Singapore has two hotels in the inaugural World’s 50 Best Hotels 2023 list, which was announced on Sep 25. Raffles Hotel Singapore and Capella Singapore were ranked 28th and 43rd respectively, making them the only Southeast Asian properties to be featured in the prestigious ranking.
Raffles Hotel Singapore: A colonial icon with a modern touch
Raffles Hotel Singapore is a colonial icon that has been operating since 1887. It is known for its elegant architecture, luxurious suites, and legendary service. The hotel has hosted many famous guests, including writers, celebrities, and royalty. Some of the hotel’s signature features include the Long Bar, where the Singapore Sling cocktail was invented, the Raffles Arcade, which houses a museum and a shopping gallery, and the Raffles Spa, which offers holistic treatments and wellness facilities.
The hotel underwent a major restoration from 2017 to 2019, which refreshed its rooms and suites, added new dining concepts, and enhanced its amenities. The hotel also introduced new experiences, such as the Raffles Heritage Evening, which showcases the hotel’s history and culture through a guided tour and a dinner buffet. The hotel has won numerous awards, such as the Best Hotel in Asia by Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards 2022 and the Best Heritage Hotel by Travel + Leisure India’s Best Awards 2022.
Capella Singapore: A tropical oasis with a contemporary flair
Capella Singapore is a tropical oasis that blends heritage and modernity. It is located on Sentosa Island, a resort destination that offers attractions, beaches, and nature. The hotel occupies two restored colonial buildings that date back to the 1880s, as well as contemporary extensions that feature sleek designs and panoramic views. The hotel has 112 rooms, suites, villas, and manors, each with its own balcony or terrace.
The hotel boasts a range of facilities and services, such as the Auriga Spa, which uses organic products and natural therapies, the Capella Library, which offers complimentary snacks and beverages throughout the day, and the Capella Culturist, which provides personalized concierge and guest relations. The hotel also has several dining options, such as The Knolls, which serves Mediterranean cuisine, Cassia, which offers Cantonese fine dining, and Bob’s Bar, which features Cuban-inspired cocktails and live music.
World’s 50 Best Hotels 2023: A new ranking for the hospitality industry
The World’s 50 Best Hotels 2023 is a new ranking that celebrates the best hotels in the world based on the opinions of an expert panel of over 200 travel journalists, editors, influencers, and industry insiders. The ranking is an extension of the World’s 50 Best Restaurants and World’s 50 Best Bars lists, which have been established since 2002 and 2009 respectively. The ranking aims to showcase the diversity and excellence of the global hospitality industry, as well as to inspire travelers to discover new destinations and experiences.
The ranking is divided into six regions: Asia, Europe, North America & Caribbean, South America & Mexico & Central America & Antarctica (SAMCA), Middle East & Africa (MEA), and Australasia & Pacific Islands (API). Each region has its own regional academy of voters who cast their votes based on their personal experiences in the past three years. The votes are then aggregated and audited to produce the final list of 50 hotels.
The top spot in the ranking went to Soneva Fushi in Maldives, a luxury resort that offers spacious villas with private pools, outdoor bathrooms, and personal butlers. The resort also features an observatory, a cinema, a spa, and a chocolate room. The second place went to La Mamounia in Morocco, a historic palace hotel that combines Moroccan style with Art Deco elegance. The hotel has lavish gardens, a hammam spa, and four restaurants. The third place went to Four Seasons Hotel George V in France, a landmark hotel that exudes Parisian glamour. The hotel has opulent rooms and suites, a Michelin-starred restaurant, and a floral art gallery.
The World’s 50 Best Hotels 2023 list was revealed in a virtual ceremony that was streamed on YouTube on Sep 25. The ceremony also announced special awards for hotels that excelled in certain categories or aspects. Some of these awards include:
- Icon Award: Mandarin Oriental Bangkok in Thailand
- Sustainability Award: Six Senses Douro Valley in Portugal
- New Opening Award: Rosewood Little Dix Bay in British Virgin Islands
- Transformation Award: Belmond Cadogan Hotel in United Kingdom
- Social Responsibility Award: Nihi Sumba in Indonesia
- Innovation Award: Giraffe Manor in Kenya
