Thailand was Asia’s biggest winner when the list of The World’s 50 Best Hotels 2024 was announced at a glittering ceremony at the historic Guildhall in London last week.
Bangkok solidified its reputation as a global travel hub, boasting four hotels on the list: Capella Bangkok (No.1), Mandarin Oriental Bangkok (No.12), Four Seasons Bangkok at Chao Phraya River (No.14) and The Siam (No.26).
Capella Bangkok, overlooking Bangkok’s Chao Phraya River, took the top spot on the list, climbing 10 places from No.11 in the 2023 list, to also clinch The Best Hotel in Asia 2024 title.
Opened in 2020, the contemporary Capella Bangkok is surrounded by lush gardens and exudes the elegance of a grand dame property combined with the intimacy of a boutique hotel. The dramatic, layered architecture ensures all 101 rooms face the water, while riverside villas and suites also include a private pool. The renowned Auriga spa is an enclave of relaxation, while ‘Capella Culturalists’—personal butlers with a direct line to the city’s finest and most diverse activities—are on hand to help guests get under the skin of the destination.
Emma Sleight, Head of Content for The World’s 50 Best Hotels, comments: “It gives us enormous pleasure to share the list of The World’s 50 Best Hotels 2024 and to celebrate Capella Bangkok’s ranking as No.1,” said Emma Sleight, Head of Content for The World’s 50 Best Hotels. “This extraordinary hotel is a rare oasis in the middle of Thailand’s bustling capital, offering world-class service while retaining the intimacy and personality of a boutique hotel –making it a worthy winner of the top prize. This year’s dynamic list underscores the appetite for a range of experiences, from busy city breaks to far-flung escapes. It honors the dedication and passion of the staff who make these exceptional experiences possible while highlighting the remarkable breadth of talent in the industry worldwide. We look forward to the continued evolution of The World’s 50 Best Hotels in 2024 and beyond.”
The No.2 spot went to Passalacqua, set in an 18th-century villa amongst spectacular terraced gardens on the shores of Italy’s Lake Como. The hotel was additionally awarded the Carlo Alberto Best Boutique Hotel Award 2024. This award is given to the hotel that places the highest on the list and fits all the criteria of a boutique property. 50 Best defines a boutique hotel as having fewer than 50 rooms and not being part of a large chain or group, showcasing personalized service and idiosyncratic features unique to its destination.
The towering Rosewood Hong Kong in the city’s Victoria Dockside arts and design district took the No.3 spot. Asia led the way in The World’s 50 Best Hotels 2024 with 19 ranked hotels in total. The Upper House in Hong Kong achieved No.5 on the list and was trailed by Raffles Singapore at No.6.
Asia led the way in The World’s 50 Best Hotels 2024 with 19 ranked hotels in total. Japan had three hotels featured including Aman Tokyo (No.7), Bulgari Tokyo (No.22) – which also won the Nikka Best New Hotel 2024 – and Park Hyatt Kyoto (No.27). The Nikka Best New Hotel Award goes to the highest-ranked hotel on the list that opened within the 18-month voting period.
Atlantis The Royal in Dubai picked up the Highest Climber Award, moving 35 positions from No.44 to No.9.
Aman won the Ferrari Trento Most Admired Hotel Group. Independently voted for as a special award as part of the overall voting process, this accolade honors an exceptional hotel group which has implemented extraordinary measures, innovations or improvements over the past 18 months that have demonstrably and meaningfully impacted the hospitality sector. Aman is recognized for
ensuring that its global locations work to integrate into local cultures and heritage. The group’s holistic sustainability practices are also highlighted, such as a circular approach to reducing waste employed at many of its properties.
Placed highest on the list and within 20 metres of a beach, Soneva Fushi (No.8) in the Maldives was named winner of the Lost Explorer Best Beach Hotel Award for the second year in a row.