The World’s 50 Best Hotels 2026 is hot off the press – and Australia has once again made the cut.
The world doesn’t want for excellent hotels. Boundary-pushing design is rife, and impeccable service is now the benchmark, with new stays cropping up globally faster than we present our passports at check-in. Safe to say it makes earning a place on the annual World’s 50 Best Hotels list – the world’s foremost gauge for hotel excellence – all the more prestigious.
The rankings for 2026have just been announced at an awards ceremony in Paris, where travel industry leaders and enthusiasts convened to celebrate groundbreaking hospitality feats. The list features 38 destinations across six continents, along with several special award categories. Here are the highlights.
The Aussie hotel that made the list
Last year, two Aussie properties made the World’s 50 Best list, truly cementing our reputation for world-class hospitality. In 2026 that number has halved, with just one Australian hotel making the cut – but it’s a worthy representative indeed.
Capella Sydney is the only Australian property to make the 2026 World’s Best 50 Hotels list. (Credit: Timothy Kaye)
Ranking 16th out of 50, Capella Sydney has not only retained its place on the list for another year, but held its position among the top 20.
Housed in an Edwardian sandstone building once home to the Department of Education, the heritage-listed icon exudes contemporary opulence with its grand architectural bones and curated local artwork. Guests return time and again for its personalised touches, five-star service, sweeping harbour views and intimate elegance across 192 rooms and suites.
Guests are treated to opulent amenities and sweeping harbour views. (Credit: Timothy Kaye)
Capella Sydney opened its doors to the public in March 2023. (Credit: Timothy Kaye)
The luxury stay combines timeless elegance with contemporary flair. (Credit: Timothy Kaye)
Since opening in March 2023, the luxury address on Loftus Street has become one of Sydney’s best hotels, amassing an impressive collection of accolades along the way.
Among its many titles are Travel + Leisure‘s Best City Hotel in Australia 2025, Property Council of Australia’s Best Heritage Development 2024 and AHEAD Global Awards’ Ultimate Accolade – Global Hotel of the Year 2023, as well as Best Hotel in Oceania for World’s 50 Best last year.
Need tips, more detail or itinerary ideas tailored to you? Ask AT.
AI Prompt
The rest of the results
The view from the top remains unchanged in 2026, with the Rosewood Hong Kong once again claiming the title of world’s best hotel. Rising 270 metres above Victoria Harbour, the coveted 413-key address is a shining beacon of art, design and swoon-worthy water views. It has attracted Hong Kong’s elite and a continuous stream of well-heeled travellers since its grand opening in 2019.
Taking out the top spot for the second year running is Rosewood Hong Kong.
Asia continued its winning streak, with Thailand’s Capella Bangkok and Four Seasons Bangkok at Chao Phraya River coming in second and third place respectively. Rounding out the top five is Dubai’s Atlantis the Royal in fourth place and Passalacqua on the shores of Lake Como in Italy at fifth.
While it only got a shoe in amongst the top five, Europe was the most represented continent on the list – with 22 hotels in the top 50. Asia was close on its heels with 15 rankings, and North America followed with six.
The Calile Hotel has featured on the World’s Best Hotels list every year since its inception. (Credit: Tourism & Events Queensland)
Although its ranking dropped from 34th in 2025 to 83rd in 2026, The Calile Hotel in Brisbane has still managed to make Aussie history this year. Its inclusion among the top 100 makes the only hotel in Oceania to feature on the World’s Best list every year since the awards launched in 2023.
