Two Australian hotels named in World’s 50 Best list

Two Australian hotels have been recognised in the coveted World’s 50 Best Hotels list by a global academy of well-travelled experts in the hotel and travel industry, with Brisbane’s brutalist-inspired urban resort The Calile named Best Hotel in Oceania for the second year running.

The Calile came in at No.25 on the World’s 50 Best Hotels list for 2024.

The Calile, operated by TFE Hotels, ranked No.25 this year, sliding down the rankings from No.12 in 2023, while new entry, Hobart’s Marriott-run The Tasman – which Traveller awarded a perfect score – just made the top-50 list at No.49.

The Tasman in Hobart made the list at No.49.Credit: Adam Gibson

The top-ranked hotels for 2024 were announced at a ceremony at London’s Guildhall on Tuesday, September 17, with luxury Thailand hotel Capella Bangkok, located on the Chao Phraya River, climbing 10 places in the list to be crowned the world’s best hotel for 2024.

The world’s best hotel … Capella Bangkok.

It marks the second edition of the annual hotel rankings for the 50 Best group, best-known for its annual global top-50 restaurants and bars lists. Compiled by UK-based company William Reed Business Media, the hotel rankings’ debut in 2023 marked the group’s first global launch since turning its attention to bars in 2009.

Last year’s winner, the luxurious Passalacqua on the shores of Italy’s Lake Como, came in at No.2 in the 2024 rankings.

Last year’s top-ranked hotel Passalacqua, located on the serene shores of Lake Como in Italy.

The Calile co-owner Catherine Malouf, who attended the London ceremony, said: “To have been selected two years in a row marks a significant affirmation of The Calile’s place on the global hotel industry stage.

“This is a win for our team, our collaborators, our loyal guests and a win for Brisbane as a destination, and we are humbled to again represent Australia and be recognised as leading in the Oceania region.”

The Calile general manager Chris Kemlo, also in attendance, described the honour as a great win “for Brisbane and Australian tourism”.

The 1950s-style “urban resort” takes design cues from brutalism … The Calile exterior.

The 175-room luxury hotel, at the heart of the CBD James Street precinct, was designed by renowned architecture firm Richards and Spence, who combined 1950s design with elements of brutalism, resulting in a striking curvy white-brick facade, polished concrete interiors, and a mostly sun-bleached palette of opulent golds and soft sage, sandy, blue and pink hues.

The Calile co-owner Catherine Malouf (right), and general manager Chris Kemlo (second from right), at the London ceremony.

It’s a significant year for TFE Hotels group, the operating partner behind The Calile and on track to open one of the year’s most anticipated new Sydney hotels in November, luxury boutique hotel The Eve in Redfern.

The stylish 102-room property, set to feature a lavishly landscaped rooftop pool and restaurant, will be at the centre of a new hospitality precinct spearheaded by Liquid & Larder, whose venues include The Rover in Surry Hills and Bistecca in the CBD.

Computer render of The Eve Hotel, which opens in Redfern in November.

Beyond the top-50 rankings, some properties received special awards, with Italy’s Passalacqua (No.2) nominated Best Boutique Hotel, the Maldives Soneva Fushi (No.8) named Best Beach Hotel, the newly opened Raffles London at The OWO (No.13) singled out as the Highest New Entry, and Mexico’s Maroma, Riviera Maya (No.18) awarded the Eco Hotel Award.

Harbour views from the Aurora Suite terrace at The Tasman, Hobart.Credit: Adam Gibson

The inaugural World’s 50 Best Hotels prompted criticism in 2023 for its Europe-heavy inventory, and this year’s top-50 rankings were no exception. However, Asia dominated the list with 15 entries, led by Capella Bangkok (No.1), Rosewood Hong Kong, The Upper House, Hong Kong and Raffles Singapore. Europe represented strongly with 12 top-50 rankings, led by Lake Como’s Passalacqua, Paris’ Cheval Blanc, London’s Claridge’s, and Raffles London at The OWO.

