The elite of the global hospitality sector gathered in London for the 2025 edition of The World's 50 Best Hotels – and celebrated in style. Take a fast-track tour of the festivities.
The third annual edition of The World's 50 Best Hotels returned to the UK capital in October, with a three-day event programme attracting hoteliers, luxury experience experts, travel writers and media from across the globe. This year also saw the introduction of the extended list of establishments ranked from 51st to 100th in the world, shining a light on more brilliant destinations than ever before.
From sipping cocktails overlooking London's skyline and thought-provoking talks on TikTok and teenagers in the travel space to red-carpet poses and unbridled celebrations, here's a taste of the best in hospitality.
Soaring with an American Eagle 
Academy Chairs and 50 Best's brand partners were welcomed to London with drinks at Eagle Bar on the seventh floor of The Chancery Rosewood hotel, which opened just a month previously. Located on the site of the former US Embassy – and following a decade-long transformation project – the property has retained the iconic eagle sculpture overlooking Grosvenor Square and the ever-evolving London skyline beyond.
Unpacking the future 
The second edition of insight-led event #50BestTalks: Unpacked, hosted at the Four Seasons Hotel London at Park Lane, saw a range of speakers serve up insider secrets, data-driven learnings, trend forecasts and career-defining moments. Curated and hosted by 50 Best's Head of Content, Emma Sleight, the keynote session featured a rare face-to-face interview with Four Seasons CEO and president Alejandro Reynal.
Signing up to success 
World-renowned hoteliers converged on The Peninsula London for an epic Opening Banquet, where they were confronted with a vintage Rolls-Royce inscribed with the names of each guest. Cue multiple selfie opportunities and over-the-shoulder inspections of who else was in the running to be named in The World's 50 Best Hotels 2025 ranking.
Sports cars, calla lilies, apples...
The automotive theme continued into the hotel's stunning ballroom, where chef Claude Bosi delivered a sumptuous feast to tables curved around a selection of classic sports cars. The Lyon-born, London-based Bosi served up Scottish scallops, Lake District lamb and a show-stopping 'Best of British Apples' dessert, accompanied by exquisite drinks pairings – and striking flower arrangements.
Milking the (media) moments 
Travel writers and content producers jumped on the chance to interview a series of the leading exponents of high-end hospitality at 50 Best's own 'Meet the Hoteliers' event at soon-to-open The Newman. Diego Gutierrez (above) of the family-owned Chablé Yucatan property in Mexico, and winner of the Best Hotel in North America title, charmed all comers with his impeccable manner.
Fishing trip 
For the gala awards evening itself, some 700 guests glammed up and headed to London's historic Old Billingsgate, a former fish market on the banks of the Thames with views over Tower Bridge and The Shard.
Donning the red scarves 
On arrival, leading lights from each of The World's 50 Best Hotels – including from new entry Mandarin Oriental Qianmen (above left) and returning favourite Royal Mansour in Marrakech (above right) – were presented with the now-iconic scarlet scarves before heading into the pre-ceremony cocktail reception.
Basking in the spotlight 
Not only was each hotel and its ranking called out by awards host Amol Rajan – a UK-based journalist and broadcaster – but the teams behind them literally had their own moment in the spotlight, with celebrations relayed onto the giant screen for all to enjoy. Hotel Sacher Vienna may be almost 150 years old, but the team (above) revelled in the historic property making its debut on the global ranking.
Turning on the Italian style
Former No.1 Passalacqua maintained its award-winning form by taking home two trophies, named The Best Boutique Hotel and The Best Hotel in Europe. Founder Valentina De Santis, hotel director Silvio Vettorello (above, centre) and GM Gregory Badelle demonstrated their delight in inimitable fashion.
Talking design – and safaris
A brand-new category was introduced for 2025, the Johnnie Walker Art of Design Award, identifying a hotel that goes beyond architectural brilliance to create a multi-sensory experience for its guests. The accolade belongs to South Africa's Singita - Kruger National Park, whose director Jo Bailes (above left) discussed the importance of design with 50 Best PR & Communications Director Erica Schecter (above right).
Taking the top spot
The culmination of the highly charged ceremony saw Rosewood Hong Kong take the No.1 ranking, being named The World's Best Hotel 2025 in the process. Rosewood Hong Kong director Angus Pitkethley (above centre) led the celebrations on stage with his fellow hoteliers, before the party continued into the night. Until next time...
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