Luxury, as the travel industry now defines it, is no longer about gold-plated faucets or bellhops who memorise your dog’s name (though, to be clear, hotels still absolutely do this). It’s about ease, serenity, and the sense that someone has anticipated your needs before you’ve had a chance to articulate them. That’s why The World’s 50 Best Hotels 2025 list has become something like fashion month for the hospitality world: a global scoreboard of who’s doing luxury with intelligence and who’s simply doing it with chandeliers. Rosewood Hong Kong, which takes the No.1 spot this year, is a masterclass in contemporary Asian hospitality—sleek, quiet, obsessive about detail, and very good at making guests feel like the protagonists in a film directed by someone with a fondness for marble and natural light. Meanwhile, London continues its run as the city that can’t stop winning at hospitality. Claridge’s, Raffles at The OWO, The Connaught, and The Emory all landed on the list, as if the capital collectively decided it would monopolise the top hotel experience in every possible architectural style. Even beyond the M25, the much-Instagrammed Estelle Manor secured a place, confirming that countryside luxury is no longer about floral bedspreads but about moody lighting, discreet wellness programs, and the knowledge that someone will bring you a flawless martini no matter how far you venture from London. As always, this year’s list reflects more than rankings—it tells us where luxury is headed, and whose lobby you’ll see all over your feed next month. In a city where skyscrapers gleam like polished jewellery, Rosewood still manages to feel singular - anchored by its minimalist design language, its emphasis on spaciousness (rooms start at 53 sq.m., which is basically a penthouse in Hong Kong terms), and a level of service calibrated to make even the most seasoned traveller pause and say, “Oh… they really thought of everything.” 2. Four Seasons Bangkok Set along the Chao Phraya River, this Four Seasons property feels more like a waterside resort than a city hotel - and that’s precisely the point. With 299 contemporary rooms that unfold in soothing neutrals, it’s designed for decompression. The brand, which also secured the Ferrari Trento Most Admired Hotel Group Award, leans into a relaxed, luminous style here that Bangkok didn’t know it needed until it arrived. 3. Capella Bangkok Bangkok Capella Bangkok is what you book when you want Bangkok without the… Bangkok. Its 101 river-facing rooms are built around light, space, and serenity, each designed to function as a cocoon against the city’s buzz. The Capella Culturists elevate the stay further - essentially concierges with anthropology degrees, they orchestrate bespoke itineraries that make the city feel both intimate and newly discovered. 4. Passalacqua Lake Como The world’s most photographed lake gets yet another showstopper in Passalacqua, an 18th-century villa once home to Pope Innocent XI. With only 24 individually styled rooms - each dripping in historical detail - the hotel reads like a love letter to Italian craftsmanship. It returns this year as both The Best Hotel in Europe and Best Boutique Hotel , a deserved accolade for a place that makes Como’s already romantic landscape feel cinematic. 5. Raffles Singapore Singapore Raffles Singapore isn’t just a hotel; it’s a mood, a genre, maybe even a belief system. Opened in 1899 and still maintaining its pristine white façade, iconic Sikh doormen, and famously attentive butler service, it’s one of the few properties where you can genuinely time travel without leaving the lobby. The Singapore Sling was invented here, of course, but its charm isn’t nostalgic, it’s enduring. 26. Hotel Il Pellicano, Porto Ercole 27. Hôtel du Couvent, Nice 28. Soneva Fushi, Maldives 29. The Connaught, London 30. La Mamounia, Marrakech 31. Raffles London at The OWO, London 32. The Emory, London 33. Maroma, Riviera Maya 34. The Calile, Brisbane 35. The Lana, Dubai 36. Hôtel de Paris Monte-Carlo, Monaco 37. Janu Tokyo, Tokyo 38. The Taj Mahal Palace, Mumbai 39. One&Only Mandarina, Riviera Nayarit 40. Singita – Kruger National Park, Kruger National Park 41. Mandarin Oriental Hong Kong, Hong Kong 42. Hotel Bel-Air, Los Angeles 43. The Mark, New York 44. Las Ventanas al Paraíso, Los Cabos 45. The Tokyo Edition Toranomon, Tokyo 46. Hotel The Mitsui, Kyoto 47. Estelle Manor, Witney 48. Grand Park Hotel Rovinj, Rovinj 49. Hotel Sacher Vienna, Vienna 50. Mandapa, Bali

