The most beautiful hotels in the world? No. 1 is Rosewood Hong Kong, but No. 5 – and the best in Europe – is Passalacqua

In the lobby of Les Salles du Carrousel, the prestigious conference centre beneath the Louvre, the excitement is palpable in the eyes of those wearing the red scarf. They are representatives from the hotels that have been nominated for the 2026 list of the World’s Best Hotels 50 (now simply known as The 50). They chat, they smile, but above all they proudly display their scarves, for they are the stars of the evening – though they do not yet know where they rank on the list. It is a surprise for everyone, and the reason why hoteliers, sponsors, journalists and leading figures from the international hospitality industry have travelled from all over the world.

Italia has already received significant recognition in the extended list published in recent days, which covers hotels ranked from 51st to 100th place. There are nine in total, including five 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).

SAN DOMENICO PALACE, TAORMINA, FOUR SEASONS

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 through the hotel’s doors and experience it, even if only for an aperitif or brunch.

Portrait Milano

Further up the list, other Italian establishments include the Bvlgari Roma, in 32nd place, and, somewhat unexpectedly, Casa Maria Luigia (18th), 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 hotel 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 promotional 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 five and also claims the titles of Best Boutique Hotel and Best Hotel in Europe.

Bulgari Roma

Four Seasons Firenze

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 to the East, from the Middle East to the Far East, where, as we know, hospitality is a time-honoured, authentic and deeply rooted art. But above all, this top 10 reflects the spirit of the 50 Best Hotels of the World: predominantly classic, traditional, urban hospitality, backed by established hotel groups.