The Capella Bangkok last year, the Rosewood Hong Kong in first place this year: the Asian hotel industry has the honours in the 50 Best Hotels of the World. Presented in London on 30 October, the third edition of this ranking recognising the best hotels in the world gives pride of place to Asia with 20 establishments, compared with 17 in Europe, 6 in North America, 3 in Africa and 2 in Oceania and South America.
" Rosewood Hong Kong's No. 1 ranking further consolidates Asia as a leading luxury travel destination for business and leisure travellers "said Emma Sleight, Director of Content for the 50 Best Hotels. Two other fine hotels on the continent complete the podium, with the Four Seasons Bangkok at Chao Phraya River in second place and the Capella Bangkok, which has slipped back to third.
Hong Kong, Bangkok, Tokyo: these major cities alone account for a fifth of the 50 Best Hotels, alongside other Asian hotel celebrities such as the Raffles in Singapore and the Taj Mahal Palace in Mumbai. This venerable hotel, opened in 1903, is nevertheless one of the 20 entries in the ranking. Proof that the rankings are not set in stone, with newcomers such as the Mandarin Oriental Qianmen in Beijing and the Jumeirah Marsa Al Arab in Dubai rubbing shoulders with such glories of world hospitality as the Copacabana Palace in Rio, the Hôtel de Paris in Monaco and the Hotel Sacher in Vienna.
Among the newcomers to the 50 Best Hotels ranking is a new establishment in France, in Nice, with the Hôtel du Couvent, which immediately took 27th place.e place. This member of Marriott's Luxury Collection is one of four French hotels to be honoured, along with three Parisian establishments, Le Bristol, which has climbed 21 places to 19.e In position this year are the Cheval Blanc Paris and the Hôtel de Crillon, both part of the Rosewood group, like the one in Hong Kong. " To once again be recognised as one of the world's most iconic hotels is a huge honour. This recognition is a testament to the dedication, creativity and passion of every member of our team. "commented Vincent Billiard, Regional VP of Rosewood Hotels and General Manager of the hotel.
More than Paris, London has four hotels in the ranking: three hotels from the Maybourne group, Claridge's, The Connaught and the latest addition, The Emory, as well as the Raffles London at The OWO, one of the jewels in Accor's portfolio. New York hotels, on the other hand, have a single representative, The Mark Hotel. " It is an extraordinary honor to represent New York and the United States as the only hotel in New York, and one of only two in the country (editor's note: the other being the Hotel Bel Air in Los Angeles), named among the Best Hotels. says Elon Kenchington, Managing Director of The Mark Hotel. It's a reflection of our team's commitment to creating an exceptional New York experience for our guests, and it honours not only the people who bring the hotel to life every day, but also the artists, designers and guests who inspire us. "
As for Africa and Oceania, these two continents are also represented with two Moroccan hotels, the Royal Mansour and La Mamounia, both in Marrakech, in addition to the Singita reserve in South Africa's Kruger Park, while down under, the Capella Sydney and The Calile, in Brisbane, stand out.
