For the third year in a row, the Hong Kong-based Mandarin Oriental chain topped the list of the world’s best luxury hotels. The ultra-exclusive lodging brand has just three locations in the U.S. — and one is perched high above Columbus Circle in New York City.
To determine the winners, elite travel advisers at Luxury Travel Intelligence (LTI) created an algorithm to analyze 130 “touchpoints” relevant to the luxury hotel sector, including overall brand performance rather than individual property execution, and quality of staff and management.
Mandarin Oriental — with a location in New York City (above) — was awarded first place for the third year in a row. Mandarin Oriental
With 40 hotels and an ever-growing portfolio of branded residences in 26 countries and territories, Mandarin Oriental is truly global.
The original hotel opened in Hong Kong in 1963.
Aman Resorts jumped several spots, going from fifth to second place, bumping Bulgari and Oetker Collection down to third and fourth, respectively.
The Aman New York officially opened its doors to guests on Aug. 2, 2022. Aman New York
And Rosewood went from eighth to rounding out the top five.
Out of the winning bunch, Mandarin Oriental, Aman, Rosewood, Auberge, Four Seasons and Peninsula all have locations in New York.
The Carlyle on the Upper East Side of Manhattan is the New York outpost of Rosewood Hotels. Rosewood Hotels
Below is the complete list of winners.
Best luxury hotel brands in the world for 2025
1. Mandarin Oriental
Season 3 of “The White Lotus” was filmed at the Mandarin Oriental in Bangkok.
2. Aman
Aman Hotels pulled their name from the Sanskrit word for “peace.”
3. Bulgari
The Italian luxury fashion house began opening hotels in 2004.
4. Oetker Collection
The Oetker Collection consists of nine stunning Masterpiece Hotels and more than 150 private villas and estates around the world.
5. Rosewood
The luxury brand boasts a trademarked “Sense of Place” philosophy that embraces the culture and history of a hotel’s location.
6. Four Seasons
The Four Seasons Hotel New York (above) reopened on Nov. 15, 2024, following renovations. The chain opened its first property in 1961.
7. Six Senses
The brand’s signature pyramid logo symbolizes the five basic senses, plus intuition, in its approach to wellness.
8. Auberge Resorts
The first Auberge began as a Napa Valley fine-dining restaurant in 1981.
9. Rocco Forte
Rocco Forte Hotels currently operates 14 hotels and resorts, with more properties in development. Tyso Sadlo
10. One&Only
One&Only’s first hotel was called Le Saint Géran, located in Mauritius.
11. Belmond
Belmond has been part of the world’s leading luxury group LVMH, a merger of Moët Hennessy and Louis Vuitton.
12. Dorchester Collection
The flagship hotel was one of the first in the world built from reinforced concrete; it served as a safe haven during World War II.
13. Peninsula
The Hong Kong Peninsula flagship was the first luxury brand to have every hotel receive a Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star rating.The Peninsula New York is a five-star Manhattan property, located on Fifth Avenue in Midtown. The Peninsula
14. Banyan Tree
Banyan Tree was founded in 1994 in Phuket, Thailand, after the founders purchased a former tin mine and transformed it into an eco-friendly resort.
15. Raffles
The Singapore location is famously known as the birthplace of the Singapore Sling cocktail.
