The Telegraph Hotel Awards: The 50 best hotels in the world

The Telegraph’s collection of more than 10,000 hotel reviews is a unique resource that spans the globe, with contributions from hundreds of destination expert writers. But which of these hotels can be described as the very, very best? The inaugural Telegraph Hotel Awards aims to answer that question. It’s your guide to the planet’s most amazing places to stay, from boutique boltholes you’ll be recommending for years to the five-star palaces that genuinely justify their price tags. Individual awards have also been given for the best new hotel, best budget hotel, best spa hotel, best for sustainability, best for accessibility and best for families.
Some 24 of our hotel reviewers made up five judging panels; Europe, Asia, Americas and Caribbean, Africa and Oceania. Using their own expertise, our reviews and an analytical formula, they were able to rate and thus rank the hotels in question. You can read more about our methodology here and also meet the judges here. Our head judges have been below the line responding to reader comments and questions – join the conversation here.
Best in Asia
“There it was: that palpable buzz mixed with an air of unbridled romance and anything-could-happen adventure”
Lee Cobaj
Head Asia judge
The grande dame of Bangkok, perfectly positioned on the banks of the Chao Phraya river, has welcomed Thai royalty, literary legends and Hollywood actors for almost 150 years – but everyone gets the star treatment here. Guests are met by a gigantic chandelier adorned with flowers delivered from a local market and carefully sewn into place. This hotel is loved for its grandeur, exceptional restaurants (from dim sum to Michelin-starred French cuisine) and superb staff, many of whom have worked here for decades.
Extensive facilities (two pools, a spa, tropical gardens) are spread across both sides of the river – an ornately carved wooden pontoon will deliver you where you need to be. Rooms are resplendent with teak floorboards and Thai artworks. Breakfast on the terrace is one of the world’s finest hotel experiences, where you can watch rice barges drift by while tucking into Thai noodles or truffle scrambled eggs.

Doubles from £452, room only.
Best in Europe
“Ireland has a few world-class hotels, but Ballyfin is an exception, mixing Irish warmth and old-school service with every comfort you could wish for”
Fiona Duncan
Head Europe judge
From the moment you arrive at Ballyfin it’s clear you’re in a truly special place. This lavishly restored Regency house blends priceless historical touches and opulent rooms with a sense of charm and warmth that feels quintessentially Irish.
The hotel is a member of Relais & Chateaux and has just 20 rooms (plus the private Gardeners Cottage), all with a bathtub and each with its own unique design and theme; some may have hand-painted wallpaper, a four-poster bed or a grand marble fireplace. Even the smaller rooms are of a generous size (and would likely be defined as a suite in another hotel). The restaurant, meanwhile, is exceptional, serving fare from the huge walled garden.

Doubles from £695, B&B.
Best in Africa
This cliffside Edwardian mansion is Cape Town’s most exclusive hotel. Discreetly glamorous Ellerman House, home to an extensive private collection of South African art and one of the city’s most comprehensive wine cellars, provides an experience unparalleled in the city.
Just 13 rooms accommodate guests, who are treated to a pantry stocked with sweet and savoury treats, sunset gin cocktails and canapés, evening wine tastings and airport transfers – the list of complimentary inclusions goes on. Facilities are equally impressive; the bar is built into granite rocks and opens onto a terrace that faces the sunset, as does the large pool glittering in the terraced garden below.

Doubles from £680, B&B.
The undisputed queen of Hong Kong hotels has reigned since 1928 and strikes the often elusive balance of heritage grandeur and modern panache with ease. From the pioneering afternoon tea – still served in the gilded Italianate lobby – to the ornamental stained glass and 1920s drapery, the gravitas of the Peninsula’s history is ever present.
Despite its size – 300 rooms, plus the constant stream of glamorous locals who flock to the slick bars and Michelin-starred restaurants – staff will remember your name. Airport transfers are conducted in signature Rolls-Royces and lobby doors are drawn open by white pillbox-hatted page boys, but the highest rollers arrive by landing on one of the twin helipads.

Doubles from £510, room only.
“For me, no other hotel encapsulates the distinctive art de vivre and deeply nourishing serenity of French country living quite like Eugénie. The family-run estate is romantic, confidential and luxuriantly au naturel”
Nicola Williams
Europe judge (France)
This peaceful spa hotel on a country estate in south-west France is a temple to fine living. Its triple-Michelin-starred restaurant caters to hedonistic and uber-healthy gourmets alike, while rooms are bejewelled with the art collection of the Guérard family, which still owns and runs the 19th-century villa and park with love today.
Best of all is the Ferme Thermale Spa Sisley, set in a romantic cottage in the grounds and sourced from Eugénie’s hot thermal springs. To stay here and not soak in a citrus milk bath by an open fire, or float in the signature silky white mud, would be a crime.

Doubles from £230, room only.
Best in Americas & Caribbean
One of the world’s most luxurious and remote retreats, with unbeatable mountain views. Every consideration has been taken here to ensure the architecture makes the most of the surrounding wilderness. You could spend a whole day inside the main lodge with a bottle of wine or book and still feel energised by the changing tones and mood of the landscape; though your personal tour guide may have other ideas.
Each of the 14 secluded villas is the size of a decent house and has an outdoor hot tub; room service is happy to deliver anything you want.