There is a stillness to the Maasai Mara that feels almost cinematic. The light drifts slowly across the plains, and everything seems to move in rhythm with it. At the newly opened Paradise Plains , a boutique safari camp from The Wilder Group, that sense of calm is part of the experience. Set in the quieter Musiara region of the reserve, Paradise Plains offers space to breathe and an uninterrupted connection to the landscape. Elephant herds often graze within view of the infinity pool, while lions from the Marsh Pride are known to wander nearby. The Mara River, which borders the camp, brings with it a chorus of bird calls and the sound of hippos moving through the water. The camp’s nine suites balance old-world charm with contemporary restraint. Locally made tents blend into the terrain with soft tones of sand and stone. Inside, traditional East African design meets subtle luxury through natural linen, antique kilims, and copper bathtubs positioned to face the open plains. Every detail feels intentional, designed to frame the wilderness rather than distract from it. Life at Paradise Plains follows the rhythm of the day. Mornings begin with coffee on a private deck as the sun rises over the savannah. Afternoons are spent on game drives or by the pool, watching the wildlife pass. Evenings end beside the campfire with a glass of South African wine and the sounds of the bush settling into night. Meals, designed by chef Riaan Coetzee, are served in the dining tent or under the stars. The menus focus on simple, seasonal flavours prepared with care. Guests can also take part in sundowners on the plains or a private lantern-lit dinner in the bush. A yoga deck overlooks the Mara River, a small spa offers treatments inspired by the landscape, and a curated boutique features handmade pieces from local artisans. Yet the real appeal of Paradise Plains is its atmosphere of quiet and openness. The camp operates in partnership with the local Maasai community and the Narok County Government. Most of the team come from nearby villages, and a share of the camp’s income directly supports local families. This collaboration gives Paradise Plains a purpose beyond hospitality, creating a model of tourism that benefits both people and place. Paradise Plains feels less like an escape and more like an immersion. It is a space for slow mornings, unhurried conversations, and a renewed connection to nature.

In the heart of Riyadh, one of Saudi Arabia’s most historic landmarks is preparing for a new life. The Red Palace, once the home of Crown Prince Saud, later King Saud, will reopen in 2026 as an ultra-luxury hotel under the vision of Boutique Group , the Saudi hospitality collective dedicated to transforming royal residences into extraordinary cultural destinations. Built in 1943, The Red Palace was once the stage for royal receptions, state banquets, and the quiet diplomacy that defined Saudi Arabia’s modern emergence. Its striking red façade and Art Deco flourishes made it a bold statement of progress at a time when the Kingdom was stepping confidently onto the world stage. Behind its grand symmetry lay a distinct blend of influences: European formality softened by the light and geometry of traditional Saudi architecture. The restoration by Aedas and interior designer Tristan Auer pays homage to this cosmopolitan legacy while shaping the Palace for a new generation of global travellers. Auer’s vision weaves together the textures of the past with the intimacy of modern design, creating spaces that retain the building’s royal gravitas but invite quiet reflection. With just seventy rooms and suites, The Red Palace has been conceived as a true boutique property, where privacy and personalisation are central to the experience. Guests will have access to salons, dining rooms, and gardens once reserved for Saudi royalty. Every detail of the transformation has been guided by a sense of reverence for the building’s heritage and a desire to revive the spirit of hospitality that defined King Saud’s era. The hotel’s spa is designed as an immersive sanctuary, featuring private spa suites with saunas, steam rooms, and treatment areas. Inspired by the customs of royal welcome, the rituals will incorporate Saudi ingredients such as incense, rose, and oud. These sensory elements link the guest experience to the country’s long-standing traditions of generosity and beauty. Dining at The Red Palace will bridge past and present, with menus that celebrate traditional Saudi cuisine alongside international culinary influences. The intention is to create a destination that feels as resonant for locals as it does for travellers, reflecting the original role of the Palace as a gathering place for dialogue and celebration. For Boutique Group , which operates under Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, The Red Palace marks another step in its mission to preserve cultural heritage while defining a new standard of luxury. More than a hotel, it represents the convergence of history, architecture, and contemporary design. When it opens in 2026, The Red Palace will once again stand as a meeting point between worlds, a testament to how heritage can evolve without losing its soul.