The World’s 50 Best Hotels 2026 list
Rosewood Hong Kong, Hong Kong
Capella Bangkok, Bangkok
Four Seasons Bangkok at Chao Phraya River, Bangkok
Atlantis The Royal, Dubai
Passalacqua, Lake Como
Rosewood São Paulo, São Paulo
Mandarin Oriental Qianmen, Beijing
Upper House Hong Kong, Hong Kong
Chablé Yucatán, Chocholá
Mandarin Oriental Bangkok, Bangkok
Aman Tokyo, Tokyo
Four Seasons Firenze, Florence
Claridge’s, London
Hôtel de Crillon, Paris
Jumeirah Marsa Al Arab, Dubai
Capella Sydney, Sydney
Raffles Singapore, Singapore
Casa Maria Luigia, Modena
Le Bristol, Paris
Cheval Blanc Paris, Paris
Desa Potato Head, Bali
San Ysidro Ranch, Santa Barbara
One&Only Mandarina, Riviera Nayarit
Bulgari Tokyo, Tokyo
Las Ventanas al Paraíso, Los Cabos
Royal Mansour, Marrakech
Four Seasons Astir Palace, Athens
Raffles London at The OWO, London
Copacabana Palace, Rio de Janeiro
The Taj Mahal Palace, Mumbai
The Peninsula Istanbul, Istanbul
Bulgari Roma, Rome
Patina Osaka, Osaka
Mount Nelson, Cape Town
Nihi Sumba, Sumba Island
Badrutt’s Palace, St. Moritz
Park Hyatt Kyoto, Kyoto
Hôtel du Couvent, Nice
Portrait Milano, Milan
Hôtel de Paris Monte-Carlo, Monaco
Plaza Athénée, Paris
Hotel Sacher Vienna, Vienna
Estelle Manor, Witney
Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc, Antibes
Amangiri, Canyon Point
The Peninsula Hong Kong, Hong Kong
Maroma, Riviera Maya
Aman Nai Lert, Bangkok
The Connaught, London
San Domenico Palace, Taormina
How the 50 Best voting works
The World’s 50 Best Hotels is an annual ranking of the top hotel venues across the globe, as voted for by a panel of more than 800 global industry experts.
To ensure the panel provides a fair representation, the Academy Chairs are split across 13 geographical regions, with each chair selected as a travel and hotel expert in their region. The 13 Academy Chairs each select a voting panel from their region comprising a balance of hoteliers, travel journalists, hotel educators and consumer travel connoisseurs.
Want to see more stories from Australian Traveller in your Google search results?
Tick the box next to "Australian Traveller". That's it.
Eleanor Edström is Australian Traveller’s Associate Editor. Previously a staff writer at Signature Luxury Travel & Style and Vacations & Travel magazines, she's a curious wordsmith with a penchant for conservation, adventure, the arts and...
Taylah Darnell is Australian Traveller's Writer & Producer. She has been passionate about writing since she learnt to read, spending many hours either lost in the pages of books or attempting to write her own. This life-long love of words...
Warmer days call for slowing down and relaxing in nature. Discover why The Tweed is the ultimate destination to do just that.
As the end of the year draws near, the need for rest and restoration grows ever more prominent. For many, that means heading into nature – and there’s plenty of science to back up the benefits of doing so. It quite literally makes us happier as it reduces stress hormones, lowers our blood pressure and more. And what better place to lean into this feel-good effect than during summer in The Tweed (in the Northern Rivers region of NSW)? Blending sparkling beaches, riverside towns and hinterland villages, this area has nature covered, while also offering top activities and dining options.
Slip, slop, slap.
And of course, pack your SPF. We Are Feel Good Inc’s Ultra-Light Mineral Sunscreen Lotion SPF 50 is a lightweight and fast-absorbing formula that keeps your skin hydrated and shielded, thanks to nourishing Coconut Oil and Vitamin E. But it’s also helping preserve the natural beauty around you on your Tweed vacation, thanks to 30 per cent ocean waste packaging.
Discover eight experiences that make The Tweed the perfect place for summer.
1. Underwater worlds
Get a chance to swim with the locals.
There’s something about the ocean that calls to us as humans, and what’s below the surface is even more magical.
Green, hawksbill and loggerhead turtles (not to mention an abundance of other marine life) all use the protected waters around Cook Island, near Fingal Head, as their foraging ground, making it the perfect place to dive and snorkel to spot these adorable creatures.