Doubles from £2,742, all-inclusive.
“I’ve been coming here for more than 20 years and love everything about it: the setting, the beautiful rooms, the kind, old-school service, the charming owners and the fantastic beach club. It’s timeless in the best possible way”
Nicky Swallow
Europe judge (Italy)
The Santa Caterina is a winning mix of traditional and Amalfi Coast glamour, run with huge charm by the fourth generation of the hotel’s original owners. You’ll find it perched on a clifftop in steeply terraced gardens that tumble to the sea, just far enough out of Amalfi town to feel away from the crowds.
The hotel is blessed with spectacular coastal views, including from many of its bedrooms, which in recent years have been undergoing refurbishment. The beautiful beach club, accessed by funicular and with a pool and direct sea access, is a huge draw, as are the spa and Michelin-starred restaurant.

Doubles from £928, B&B.
Best in Oceania
This remote retreat, positioned magnificently on a clifftop overlooking the Southern Ocean – next stop Antarctica – still sets the ultimate standard for Australian luxury. It was entirely rebuilt after the devastating bushfires of 2020, but looks virtually the same, just slightly repositioned to maximise the view and privacy.
A stay here allows guests to experience the natural beauty of Kangaroo Island through adventures such as koala and sea lion spotting. The 25 suites feature fireplaces, sunken lounges and deep soaking tubs (many with ocean views). The open-bar policy, which encourages guests to pop into the cellar and take a bottle back to their rooms, is part of the experience.

Doubles from £1,570, all-inclusive.
A dazzling hotel perched on a rocky peninsula high above the beautiful town of Roquebrune-Cap-Martin in the south of France. The Maybourne Riviera’s undeniably bold, arrestingly modernist exterior gives way to art- and light-filled interiors. Its 69 rooms all have extraordinary sea views from their large terraces (some of which have plunge pools inset).
Facilities are numerous, from a beach shuttle to the impressive spa and outdoor pool. Restaurants come from legendary chef Mauro Colagreco and one has already won a Michelin star since the hotel opened in 2022 as part of the Maybourne group, the most well-known member of which is Claridge’s in London.

Doubles from £519, room only.
The peerless Palace provides guests with the best of both worlds, combining the comforting glamour of a large, big-city five-star with the care and authenticity of a Japanese-owned independent hotel. The property’s location, overlooking the Imperial Palace Gardens, makes it an oasis in a metropolis, and most rooms have the bonus of balconies to make the most of the lush views.
Don’t miss the immaculate Evian spa and Wadakura, a series of mini dining spaces, specialising in various traditions, from sushi to teppanyaki and tempura. Exceptional staff leave self-heating sleep masks on your pillow and may well secure you a table at a local in-demand speakeasy you casually mentioned.

Doubles from £755, room only.
“An otherworldly atmosphere that will ground and revive you, with desserts to remind you that a little decadence is part of healing”
Pippa de Bruyn
Head Africa judge
Sterrekopje is a labour of love that grew from the meeting of two soulmates who shared the same dream of creating something extraordinary, connected to nature and designed to nourish and heal. This joint endeavour resulted in a 50-hectare biodynamic garden-farm, home to oak trees and 17th-century dust-pink gabled buildings, which now house 11 sanctuary-like rooms, a bathhouse, bakery and atelier, with two pools, a lake for wild swimming and a floating yoga deck.
Arriving guests have their soles rubbed with oils infused with botanicals from the garden while they sip homemade cordials; other daily “rituals” (individual treatments) and “rhythms” (group activities) are planned as a surprise.

Doubles from £1,302, all-inclusive.
“The short hop across the lagoon from the train station to the Cipriani is more than just a boat ride; it’s the initiation into a dreamy, alternative world – glamorous, romantic, luxurious, exquisitely beautiful, but never stuffy”
Nicky Swallow
Europe judge (Italy)
A Venetian legend since the 1950s and an enduring paradigm of understated luxury. Quite apart from the Cipriani’s idyllic location on the island of the Giudecca, it offers elegant rooms with their own balconies or terraces, impeccable service, verdant gardens and Venice’s biggest swimming pool. St Mark’s Square is a five-minute (complimentary) boat ride away.
The original 1950s structure is washed in a peachy Bellini pink (its founder invented the cocktail) and furnished in classic style with Venetian art and antiques. Restaurants span the Cip’s Club, whose trump card is its location overlooking the water towards all of Venice’s iconic monuments, Michelin-starred Oro and al fresco seafood spot Il Porticciolo.

Doubles from £1,266, B&B.
Son Blanc Farmhouse unites local craft, regenerative agriculture and state-of-the-art sustainability in a love letter to the island. The beautiful 19th-century farmhouse is the baby of couple Benoit and Benedicta. To describe it as modern rustic luxe is technically correct, but misses the soulful textures that pervade the stylish space, designed by Atelier du Pont. Every piece of furniture is bespoke and handmade.
A spectacular pool, integrated into the rocky grounds of the farmhouse, has views of the sea and, in summertime, a bar under the fruit trees. Activities include outdoor yoga and pottery, while diners come from all over Menorca to taste the daily changing restaurant menu.

