WANDERLUST NEWS

’50 Best’ reveals the world’s top hotels for 2024 ’50 Best’ reveals the world’s top hotels for 2024

A stylish and serene stay on the banks of Thailand’s Chao Phraya River takes home the top prize, while Asian and European retreats dominate the rankings…

18 September 2024

Capella Bangkok (50 Best)

For its second annual year, 50 Best – a brand that recognises the best in hospitality – has returned with its awards for the World’s 50 Best Hotels 2024.

Hundreds of specialists in the sector, including hoteliers, journalists and seasoned luxury travellers, confidentially cast their vote to decide the ranking order, which were revealed during a prestigious awards ceremony at London’s historic Guildhall on Tuesday 17 September.

Taking the top spot and being named the Best Hotel in the World – and Asia – was Thailand’s Capella Bangkok.

Perching on the shoreline of the Chao Phraya River, the location is part of what makes this Capella property special, according to the hotel’s Marketing Manager Josephine Ping.

“The River of Kings is the life source for the Thai people. Our hotel is built in such a way that it’s embracing and paying homage to the river. That’s the beauty of it – it gives a true sense of place… it is truly authentic”

Capella Bangkok has been named the Best Hotel in the World (50 Best)
The tea lounge in Capella Bangkok (50 Best)
Capella Bangkok has 101 rooms that overlook the Chao Phraya River (50 Best)

Capella Bangkok – which climbed 10 places from its #11 position in last year’s awards – only opened in 2020 during the coronavirus pandemic. In a bustling, noisy capital, the hotel has been praised for its ‘masterclass in serenity and calm’, with the intimate feeling of a boutique hotel despite having 101 rooms. All rooms face towards the water, with additional riverside villas and suites complete with their own private pools.

“For a small brand like Capella, being named in the 50 Best is just a wonderful recognition of our people”, said General Manager John Blanco, who described coming in at number one as “surreal” and “unexpected”.

But Blanco emphasised it was the “unscripted culture” of their team that makes their hotel unique. “When we set out four years ago in this competitive city, we knew we had to do things differently. How our people [team] behave and engage is unscripted and warm. We make the effort to anticipate, read and have a connection with people.”

To emphasise this unique connection, the hotel has its own ‘Capella Culturalists’ – knowledgeable concierges who are on-hand to help guests create unforgettable experiences that immerse them in the culture and heritage of Thailand.

“You’re only as good as your last customer, and our people [team] firmly believe that”, Blanco continued. “We like to create emotions and experiences for people and give them a true Thai experience”.

Last year’s number one, Passalacqua – an 18^th-century villa sitting on the shores of Italy’s Lake Como – just missed out on the top spot, coming in at second place. However, the property retained the title of the ‘Best Hotel in Europe 2024’ and was additionally awarded the ‘Best Boutique Hotel 2024’.

Asia dominated the rankings with 19 hotel mentions in the list. This was followed by Europe with 13 hotels – both continents making up the entirety of the top 10 hotels.

Maroma, Riviera Maya was awarded Best Eco Hotel (50 Best)
Scotland’s Gleneagles was one of four UK entries (50 Best)

The best hotels across six continents were also highlighted during the award proceedings. For the second year in a row, Chablé Yucatán in Mexcio (#16) was named the Best Hotel in North America. Brazil’s Rosewood São Paulo (#24) was the only South American hotel on the list, and therefore took home the title of best on the continent. The Best Hotel in Oceania was awarded to The Calile in Australia (#25), while Cape Town’s Mount Nelson, with its iconic pink façade, was named the Best Hotel in Africa (#28).

Other special awards of note included the Eco Hotel Award, given to the luxury Belmond resort of Maroma (#18) – located on Mexico’s Riviera Maya – for its efforts to protect its surrounding environment and society more than any other hotel on the list. Meanwhile, Royal Mansour (#39) in Marrakech was awarded the Art of Hospitality Award for its outstanding personalised service.

The UK also received four mentions, three of which being London-based: Claridge’s (#11), The Connaught (#26) and Raffles London at The OWO (#13) – the latter receiving the award for Highest New Entry. Scotland’s Gleneagles, located in the green hills of Perthshire, came in at number 41.

Managing Director of 50 Best Hotels, Tim Brooke-West, addressed the audience during the awards ceremony, saying the list sets out to honour the hotels that “represent that heartbeat of the destination they inhabit”.

He said: “From the heart of bustling cities to the serenity of secluded retreats, the hotels on this list represent the pinnacle of hospitality across the globe.