World’s Best Hotel Brands

With so many new hotel brands launching, be they family-focused, design-driven, or millennial-friendly, today’s traveler is spoiled for choice. However, some hotel chains capitalize more effectively on arguably the most important factor in the business: customer loyalty. It is these brands that receive accolades from iBestTravel readers in the World’s Best survey.

Annual Awards and Readers’ Opinions

Every year for our World’s Best Awards survey, iBestTravel invites readers to weigh in on travel experiences worldwide—sharing their opinions on the top hotels, resorts, cities, islands, cruise ships, spas, airlines, and more. Readers rate hotel brands based on their locations, rooms/facilities, food, service, and overall value.

Top Hotel Brands of the Year

This year’s top 20 hotel brands showcase a diverse range of locations. For instance, Oberoi Hotels & Resorts (No. 4), The Leela Palaces, Hotels & Resorts (No. 7), and Taj Hotels Palaces Resorts Safaris (No. 15) focus on luxurious properties in India. In contrast, brands like Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts (No. 19) and Rosewood Hotels & Resorts (No. 6) span the globe, offering exceptional service in destinations from Paris to Beijing. One reader noted, “Their service is breathtaking along with the rooms, which defy any other chain.” Meanwhile, a fan of Rosewood stated: “Our go-to hotel chain. The service is always superior and friendly.”

Luxury and Boutique Experiences

Closer to home, Montage Hotels & Resorts (No. 14) is a boutique brand with six properties across South Carolina, California, Utah, Hawaii, and Mexico. Notably, Montage Kapalua Bay in Maui claimed the title of the top resort hotel in the state. This brand emphasizes a sense of place, which resonates with today’s travelers, and has garnered praise for its luxurious settings and attentive staff. Furthermore, this year’s list includes a newcomer in the No. 2 position: the family-run Red Carnation Hotel Collection, featuring Ireland’s Ashford Castle (a perennial World’s Best favorite) and Hotel 41 in London in its portfolio.

The Number One Hotel Brand

So, what is the No. 1 hotel brand in the world? It is a rapidly expanding company with upcoming properties in Bhutan, Bali, and Israel. This brand combines wellness and luxury, establishing its status as a repeat winner in the hospitality sector.