Asia leads the way as World’s 50 Best Hotels 2026 extended list is revealed

Asian properties account for 20 of the 50 hotels named in the 51-100 section of The World’s 50 Best Hotels 2026, which was published on 1^st September, two weeks ahead of the main ranking’s unveiling at an awards ceremony in Paris on Tuesday 15^th September. The extended list, compiled from the votes of more than 800 anonymous members of The World’s 50 Best Hotels Academy, spans 23 territories and 40 cities, with Europe the second-most-represented continent on 16 hotels.

La Réserve Paris re-enters the ranking at No. 51, the highest position on the extended list. Janu Tokyo is the highest-placed Asian property at No. 52, ahead of Park Hyatt Tokyo at No. 53, Palacio Nazarenas in Cusco at No. 54 and Soneva Fushi in the Maldives at No. 55. Rosewood London is a new entry at No. 56, followed by Hotel Bel-Air in Los Angeles at No. 57 and Il San Pietro di Positano at No. 58, the highest-ranked of the ten independent hotels featured.

Japan contributes seven properties, more than any other country in Asia. Alongside Janu Tokyo and Park Hyatt Tokyo, the capital is represented by The Okura at No. 69, Palace Hotel Tokyo at No. 73 and Hoshinoya Tokyo at No. 85. Hotel The Mitsui in Kyoto is placed at No. 79 and Waldorf Astoria Osaka enters at No. 89. Hong Kong has two entries, Mandarin Oriental Hong Kong at No. 59 and Four Seasons Hong Kong at No. 86, while Mainland China is represented by Mandarin Oriental Shenzhen at No. 90 and The Peninsula Shanghai at No. 99. India’s two entries are The Johri in Jaipur, an independent property, at No. 94 and The Oberoi Udaivilas in Udaipur, a first-time entrant, at No. 98. Other Asian entries include Mandapa in Bali at No. 61, Rosewood Bangkok at No. 70, Amangalla in Galle at No. 71, Capella Hanoi at No. 81, Wynn Palace in Macau at No. 96 and Capella Singapore, which re-enters at No. 97.

Italy leads Europe with nine hotels. Its highest new entry is Il San Pietro di Positano, followed by Castiglion del Bosco in Montalcino at No. 62, Orient Express La Minerva in Rome at No. 66, Forestis Dolomites in Brixen at No. 68 and Villa Treville in Positano at No. 91, all appearing for the first time. Splendido in Portofino is at No. 60, Borgo Santandrea in Amalfi at No. 84, Borgo Egnazia in Savelletri at No. 88 and Reschio in Lisciano Niccone at No. 95. France has four entries, including new entries Ritz Paris at No. 72 and Carlton Cannes at No. 80, plus The Maybourne Riviera, which re-enters at No. 93. The United Kingdom has two hotels: Rosewood London and Gleneagles in Auchterarder at No. 100. Turkey’s independently owned Maçakızı in Bodrum is at No. 76.

North America accounts for nine hotels, five of them in the United States. Hotel Bel-Air is the region’s highest entry, with The Beverly Hills Hotel at No. 65. New York City has three properties: The Fifth Avenue Hotel at No. 78, which has also won this year’s American Express Travel One To Watch Award, Aman New York at No. 87 and The Greenwich Hotel at No. 92. Mexico has three entries – Hotel Esencia in Tulum, re-entering at No. 64, Montage Los Cabos at No. 67 and Four Seasons Tamarindo at No. 74 – while Sofitel Legend Casco Viejo in Panama City is a first-time entrant at No. 63.

South America has two entries, Palacio Nazarenas and Hotel das Cataratas at Iguassu Falls at No. 77. Oceania is represented by Huka Lodge in Taupō at No. 82 and The Calile in Brisbane at No. 83, and Africa by La Mamounia in Marrakech at No. 75.

Faye Huggett, Director of Community for The World’s 50 Best Hotels, said: “The 51–100 list recognises 50 more exceptional hotels that represent the very best of global hospitality. This extended list broadens the spotlight to a remarkable community of properties and the passionate people who bring them to life – each one defining what great hospitality means today. Every hotel here has earned its place through the expert Academy’s votes and it is hoped their achievements will go on to inspire future travels.”

The Academy is divided across 13 geographical regions, each overseen by a chair who selects a voting panel of hoteliers, travel journalists, hotel educators, business travellers and consumer travel enthusiasts. At least 25% of each panel is replaced annually and all voters other than the chairs remain anonymous. Members cast seven votes in order of preference for hotels stayed in during a three-year voting period, and the process is independently adjudicated by Deloitte. The World’s 50 Best Hotels was launched in 2023, with the extended 51-100 list introduced in 2025.

Food Desk

The full World’s 50 Best Hotels 2026 ranking will be unveiled at an awards ceremony in Paris on Tuesday 15 September.