There’s something deliciously cinematic about arriving at Strawberry Hill House on a rainy morning - the white Gothic turrets glistening under the drizzle, the gardens turning that particular shade of English green that only seems to appear after a storm. Families in wellingtons splashed through puddles at the gates, seemingly oblivious to the quiet drama unfolding inside: Henry VIII’s Lost Dagger: From the Tudor Court to the Victorian Stage. On view from 1 November 2025 to 16 February 2026, the exhibition traces the extraordinary journey of a vanished 16th-century Ottoman dagger, once believed to have belonged to Henry VIII himself. Its story begins with Horace Walpole, the 18th-century writer, collector, and architect who transformed Strawberry Hill into a Gothic dreamscape and filled it with treasures that fuelled Britain’s obsession with the fantastical. Among them was this mysterious dagger. When Walpole’s collection was sold in 1842, the piece found a new home with Charles John Kean, the celebrated Shakespearean actor known for pioneering historically accurate productions - what critics of the time called “living museums.” The dagger disappeared after Kean’s death, leaving behind a trail of intrigue that Dr Silvia Davoli, Principal Curator at Strawberry Hill, has spent years trying to unravel. Stepping inside the exhibition, it’s easy to feel the pull of the past. The entrance, discreetly tucked behind the gift shop, opens into a dimly lit hall where two sculptural figures - woven from twigs, holly, and moss - stand sentinel at the foot of the grand staircase. A single candle flickers within a replica chandelier, throwing soft light onto the crimson walls. Each room of the house feels like a storybook. The library, perfectly framed by two circular stained-glass windows, glows in the muted afternoon light. It’s the sort of room that makes you wonder whether Walpole ever imagined his fictional Castle of Otranto could one day become so tangible. Upstairs, the famous Red Hall gives way to the exhibition space, where a display of Ottoman daggers, exquisite, intricate, and unmistakably regal - offers a glimpse of what the lost treasure might have looked like. It’s not just an exhibition; it’s an act of historical imagination. Henry VIII’s Lost Dagger doesn’t simply catalogue artefacts - it invites visitors to follow a mystery through centuries of art, theatre, and obsession. And like all good mysteries, it leaves you wondering whether the dagger’s true story has been found, or whether it’s still hiding somewhere in the folds of history, waiting to be rediscovered.

Capri is that island - you know, the one dangling off the Amalfi Coast like a shiny earring that every fashion house suddenly decided they wanted to wear. Jacquemus threw a runway show here, brands have churned out “Capri-inspired” resort collections, restaurants migrate over in the summer just to say they did, and influencers can’t stop posting about their yacht-side Aperols. By the time you step off the ferry, you’ll get it - the cliffs are dramatic, the yachts are abundant, and yes, you’ll immediately wonder if your linen outfit is Instagram-worthy enough. But let’s get into what nobody tells you. Shoes First off: the shoes. Forget the delicate strappy sandals or that expensive pair you convinced yourself were “walking shoes.” You have never known stairs until you’ve set foot in Capri. I thought I was a seasoned Italy traveller - climbed the Roman hills, wandered through Tuscan towns, ticked off all the rustic alleyways. But Capri is in a league of its own. Thousands of steps. Everywhere. It’s beautiful, sure, but your quads will remember the trip longer than your camera roll. Funicular Then there’s the funicular - the charming little cable car that everyone takes up from the marina. The problem? The line feels like it’s auditioning for the Guinness World Records. What I wish I’d known: if you’re staying overnight, there’s a secret separate entrance for hotel guests. Flash your booking and skip the ordeal. We didn’t know, of course, and spent 40 minutes sweating our way up stairs instead. Privacy is everything Here’s the magic trick Capri somehow pulls off: being buzzing and quiet at the same time. We stayed in a villa smack in the middle of the busiest part of town - surrounded by glamorous pools, Michelin-starred dining, and every five-star hotel you’ve seen in Condé Nast Traveller, yet it felt secluded. Out on the terrace, you’d