The world is full of truly mesmerising hotels, from gorgeous wood-panelled abodes nestled in the treetops of Mexico, to the serene, sky-high hotels of Tokyo. But one hotel has beaten all the competition to achieve the prestigious accolade of the best hotel in the world. 

The World’s 50 Best Hotels list was voted for by hotel experts, including travel journalists, hoteliers, and seasoned luxury travellers. That’s a pretty knowledgeable bunch. 

The UK did well, with four hotels in London making the top 50 list, plus Gleneagles in Scotland, which ranked best for hospitality. Europe was successful too, with more than half of the top 50 spots being claimed by hotels on the continent. 18 of the top 50 are located in Asia, with the Rosewood Hong Kong ranking at number two. 

But it was the stunning Passalacqua hotel in Italy which was crowned as the best of the best for 2023. 

Perched on the glistening shores of Lake Como, this boutique hotel is oozing with Italian grandeur, but makes for a peaceful retreat which feels like a private home, thanks to only 24 guest rooms. 

Photograph: Passalacqua / World's 50 Best Hotels

It’s set in an eighteenth-century villa, within beautiful terraced lakeside gardens. The hotel's rooms are spread over three buildings: the main villa, an eight-room Palazz (former stables) and the four-room Casa al Lago, which is right by the lakeside. 

The craftsmanship and style which characterise this gorgeous property clearly prove that it’s a worthy winner. Just take a look. 

Photograph: Passalacqua / World's 50 Best Hotels

What makes this win even more impressive is that this hotel is super new to the scene. In a comment to Forbes, Tim Brooke-Webb, managing director for the World’s Best 50 Hotels, said ‘Huge congratulations to Passalacqua for the achievement of making it to number one, just two years after opening.’

Photograph: Passalacqua / World's 50 Best Hotels

Photograph: Passalacqua / World's 50 Best Hotels

Photograph: Passalacqua / World's 50 Best Hotels

1. Passalacqua, Moltrasio, Italy

2. Rosewood, Hong Kong, China

3. Four Seasons Bangkok at Chao Phraya River, Bangkok, Thailand

4. The Upper House, Hong Kong, China

5. Aman, Tokyo, Japan

6. La Mamounia, Marrakech, Morocco

7. Soneva Fushi, Maldives

8. One&Only Mandarina, Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

9. Four Seasons Firenze, Florence, Italy

10. Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok, Thailand