Rosewood Hong Kong crowned world’s best hotel, again, and Sydney’s Capella gets a mention too

If you love ticking dream hotels off your bucket list, this week’s news out of Paris is worth your attention. The 50 Best Hotels 2026, the fourth edition of this closely watched global ranking, has just been unveiled, and Rosewood Hong Kong has done it again, taking out the No.1 spot for the second year running.

Rosewood Hong Kong first grabbed our attention as No.3 in 2024 before rocketing to the top in 2025, and it has now held on to the crown. Rising 65 storeys above Victoria Harbour, the hotel was designed by acclaimed Taiwanese designer Tony Chi, with 413 rooms and suites, eleven restaurants and bars, and a wellness sanctuary called Asaya that includes an infinity pool overlooking the harbour and two private spa lodges for guests wanting to properly switch off.

For the first time since the awards began, the ceremony left London behind, with hospitality’s biggest names gathering instead at Les Salles du Carrousel in Paris.

Bangkok had a big night too. Capella Bangkok climbed back to No.2, while Four Seasons Bangkok at Chao Phraya River claimed No.3, giving Thailand’s capital serious bragging rights as a global hotel hub.

Europe dominated the list overall, with 21 of the 50 hotels, ahead of Asia’s 18. The top European entry was Passalacqua on Lake Como, which also picked up the Best Boutique Hotel Award for the third year running. Paris itself put in a strong showing, led by Hôtel de Crillon, which jumped nine places.

Closer to home, Australians can be proud that Capella Sydney flew the flag as our only entry, taking out No.16 and the title of Best Hotel in Oceania.

There were some lovely feel-good stories among the special awards too. Chablé Yucatán in Mexico won the Eco Hotel Award for running largely on solar power and protecting endangered bees, while South African hotelier James McBride was honoured for turning a remote surf camp on Sumba Island into the now-famous Nihi Sumba retreat.

Ten new hotels joined the list this year, from Türkiye to Japan to the United States, a reminder that the travel world keeps expanding in interesting directions.

Wherever you’re planning your next trip, this list is as good a place as any to start dreaming.

The 50 Best Hotels 2026:

Maureen Jordan

Maureen Jordan holds a Bachelor of Arts (Economics) and a Law Degree (Honours) and has carved a niche in the media to balance her world of work and family. Her company, the Switzer Group, owns divisions in media and publishing and financial services. During her 25 year involvement in media and publishing, Maureen has held Editor in Chief roles for esteemed publications such as Charter Magazine for the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Australia and has authored several books including Women Entrepreneurs, which she wrote for the Federal Office of Women, Small Business Start Up Guide published by Allen & Unwin and Finding And Managing Your Mortgage, Wiley Publishing. As group publisher of Switzer Media & Publishing, Maureen has initiated and managed the publication of specialty books, magazines and content for some of the country's leading organisations. Clients include Optus, the Mortgage & Finance Industry Association, IBM, Hewlett Packard, the Commonwealth Bank, Telstra, AMP, IP Australia, Yahoo 7, the University of NSW and law firm Griffith Hack. Switzer Media & Publishing holds the Australian & New Zealand licence for Harper’s Bazaar and Maureen is the Publisher of both the monthly magazine and the Harper’s Bazaar website. Such is Maureen's commitment to business that in 1996 she was inducted into the Australian Business Women's Hall of Fame in Melbourne, as well as being a finalist in the Sydney Business Review's Business Women of the Year 2003. Early in her career, Maureen taught in both the secondary school system - public and private - as well as teaching at the University of New South Wales. Maureen's knowledge of small business and the economy, combined with her legal skills as a solicitor, has enabled her to not only put a firm footing under her own long-established business, but has also given her the credibility to assist others.

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