look across at the Faraglioni cliffs dotted with yachts and swear you were in your own private film set. Price Now, let’s talk numbers. Capri is expensive. And not “London pricey” or “Paris café inflation” expensive. We’re talking €40 for soup, €35 for a salad, and that’s before you’ve even ordered wine. Accommodation? Under €300 a night is basically unheard of, and that’s for the most modest of rooms. The ferry from Naples will set you back another €35 per person each way, and don’t expect to offset costs with a supermarket run - the ones that exist are tiny, understocked, and close early. So unless your budget stretches to multiple Aperol spritzes that cost more than dinner in Naples, consider making Capri a glamorous day trip instead of a full-blown stay. What to wear Capri isn’t the place to test out your tightest leather trousers or anything that requires complicated zips. It’s hot, it’s humid, and unless you’re staying poolside at a five-star, you’ll be climbing stairs that feel like a Peloton class in disguise. So think practical but make it chic. You’ll want a lightweight bag you can sling over your shoulder for shopping alley strolls or when you brave the Monte Solaro chairlift. Sunglasses are non-negotiable (the more dramatic, the better, it’s Capri after all), and shoes should be comfortable enough to handle uneven paths but stylish enough that you won’t hate yourself when you bump into someone from Vogue. To make things easier, I’ve pulled together a little style guide below with some of my favourites - pieces that balance glamour with the reality of sweat, stairs, and selfies. For her For him Where to stay Capri Tiberio Palace If Wes Anderson designed a dolce vita escape, it would look like this. Bursting with colour (we’re talking magenta sofas, turquoise walls, and enough vintage trinkets to fill a flea market), the Tiberio Palace is equal parts glamorous and fun. Book a sea-facing suite with a terrace and you’ll never want to leave. Food-wise, La Terrazza Tiberio does the kind of seafood pasta you’ll still be dreaming about when you’re back in rainy London, while the Jacky Bar is the place to sip a paloma under the gaze of a white baby grand piano. Caesar Augustus Hotel Perched dramatically on a cliff 300 metres above sea level, Caesar Augustus is where you go when you want views that make you question your entire life back home. It’s family-run, so while it’s grand, it’s also incredibly warm owner Paolo and his son might just greet you personally. Rooms in the main villa are the prize (yes, even the bathrooms come with a view). The chef cooks with ingredients picked straight from the hotel’s garden, and if you’re lucky you’ll be roped into a cooking class or a fish-market run. It’s all very wholesome in a “pinch-me-I’m-on-Capri” kind of way. Hotel La Palma Capri’s very first hotel got a major glow-up in 2023, and now it’s a dreamy neoclassical hangout where white curtains billow like togas and the crowd looks like they’ve just stepped off a private jet (they probably have). The rooms are all breezy whites and sky blues, and the pastry counter downstairs is run by a master chef. Upstairs, Michelin-starred Gennaro Esposito works his magic on the roof terrace. But the real flex? Scoring a spot at the hotel’s Da Gioia beach club because sun loungers on Capri are harder to book than a Birkin. Hotel La Vega Tucked into a candy-pink building, La Vega is the kind of hotel that doesn’t need to shout about itself. It’s family-run, understated, and has a hillside pool carved into the rock that’s basically begging for an Aperol shot (the drink, not the photo, though both work). The rooms are crisp whites with blue majolica tiles, and the private terraces are perfect for lazy breakfasts with a sea view. It’s not as flashy as some of its neighbours, but that’s exactly why people love it. J.K. Place Capri Hovering above Marina Grande, J.K. Place feels like a secret club for people who’ve outgrown the day-tripper chaos. The interiors are peak Michele Bonan: chic, polished, but never stiff. Think four-poster beds, wraparound terraces, and sunlight pouring in from every angle. Days here revolve around the pool, the terrace, and the chef’s modern spin on Mediterranean cooking (expect fish so fresh it practically swims onto the plate). Aperitivo hour here is legendary cocktails, views of Vesuvius, and that smug feeling you picked the right hotel. What to do There are a few Capri