The academy chair position for the Oceania region, which includes Australasia, Melanesia, Micronesia and Polynesia, is helmed by Melbourne-based food and travel critic Michael Harden, however it’s not known how many of the 580 jurors voting in the awards are Australian or Oceania-based.

Raffles London at The OWO was singled out as the Highest New Entry.

Other comparable annual hotel rankings have demonstrated varying degrees of interest for Australian stays. US-owned publications Travel + Leisure and Condé Nast Traveler didn’t feature a single Australian option in their respective World’s Best Awards top-100 for 2024.

The World’s 50 Best Hotels rankings is based on the votes of a collective of 580 jurors spanning nine geographical regions and comprising hoteliers, travel journalists, hotel educators and seasoned luxury travellers. Panel members submit seven votes, in order of preference, based on stays over a two-year period ending in April 2024.

The World’s 50 Best lists have been criticised for favouring European venues and demonstrating a lack of diversity, though measures have been taken to address some of these shortfalls, including mandating a 50/50 gender balance among jurors.

Any hotel is eligible; there is no essential criterion for a property to qualify for a vote, and hotels aren’t required to “pay to play”.

The 2024 World’s 50 Best Restaurants list saw Australia drop off the top-50 rankings completely, with just one Sydney restaurant – Saint Peter – honoured in the top-100 list at No.98.

The World’s 50 Best Hotels for 2024

1. Capella Bangkok (The World’s Best Hotel, The Best Hotel In Asia)
2. Passalacqua, Lake Como (The Best Hotel In Europe, Carlo Alberto Best Boutique Hotel Award)
3. Rosewood Hong Kong
4. Cheval Blanc, Paris
5. The Upper House, Hong Kong
6. Raffles Singapore
7. Aman Tokyo
8. Soneva Fushi, Maldives (Lost Explorer Best Beach Hotel Award)
9. Atlantis The Royal, Dubai (Highest Climber Award)
10. Nihi Sumba, Sumba Island
11. Claridge’s, London
12. Mandarin Oriental Bangkok
13. Raffles London at The OWO (New Entry, London Lavazza Highest New Entry Award)
14. Four Seasons Bangkok at Chao Phraya River, Bangkok
15. Hôtel De Crillon, Paris
16. Chablé Yucatán, Chocholá (The Best Hotel In North America)
17. Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc, Antibes
18. Maroma, Riviera Maya (New Entry, Flor De Caña Eco Hotel Award)
19. Four Seasons Firenze, Florence
20. Borgo Santandrea, Amalfi (New Entry)
21. Desa Potato Head, Bali
22. Bulgari Tokyo (New Entry, Nikka Best New Hotel Award)
23. The Lana, Dubai (New Entry)
24. Rosewood São Paulo, São Paulo (The Best Hotel In South America)
25. The Calile, Brisbane (The Best Hotel In Oceania)
26. The Siam, Bangkok
27. Park Hyatt Kyoto
28. Mount Nelson, Cape Town (New Entry, The Best Hotel In Africa)
29. One&Only Mandarina, Riviera Nayarit
30. The Carlyle, New York (New Entry)
31. La Mamounia, Marrakech
32. Four Seasons Madrid, Madrid
33. Capella Singapore
34. Four Seasons at The Surf Club, Surfside (New Entry)
35. Hotel Bel-Air, Los Angeles (New Entry)
36. Eden Rock, St Barths
37. Aman New York
38. Royal Mansour, Marrakech (No.3 Gin Art Of Hospitality Award)
39. Amangalla, Galle
40. Le Bristol, Paris
41. Gleneagles, Auchterarder
42. Castello di Reschio, Lisciano Niccone (New Entry)
43. Suján Jawai, Rajasthan (New Entry)
44. Singita – Kruger National Park
45. Six Senses Zighy Bay, Zaghi (New Entry)
46. The Connaught, London
47. The Brando, Tetiaroa (New Entry)
48. Hotel Esencia, Tulum
49. The Tasman, Hobart (New Entry)
50. Kokomo Private Island, Yaukuve Levu Island (New Entry)