In this article, we will be taking a look at the 30 most luxurious hotels in the world. To skip our detailed analysis, you can go directly to see the 10 most luxurious hotels in the world.
The global tourism industry is in fact a huge industry, encompassing multiples of other industries like travel, accommodation, attractions. People across the world travel for vacation, work, family, and it is a dream to stay in a luxury hotel. There aren’t any fixed standards of what a luxurious hotel will comprise of; however, what you can probably expect from them is amazing customer service. Most of them will comprise of high end spas, fine dining restaurants, and an experience that one will remember.
However, the hotel industry was one of the hardest hit during the pandemic of COVID-19, that sent most of the countries into a complete lockdown. It was an unprecedented crisis that rendered millions of people unemployed. The hospitality business was at a high risk of collapse during the outbreak of this virus. As soon as WHO categorized this virus as a pandemic, hotel occupancy declined globally from March 2020. This led to hotels facing financial troubles, resulting in employees getting fired, and hotels that couldn't survive the financial crisis were eventually forced to close. Some of these were extremely shocking for people who had spent a lot of time staying in these hotels. It wasn't until hotels started strictly following health protocols and safety measures to convince people that they would not be risking their lives staying at their hotels, that people actually began staying at hotels again. Even by the end of 2021, there were strict travel restrictions still quite active, and hence it isn't a surprise that compared to 2020, there was only a 4% increase in international tourist arrival as reported by the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO). Let's not forget that this was still 72% below what 2019 had reported, resulting in almost a billion fewer international travels in comparison to the situation that existed before COVID-19 hit the world. For decades, the tourism industry had only seen growth until the pandemic occurred and changed our "normal" forever.
30 most luxurious hotels in the world
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However, in 2023, we can safely say that the travel and hotel economy is finally on the road to recovery. Even though it is still far from the pre-pandemic levels, hopes are not lost as some successes are evident. After a rough couple of years, as the conditions of the pandemic improved, people began to travel again. Even though there is always a risk of a new virus or a new COVID variant that may strike the human population, people have now begun to move past it and move on with their lives as normally as they can.
According to Deloitte's 2023 travel outlook, with an increase in fare rates and travel expenditures due to the economic conditions globally, people are citing "financial constraints" as their number 1 reason for not considering traveling. Or, they might consider traveling domestically instead of taking a big international trip, for example. "As travelers consider the price vs. value proposition of travel, a looming concern of hoteliers and airlines is their ability to deliver the experiences travelers expect," reported Deloitte. The travel industry had to face an overwhelming situation of short staffing amidst the pandemic. After the health sector, it was the hotel and hospitality sector that was facing the most risk, dealing with people in person, face to face. Based on this report, hotels have increased wages and also offered more benefits in order to retain their staff and help them with this crisis. However, even through all these tough situations, the hotel industry's trends are only seen going upwards now. Even with the fear of recession and an extremely high inflation rate globally, there is no stopping tourism anymore. The CEO of Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAR), Tony Capuano mentioned that their luxury portfolio, which includes high end hotels like Ritz-Carlton, St.Regis and JW Marriott faced an increase of approximately 30% in 2022's first quarter, as compared to their rates in 2019.
According to Marriott's Q4 2022 earning calls transcript, "Momentum in conversions continues, including in multi-property opportunities, thanks to the breadth of our roster of conversion-friendly brands across the chain scales. The meaningful top- and bottom-line benefits associated with being part of our portfolio make these brands very attractive to owners. Conversions represented nearly 20 percent of room signings and 27 percent of room additions in 2022. We added a total of 394 properties last year, representing more than 65,000 rooms, and grew our industry-leading system 4.4 percent on a gross basis, or 3.1 percent, net, year over year. Excluding the impact from our exit from Russia, our net rooms growth was 3.6 percent. For 2023, we are forecasting gross rooms growth of around 5.5 percent, including around 1 percentage point from the anticipated addition of the City Express rooms to our franchise system. Assuming deletions of 1 to 1.5 percent, net rooms could grow 4 to 4.5 percent. " Another luxury hotel chain, Wyndham hotels and resorts, was able to generate a net income of approximately $56 million, or $0.63 per diluted share, compared to $48 million, or $0.52 per diluted share, in fourth quarter 2021.
Methodology:
To figure out the most luxurious hotels in the world was a difficult task, since it is a fairly subjective view point. However, for this ranking, we took rankings from 3 usually reliable sources. We took them from Conde Nast, Reader's Digest and Trip Advisor, as we find these to be credible sources of information. We then assigned a score to each hotel, based on its ranking in the list. For example, if a hotel ranked number one a list of 25 hotels, we ranked it 25/25 =1, while second place was ranked 24/25 and so on and so forth. We then ranked all hotels from all 3 lists, from highest to lowest, to calculate our own rankings. Hence, we now take a look at the 30 most luxurious hotels in the world, starting with number 30.
30. Pimalai Resort and Spa, Ko Lanta, Krabi Province
A beach-front hotel, overlooking the Andaman sea, Pimalai Resort and Spa is the perfect setting for people looking for a luxurious stay at a beautiful location in Thailand.
