Brisbane’s Calile Hotel crowned best in Oceania in top 50 list

A luxury Brisbane hotel has not only been crowned best in Australia, but also outranked rivals in the United States, including New York’s world-famous Carlyle.

The Calile Hotel in Brisbane has been crowned Oceania’s finest in The World’s 50 Best Hotels in London overnight.

Named Australia’s top, ranking 25 overall (down from 12 last year), the Malouf’s family’s flagship property eclipsed anything Sydney or Melbourne had to offer, with no hotels from those cities making the cut.

It also outranked America’s best hotel, The Carlyle in New York, which placed 30.

Brisbane's Calile Hotel has made the list of the world’s best 50 hotels. Picture: Supplied

The only other Australian hotel, The Tasman in Hobart, scraped in at number 49.

The Calile co-owner Catherine Malouf said the James Street hotel’s selection two years running was “a significant affirmation” on the global stage.

“This is a win for our team, our collaborators, our loyal guests and a win for Brisbane as a destination,” Ms Malouf said.

A swank mecca for A-listers and celebrities, with room rates from $548 to $1939 per night, the hotel has been patronised by actors George Clooney, Julia Roberts and Liam Hemsworth and musicians Bono and Shawn Mendes – to name a few – since opening in late 2018.

The Calile Hotel in James St has become a popular spot for A-listers, including Chris Hemsworth. Picture: David Clark

It was designed with a South Beach Miami vibe by Brisbane architects Richards & Spence and is more than a hotel, anchoring a major restaurant and retail precinct.

In the prestigious London awards, however, the biggest winner by region was Asia.

It had 19 in the top 50 – including the number one spot, awarded to Capella Bangkok, and number three, Rosewood, Hong Kong.

Italy’s Lake Como placed second, with Passalacqua.