Capella Bangkok named World’s Best Hotel in 2024

The “rare oasis in the middle of Thailand’s bustling capital” has bumped Italy’s Passalacqua from the top position at this year’s The World’s 50 Best Hotels awards in London

Capella Bangkok in Thailand has claimed the coveted top spot at the highly anticipated The World’s 50 Best Hotels for 2024 awards. Announced at a ceremony in London’s historic Guildhall, the event, now in its second year, showcased the very best hotel experiences from across the globe, with Brisbane’s The Calile landing at number 25, making it not only Australia’s but Oceania’s best hotel for two years in a row.

Capella Bangkok climbed to No.1 from No.11 in 2023, solidifying the hotel as a top choice for luxury travellers in Asia. Nestled along the Chao Praya River, Capella Bangkok opened in 2020 with 101 rooms, each with river views. The hotel’s spa, Auriga, and its signature “Capella Culturalists” – personal butlers who curate bespoke experiences – set it apart in a bustling capital city.

Head of Content for The World’s 50 Best Hotels, Emma Sleight, praised the hotel for offering world-class service while maintaining an intimate atmosphere. “This extraordinary hotel is a rare oasis in the middle of Thailand’s bustling capital, offering world-class service while retaining the intimacy and personality of a boutique hotel – making it a worthy winner of the top prize,” she stated. This accolade solidifies the hotel’s reputation as a premier destination, having climbed from No.11 last year to No.1, and earning the title of Best Hotel in Asia for 2024.

The awards also shone a spotlight on boutique and eco-conscious properties. Passalacqua, located on the shores of Italy’s Lake Como, ranked No.2 this year (after taking out top honours last year) and was honoured with the Carlo Alberto Best Boutique Hotel Award. This boutique property, with fewer than 50 rooms, embodies the personalised service and unique charm that the Awards recognises. Meanwhile, Maroma in Mexico, ranked No.18, received the Flor de Caña Eco Hotel Award for its commitment to sustainability, particularly its conservation of the endangered Melipona bee and a focus on indigenous culture in its design and operations.

Dubai’s Atlantis The Royal, which opened in 2023, soared 35 places from No.44 to No.9, earning it the Highest Climber Award. Raffles London at The OWO, entering at No.13, claimed the Lavazza Highest New Entry Award. Additionally, Bulgari Tokyo, ranked No.22, was awarded the Nikka Best New Hotel Award, acknowledging its recent opening.

Asia made a strong showing in this year’s rankings, with 19 hotels making the list. Alongside Capella Bangkok, other notable entries from the region included Rosewood Hong Kong (No.3) and Aman Tokyo (No.7). Europe followed closely, with 13 hotels, led by Passalacqua and the iconic Cheval Blanc Paris (No.4). The UK was well represented with Claridge’s (No.11) and Raffles London.

Hotels from across the world featured in the rankings, with North America contributing nine properties, including Maroma and Chablé Yucatán (No.16) in Mexico, and The Carlyle (No.30) in New York. Africa saw four properties ranked, including Mount Nelson in Cape Town, which made its debut at No.28.

Sonia Cheng, CEO of Rosewood Hotel Group, was honoured with the SevenRooms Icon Award for her leadership in expanding the group while prioritising sustainability and social impact. Under her direction, Rosewood launched initiatives such as Rosewood Impacts, promoting environmental stewardship and empowering individuals within the hospitality industry.

Key Highlights:

• Capella Bangkok (No.1) in Thailand wins The Best Hotel in Asia 2024
• Passalacqua (No.2) in Italy wins The Best Hotel in Europe 2024
• Chablé Yucatán (No.16) in Mexico wins The Best Hotel in North America 2024
• Rosewood São Paulo (No.24) in Brazil wins The Best Hotel in South America 2024
• The Calile (No.25) in Australia wins The Best Hotel in Oceania 2024

The voting for The World’s 50 Best Hotels involves nine Academy Chairs selecting regional panels of hoteliers, travel journalists, and luxury travellers. Voters cast seven ranked votes for hotels they’ve stayed in over an 18-month period. All votes are submitted confidentially, and Academy Chairs have no knowledge of individual votes or influence over the results.

View the full list at theworlds50best.com/hotels/