Doubles from £170, B&B.
“The magic of Al Moudira resides in its whispering palm grove. It casts a dappled golden light over everything, is full of herbaceous scents and even the song of nightingales after dark”
Paula Hardy
Africa judge
Marvellous Al Moudira is a 20-year passion project that has transformed a barren bit of desert into an oasis of swaying palms, fountain-filled patios and frescoed villas. This left-bank beauty, the brainchild of artistic founder Zeina Aboukheir, is now one of Egypt’s first Relais & Chateaux properties and provides an incomparable atmosphere and access to Luxor’s Unesco treasures.
Everything here has been constructed with respect for the past, thanks to Egyptian architect Olivier Sednaoui employing traditional materials and building techniques. Aboukheir’s artful eye has conjured a series of fantastical scenes elaborated with hand-painted murals and textured Middle Eastern antiques – all rescued from crumbling Cairene and Alexandrian mansions.

Doubles from £223, B&B.
Following the devastation of super typhoon Odette in 2021, the hotel formerly known as Dedon Island Resort has re-emerged as Nay Palad Hideaway, a more intimate and sustainable version of itself. The ultra all-inclusive concept covers all meals, the minibar, unlimited spa treatments, watersports and activities such as island-hopping and cooking classes.
Each of 10 generously sized villas is a homely retreat, with a romantic four-poster bed and bumper bathroom plus an outdoor terrace. Chefs create a daily-changing menu depending on whatever ingredients are available from the property’s organic farm and local fishermen.

Doubles from £692, all-inclusive.
This luxury boutique retreat is not only one of the best hotels of its kind in Italy, with fabulously cocooning rooms, spa pampering and first-rate food; it’s also a working farm estate with a passionate commitment to sustainability, where you can learn about cheese-making, fermenting and more.
The property covers 300 acres of gardens, farmland and woods, 45 minutes by car from Siena. You can sign up for cooking, flower arranging and art classes, tours of the farm, beekeeping, Vespa tours and hot air balloon flights. There’s a helipad and even a 136ft yacht to charter.

Doubles from £938, B&B.
One of New York’s most celebrated design studios has worked its magic on a historic building on the edge of the Cotswolds to create one of the most luxurious country retreats in Europe. It’s a mix of grand patterned hallways and staircases, gloriously ornate ceilings, contemporary art and heavy drapes, while the malachite emerald and copper mirrors of the Billiards Room Chinese restaurant make for one of the most spectacular dining rooms in existence.
Estelle sprawls – with various satellite cottages, stables, glasshouses and houses positioned close by – within 3,000 acres of parkland. It is all incredibly grand, but fresh and contemporary too.

Doubles from £450, B&B.
“Catch a glimpse of the Costa de la Luz’s beaches or dine under the garden palms in the Califa’s fabulous restaurant, and you’ll instantly feel why this boutique beauty has grown into one of the country’s loveliest hotels”
Isabella Noble
Europe judge (Spain)
The evocative Califa lures regulars with its sultry Andalucía-meets-North-Africa style, outstanding Moroccan-Middle Eastern cuisine, romantic hammam treatments and fascinating history. Vejer de la Frontera is one of southern Spain’s most beautiful and intriguing pueblos blancos (white villages), and the Califa sits right on the town’s buzzy main plaza.
The rambling building is made up of 10 interconnected houses. It dates mostly from the 15th and early 16th centuries, but now incorporates later additions as well as some sections going back to the 10th century. The Califa is full of tucked-away corners – a street full of flowers; a cosy reading lounge; a lively tetería (tea room) and a massage room in an ancient cave.

Doubles from £96, B&B.
Being immersed in nature takes on a deeper meaning at this singular hotel set on the outer reaches of Ubud. Buahan offers 16 villas, a holistic spa, an eye-catching suspended swimming pool and an innovative “no walls, no doors” concept – all set in Bali’s rainforest canopy.
Guests are given a map showing walking trails around the rice fields, forest and organic farm. There are also complimentary daily activities such as moon meditation, cycling tours, herbal scrub-making, firefly nursery visiting or foraging with the chef. The restaurant provides one of Asia’s most exciting culinary experiences, with dishes such as peanut-and-edamame croquettes or river prawns with avocado and chilli miso.

Doubles from £987, half board.
The eight-suite Kisawa Sanctuary, a true tropical hideaway with local and pan-African personality, ushers in a whole new level of character-driven high luxury, not seen in Mozambique before now. Exquisite beaches, a marine research centre and humpback whale-watching are just some of the awaiting delights.
Each suite comes with a cute, Jeep-like electric Mini Moke (drive it yourself or have your butler behind the wheel); a private pool and deck; and direct access to the Indian Ocean. Pre-arrival preference sheets ensure your favourite treats are stocked in the complimentary minibar; your morning beverage is to your liking; and ayurvedic toiletries suit your skin and hair type. Even the vinyls are customised.

