Zeal at 4am in Taipei, I rarely stay up but make an exception for the hoteliers I truly admire. The announcement of the world’s 50 best hotels, or the Oscar awards of the hospitality industry, deserves my precious time as the chairs of the academy and recognized hoteliers gather in London, and impatiently wait for the result. The list of 2024 indeed reflects the post-COVID frenzy for luxury travel and accommodations and also delivers a clear view about the developmental trend and prospect in hospitality.
#1-25
Urban locality and unparalleled leisure hotel experiences outweigh destination resorts in the leading hot zone of the list, particularly the top 10 best hotels. Bangkok, Hong Kong, and Tokyo retain the honor of best hospitality cities. Paris, London, and Singapore follow behind with eminent hotels and urban resorts to lure all the discerning travelers. Emerging Asian hotel brand - Capella, and polished vintage and regional brands - Rosewood and Raffles, obviously attract the droves of hotel junkies and critics.
Capella Bangkok@50best_hotels
Capella Bangkok, Mandarin Oriental Bangkok, and Fourseasons Bangkok are the Crown Jewels of the mighty Chao Phraya. The triumvirate is expected to be present on the list for long even if I believe other distinguished southern eastern Asian hotels are potent candidates for the list. Rosewood Hong Kong and the Upper House remain the beaconing tower above Victoria Harbor and continue to define urban retreat and service excellence.
Winners of individual awards are also noticeable and can be indicative of ranking forecast. To my amusement, most of the first-generation Aman resorts are still climbing the stairs to enter the list while downtown Aman hotels retain the favorable ranking or at least stay on the list under the aura of Ferrari Trento Most Admired Hotel Group Award 2024.
Bvlgari Tokyo marks the entry of Marriott pinnacle into the list and deserves the Nikka Best New Hotel Award 2024 yet might be unlikely to follow the path of her predecessor, Capella Bangkok, the winner of 2023. Lastly, American Express Travel One To Watch Award 2024 comforts the Peninsula junkies.
#26-50
The total number of individual hotels and resorts increased in the second half of the list led by the Siam, a visionary boutique resort enjoying my favoritism. The Siam is accoladed for its poetic surroundings and intuitive services hence the raison d’être to be listed permanently on the list. (Read more: The Siam - an Imaginarium of High Design and Service Excellence) The prominent leap in ranking marks a moment of both triumph and concern as the fellow accoladed Bangkok hotels remain in the top 15 zones.
I believe that boutique hotel embodies the art of hospitality no less than a middle Eastern ultra hotel or historical grande dame next to the Concorde. Behind-the-scenes challenges for boutique size property hoteliers can be even tougher and should deserve recognition for all the endeavors to commit to hoterliership. Still, my insight, empathy, and support may occasionally be met with suboptimal arrangements.
Resource and facility limitations can be the scale ceiling of the list, but should not discourage some most admirable hoteliers to strive for crafting exceptional hotel experiences. Hotel Escenia has been on top of my must-visit list, the full array of Mayan Riviera excursions and niche elegance just call upon me. All I hope for is that it won’t disappear from the list next year. Originality, sustainability, and innovation will torch the path to the grail.
As for chain-branded hotels and established properties landing in Zone 26 and beyond, congratulations and good luck are my only remarks. Style lasts, substance lingers, and services prevail. It is in the hands of professional hoteliers to balance characteristics and basics, and guests can always tell.
The Author, Joseph Wan
Significance
Eminence of female hoteliers and brand chairs is epitomized by the pre-recorded speech Sonia Cheng. Balanced professional ethos, supportive working environment, and cultural multi-disciplinary involvement are encouraged with the current list as the destinations and the spectrum of property types are diversified.
Undoubtedly, the list of 2024 prisms the collective acumen and preferences of the academies and distinguishes itself from the recent Michelin hotel rating and the telegraph list.I absolutely look forward the list of 2025 and beyond.
theworlds50best.com
Photo：Joseph Wan/instagram@50best_hotels/theworlds50best.com
Joseph Wan
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