non-negotiables, and booking a boat is at the very top. Especially if you’re staying overnight, skip the TikTok-fed urge to queue for the Blue Grotto. It’s tourist bingo: hours of waiting for a five-minute ride that’s mostly bragging rights. Instead, splurge on a private boat. I did one with dinner at sunset, and it was the closest I’ve come to feeling like I was in an old Italian film. Our guide fed us stories of emperors, architects, and celebrities who once swanned about the cliffs, while the sea turned from powder blue to shades of orange, green, and red. Yes, it was a bit choppy, but bobbing past the Faraglioni at sunset while yachts hovered nearby was pure magic. Next up: the Monte Solaro chairlift. It’s a must, and honestly, half the fun is just getting there. Capri’s roads are so narrow and twisted you’d think they were designed by someone who hated cars. Which is why the island’s cabs look like squashed convertibles from another planet. Take one, it’s all part of the Capri experience. Leave the overcrowded buses to those with a masochistic streak. Shopping is another must. Wander the little lanes, duck into boutiques of Italian designers, and you’ll find pieces that somehow feel more special (and sometimes more affordable) than their London equivalents. Then, when you’re ready to slow down, stop by the Gardens of Augustus or stroll Via Krupp. They’re postcard-perfect, but you don’t need to tick every sight off a list. Capri is best enjoyed with a slow wander, a sea breeze, and the smug feeling that you’ve chosen the right kind of chaos to escape to. Where to eat La Fontelina If you do one meal in Capri, make it here. La Fontelina is basically the definition of Capri vibes: sunbeds perched under the Faraglioni rocks, impossibly chic crowds pretending not to notice each other, and seafood so fresh you’ll wonder if the lobster was sunbathing next to you five minutes earlier. Book ahead, both tables and loungers vanish faster than a spritz on a hot day. L’Olivo When flip-flops and pasta no longer cut it, head to L’Olivo at the Capri Palace Jumeirah. Two Michelin stars, a menu crafted by Andrea Migliaccio (a local hero from Ischia), and pasta that feels like edible poetry. The lemon-scented tagliolini with burrata, red prawns, and sea asparagus is the sort of dish you’ll dream about on the ferry home. Ristorante Panorama The name is no lie, the views here are spectacular. Panorama is known for its warm, attentive service (though occasionally you’ll wait a little longer than you’d like), and the seafood pasta is exactly what you want after a day of shopping and stair climbing. It’s not cheap, but the views alone almost justify the bill. Almost.

I arrived in Sorrento by boat on a sun-soaked afternoon, the kind where the heat (28 degrees, to be exact) clings to your shoulders in that pleasant, slightly smug way that says: you’re on the Amalfi Coast, congratulations. Compared to the theatrics of Positano or the polished glamour of Capri, Sorrento feels immediately more relaxed, less performative, almost as if it’s exhaling for you. My hotel, the aptly named Hotel Central Wellness, sits about a fifteen-minute walk from the station—or, if you’re feeling less ambitious, a quick cab ride away. What I didn’t know until later was that there’s a lift—yes, a lift—that will spare you the roughly 200-step climb from the port up to the town level for just over a euro. A life saver, truly, if you’ve arrived with a suitcase, or wearing trendy shoes. About the hotel Hotel Central Wellness is a boutique-sized escape with just over fifty-five rooms, which already makes it feel like the antithesis of the cavernous, wedding-party-filled resorts you sometimes find along the coast. It’s the sort of place you book to properly exhale - either as a finale to your summer travels or as a pause before heading on to the next dizzying stop on the jet-set itinerary. My check-in was seamless: a brightly lit lobby chilled to the exact right temperature (not arctic, not balmy) with a quiet scent hanging in the air, the kind of fragrance that doesn’t shout “I am bergamot!” but instead gently whispers, you’re somewhere nice. The staff were warm, efficient, and had me upstairs in minutes. The room And then, the room. Number 401, perched on the fourth floor, came with a sweeping view of the sea and Mount Vesuvius looming in the distance like a perfectly placed postcard prop. Forget the standard hotel-room checklist of kettle, tea bags, and