On the left, the Six Senses in Oman (46th) and on the right the Passalacqua in Como (2nd). Image: instagram
This week, we discovered the list of the 50 best hotels in the world. To be part of this “happy few”, here are the criteria.
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The 50 Best is known for its ranking of the world’s best restaurants, but also the best bars. It is now a brand that establishments are eager to promote on their social networks. This Wednesday, September 18, the prestigious ranking unveiled its list of the best hotels for its second year of existence.
The Capella in Bangkok is the big winner of 2024. At first glance, it looks like any other luxury hotel. It even has the air of a business hotel, and yet it is ahead of 49 other establishments, including the sumptuous Passalacqua in Como or the Bulgari in Tokyo. What justifies its first place? What are the selection criteria for the 50 Best?
Rooms at Capella in Bangkok start at 600 francs a night.Image: instagram
These are 600 experts spread across nine regions of the world who test hotels. They are in the hotel sector (30%), specialist journalists (50%) or even seasoned luxury travelers (20%). Like the mysterious Michelin inspectors, we do not know their identity. They must not reveal their status under any circumstances, whether in the hotels they visit or on social networks. No less than 25% of these experts are renewed each year. On the other hand, if they stayed in an establishment for free thanks, for example, to a press trip, it will still be validated.
Then, they each have seven votes. When voting, they are simply asked to list the seven best hotels they have stayed in over the past 18 months, in order of preference. The experts must not vote for more than three establishments from the same hotel group and must not have economic or personal interests in any of them.
Beyond that, there are no criteria. Which means that any hotel in the world can have its moment of glory, whether it has a spa or not, whether it is 5 stars or 1 star. Voters are free to propose any establishment they deem worthy of interest, whether it is a palace in Florence or a boutique hotel in the depths of Rajasthan. All establishments have their chance, even if, let’s not be naive, we often find names like the Six Senses, the Four Seasons or the Bulgari in this list. Nevertheless, this method allows us to dust off the world of high-end hotels.
In 2024, Asia will sweep the board
This year, hotels in Asia are the big winners with 12 properties. In Bangkok alone, four hotels were selected, including the Capella, which topped the list. This four-year-old hotel is located on the Chao Phraya River. It won over guests for its serenity in the middle of a bustling city and its “semi-psychic service that anticipates your every need,” writes 50 Best. In addition to classic rooms, the hotel has riverside villas, all with private gardens and swimming pools, the hotel’s biggest selling point.
Raffles in Singapore looks like it’s made of icing sugar.Image: instagram
In second place is the Passalacqua in Como, first in the ranking in 2023, as well as the Raffles in Singapore. As for the prices of the rooms, they vary from expensive to very expensive. A night at the Capella will cost you around 600 francs while a night at the Passalacqua will cost you 400 francs more.
A room at Passalacqua costs at least 1000 francs. Image: instagram
This is also one of the reasons for Asia’s success: the price-quality ratio is often better than in Europe and the service is at the same level of excellence as that of the Middle Eastern countries.
A question will probably arise next year: can a hotel be on the top step of the podium several times? It’s hard to say since the ranking has only been around for two years. The official website doesn’t say, but if it follows the same logic as the 50 Best restaurants, no. In 2019, the organization changed its rules to avoid having the same people (Noma, Bottura, Roca, etc.) always squatting in first place. Making them regress would have meant that their tables were less good, so in 2019, the 50 Best classified these restaurants out of category to give the others a chance.
The full list below:
1. Capella Bangkok, Bangkok, Thaïlande
2. Passalacqua, Lake Como, Italy
3. Rosewood Hong Kong, Hong Kong
4. White Horse, Paris, France
5. The Upper House, Hong Kong
6. Raffles Singapore, Singapore
7. Aman Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
8. Soneva Fushi, Maldives
9. Atlantis The Royal, Dubaï, UAE
10. Nihi Sumba, Sumba Iceland, Indonesia
11. Claridge’s, Londres, UK
12. Mandarin Oriental Bangkok, Thaïlande
13. Raffles Londres at The OWO, Londres, UK
14. Four Seasons Bangkok at Chao Phraya River, Bangkok, Thaïlande
15. Crillon Hotel, Paris, France
16. Chablé Yucatan, Chocholá, Mexico
17. Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc, Antibes, France
18. Maroma, Riviera Maya, Mexico
19. Four Seasons Firenze, Florence, Italy
20. Borgo Santandrea, Amalfi, Italy
21. Potato Head Village, Bali, Indonesia
22. Bulgari Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
23. The Lana, Dubai, UAE
24. Rosewood Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
25. The Calile, Brisbane, Australie
26. The Siam, Bangkok, Thaïlande
27. Park Hyatt Kyoto, Kyoto, Japan
28. Mount Nelson, Cape Town, South Africa
29. One&Only Mandarina, Riviera Nayarit, Mexico
30. The Carlyle, New York, USA
31. La Mamounia, Marrakech, Maroc
32. Four Seasons Madrid, Madrid, Spain
33. Capella Singapore, Singapore
34. Four Seasons at The Surf Club, Surfside, Etats-Unis
35. Hotel Bel-Air, Los Angeles, United States
36. Eden Rock, St. Barths, Caraïbes
37. Aman New York, New York, Etats-Unis
38. Royal Mansour, Marrakech, Morocco
39. Amangalla, Galle, Sri Lanka
40. The Bristol, Paris, France
41. Gleneagles, Auchterarder, Ecosse
42. Reschio Castle, Lisciano Niccone, Italy
43. Sujan Jawai, Rajasthan, India
44. Singita – Kruger National Park, Kruger National Park, Afrique du Sud
45. Six Senses Zighy Bay, Zighy, Oman
46. The Connaught, Londres, UK
47. The Brando, Tetiaroa, French Polynesia
48. Hotel Esencia, Tulum, Mexico
49. The Tasman, Hobart, Australie
50. Kokomo Private Island, Yaukuve Levu Island, Fiji
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