Atlantis The Royal in Dubai has been ranked ninth by the World's 50 Best Hotels. Travel industry leaders gathered in London on Tuesday to reveal the second annual list, published by the same company behind the World's 50 Best Restaurants.
Capella Bangkok in Thailand is first and is joined in the top 10 by Atlantis The Royal, which has 795 rooms and suites, 17 restaurants, 17 boutiques and 90 swimming pools. The Dubai hotel, which opened last year in a star-studded affair headlined by Beyonce, also won the highest climber award for 2024 after being ranked No 44 last year.
“We are deeply honoured to have Atlantis The Royal recognised on the list for the second year in a row,” said Paul Baker, president of Atlantis. “This achievement reflects a commitment to excellence from our dedicated and passionate colleagues, who continue to push boundaries and set new standards in the world of luxury hospitality.”
The Lana, a Dorchester Collection, which opened in Dubai in February, is No 23, with 50 Best describing it as “peaceful, understated and with the feeling of a collection of private residences”.
Oman's clifftop Six Senses Zighy Bay also made the cut, ranking No 45. Described as “isolation meets pared-back luxury in this Omani eco-retreat”, the boho-chic hideaway is popular with celebrities – Lindsay Lohan had her babymoon here – and offers guests the opportunity to arrive at the resort by paragliding off a cliff.
"I am thrilled that Six Senses Zighy Bay has been named one of only three hotels in the GCC on the World's 50 Best Hotels 2024 list," Diletta Guarina, general manager, told The National.
"This recognition shines a light on our dedication to creating extraordinary experiences. At the core of what we do is the belief that true luxury should never compromise our natural surroundings or the vibrant local community. Our guests are invited to explore unbeaten paths, connect deeply with nature, and engage with the local culture."
In total, five hotels from the Middle East have ranked inside the top 50, including Morocco's La Mamounia at No 31 and Royal Mansour at No 38. The latter has also been recognised for its impeccable service by being crowned the winner of the event's hospitality award. Turkey's The Peninsula Istanbul won the one-to-watch award.
Last year, the first published ranking named Passalacqua on the shores of Lake Como, Italy, as the world's best. This year, the luxury escape has dropped to second place but was also named the best boutique hotel in the world.
The world's best hotels in 2024
- Capella Bangkok, Thailand
- Passalacqua, Italy
- Rosewood Hong Kong
- Cheval Blanc, Paris
- The Upper House, Hong Kong
- Raffles Singapore
- Aman Tokyo, Japan
- Soneva Fushi, Maldives
- Atlantis The Royal, Dubai
- Nihi Sumba, Indonesia
Set on the banks of Chao Phraya River, Capella Bangkok is the crowning jewel of luxury hotels according to 50 Best, which has described the five-star retreat as a “calming riverside oasis in the centre of cacophonous Bangkok”. With 101 rooms, suites and villas, all of which are mammoth-sized, the hotel is the antidote to the Thai capital's endless hustle and bustle, offering clean lines, neutral tones and private gardens.
Room rates for a night at the world's best hotel start at Dh2,633 per night. While that is expensive in the Thai market, it is a lot less than a night at second-placed Passalacqua at Lake Como, where room rates do not drop below Dh3,600, even in low season.
Capella Singapore, meanwhile, has been ranked No 33. The hotel group from Singapore is known for its excellent service and distinct features that are specific to each hotel's destination. The brand is set to arrive in the Middle East soon, with the launch of Capella Diriyah in Saudi Arabia planned for 2026.
