A RIGOROUS AND OBJECTIVE METHODOLOGY  

True to its philosophy of impartial assessment, La Liste Hotels applies the same methodological rigor that established the success of its gastronomic ranking. Our proprietary algorithm aggregates and analyses data from over 400 international sources, ensuring an objective evaluation that transcends cultural preferences and regional biases.   

THE 2025 LAUREATES: THE ELITE OF GLOBAL HOSPITALITY  

EUROPE 

• La Réserve Paris (Paris, France) - A masterclass in discreet opulence, this Parisian jewel offers an exquisite blend of 19th-century elegance and 21st-century sophistication. Behind its stately façade, guests discover an intimate sanctuary where faultless service anticipates desires before they're even formed.  

• The Connaught Hotel (London, United Kingdom) - Where British heritage meets contemporary artistry, The Connaught balances storied tradition with bold innovation.

Its legendarily attentive service, helmed by the world's finest butlers, transforms each stay into a narrative of timeless refinement.  

• The Savoy (London, United Kingdom) - An enduring icon of British cultural identity, The Savoy transcends mere hospitality to embody an entire era of sophistication. Its rooms-witnessing over a century of history-continue to set the standard for luxurious restraint while its legendary American Bar remains the spiritual home of cocktail artistry.  

• Cheval Blanc Paris (Paris, France) - Overlooking the Seine in the reborn La Samaritaine, this LVMH masterpiece redefines contemporary French luxury. Art, gastronomy, and design converge in spaces of breathtaking beauty, where every element has been considered with almost obsessive attention to detail.  

• Il San Pietro di Positano (Positano, Italy) - Carved into the precipitous Amalfi coastline, this miraculous feat of architecture cascades down the cliffside in a series of terraced gardens and panoramic platforms. Each room-a private belvedere suspended between azure sky and crystalline Mediterranean-offers what may be Italy's most dramatic seascape. The hotel's private beach, accessible only by elevator cut through solid rock, epitomizes the exclusive yet authentic Italian experience that has drawn discerning travellers for generations.  

• J.K. Place Capri (Marina Grande, Italy) - Not merely a hotel but a masterly reimagining of the sophisticated Italian beach house. With its perfectly judged residential atmosphere-where rare antiques converse with contemporary pieces across sun drenched spaces-J.K. Place captures Capri's effortless glamour while offering a sanctuary from its summer crowds.  

ASIA  

• Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok (Thailand) - On the storied banks of the Chao Phraya River stands this living legend of Asian hospitality. Through political upheavals and the relentless march of modernity, the "Oriental" has remained Bangkok's spiritual heart-a testament to timeless service where each staff member carries forward a 145-year legacy of perfection.  

• The Peninsula Shanghai (China) - Rising majestically on the historic Bund, this architectural tour de force marries Art Deco grandeur with cutting-edge technology. Behind its imposing façade lies an emotional homage to Shanghai's golden era, meticulously reimagined for modern connoisseurs who demand both heritage and innovation.  

AMERICAS  

• The Peninsula Chicago (Chicago, United States) - Commanding the prestigious intersection of Michigan and Chicago Avenues, this architectural statement piece delivers Asian service philosophy within distinctly American spaces. Its rooms-among the most technologically advanced in the world-offer intuitive automation that enhances rather than intrudes upon the guest experience.

• Rosewood Mayakoba (Playa del Carmen, Mexico) - A symphony of limestone, water, and indigenous wood, this ecological marvel winds through mangrove forests and crystalline lagoons. Each standalone suite-accessible by both boat and footpath creates the illusion of floating between verdant jungle and pristine Caribbean coastline, offering profound connection to one of Mexico's most sensitive ecosystems.   

Philippe Faure, president and founder of LA LISTE, says «Our algorithm doesn't lie: these establishments truly represent the pinnacle of global hospitality," declares Philippe Faure, founder of La Liste. "Each transcends the simple concept of accommodation to offer a transformative experience to its guests. »

DEFINING TRENDS IN GLOBAL HOSPITALITY FOR 2025  

Our annual data analysis reveals several major trends reshaping the luxury hotel experience: 

• Uncompromising Ultra-Luxury - The ultra-high-end segment continues its ascent with establishments constantly pushing the boundaries of luxury. The most affluent clients now seek the exceptional in all circumstances, with increasingly personalized services and ever more spectacular amenities. 

• Harmonious Environmental Integration - Particularly visible in hotels located in exceptional natural settings, this trend is characterized by a minimalist architectural approach that preserves and enhances the landscape rather than dominating it. The hotel becomes an organic extension of its environment. 

• Invisible yet omnipresent technology - "Smart rooms" are becoming ubiquitous, offering an experience where cutting-edge technology remains discreet while anticipating guests' needs. Artificial intelligence personalizes the environment  

(temperature, lighting, music) without visible intervention from the guest. • The Holistic Revolution - Wellness is no longer a mere complement but has become the central element of the luxury hotel offering. Spas are expanding, programs are intensifying and becoming personalized, now integrating advanced sciences, preventive medicine, and ancestral practices in a holistic approach to the stay. • Authentic Cultural Immersion - Authenticity has established itself as a cardinal value. Travelers reject anonymous, standardized luxury in favour of experiences rooted in local culture. Hotels are becoming ambassadors of their territory, showcasing craftsmanship, gastronomy, and local traditions in an immersive and distinctive experience. 

