Overview
Already named one of the world's greatest places of 2023 by TIME magazine, Brisbane has just scored another massive global tick of approval: it's now home to the best hotel in Oceania, the best in Australia and the only accommodation spot in both to make the World's Best 50 Hotels list in 2023. The Calile has earned that honour, with the Fortitude Valley venue coming in 12th in the world for "channelling a luxe 1950s-style Miami beachside vibe in the heart of the city".
The World's Best 50 Hotels is the latest addition to the 50 Best stable alongside the World's 50 Best Restaurants, the World's 50 Best Bars, Asia's 50 Best Bars, Asia's 50 Best Restaurants and more. Debuting this year, the new countdown highlights excellence among places to stay, and favoured Europe heavily among its selections. Across a list featuring 35 destinations on six continents, European hotels scored 21 slots, with hotels in Asia notching up 18, North American hotels nabbing six, accommodation in Africa getting three and South America joining Oceania with one apiece.
Sean Fennessy.
In flying the flag for luxe stays Down Under, The Calile's location on James Street, design by Brisbane-based architects Richards & Spence, 1960s Aussie motel-meets-Palm Springs air, tropical feel, pastel colour scheme and 30-metre pool surrounded by cabanas all earned a shoutout. The World's Best 50 Hotels dubbed its vibe a "relaxed, barefoot Australian style of luxury", while also celebrating onsite restaurants Hellenika, Same Same, Sushi Room, Bianca, SK Steak & Oyster and Lobby Bar.
Brisbanites, that's your next staycation spot sorted. Folks elsewhere, you now have a number-one place to check into on your next River City visit. Wondering where else you should be booking in around the world? The top ranking overall went to Passalacqua in Moltrasio in Italy, while Rosewood Hong Kong came in second and Four Seasons Bangkok at Chao Phraya River ranked third.
Passalacqua © Ruben Ortiz
The rest of the top ten featured Hong Kong's The Upper House in fourth place, Aman Tokyo in fifth, Marrakech's La Mamounia at sixth, Soneva Fushi in the Maldives nabbing seventh spot, One&Only Mandarina in Puerto Vallarta at eighth, Four Seasons Firenze in Florence placing ninth and Mandarin Oriental Bangkok perched at tenth. And, sitting between the top ten and The Calile at 12th is another Bangkok spot: Capella Bangkok, which was also named the Best New Hotel as well.
Per continent, Passalacqua was named Europe's best hotel, Rosewood Hong Kong the same in Asia, La Mamounia did the honours in Africa, One&Only Mandarina in North America and Rosewood São Paulo in South America.
Rosewood Hong Kong
Also, London's hotels enjoyed a particularly strong showing, taking out four places. On the list: Claridge's (at 16th), The Connaught (number 22), NoMad London (coming in at 46th) and The Savoy (ranking 47th).
The World's Best 50 Hotels winners were picked by 580 international travel experts, all with a significant number of stamps on their passports — and also with a 50/50 gender split among them. Their votes come in as a ranked list of the seven best hotels that they've each stayed at during the last two years.
The Calile
Four Seasons Bangkok
Sean Fennessy
For the full World's 50 Best Hotels list for 2023, head to the awards' website.
Top image: Sean Fennessy.