospitality, the 101-key Capella Bangkok rose 10 places from last year’s rankings to clinch the title in a live ceremony held on 17 September in London’s Guildhall. Last year’s World’s Best Hotel Passalacqua, located in Italy’s Lake Como district, was first runner-up, followed by Rosewood Hong Kong (No.
3), Cheval Blanc Paris (No.4) and Hong Kong’s The Upper House (No. 5).
This is the second edition of the hotel rankings and the latest category in the 50 Best lists started by UK data and events company William Reed in 2002, the year it launched The Best Restaurants list. In his opening remarks at the ceremony, Tim Brooke-Webb, managing director of 50 Best shared: “This evening is not just about rankings. It’s also about recognising the story behind each property — stories of vision, hard work and unwavering commitment to excellence from the heart of bustling cities to the serenity of secluded retreats.
” This year’s list features hotels from 37 destinations across six continents. It is created from a 600-strong anonymous voting panel called The Academy, which comprises seasoned luxury travellers, travel journalists and hoteliers, with a 50/50 gender balance. The panel is split into nine regions across the world, each led by an Academy Chair.
At the point of voting, members list the seven best hotels they have stayed in during the last 18 months in order of preference. No hotel can apply to be on the list and voters cannot vote for more than three properties from within the same hotel group. Asia had the highest number of winners (19) followed by Europe (13), North America (9), Africa (4), Oceania (4) and South America (1).
There were 15 new entries across 12 territories, including Oman, French Polynesia and Fiji. Japan scored with the likes of Aman Tokyo (No. 7) and Park Hyatt Kyoto (No.
27) while Sri Lanka and Indonesia were represented by Amangalla (No. 39) in Galle and Bali’s Desa Potato Head (No. 21).
Besides Capella, Bangkok had three other properties listed: Mandarin Oriental Bangkok (No. 12), Four Seasons Bangkok at Chao Phraya River (No.14) and The Siam (No, 26).
The best hotels in the respective continents includes Mexico’s Chable Yucatan (No. 16) in North America, Brazil’s Rosewood Sao Paulo (No.24) in South America, Brisbane’s The Calile (No.
25) in Oceania and Mount Nelson (No.28) in Capetown, South Africa. Eight special awards were also given out.
Marrakech’s Royal Mansour (No.38) an opulent 53-riad medina concept owned by Morocco’s King Mohammed VI, won the No. 3 Gin Art of Hospitality Award for its outstanding service and attention to detail.
The Peninsula Istanbul, part of a riverfront revitalisation project in Turkey’s Bosphorus Strait, was named the American Express Travel One to Watch, given to a property deemed to have the potential to break into the 50 Best Hotels list in the future. The Nikka Best New Hotel award went to Bvlgari Tokyo (No. 22) for being the highest ranked hotel on the list that opened during the 18-month voting period.
Mexico’s Maroma (No.18) clinched The Flor de Cana Eco Hotel Award for its sustainability initiatives, which ranged from protecting the endangered Melipona bee critical to the Yucatan Peninsula to an on-site nursery with 2,000 endemic plants. For the second year running, Maldives’ Soneva Fushi (No.
8) won The Lost Explorer Best Beach Hotel award. Passalacqua received the Carlo Alberto Best Boutique Hotel Award, given to the highest ranked boutique hotel that has under 50 rooms, is not part of a large chain or group and showcases outstanding personalised service and features unique to its destination. Rosewood Hotel Group’s chief executive officer Sonia Cheng was voted by the Academy to receive the SevenRooms Icon Award, in recognition of her achievements in the hotel sector for the past 16 years.
The group has had significant global expansion and launched Rosewood Impacts, a corporate social initiative to develop local talent for the industry and empower local communities. Three new award categories were also announced this year. Aman won the Ferrari Trento Most Admired Hotel Group Award, given to a brand that has meaningfully impacted the hospitality sector in terms of culture, community and environment.
Dubai’s Atlantis The Royal picks up the Highest Climber Award for skyrocketing from No. 44 to No. 9.
The Raffles London at the OWO (No.13) took home the Lavazza Highest New Entry Award. Below is the 2024 list of the World’s 50 Best Hotels: *new entry.