Doubles from £2,974, all-inclusive.
“This is the only hotel in the world that can get me out of bed at 6am, as watching the sunrise over Phang Nga Bay is one of life’s great pleasures”
Lee Cobaj
Head Asia judge
A wild and wondrous island retreat with superb facilities, gracious staff, top sustainability credentials and dazzling views. This is a place to indulge in the pulse-slowing benefits of nature; the resort is so effectively embroidered into the landscape that it is barely discernible amid the skyscraper coconut palms and duvet-sized leaves of alocasia that cover the hillside.
In keeping with the pristine environment, stone paths weave between timber-and-thatch restaurants and pretty lotus ponds. The showpiece is its ridiculously photogenic hilltop infinity pool, but there’s also a gorgeous white beach to which only guests have access.

Doubles from £554, B&B.
“Every detail of your stay has been laboured over, including the Mismo backpacks you can borrow to carry your sandwiches in (made from home-baked bread, wrapped in waxed brown paper and tied up with string)”
Mark C O’Flaherty
Europe judge (UK)
This Scandi-Scottish-styled lodge on the northern-most stretch of the enchanting Highlands is a full-board, luxury experience that feels out of this world, in an equally extraordinary landscape. Experiences like this don’t usually come cheap, but the various inclusions at Lundies House make it a surprisingly good-value proposition.
The aesthetic is arthouse luxury but also homely, with huge arrangements of foraged wildflowers dotted around the rooms. There’s a fire pit outside, with blankets and benches surrounding it, and an honesty bar in the main house, stocked with local gins and other treats. Chefs work all day to prepare supper, working with locally sourced ingredients and herbs from the garden.

Doubles from £495, full board.
“Even the buttons on the hotel uniforms are made from oyster shells discarded by the food industry. None of this is being shouted about in a hotel compendium; here, sustainability is simply part of the quiet luxury offering”
Maggie Wicks
Oceania judge (New Zealand)
Sustainability has been built into this standout hotel, in a hip but historic corner of downtown Auckland, quite literally from the ground up. The bricks are handmade, the chopping boards manufactured from discarded fishing nets and the slippers fashioned from shredded coconut husks.
Some guests might come especially for the award-winning restaurant, Kingi, which showcases top New Zealand produce, but they’ll be just as blown away by the calming rooms – opt for a view over the water and volcanic Rangitoto Island – plus the gravity-defying chandeliers of thousands of pieces of recycled glass in public areas.

Doubles from £117, room only.
Asaba has been lovingly run by the same family for more than 500 years, but subtle reinvention means its heritage has a distinctly contemporary sensibility. The ryokan (a traditional Japanese inn) sits on the edge of a stream-fed koi pond, and is surrounded by ornamental gardens.
On the other side of the water sits a 19th-century noh stage, where cultural performances are regularly held. Each guest is assigned a room attendant who ensures you always have freshly brewed tea and a plate of wagashi (delicate Japanese confections) on hand, keeps your bath filled, serves all meals and generally helps you get the most out of your stay.

Doubles from £1,270, all-inclusive.
This pioneering eco-luxury retreat coaxes out the inner child of every guest, with its Swiss Family Robinson-style villas (some with slides, each with its own saltwater pool), ziplines to dinner, chef-prepared picnics on private islands, swimming with manta rays and trips to Mars through one of the Maldives’ most powerful telescopes.
You would need to stay for a month – as many of Soneva’s repeat guests do – to take full advantage of all of the facilities. Start your day with a floating breakfast in your pool, have lunch prepared by a Japanese sushi master and don’t forget to indulge in the free ice cream and chocolate available throughout the day.

Doubles from £2,474, room only.
Lauded design, impeccable service, intelligent guiding and superlative dining have made Singita arguably the most respected safari brand in Africa. But here the wild and remote location is the clincher. Founder Luke Bailes built two lodges, Lebombo and the more intimate Sweni, separately run but within walking distance of each other; together the 26 bedrooms share exclusive use of the best concession in Kruger.
Larger Lebombo has two lap pools on terraced decks, a wine studio and star-gazing roof terrace, while Sweni offers an immersive wilderness experience, with grunting hippos yards from your deck. Nothing much escapes the staff; once they’ve observed your dining habits, you’re presented with a menu designed for you.

Doubles from £3,885, all-inclusive.
This is the Aman group at its very best. What was once a rather grand Dutch garrison and then the New Oriental Hotel (a bolthole for globetrotting steamship passengers for more than a century) is now a chic retreat that manages to be both a time capsule and timeless.
Enjoy complimentary afternoon tea on the veranda, cool off by the attractive jade-tiled pool or sip a preprandial G&T while a jazz pianist plays. Four-poster beds and freestanding baths in every room, views over the city’s sweet cricket ground, plus the private use of two hydrotherapy suites, are other reasons to swoon.

Doubles from £571, room only.
There are certain hotels that defy time and trends – and this is one of them. It put the Athens Riviera on the map in the 1960s and was the spot to which the likes of Jackie Onassis flocked to party, pose and paddle. It still retains this glittery essence today as a Four Seasons.
Facilities are impressive, including a huge saltwater pool, an adults-only infinity pool, three beaches and a spa. There’s even an ice cream truck. Four bars and six restaurants include Taverna 37 – a glossy but rustic take on the traditional Greek taverna in a hot pink bougainvillaea-clad, waterside setting, and Michelin-starred Pelagos.

