This post, the 30 best hotels in the wold is inspired by the recent hotel lists by the usual travel magazine suspects. They are written each year by numerous contributors and pieced together by editors who often haven’t been to them at all. So I thought I would write my own 30 best hotels in the world list based on hotels I’ve stayed in or toured thoroughly. In fact I’ve stayed overnight at 27 of the 30 I have listed here.
As with all my 30 best lists, the 30 best hotels in the world are solely listed based on my opinion. My opinion is based on all factors that go into great hotels. Most importantly my experience, appearance, comfort, style, luxury, location, restaurants, service, bars and the all important ‘it factor’.
My choices on the 30 best hotels in the world list include city hotels, resorts, spas and smaller properties. I did not limit the breadth of choices. You may read the list and think I’m insane for missing some hotels. Of course I am missing some. I haven’t stayed in every hotel in the world plus my taste may be different than yours.
One important note is that I limited my selections to one hotel per city. In truth, I could’ve included at least 5 hotels from London, Paris, New York and Bali to name a few. I included 3 hotels from South Africa and likely could’ve had 10!
So those are my only real parameters for this list…what do you think of the 30 best hotels in the world?
30 W Hotel in Scottsdale, USA
29 Le Meridian in Bora Bora, French Polynesia
28 Montage Deer Valley in Park City, USA
27 Birkenhead House in Hermanus, South Africa
26 Chateau Frontenac in Quebec City, Canada
25 Hotel Bristol in Vienna, Austria
24 The Ocean Club in Paradise Island, Bahamas
23 Four Seasons Resort Seychelles
22 The Crosby Street Hotel in New York, USA
21 One & Only La Pamilla in Los Cabos, Mexico
20 Ayana Resort and Spa in Bali, Indonesia
19 Lion Sands Game Reserve in Kruger Park, South Africa
18 QT Hotel in Sydney, Australia
17 Raffles Hotel in Istanbul, Turkey
16 Mount Falcon Estate in County Mayo, Ireland
15 Bellagio in Las Vegas, USA
14 Al Bustan Palace in Muscat, Oman
13 Villa Manzu in Papagayo, Costa Rica
12 The Peninsula in Shanghai, China
11 The Conservatorium in Amsterdam, Holland
10 La Mamounia in Marrakech, Morocco
9 Four Seasons Maui at Wailea in Maui, USA
8 Gili Lankanfushi in Maldives
7 The Singular Hotel in Patagonia, Chile
6 Hotel Ritz in Paris, France
5 Le Sirenuse in Positano, Italy
4 La Residence in Franschhoek, South Africa
3 The Siam in Bangkok, Thailand
2 The Savoy in London, England
1 Burj Al Arab in Dubai, UAE
Very interesting list that shows a glimpse into your taste. As a man who has traveled the world as you have I am surprised there are no hotels from the Indian Subcontinent on your list. I have found some of my favorite hotels are in India.
Funny you ask that wasn’t just having a chat with a friend about that as well. I stayed at some excellent Indian hotels in my multiple trips there but I was never blown away and likely that’s been because of the accompanying food poisoning I had each time. So for me that spoiled my hotel experience although the nice hotels in India are great!
Good list as always Lee but I differ in several choices. I know you said only one per city but I would have chosen The Plaza in New York, The Connaught in London and George V in Paris. I haven’t stayed in the Crosby Street but will try it on my next trip to the Big Apple. I’m also surprised there are no hotels from LA or San Francisco as there are so many good ones.
To each their own my man! If we were all the same it’d be boring! I’ve never loved a hotel in LA although I really like several although I often now stay at my friends house these days. San Francisco has some excellent hotels for sure, ny favorite being the Fairmont and the Huntington but didn’t make the top 30.
Is the Burj Al Arab really that good? I know they claim to be 7 star.
For me it’s really amazing. It’s everything you want in a hotel except for cheap! The service and amenities are impeccable. The restaurants, views and location are perfect.
how much does it cost to live in the burj al Arab? Is it more expensive than the Atlantis
Any Four Seasons is the best to me and my favorite one is Punta Mita.
They’re all good I agree! I haven’t been to that one but I have a few friends that rave about it.
I am so jealous of all the places you’ve been to and stayed in. My favorite hotel is The Plaza in NYC.
I’m a sucker for The Plaza too!
George V Paris
It was a toss up with the Ritz…the Da Vinci Code plus the Hemingway Bar was the tie breaker!
The Hyatt in Tokyo and the Peninsula in Hong Kong
I haven’t stayed in either but hear they’re both amazing and will be where I stay next time I’m in each city.
The Burj is amazing. Glad you have it at the top.
Agreed!
I’ll take the Wynn/Encore over the Bellagio any day. I love the fountains and Conservatory at the Bellagio but can’t stand the hordes of tourists that you have to fight through to get anywhere in that hotel.
I prefer Bellagio for the restaurants, the nightclub, the casino bars, Prive and the rooms
Holiday Inn Express near the airport.
Always a fine selection
I love the Ritz and Dorchester in London
I think both either just have or are in a renovation currently. I do a media event every few years at the Dorchester but haven’t actually stayed there.
Well… at least I’ve hung out at the pools at the Wailea and Bellagio.. This is your first 30 best list where I’m shutout, though the Ritz in Paris and Savoy in London are on my bucket list.
I’m sue you’ll get there soon!
Flame Towers of Baku (Azerbaijan) is/are spectacular.
I haven’t stayed but plan to revisit Baku soon!
Wow! you have an amazing list. I’m so jealous out here. Villa Manzu in Papagayo, Costa Rica will be my choice if I have a chance someday. Thanks for showing this Lee.
It’s pretty sick!