Italian luxury boutique hotel Passalacqua has been named as the world’s best hotel from among hotels from 35 destinations across six continents considered for the World's 50 Best Hotels list. Following Passalacqua is Rosewood Hong Kong at the second spot and Four Seasons Bangkok at the third.

The list of World’s 50 Best Hotels for the year 2023 has been released at an awards ceremony at London’s Guildhall, where the luxury boutique hotel Passalacqua in Lake Como, Italy, bagged the top spot.

According to a press statement issued by the organisers, the list is created by The World’s 50 Best Hotels Academy, an influential group of 580 anonymous leaders in the hotel industry, each selected for their expert opinion and background in the hotel scene. The World’s 50 Best Hotels Academy comprises nine voting regions, each headed up by an Academy Chair.

It adds that the list highlights outstanding hotel experiences across the world that shape the aspirations of consumers, travellers and hoteliers.

The organisers add that in Passalacqua, that is located in an 18th century villa with terraced gardens running down to the water, the De Santis family has created an exquisite 24-room property with the feel of a private home.

Tim Brooke-Webb, Managing Director for The World’s 50 Best Hotels, comments, “Huge congratulations to Passalacqua for the achievement of making it to No.1, just two years after opening. It’s a true testament to the vision of the De Santis family, who has created this sublime sanctuary for guests with painstaking devotion to design detail, exquisite hospitality and distinctive magic, which has clearly made a lasting impression on our Academy of expert voters.”

“After seeing the devastating impact of COVID-19 on the hospitality industry, it’s been especially fulfilling to see so many hoteliers from around the world gather in London to celebrate each other’s achievements under one roof for the first-ever awards ceremony of The World’s 50 Best Hotels,” he continues. “Our heartfelt congratulations go out to each and every hotel on the list, and we hope this list inspires travel-lovers to book somewhere truly spectacular for their next trip,” adds Brooke-Web.

Rosewood that has bagged the second spot, is located in Hong Kong’s Victoria Dockside arts and design district with views over the harbour. On the third spot, is also an Asian hotel, the Four Seasons Bangkok at Chao Phraya River.

At number four and give are also Asian hotels, with the Upper House in Hong Kong at number 4 and Aman Tokyo at number 5. Soneva Fushi in the Maldives is at number 7 and has been named the ‘Lost Explorer Best Beach Hotel’.

La Mamounia in Marrakech, Morocco is at number 6 and is also Best Hotel in Africa. The statement adds that London boasts four hotels on the list, with the top one Claridge’s at number 16. It is followed by the Connaught at number 22, NoMad London at number 46 and the Savoy at number 47. Two other UK properties were also winners, namely Gleneagles in Scotland at number 32, recipient of the Art of Hospitality Award and the Newt in Somerset at number 37, recipient of the Carlo Alberto Best Boutique Hotel Award.

The statement says that Singita Lodges, Kruger National Park in South Africa, is one of three hotels on the African continent to make the ranking, alongside La Mamounia and Royal Mansour at number 23, both in Marrakech.

Within eight months of its opening, Atlantis The Royal in Dubai has been named number 44.