Doubles from £388, B&B.
“Hampton Manor feels like a wonderful secret, from its less obvious location to Michelin-starred Grace & Savour restaurant with its own set of beautifully pared-back, contemporary rooms, like a mini hotel within a hotel.”
Fiona Kerr
Europe judge
Any foodie worth their salt will know Hampton Manor and its two buzzy restaurants: Smoke, helmed by a former Masterchef: The Professionals winner, and Michelin-starred Grace & Savour. The young couple who preside over the hotel, and their enthusiastic local team, have made it the standout property in the region.
You’ll instantly feel your shoulders drop as you settle in for a complimentary glass of fizz and slice of cake in the library bar after check-in. Hot drinks and pastries are served in the lobby in case you rise earlier than the breakfast service – it’s these little details that put Hampton Manor ahead.

Doubles from £200, room only.
An outstanding, affordable riad, with a traditional garden full of orange trees and jasmine that feels like paradise in this desert city. Riad Mena was formerly one of Marrakech’s great private mansions, a classic, white-washed Arabo-Andalusian property, built in the early 19th century for an aristocratic family.
Its classical proportions now offer eight handsome suites with lofty ceilings and enormous bathrooms, an emerald-green pool, and a jigsaw of picturesque porticos and terraces. Owner Philomena Schurer-Merckoll’s impeccable taste but fun-loving outlook has resulted in spaces dressed with a clever combination of modernist furnishings and art, with some fine antiques and crafts.

Doubles from £209, B&B.
“I returned to Hotel Endsleigh recently after first visiting in 2005, and this time I really understood it as a hotel. I felt like it had been waiting for me”
Mark C O’Flaherty
Europe judge (UK)
This once crumbling hunting and fishing lodge, dating back to 1810, was saved and revived by high-style hotelier Olga Polizzi and has become one of the most sophisticated and revered places to stay in England. Come for simple-but-refined dining and a relaxed, country-house atmosphere, all set within enchanting Humphry Repton gardens.
Your stay is effortlessly personalised. Drinks and food can be taken at any spot of your choosing, outside or in; simply settle down and someone will find you. Instead of cumbersome tea and coffee-making facilities in your room, call down to reception and have it brought up on a silver tray, with an elegant antique teapot.

Doubles from £270, B&B.
Lisbon’s finest hotel is a pink-walled mansion, which was built for an aristocratic Portuguese family in the 1870s, and latterly became offices before British couple Miles and Gail Curley bought it and embarked on a meticulous restoration. The first-floor drawing room, with its arresting blue and white tiles on all four walls, as well as the central staircase and the atrium it leads to, whose pink walls and intricate white stucco work recall a many-tiered wedding cake, will surprise and delight.
The overall feels like a private city-centre sanctuary with its own large garden and pool, superbly equipped bedrooms and kind, personal service.

Doubles from £422, B&B.
“Susafa is very special: the silence! I can’t think of a better way to wind down from life’s stresses than being enfolded in the vast expanse of those wheat fields”
Nicky Swallow
Europe judge (Italy)
This weathered old baglio (a large farmhouse complex) became a hotel in 2018; Manfredi Rizzuto and his sister, Sara, are the latest of five generations to run the estate. The sprawling house and its outbuildings have been beautifully converted in a contemporary rustic style, incorporating courtyards and gardens planted with palm and fruit trees and herbs.
There is a fabulous pool overlooking the hills with its own shady bar area; poolside sunset aperitivi are magical. The restaurant is housed in a huge stone granary with a vast fireplace that is lit in cool weather. Dishes might include whipped ricotta with basil gel or Susafa’s own spaghetti with pesto alla Trapanese.

Doubles from £271, B&B.
A hacienda-style hideaway that was once the holiday home of an Italian duchess, set in a garden of Edenic jungle. Magazine-worthy interiors mix mid-century treasures with Mexican antiques; three restaurants include an excellent Japanese omakase; and service is pitch-perfect, with spoiling extras.
Each morning, complimentary pastries and steaming hot coffee are dropped off outside your room. From here, you might head down to morning yoga in a stilted garden pavilion or one of the two pools. The main draw, however, is the beach. A backdrop of palms, soft sand underfoot and curving edges make it one of the loveliest in the region. The thatched-roof cabanas with push-button service for drinks and snacks also help.

Doubles from £1,066, room only.
“For its warmth, its comfort, its secret garden and the humour, even eccentricity, of its owners, I have always loved the Goring. First taken there for starchy teas with my two maiden great aunts, I now take my granddaughter and she loves the Goring as much as I do”
Fiona Duncan
Head Europe judge
This legendary Belgravia address was opened by Otto Richard Goring in 1910 and remains family-owned. In the lobby you’ll find its Royal Warrant plaque – the hotel has long been favoured by the Windsors, and hosted the Princess of Wales on the eve of her wedding. Spot the hand-painted monkeys swigging champagne cocktails, the full-sized fluffy sheep (known as Barbara) that double as footstools and the century-old staff photos.
A few times a year, the hotel’s “mascot”, Teddy the Shetland pony, pays a visit for treats and cuddles with guests. Visit the Dining Room for classic but theatrical Michelin-starred British cuisine.