• Large-Scale Tourism Planning - Hotel projects are now part of ambitious territorial visions. From the Maldives to Saudi Arabia, tourism engineering mobilizes considerable intellectual resources to design unprecedented experiences. The Desert Rock Resort perfectly illustrates this trend where hotel infrastructure becomes inseparable from a global vision of the territory. 

Beyond these major orientations, several micro-trends are shaping the evolution of the sector:

• Hybridization of Spaces - The boundary between hospitality and workspaces is blurring with the integration of sophisticated co-working areas, transforming the hotel into a creative hub for business travellers and digital nomads.  

• Reinvention of Culinary Offerings - The traditional starred restaurant is gradually giving way to more accessible and playful concepts, as exemplified by the transformation at Plaza Athénée. This evolution responds to a pragmatic economic observation: hoteliers, tired of investing massively in star chefs who invariably end up leaving to pursue independent ventures, now favour more sustainable concepts less dependent on a single personality.  

• The Primacy of Experience - Material luxury, though still present, is giving way to unique and memorable experiences. Hotels are becoming creators of privileged moments rather than mere providers of comfort, offering cultural immersions, exclusive encounters, or tailored adventures.  

• Regeneration rather than simple sustainability - Beyond merely respecting the environment, the most avant-garde hotels are engaging in a regenerative approach aimed at actively improving their local ecosystem, whether by restoring natural habitats or revitalizing local communities

LA LISTE SPECIAL AWARDS :  

«Hotels are no longer just places to stay,” concludes Philippe Faure, president and founder of LA LISTE. “They have become cultural landmarks, ecological laboratories, and creators of unforgettable experiences. Our selections – like our Special Awards – reflect this transformation.” 

Beyond its main selection, La Liste celebrates outstanding initiatives shaping the future of hospitality, with six Special Awards and 30 hotel winners from across all continents.

INNOVATION HOTEL AWARD 

Two bold visions show how design, sustainability, and culture can merge: SHEBARA RESORT, A solar-powered beacon in the Red Sea 

(Sheybarah Island - The Red Sea - Tabuk , Kingdom of Saudi Arabia) 

DESERT ROCK RESORT, A project carved into stone, both literally and conceptually (The Red Sea - Tabuk Province, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia) 

HOTEL OPENING OF THE YEAR AWARD 

This year's most remarkable debuts span the globe, from urban reinventions to tropical escapes: 

JUMEIRAH MARSA AL ARAB – Dubai, UAE 

NEKAJUI, A RITZ-CARLTON RESERVE - Guanacaste, Costa Rica 

ROMEO ROMA - Rome, Italy 

FOUR SEASONS RESORT MALLORCA AT FORMENTOR – Balearic Islands, Spain LA FONDATION PARIS - Paris, France 

PALM HOUSE - Palm Beach, Florida, USA 

STYLE & DESIGN HOTEL AWARD  

From treehouses to bohemian urban art: 

MAISON HELER METZ, CURIO COLLECTION BY HILTON, A surreal rooftop manor. (Metz, France) 

ӦӦD HEKLA HORIZON, Mirror houses reflecting nature’s extremes (Hella, Iceland) THE STANDARDX, Arty, bold, unfiltered (Melbourne, Australia) 

RESCHIO HOTEL, Where aristocratic heritage meets architectural finesse (Lisciano Niccone, Perugia, Italy) 

ULAMAN ECO LUXURY RESORT, paradis tropical écoresponsable (Bali, Indonesia) 

ETHICAL & SUSTAINABLE HOTEL AWARD 

These hotels set new benchmarks in ethical practices, sustainability, and social responsibility: THE DATAI LANGKAWI, A long-standing leader in eco-practices (Kedah, Malaysia) SHINTA MANI WILD, Plastic-free, zero-waste, and built around trees (Kampong Seila, Province of Sihanoukville, Cambodia) 

POPULUS, Pioneering urban environmental design (Denver, Colorado, USA) BOCA DE AGUA, Regenerative tourism benchmark (Bacalar, Yucatan, Mexico) 

HEART & SOUL AWARD 

Human warmth, family legacy, and cultural roots define these destinations: CHÂTEAU DES TESNIÈRES, A deeply personal château revival. (Torcé, France) LONDOLOZI GAME RESERVE, The Varty family's ongoing conservation mission (Kruger National Park, South Africa) 

ROYAL MANSOUR, A national project that embodies Moroccan excellence in three hotels. (Marrakech, Casablanca & Tamuda Bay, Morocco) 

DISCOVERY GEM HOTEL AWARD  

Unassuming, remote, or just still a bit under the radar—these places offer unexpected discovery: 

THE CELESTINE – New Orleans, Louisiana, USA 

HOTEL ESPERIT ROCA - Girona, Spain 

L'APPARTEMENT - LA TOUR D’ARGENT - Paris, France

VILLA NAI 3.3 - Žman, Dugi Otok, Croatia 

21 CARPENTER - Singapore 

INIS MEÁIN ISLAND STAYS - Galway, Ireland 

PÁLACIO PRINCIPE REAL - Lisbon, Portugal 

KISAWA SANCTUARY - Benguerra Island, Mozambique 

KIMPTON BEM BUDAPEST BY IHG - Budapest, Hungary

CAIMAN PANTANAL - Miranda, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil