The most beautiful hotels in the world? No. 1 is Rosewood Hong Kong, but No. 5 – and the best in Europe – is Passalacqua
According to the ‘The World’s 50 Best Hotels 2026’ ranking, 13 Italian hotels feature in the top 100, with the Four Seasons Florence in 12th place, the Bulgari Rome in 32nd place, and the Four Seasons San Domenico Palace in Taormina in 50th place
Key points
In the lobby of Les Salles du Carrousel, the prestigious conference centre beneath the Louvre, you can see the excitement in the eyes of those wearing the red scarf. They are representatives from the hotels that have been named on the list of the 50 World’s Best Hotels 2026 (now simply known as The 50). They chat and smile, but above all they proudly display their scarves, for they are the stars of the evening – yet they do not know where they rank on the list. It is a surprise for everyone, the very reason why hoteliers, sponsors, journalists and leading figures from the international hospitality industry have travelled from all over the world.
Italia in pole position
Italia has already secured some notable honours in the extended list published in recent days, which covers hotels ranked from 51st to 100th place. There are nine in total, five of which are new entries: the San Pietro in Positano (58th place), the Splendido Portofino (60th), Rosewood Castiglion del Bosco (62nd), the Orient Express La Minerva (66th), the Forestis (68th), Borgo Egnazia (88th), Villa Treville (91st) and Reschio (95th).
The latest awards
But let’s get back to the evening of the eagerly awaited ‘The 50’ rankings, which set hotel hearts racing and trembling. We begin with Italia: coming in at number 50 is the Four Seasons San Domenico Palace in Taormina, a five-star hotel that has been fully booked for two seasons thanks to the success of the TV series *The White Lotus*, and which has really taken off under the magic touch of general manager Imelda Schllaku.
Another new entry this year is the Portrait (39), which, in the space of a couple of years, has revolutionised and expanded the concept of hospitality in Milan, persuading locals to step inside hotels and experience them, even if only for an aperitif or brunch.
Further up the list, other Italian entries include the Bvlgari Roma, in 32nd place, and, unexpectedly, Casa Maria Luigia (18), in Modena – the hotel owned by chef Massimo Bottura and his wife Lara Gilmore, which also wins the Lavazza Highest New Entry Award: it is extraordinary, amongst so many capital cities and international groups, to find a 25-room country retreat on the outskirts of Modena; then again, these are the twists and turns of a ranking entrusted to the good taste of its members and the communication skills of the establishments themselves. The Four Seasons Florence, a veritable museum, returns to 12th place, whilst Passalacqua, on Lake Como – which won the first edition in 2023 – remains firmly in the top 5 and also claims the titles of Best Boutique Hotel and Best Hotel in Europe.
The top ten
Of the 50 hotels, 21 are European, all spectacular, many of them timeless classics steeped in history, from the Plaza Athénée in Paris to the Hôtel de Paris in Monte Carlo, and the Hôtel du Cap Eden Roc in Antibes (44). From newcomers such as the Hotel du Couvent in Nice (38) to the timeless Badrutt’s Palace in St Moritz (36). And then there’s the top 10 – the most coveted and eagerly anticipated spots on the list – many of which look eastwards, from the Middle East to the Far East, where, as we know, hospitality is a time-honoured, authentic and profound art form. But above all, this top 10 reflects the spirit of the 50 Best Hotels in the World: predominantly classic, traditional, urban hospitality, backed by solid hotel groups.