Doubles from £870, room only.
The Big Sur vistas at Post Ranch Inn are so spectacular, at times they almost don’t seem real. Each room is designed to blend into the magical landscape and is an architectural delight, showcasing ocean or mountain views. Some are circular in design, others are triangular and elevated off the ground on stilts; there are even structures that might seem reminiscent of luxury hobbit houses.
Nature buffs will love it here; deer wander around the grounds and migrating whales frolic in the surf. A pair of heated basking pools with infinity edges offer endless opportunities to spot wildlife while soaking.

Doubles from £1,429, B&B.
Deep in the Cambodian rainforest sits a hotel that proves conservation and high-end hospitality can go hand in hand. Zip-line arrivals set the tone for days of swimming in waterfalls and anti-poaching patrols, before guests retire to one the whimsically designed stilted safari-style tents.
Designer Bill Bensley was inspired by King Sihanouk and Jackie Kennedy’s 1967 Cambodian travels, and the result is characteristically eccentric: a mishmash of tattered travel trunks, Asian antiques and reclaimed furniture upholstered in kaleidoscopic textiles. Each opens onto a verandah with roll-top bathtub and river views. Given the density of the jungle, it’s almost hard to believe that the camp was built without felling a single tree.

Doubles from £1,654, all-inclusive.
Arizona’s first wellness resort originally opened in 1896 and its earliest guests would travel five hours by stagecoach to soak in its trio of mineral-rich, natural hot springs. Eventually, America’s great and good – names such as Rockefeller and Kennedy – found their way to this desert oasis.
Restored and reopened in 2019, it now features 30 freestanding cabins, cottages and bungalows and there’s a plethora of included activities to choose from, such as yoga and meditation, pickleball lessons, gardening classes, guided hiking, archery and even axe-throwing. Farm-to-table meals are conjured from the hotel’s produce; there are more than 300 varieties of fruits and vegetables grown in the grounds.

Doubles from £967, all-inclusive.
“When the late Barry Humphries called Australia the ‘Brisbane of the world’, this retro-chic, urban resort in Queensland’s capital did not exist. I suspect an afternoon in one of the poolside, palm-shaded cabanas would have led the comedian to choose a different Australian city to throw under the bus”
Ariela Bard
Head Oceania judge (Australia)
Retro vibes (think 1950s Miami) meet outstanding service and facilities at this urban resort in Brisbane’s fashionable James Street precinct. Entering through an arcade to the hotel’s glass-walled lobby and bar, guests discover a modern, minimalist retreat in which white-brick arches and breezeblock features converge with pastel hues, open-air corridors and an outstanding pool area lined with palms and cabanas.
At the excellent Greek restaurant Hellenika, feast on spanakopita or sardines on toast for breakfast and Tasmanian rock lobster later in the day; and don’t miss a cocktail made with honey from the roof-top beehives.

Doubles from £187, room only.
An exquisite, eco-friendly escape on a private island once owned by the actor Marlon Brando, where flawless villas framed by lush palms dot the sands and proffer paradisiacal ocean views. Polynesian culture is celebrated throughout, from spa treatments and classes to the top-rated chef’s delectable dishes (think tasty Tahitian-style raw fish).
There’s a sense here that everything has been thought through in advance to give guests a seamless stay; you won’t be in the pool for longer than a minute before being offered a drink. And despite the villas’ generous size, you can move from bed to beach in just one minute.

Doubles from £2,821, B&B.
This opulent resort, on a secluded peninsula on Hamilton Island, is a noted beauty in the Whitsundays. It’s peppered with poolside enclaves and has the Great Barrier Reef buffering the turquoise Coral Sea as its panoramic backdrop. You’ll find the lavish lobby in the Long Pavilion, the resort’s focal point, which leads out to a vast outdoor deck and onto guest pavilions with ethereal ocean views.
A design-forward library, holistic spa and fine dining beachfront restaurant are among Qualia’s highlights. Activities such as bushwalking and sailing take you into the surrounding environment.

Doubles from £887, B&B.
“In what is generally an expensive destination as a country, the Chicago Athletic Association made the list for providing high-spec design, first-rate amenities and service at a fraction of the cost of its urban peers”
Travis Levius
Head Americas and Caribbean judge
History oozes from every marble pillar and oak-carved mantelpiece at this reasonably priced central Chicago hotel. What was the former club of a 19th-century university football team has been restyled into a private members’ haunt and hotel, which has a somewhat fitting adolescent moodiness about it but a wicked sense of fun.
Do a roller-skate workout in the incredibly preserved indoor basketball court, sip an old fashioned in the eight-seater speakeasy and retire to a retro room – complete with vintage gymnasium pommel at the foot of the bed. Common rooms are abuzz with people playing shuffleboard or chatting by the fireplaces, while rooftop Cindy’s is one of Chicago’s “it” restaurants.

Doubles from £205, room only.
Nooishof is a speck-like oasis, and the only human-inhabited space, in the 25,000-hectare Sinclair Nature Reserve. The four-suite guesthouse is the passion project of Marc Pampe, who spent many childhood holidays on neighbouring farms, and his wife, Mariza. Both drew inspiration from their travels across southern Africa while simultaneously reflecting the desert landscape through the immaculate interiors.
Suites look out towards the mountains and all pathways lead to the Ouma House with an open-plan kitchen at its heart, the setting for wholesome zero-waste home-cooked meals. This is old-fashioned and heartfelt hospitality; a reset and return to basics, resourcefulness and humility, in the most beautiful of ways.

