While the annual 50 Best compilation for the world’s leading restaurants and bars has long been a staple for cocktail enthusiasts and fine dining aficionados, this year marks the brand’s debut of its counterpart ranking for hotels. Not surprisingly, Tokyo – a consistent presence on the 50 Best Bars and Restaurants charts – also leaves its mark in the hotel category.
The inaugural World’s 50 Best Hotels list was unveiled in London on September 19, where the World’s Best Hotel 2023 title was awarded to the Passalacqua at Lake Como, Italy. Close behind the winner, the remainder of the top five were all Asian luxury establishments: Rosewood Hong Kong clinched second place, Four Seasons Bangkok at Chao Phraya River ranked third, The Upper House in Hong Kong took fourth and notably, Aman Tokyo landed fifth.
Located in the business district of Otemachi, Aman Tokyo is distinguished by its lofty ceilings and dark basalt walls. Seamlessly blending modern design with traditional Japanese aesthetics, it's a popular choice among A-list celebrities visiting Tokyo, with an average room rate of around ¥300,000 per night.
Joining Aman Tokyo from Otemachi, Hoshinoya secured the 39th position on the list. Despite its location in one of Tokyo’s most bustling areas, just a stone’s throw from Tokyo Station, Hoshinoya prides itself on providing guests with the quintessential ryokan experience, featuring facilities such as hot spring baths and a traditional Japanese tea ceremony room.
Venturing outside Tokyo, the Park Hyatt Kyoto earned its place at No 30. Just up the hill from the iconic Sannenzaka street, this stunning property boasts a view of the five-tier Hokanji Temple pagoda in the Higashiyama ward.
The sheer elegance of the lobbies in the hotels on the 50 Best list alone is enough to captivate anyone, but there’s a trade-off to staying in such opulent accommodation: the temptation to stay in can outweigh the time you spend exploring your surroundings. Thankfully, decent hotels here don’t have to cost an arm and a leg. Here’s a list of our favourite mid-range hotels that go for a rate of roughly ¥20,000 per night, as well as our selection of machiya-style hotels in Kyoto that combine modern creature comforts with the atmosphere of Gion’s bygone days.
See the full list of the World’s 50 Best Hotels on the official website.
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