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As the past two years have shown, the hotel industry is remarkably resilient. The challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic presented numerous hurdles — including lockdowns that, in some cases, meant that a property had to close its doors for a year or more. But a renewed sense of hope has taken hold, as travelers, eager to plan those long-postponed vacations, are booking hotels and resorts in numbers that rival pre-pandemic heights.
Every year for the World’s Best Awards survey, Travel + Leisure asks readers to weigh in on travel experiences around the globe — to share their opinions on the top hotels, resorts, cities, islands, cruise ships, spas, airlines, and more. Readers rated hotel brands on their locations, rooms/facilities, food, service, and overall value.
Auberge Resorts Collection, which has opened or renovated three properties in the past year — in Mexico, New Mexico, and Costa Rica — made the list at No. 16. The company is riding high on its continued expansion in some of the world’s most beautiful locations. “I discovered this brand during the pandemic,” wrote one reader. “And I will not stay anywhere else from now on. It’s a real home away from home.”
Another brand at the forefront of readers’ minds is Rosewood Hotels & Resorts, which came in at No. 9 and has recently debuted properties in Madrid, St. Bart’s, and São Paulo, Brazil. One reader cited “outstanding attention to detail” at the hotels. And the ultra-luxurious Aman Resorts earned the No. 22 spot thanks to “the best service in the world” — a trend that will undoubtedly continue at its New York City property, set to open later this year.
But it was the New Delhi–based Oberoi Hotels & Resorts that won the No. 1 spot. Keep reading for details on what makes it so special to T+L readers — and which other hospitality groups made this year’s list of best hotel brands.
1. Oberoi Hotels & Resorts
With properties spanning the Middle East, North Africa, and Indonesia — in addition to its home base in the Indian subcontinent — this hotel brand rose from the No. 5 position last year to capture 2022’s top spot. Its lavish new Marrakesh resort, which made T+L’s 2020 It List, has quickly become popular with travelers, thanks to what one World’s Best voter described as “amazing hospitality.” Fond memories and recent trips also fueled praise for the brand’s iconic resorts in India. “Spectacular locations and excellent staff,” said one reader, who noted that the Oberoi Amarvilas in Agra, a stone’s throw from the Taj Mahal, is “ideal for families and honeymoons.”
WBA Hall of Fame honoree. Score: 97.50
More information: oberoihotels.com
2. One&Only Resorts
Score: 96.20
More information: oneandonlyresorts.com
3. Oetker Collection
Score: 96.15
More information: oetkercollection.com
4. Raffles Hotels & Resorts
Score: 95.50
More information: raffles.com
5. Red Carnation Hotel Collection
Score: 95.32
More information: redcarnationhotels.com
6. Sofitel Legend
Score: 95.20
More information: sofitel.accor.com
7. The Langham Hotels & Resorts
Score: 95.03
More information: langhamhotels.com
8. The Indian Hotels Company Limited (IHCL)
Score: 95.00
More information: tajhotels.com
9. Rosewood Hotels & Resorts
Score: 94.93
More information: rosewoodhotels.com
10. Viceroy Hotels & Resorts
Score: 94.91
More information: viceroyhotelsandresorts.com
11. Banyan Tree Hotels & Resorts
Score: 94.89
More information: banyantree.com
12. Pendry Hotels & Resorts
Score: 94.89
More information: pendry.com
13. Shangri-La Hotels & Resorts
Score: 94.74
More information: shangri-la.com
14. Anantara Hotels, Resorts & Spas
Score: 94.62
More information: anantara.com
15. Mandarin Oriental
Score: 94.06
More information: mandarinoriental.com
16. Auberge Resorts Collection
WBA Hall of Fame honoree. Score: 94.01
More information: aubergeresorts.com
17. Capella Hotels & Resorts
Score: 94.00
More information: capellahotels.com
18. The Peninsula Hotels
Score: 93.97
More information: peninsula.com
19. Six Senses Hotels Resorts Spas
Score: 93.81
More information: sixsenses.com
20. Proper Hospitality
Score: 93.81
More information: properhotel.com
21. Belmond
Score: 93.50
More information: belmond.com
22. Aman Resorts
WBA Hall of Fame honoree. Score: 93.18
More information: aman.com
23. The Luxury Collection
Score: 93.06
More information: the-luxury-collection.marriott.com
24. St. Regis Hotels & Resorts
Score: 93.00
More information: st-regis.marriott.com
25. Salamander Hotels & Resorts
Score: 92.67
More information: salamanderhotels.com