Doubles from £638, all-inclusive.
A vision of natural beauty in a blissfully undeveloped part of central Vietnam, atop a tumble of mountainous coastline and buttery beach. The fifth hotel from the French-owned Zannier group (also behind the exceptional Phum Baitang in Siem Reap), has a characterful, village-like setting with a variety of indigenous-inspired villas scattered up and down the hillside. Public spaces are filled with eye-catching antiques and photography.
Everywhere you look appears ready for a magazine shoot, though the ambience remains thoroughly relaxed and unpretentious. Most of the warm staff come from local villages. A private bay, choice of excellent restaurants, knock-out spa and surprisingly affordable rates complete the winning formula.

Doubles from £310, B&B.
“The French capital swims in ridiculously lavish properties, but it’s the quiet grace with which Grand Powers marries Parisian history with contemporary craftsmanship that makes it such a bewitching gem”
Nicola Williams
Europe judge (France)
When the Powers opened in 1920, it was an instant Haussmann beauty. A sensitive refurbishment a century on reinstated the prestigious Golden Triangle maison as an oasis of Parisian chic. The hotel’s boutique size and soulful feel give the impression of a grand private home – a rarity among five-stars in Paris.
Radiant rooms mix Chanel hues with 1920s craftmanship. Modern herringbone parquet in pale Hungarian oak and floor-length curtains with a jazzy palm frond-motif set the stage for Juliet balconies with romantic tables for two or – in some suites – a sweeping terrace with Eiffel Tower views. The fashionable café offers all-day dining and the spa is dreamy.

Doubles from £501, room only.
This luxe, adults-only haven, a vision of Canarian-chic design, is part of a wave of small, creative, boutique properties redefining Lanzarote’s hotel scene. The property was originally an ancient finca surrounded by vines and was once the home of Gumersindo Manrique, father of local artist and environmentalist César Manrique. Now it dazzles with its sparkling lagoon pool, local-produce-led restaurant and soothing, understated atmosphere across 20 rooms.
Designer Virginia Nieto has played with bold, earthy greens, blues and yellows that echo Lanzarote’s wild scenery, from giant turquoise plant pots and restored original tilework to enormous custom-made fabric lamps and palm-crafted chairs.

Doubles from £333, B&B.
An exclusive boutique hotel designed by architect Tadao Ando in Kyoto’s prized Gion district. The Shinmonzen hovers between a modern take on a traditional ryokan and an edgy contemporary gallery – pieces from Damien Hirst and Hiroshi Sugimoto grace the walls of public areas. It’s pleasingly a little off the tourist track, with nine art-packed, Japanese-styled suites overlooking the serene Shirakawa river; guests can watch fireflies dance on the water in summer from their balconies (every room has one).
The exquisite tasting menu in the Jean-Georges Vongerichten restaurant is devised by young head chef Hana Yoon, who employs classic French techniques but is hyper-focused on Kyoto’s seasonal produce.

Doubles from £962, room only.
The family-owned Jamaica Inn, set on one of the Caribbean’s longest private beaches, has been charming visitors since 1950. Head to the library for photos of former guests such as Marilyn Monroe and Meghan Markle. Can-do-anything staff go out of their way to provide a home-away-from-home experience and deliver complimentary “planter’s punch” to your sun lounger daily at 11.30am.
The 55 suites, cottages and beach bungalows come with exceptionally large balconies or verandahs serving up sublime sea views; televisions, radios and clocks are intentionally absent to ensure relaxation. Dinner begins with drinks and canapés al fresco, before a five-course menu is served on white-clothed tables under the stars.

Doubles from £501, B&B.
“Kahani Paradise is a hush-hush hideaway far from the Goa crowds. It’s cosy but with the same tip-top service you find at Indian palace hotels, and thanks to its petite size it often feels as if you’ve got the whole estate to yourself”
Chris Schalkx
Asia judge
This six-suite hideaway distils India’s rich architectural heritage, fabled hospitality and wild nature into an ultra-private retreat. The estate started out as the holiday home of a well-travelled British family and still feels like one: every space is packed with art and antiques picked up during travels all over the globe.
There are no menus or set meal times; instead, dining is based on guests’ preferences. At dinner, opt for one of the special-location setups, such as a flower-flecked table in the estate’s private step well, or a sundown setup in a candlelit cabin overlooking Paradise Beach.

Doubles from £391, B&B.
A one-of-a-kind resort on one of Newfoundland’s most remote and beautiful islands, which delivers contemporary architecture mixed with homespun luxury. Colourful, locally made furniture, quilting and crafts punch up white-painted wood floors, walls and ceilings. Free excursions include a range of natural, cultural, marine and artistic activities: guided geological hikes, berry-picking, jam-making, fishing, snowshoeing, snowmobiling, bike rides and bonfire nights. There’s also a library, cinema, and rooftop saunas and hot tubs in the spa.
The 21 rooms have wood-burning stoves and all rooms and suites come with binoculars. Food is local, seasonal and homemade; the freshest seafood includes the province’s ubiquitous and delicious cod.

