The Rosewood Hong Kong has officially secured the top spot on the World’s 50 Best Hotels list for the current year. This prestigious recognition was announced at an awards ceremony held in London, celebrating excellence in the global hospitality industry. The 65-story property, which opened its doors just six years ago, has quickly become a landmark on the Hong Kong skyline.
Key Takeaways
- Rosewood Hong Kong is the world's best hotel.
- Asia dominates the top hotels list.
- The list is decided by 800 industry experts.
The Rosewood Hong Kong, designed by Taiwanese designer Tony Chi, features 413 rooms. It surpassed last year’s winner, Capella Bangkok, to claim the number one position. This marks a significant achievement for the hotel, which had previously ranked in the top three twice.
A Triumph for Hong Kong Hospitality
Angus Pitkethley, complex director of sales and marketing for Rosewood Hong Kong, expressed his surprise and gratitude at the event. He credited the hotel’s success to its dedicated staff.
"We have an incredible team back at the hotel, who are not only passionate about hospitality, but really passionate about Hong Kong," Pitkethley stated.
Hotel Snapshot
- Location: Kowloon waterfront, Hong Kong
- Rooms: 413
- Opened: 2019
- Approximate Cost Per Night: $650
Emma Sleight, head of content for The World’s 50 Best Hotels, praised the Rosewood Hong Kong. She highlighted its world-class service and exceptional guest experiences. The hotel’s location in one of the world’s most dynamic cities further enhances its appeal.
Asia's Strong Presence
This year's list heavily features hotels from Asia. This trend reinforces the region's status as a premier luxury travel destination. The Four Seasons Bangkok at Chao Phraya River secured the second spot. Capella Bangkok followed closely in third place.
The World's 50 Best Hotels Academy
The rankings are determined by the World’s 50 Best Hotel Academy. This academy comprises 800 hotel industry experts. These experts include hoteliers and travel journalists from 13 different global destinations.
Passalacqua, an 18th-century villa located in Italy’s Lake Como, was the only non-Asian hotel in the top five. It ranked fourth and received the Best Boutique Hotel award. Raffles Singapore, known as the birthplace of the Singapore Sling, completed the top five.
Global Recognition Across Continents
The list showcases top properties from 22 destinations across six continents. Other notable Asian hotels on the list include Mandarin Oriental Bangkok (No.7), Upper House Hong Kong (No.10), and Bulgari Tokyo (No.15).
North America's highest-ranked hotel was Chablé Yucatán at No. 8. This former 19th-century hacienda in Mexico’s Mayan jungle is celebrated for its connection to nature and culture. Diego Gutiérrez, CEO of Chablé Hotels, emphasized this inspiration.
Regional Highlights
- Highest in North America: Chablé Yucatán (No. 8), Mexico
- Highest in Middle East: Atlantis The Royal (No. 6), Dubai
- Highest in Oceana: Capella Sydney (No. 12), Australia
- Highest in Africa: Royal Mansour (No. 13), Marrakech
New Entries and Notable Rankings
The Mark in New York made a new entry at No. 43. Hotel Bel-Air in Los Angeles ranked at No. 42. South America saw two hotels on the list: Copacabana Palace in Rio de Janeiro (No. 11) and Rosewood São Paulo (No. 24). Copacabana Palace also received the Lavazza Highest New Entry Award.
Dubai’s Atlantis The Royal achieved the highest ranking for the Middle East at No. 6. Capella Sydney secured the top spot for the Oceana region at No. 12. Royal Mansour in Marrakech was the highest-ranked hotel in Africa, placing at No. 13.
The comprehensive list reflects the global diversity and high standards of the luxury hospitality sector. It highlights hotels that offer exceptional service and memorable guest experiences worldwide.
The Full Top 50 List for 2025
- Rosewood Hong Kong
- Four Seasons Bangkok at Chao Phraya River (Thailand)
- Capella Bangkok (Thailand)
- Passalacqua (Italy)
- Raffles Singapore
- Atlantis The Royal (Dubai)
- Mandarin Oriental Bangkok (Thailand)
- Chablé Yucatán (Chocholá, Mexico)
- Four Seasons Firenze (Florence, Italy)
- Upper House Hong Kong
- Copacabana Palace (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil)
- Capella Sydney (Australia)
- Royal Mansour (Marrakech, Morocco)
- Mandarin Oriental Qianmen (Beijing, China)
- Bulgari Tokyo (Japan)
- Claridge’s (London)
- Four Seasons Astir Palace (Athens, Greece)
- Desa Potato Head (Seminyak, Bali)
- Le Bristol (France)
- Jumeirah Marsa Al Arab (Dubai)
- Cheval Blanc Paris (France)
- Bulgari Roma (Italy)
- Hôtel de Crillon (France)
- Rosewood São Paulo (Brazil)
- Aman Tokyo (Japan)
- Hotel Il Pellicano (Porto Ercole, Italy)
- Hôtel du Couvent (Nice, France)
- Soneva Fushi (Maldives)
- The Connaught (London)
- La Mamounia (Marrakech, Morocco)
- Raffles London at The OWO
- The Emory (London)
- Maroma (Riviera Maya, Mexico)
- The Calile (Brisbane, Australia)
- The Lana (Dubai)
- Hôtel de Paris Monte-Carlo (Monaco, France)
- Janu Tokyo (Japan)
- The Taj Mahal Palace (Mumbai, India)
- One&Only Mandarina (Riviera Nayarit, Mexico)
- Singita (Kruger National Park, South Africa)
- Mandarin Oriental Hong Kong
- Hotel Bel-Air (Los Angeles)
- The Mark (New York)
- Las Ventanas al Paraíso (Los Cabos, Mexico)
- The Tokyo Edition Toranomon (Japan)
- Hotel The Mitsui (Kyoto, Japan)
- Estelle Manor (Witney, United Kingdom)
- Grand Park Hotel Rovinj (Croatia)
- Hotel Sacher Vienna (Austria)
- Mandapa (Bali)
