George Bernard Shaw once said that "the great advantage of a hotel is that it is a refuge from home life."
Point well taken, and since you're looking for refuge, you might was well go for the best.
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Fortunately, we now have the first-ever World's Best Hotel of 2023 list, which honored 50 hotels from 35 destinations around the globe and will give you a place to hang your hat at some of the swankiest places on the planet.
LIVE NOW: Passalacqua in #Moltrasio is crowned The Best Hotel in Europe and The World's Best Hotel 2023! #50BestHotels #Italy #LakeComo #PassalacquaLakeComo pic.twitter.com/F0tAUWW55i
— 50 Best Hotels (@50Best_Hotels) September 19, 2023
Overlooking Lake Como
As for the Number One hotel in the world, that honor goes to Passalacqua, which overlooks Italy's Lake Como.
Built in the 18th century on land once owned by Pope Innocent XI, the building now home to Passalacqua was once the residence of one of Italy’s most famous opera composers, Vincenzo Bellini.
The De Santis family, already owners of Lake Como’s Grand Hotel Tremezzo, acquired the 24-room hotel in 2018. Rates start at $1,300 a night.
“Passalacqua has been a love story since the very first moment,” Valentina De Santis said in a statement. “I give all credit to my parents, who had this dream together with me.”
The winner was announced at a ceremony in London, which was well-represented by Claridge’s at No. 16, The Connaught at No. 22, and The Savoy at No. 47, as well as the NoMad London at No. 46, the first international outpost from the NoMad Hotel brand.
Eighteen hotels in Asia also made the list, including second, third, fourth and fifth place, awarded to Rosewood Hong Kong, Four Seasons Bangkok at Chao Phraya River, The Upper House in Hong Kong and Aman Tokyo, respectively.
The 413-room Rosewood Hong Kong was also named the Best Hotel in Asia, where rooms the starting rate is $650. The hotel has 11 restaurants, as well as a swimming pool, spa and a fitness center.
New York, New York
The first American hotel appears at the halfway point. It is Aman New York, which is located on Fifth Avenue in the Big Apple and starts at $1,750.
"New York hotel decadence is measured in square footage and Aman NYC does not disappoint," 50 Best said. "From a double-height lobby atrium to a 7,000 square foot garden terrace, this hushed eyrie is as expansive as it is opulent."
New York's Equinox Hotel, the inaugural hotel from luxury fitness brand Equinox, was in the 48th spot on the list.
"The hotel occupies 15 floors of the tallest building in the Hudson Yards development and the vibe is light, airy and elegant," 50 Hotels said. "Every detail has been assessed to ensure guests leave the hotel healthier than when they arrived."
Heck, even the air is filtered by medical-grade equipment throughout the hotel. The starting rate? Nine hundred bucks.
And, finally, at No. 50, we have the Hotel de Crillon in Paris, a structure that Louis IV commissioned in 1758.
The building formed the Count de Crillon’s residence until 1909 when it opened as a hotel and is now part of Rosewood Hotels & Resorts. It relaunched in its current guise in 2017 following a four-year renovation.
In addition to a packing and unpacking service, guests also have access to a 24-hour personal butler. There are 124 rooms with a starting rate of $3,000.