generic instant coffee sachets—this room had its own private sauna. A sauna. In the room. It felt like a subtle reminder that the hotel takes the “wellness” part of its name very seriously. The rest didn’t disappoint: a generous sofa, a screen big enough for both cable and Netflix marathons, and a bathroom that was basically its own mini-spa with an “emotional shower” (yes, that’s the actual term) offering ambient lighting and massaging jets, a bidet, and a vanity mirror lined with bright LEDs—an influencer’s dream scenario. The décor tied it all together: blue-and-white tiles that channelled old-school Italian chic, a bed that was both expansive and firm, and pillows that felt designed with Goldilocks-level precision - neither too plump nor too flat. Within minutes, I was smitten. The pool The pool is the kind of place that makes you reconsider whether you actually need to go sightseeing at all. Fairly large by boutique hotel standards, it’s ringed with plenty of lounge chairs and, most importantly, a bar that takes its cocktail offerings seriously. Each chair comes with an adjustable shade canopy you can tilt just over your face—because yes, we love Italy, but we love anti-aging even more. For those who’d rather sip in silence, the terrace offers a quieter corner with sunbeds overlooking the bay and Mount Vesuvius, a view so cinematic it almost distracts from your spritz. The food Lunch by the pool sealed the deal. The menu runs the gamut from fresh seafood to pastas, crisp salads, and the sort of “healthy snacks” that make you feel virtuous without sacrificing taste. It’s the kind of variety that means everyone—from the carb-lover to the wellness purist—finds something they’ll happily linger over. Pair it with a chilled glass of wine or a bright, citrusy spritz, and you’ve got the holy trinity of Italian leisure: pool, sun, and food. The gym Downstairs, the wellness focus continues with a fully equipped gym, stocked with every machine and gadget you could need to keep up appearances—or at least balance out the pasta intake. The staff, always attentive without hovering, seem to anticipate what you need before you ask, whether that’s a fresh towel, directions to the sauna, or another round from the poolside bar. The wellness centre The spa was, quite literally, all mine. For the first time ever, I had an entire wellness space closed off just for me—two uninterrupted hours of what can only be described as curated bliss. It began with a 30-minute full-body massage that erased every trace of travel fatigue, followed by a cup of detoxifying green tea that felt almost ceremonial. From there, I slipped into a jacuzzi the size of a small pool, complete with waterfalls and a soundtrack of soft, zen-like music that made me briefly consider abandoning real life altogether. The session wrapped with a Turkish sauna, the perfect finale to a ritual that left me feeling reset in a way no face mask or quick hotel steam room ever could. Rooftop Terrace A lovely surprise was the rooftop terrace, which never felt crowded thanks to the hotel’s boutique size. It’s the kind of spot you wander up to thinking you’ll just take a peek, then end up staying for hours. On one side, the view stretches over the pool, the sea, and Mount Vesuvius; on the other, it’s all rolling hills and rugged mountains. The sunsets here are nothing short of breathtaking, with the whole sky turning shades of apricot and rose as you sip whatever happens to be in your glass. It’s peaceful, unfussy, and perhaps the hotel’s most underrated luxury. The space itself isn’t enormous, but that’s the point—it’s designed with precision rather than excess. Minimalist interiors, ambient lighting, and just the right music make it feel like stepping into a cocoon of calm. By the time I emerged, Sorrento outside felt somehow louder, brighter, more insistent, as though the world had been paused and then restarted. Hotel Central Wellness isn’t the flashiest address in Sorrento, but that’s exactly its appeal. It strikes the right balance between comfort, relaxation, and a touch of indulgence—whether that’s a private sauna in your room, a cocktail by the pool, or two quiet hours in the spa. With its convenient location, attentive staff, and wellness-first approach, it’s the kind of hotel that works just as well as a pit stop on a longer Amalfi itinerary as it does a standalone retreat. In short: easy, restorative, and exactly what you want Sorrento to be.