Doubles from £1,615, all-inclusive.
Beyond the top 50, we’ve also given six special awards to hotels that excel in specific areas: best for sustainability, best for accessibility, best new hotel, best budget hotel, best spa hotel and best family hotel. You can read more about how we chose these here.

Best for Sustainability
Indonesian-owned Potato Head Studios & Suites has much to offer. This hip, progressive and creative destination is as good for the planet and local community as it is for the body, soul and Instagram account – all in the confines of beachy Seminyak. Sustainability has driven all aspects of design – from walls that incorporate discarded bricks to furniture made from recycled plastic.
Guests checking in are given a shot of jamu (a Javanese elixir) and a zero-waste kit. While you can expect the usual resort amenities (with twists), what stands out are experiences including regenerative gardening workshops and the “follow the waste” tour.

Doubles from £193, B&B.
Best for Accessibility
A premier destination for accessible luxury, combining elegant hospitality with a strong commitment to inclusivity. The first resort to be verified by IncluCare has undergone extensive audits to guarantee accessibility. Ground-floor villas have wide doorways, roll-in showers and ramps.
A highlight is the collaboration with local airlines to accommodate guests with mobility impairments during seaplane transfers, while on-site, a hoist assists with boat transfers. Staff are trained in disability awareness, enhancing the experience for all guests and a number of adaptive activities are available, including scuba diving and yoga. Beach wheelchairs are also available, ensuring everyone can enjoy the spectacular natural surroundings.

Doubles from £651, room only.
Best New Hotel
Royal Mansour has been setting the standard for luxury in Marrakech since 2010. In April this year it welcomed a new Casablanca sister, in what was the city’s first five-star hotel when it originally opened in the 1950s. Original elements of the art deco building, such as its patio and grand spiral staircase, now sit alongside modern design features including a suspended glass walkway connecting two towers.
A remarkable 70 types of marble, alongside mirrors, brass and copper, combine in interiors that shimmer with opulence. The impressive facilities span several restaurants, the revived American bar and a sprawling spa with hammam experience. Some 700 staff for 149 rooms enables seamless service.

Doubles from £475, B&B.
Best Budget Hotel
The creeper-clad Beckford Arms stands in Fonthill Gifford, opposite the distinctive stone arch that leads to the spectacular rolling parkland of the Fonthill Estate. This is one of the country’s most sought-after and appealing inns, with eight keenly priced bedrooms. These are homely, stylish and beautifully equipped, with thoughtful touches that include woolly hot water bottles and Bramley toiletries.
At dinner you’ll find sophisticated yet traditional pub grub that inspires long lunches and convivial suppers, with outdoor dining and a pizza oven in summer. Breakfast is a highlight: a table laden with croissants and pastries, yogurts and compotes; even a bloody-Mary station, plus cooked dishes to order.

Doubles from £100, B&B.
Best Spa Hotel
Kamalaya blends Eastern and Western wellness philosophies, science and spirituality, nature and nurture. More than a spa, it is a place where people come to change their lives, against the backdrop of Samui’s verdant landscape. The 20-year-old hotel has evolved from humble beginnings into one of the world’s leading wellness retreats thanks to highly personalised programmes (from gut health to sleep enhancement) that make guests feel truly cared for.
Every journey will begin with a one-to-one wellness consultation where your itinerary is further tailored to your goals. A relatively new addition is the Longevity Centre, which offers vitamin drips, ozone blood therapy and time in a hyperbaric chamber.

Doubles from £181, B&B.
Best for Families
The Martinhal Sagres is set on a cliff above golden sands, surrounded by the Costa Vicentina nature reserve – a lovely setting for a (great-value) family holiday. Staff go the extra mile, from setting up colouring stations to allow parents to finish their food peacefully to playing football with junior guests on the beach.
Heated pools, surf lessons, myriad watersports and other activities promise endless entertainment. Room terraces face the sea – so you can expect lovely views, while décor draws on the natural, with wood finishes and slate floors. A wonderfully comprehensive Portuguese wine list accompanies contemporary family dining in O Terraço, while fresh-caught fish is delivered alongside regional specialities at Dunas.

Doubles from £149, B&B.
Our 24 hotel reviewers were split into five judging panels: Europe, Asia, Americas and Caribbean, Africa and Oceania. Using their expertise and our reviews, they produced a shortlist of 70 hotels (with a weighting for Asia and Europe). Judges considered factors including geographical spread, price range and types of hotel when making nominations. Each hotel was then marked, using a scoring system incorporating individual Telegraph review ratings, with additional points awarded for the likes of above-average (for the destination) staff-to-guest ratios and great in-room perks. These ratings then determined the rankings and gave us our final 50.
We also asked each panel to make a nomination for the individual categories of best new hotel, best budget hotel, best for sustainability, best for accessibility, best spa hotel and best family hotel. These were then compared to select those winners. For the most accessible hotel, we asked television presenter and travel writer Sophie Morgan – who you might know from her coverage of the Paralympics – for her opinion.
Our judging panels are made up of our expert hotel reviewers around the world. They are mostly residents in the destinations they write about. Find out who’s who.
Additional contributions from Telegraph Travel writers. Video credit: Ballyfin / Ollie Rillands / Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group / Mark Anthony Fox / Banyan Group / Kisawa Sanctuary