29. Mandarin Oriental, Taipei — Taiwan
A 5 star hotel situated in the heart of Taipei, the Mandarin Oriental provides a luxury experience with phenomenal views of the city. It blends the Chinese architecture with a touch of modernity and sophistication and offers an unforgettable experience for its guests.
28. Palms Casino Resort, Las Vegas
This hotel made its comeback in 2022, after shutting down during the pandemic. Offering luxurious accommodations, exceptional dining options, and extensive entertainment offerings, makes it a popular destination for travelers.
27. The Leela Palace New Delhi — India
With stunning contemporary architecture that blends with the royal Indian experience, The Leela Palace is part of the Diplomatic Enclave in New Delhi and is owned by Brookfield Asset Management Ltd. (NYSE:BAM). A variety of cuisines, extensive spa treatments and a prime location, the hotel makes for a deluxe experience for travelers staying.
26. BLESS Hotel — Madrid, Spain
Centrally located in one of the most exclusive neighborhoods of Madrid, the Bless Hotel has luxurious facilities and top notch reviews for impeccable service.
25. Aranwa Sacred Valley Hotel & Wellness — Peru
With views of the Andes mountains and Vilcanota river, the Aranwa Sacred Valley Hotel & Wellness is located near famous and important archeological sites like the Macchu Picchu.The luxurious rooms are designed to reflect their culture and are one of the reasons why this hotel is one of the most luxurious hotels in the world.
24. Umaid Bhawan Palace, Jodhpur — India
Umaid Bhawan Palace is a magnificent palace located in Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India. It was built between 1928 and 1943 by Maharaja Umaid Singh as a symbol of his wealth and power, with breathtaking views of the Blue City of Jodhpur. It is partly managed by the Taj Hotels.
23.Riad Kheirredine, Marrakech, Morocco
Riad Kheirredine is a luxurious boutique hotel located in the heart of Marrakech, Morocco. The hotel is housed in a restored 18th-century palace and features traditional Moroccan architecture, including a central courtyard with a fountain, intricate tile work, and ornate carvings. It offers guests an authentic Moroccan experience in a luxurious and comfortable setting.
22. The Connaught — London, U.K
A balance between modernity and tradition, The Connaught is an experience making one revisit the definition of British Luxury. It’s situated in the heart of Mayfair, away from the hustle bustle of London, yet completely immersed in its culture and traditions.
21. W Bogota — Colombia
Situated in the centre of Usaquen, a very happening neighbourhood, W Bogota is a contemporary boutique hotel offering luxurious and attentive experience to its guests.
20. Rancho Pacifico, Uvita, Costa Rica
An adults-only resort, the Rancho Pacifico is a boutique hotel located inside a tropical rain forest in Costa Rica. A picturesque view and incomparable service by the staff, it’s definitely a luxury experience.
19. The Westin Excelsior, Rome
The Westin Excelsior has an excellent location in Rome, just a few steps away from the famous Spanish Steps. With a rich history expanding over a 100 years, this hotel, owned by Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc. (NYSE:HLT) has attracted famous celebrities and politically renowned individuals.
18. Rosewood Villa Magna — Madrid, Spain
With an uplifted sense of luxury and a touch of modernity, this hotel is located in the heart of Madrid, walking distance from a lot of the tourist destinations and a shopping district.
17. Hôtel du Cap-Eden-Roc — Antibes, France
Located near the Olivette Harbour, the history of this hotel dates back to 1870. Exemplary service, a view of the Azure sea and unparalleled beauty is what makes this hotel one of the most luxurious hotels in the world.
16. Padma Resort – Ubud, Bali.
Soaring above the bamboo forests in Ubud, this 5-star resort has luxurious amenities and unmatched hospitality. It has 2 on site restaurants, a spa facility and a family friendly space.
15. Hôtel de Crillon, A Rosewood Hotel — Paris, France
Elegance and timelessness makes Hôtel de Crillon, A Rosewood Hotel one of the most luxurious hotels to stay in. Offering a cultural experience and a view of the Place de la Concorde, the hotel promises a true Parisian experience.
14. JW Marriott Austin — Texas, U.S.
Offering the largest bedrooms in the city, the JW Marriott, part of Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAR) is situated in the heart of Austin, providing luxury and comfort. Its location makes it extremely attractive, being near all the tourist spots. This luxurious hotel provides an upscale experience with unmatched services.
13. Six Senses Laamu, Olhuveli Island, Maldives
A luxury resort in Maldives, Six Senses has on-water and on-land lodges with views of dolphins in the sea. Its reviews boast of its attention to detail and 5-star experience.
12. SLS Dubai — U.A.E.
Located in downtown Dubai, the SLS Dubai offers a panoramic view of the entire city including the world’s tallest building, the Burj Khalifa. It consists of one of the world’s highest infinity pools with a stunning view. A high end facility, with fine dining, luxurious bedrooms and an extremely aesthetic and sensuous spa experience, it’s not wonder that this hotel is part of this list.
11. Zemi Beach House, Anguilla
Spanning almost 6 acres across the coastline of Anguilla, this boutique resort has 5 on site restaurants, ocean beach view suites, an award winning spa and an infinity pool, amongst a myriad of other luxurious services. The Zemi Beach House is part of the Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc. (NYSE: HLT)
