Every September, The World’s 50 Best Hotels sets the tone for the year ahead in luxury hospitality.
Before the spotlight lands on the top 50, the organisation releases an equally compelling preview: the extended 51–100 list, a curated roll call of properties that define the future of global hotel design, service and experience. For 2026, the list spans 23 territories and 40 cities, offering a panoramic snapshot of where the world’s most influential travellers are checking in next .
Compiled from the votes of an 800‑plus Academy of anonymous experts — a blend of hoteliers, travel journalists, educators and seasoned luxury travellers — the extended list is designed to broaden the spotlight beyond the headline winners and celebrate the hotels shaping contemporary hospitality at every level .
A Global Map of Excellence
The 2026 extended list reveals clear regional momentum. Asia leads with 20 properties, followed closely by Europe with 16, underscoring both continents’ dominance in design‑driven, experience‑led luxury travel . Italy stands out in particular, securing nine places — the highest number for any European country — reaffirming its status as a powerhouse of craftsmanship, culinary heritage and hotel innovation .
Across the Atlantic, North America contributes nine hotels, with three in New York City alone — The Fifth Avenue Hotel, The Greenwich Hotel and Aman New York — reflecting the city’s continued influence on global hospitality trends and its ability to reinvent luxury for a new generation of travellers.
A Tough Year for the UK — But Not Without Bright Spots
Just two UK hotels make the 2026 extended list: Rosewood London and Gleneagles in Scotland . It marks a quieter year for the UK, especially compared with 2025, when five British properties appeared in the top 50 — including Claridge’s, The Emory, The Connaught and Raffles at The OWO, all London icons operated by Maybourne, alongside Estelle Manor in the Cotswolds .
The shift suggests a recalibration in the UK’s luxury landscape, with international competition intensifying and new openings across Asia and Europe raising the bar for design, service and storytelling.
Why the Extended List Matters
While the top 50 often steals the headlines, the 51–100 list has become a vital part of the awards ecosystem. As Faye Huggett, director of community for The World’s 50 Best Hotels, explains, the extended list “recognises 50 more exceptional hotels that represent the very best of global hospitality” and celebrates the “passionate people who bring them to life” — a reminder that excellence in hospitality is as much about human craft as it is about architecture or amenities .
These hotels are not runners‑up; they are global contenders, often emerging, evolving or redefining their categories. Many debut here before rising into the top 50 in subsequent years, making the extended list a powerful indicator of future stars.
A Preview of What’s Next
The full World’s 50 Best Hotels 2026 ranking will be revealed on 15 September at Les Salles du Carrousel in Paris, with the ceremony streamed live on the organisation’s YouTube channel — a moment that will set the tone for the year’s most influential openings, trends and travel conversations .
But for now, the extended list offers a rich, global snapshot of where luxury is heading: towards deeper cultural connection, more expressive design, and hospitality that feels personal, intentional and rooted in place.
