The inaugural edition of the 50 Best Hotels was announced this week in London, honouring landmark establishments from 35 destinations across six continents.
The only property from India to make it in the top 50 is The Oberoi Amarvilas, Agra. The luxe property is embellished with gold leaf, filigree mesh screens, and etched-glass chandeliers and adorned with arches and sandstone columns. Of note are the 64 carved-stone fountains, all teak-floored rooms, and suites with breathtaking views of the Taj Mahal.
The "50 Best" organisation is well-known for producing The World's 50 Best Restaurants and The World's 50 Best Bars lists.
Here are the top 5 hotels (properties in Asia feature predominantly in the list). You can check out the full list here.
Passalacqua
This gorgeous hotel on Lake Como, Italy, has been selected The World's Best Hotel for 2023. The beautiful lakeside boutique hotel has been operating for just a year. The hotel is housed in an 18th-century villa with stunning terraced gardens stretching to the water. More about it here.
Address: Via Besana, 59, 22010 Moltrasio CO, Italy
Rosewood Hong Kong
The 65-storey tower of Rosewood Hong Kong is set among the stunning backdrop of Victoria Harbour. Taiwan-born designer Tony Chi has designed the elegant interiors of the hotel. More about it here.
Address: 18 Salisbury Rd, Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong
Four Seasons Bangkok At Chao Phraya River
This stylish urban getaway on the banks of the River of Kings has 299 contemporary rooms and suites, as well as a palm-framed, multi-layered pool area, Mediterranean-inspired gardens, and an exquisite wellness centre with a spa inspired by old Thai rituals. More about it here.
Address: 300/1 Charoen Krung Rd, Khwaeng Yan Nawa, Khet Sathon, Bangkok 10120, Thailand
Upper House
This is a cutting-edge creative place floating over Victoria Harbour in Hong Kong. Asian designer André Fu created the 117-room hotel. The brutalist facade by British designer Thomas Heatherwick sets the tone, followed by a red-toned wooden elevator inspired by Japan's torii gates. With almost 400 pieces, the artwork adorning the room is as much about décor as it is about atmosphere. More about it here.
Address: 88 Queensway, Admiralty, Hong Kong
Aman Tokyo
The sleek and serene pf this Tokyo property sits in the heart of the sprawling megalopolis. It was Aman’s first urban outpost when it opened in 2014. The airy 33rd-floor lobby has a cathedral-high ceiling of crafted white washi paper; abstract seasonal floral and rock displays on reflective waters; and it has an epic sweep of iconic Tokyo views. More about it here.
Address: The Otemachi Tower, 1 Chome-5-6 Ōtemachi, Chiyoda City, Tokyo 100-0004, Japan