Join Cooly Eco Adventures on a guided snorkelling tour that combines unforgettable turtle encounters with an inspiring look into marine conservation.
2. Farm-to-table dining
Treat your taste buds at Potager. (Image: Cara Sophie)
Respecting the land and nature also means appreciating its abundance of food. From farm-to-table cafes and boutique breweries to river cruises and restaurants championing local produce, dining around The Tweed often means engaging with the best local producers.
The award-winning Potager Restaurant, part of The Hinterland Collection, is the perfect example; beginning life as a kitchen garden, the passion to champion local producers is woven into every dish. Vegetables, fruit and herbs are picked from the garden or sourced from other local producers, the seafood comes from the Northern Rivers, and meat is sourced from ethical local producers. Even the cocktail list features local distillers.
Extend your stay with a night (or several) at boutique on-site accommodation, Potager House. This French-inspired country four-bedroom retreat boasts stunning views of the surrounding hills and nearby ocean, as well as a large pool, outdoor entertaining area and infrared sauna.
3. Water wellness
Find mindfulness in mangroves. (Image: Matt Johnson)
You’ll find mindfulness while floating around the mangroves of Kingscliff’s Cudgen Creek at any time, but Watersports Guru offers an immersive experience to help guests do so with more intent. Join a 90-minute guided session on a stand-up paddleboard to reconnect with nature and relax through breathwork, gentle movement and sensory awareness.
If you’re feeling more adventurous, Watersports Guru also offer Kayak fishing adventures or join a Sea Turtle Odyssey experience.
4. Restorative seaside stays
Unwind at Halcyon Wellness.
The Tweed encourages locals and visitors alike to slow down. To really indulge, a seaside stay is a must. Halcyon House has understood the assignment, blending a wellness philosophy centred on balance and self-discovery with luxurious surrounds. Stay in one of 22 rooms and suites (each individually designed by eclectic interior designer Anna Spiro) right on the beachfront. Book restorative treatments at the onsite spa, Halcyon Wellness, relax by the pool, dine at the hatted Paper Daisy restaurant and just let The Tweed work its magic.
While Blue Water Motel offers a relaxed coastal escape, just steps from Kingscliff Beach. Settle in stylish rooms, recently restyled by Jason Grant, nodding to the cool of Kingscliff with a fun retro vibe. Hire a bike from reception to explore the surrounding area.
5. Tasty drops
Join a Farm to Bottle tour. (Image: Salsingh Photography)
The owners at Husk Farm Distillery aren’t just about creating high-quality rum: they’re also farmers themselves. In fact, they create one of the world’s only single estate, farm-to-bottle spirits. Join a Farm to Bottle tour to discover the sustainable ‘full circle’ distilling practices used here, and even get hands-on with your own cane knife to help harvest and juice your own stalk of cane. And, of course, a welcome drink plus complimentary tastings along the way.
6. Rail trail adventures
Cycle the Northern Rivers Rail Trail.
Exploring the rolling green slopes and historic towns of the 24-kilometre Tweed section of the Northern Rivers Rail Trail is one of the best ways to connect with the region’s lush hinterland and interesting heritage. In this section of the trail, discover the area’s railway history at heritage-listed Murwillumbah Railway Station, and traverse by 18 railway bridges and through two railway tunnels.
Linking vibrant towns and villages with the larger hub of Murwillumbah, this section of the trail is covered in asphalt or compacted gravel, making it accessible for all ages and abilities, from prams to adaptive bikes.
7. Linger longer
Enjoy beachside locations, like Fingal Heads.
Linger longer at one of the seven idyllic beach, river and creekside locations of Tweed Holiday Parks – including at Tweed Heads, Kingscliff Beach, Hastings Point and Pottsville South. All just steps from the water’s edge, they make the ideal base to unwind, or head out for exploration of The Tweed. Choose from luxury waterfront cabins, accessible cabins, surfari tents (yes, they are basically glamping tents) or spacious sites for caravans, motorhomes and campervans or tents.
Stay for longer and indulge in plat at Tweed Holiday Parks.
