Two Aussie hotels named among world’s top 50 for 2024

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The results for The World’s 50 Best Hotels 2024 have just been announced and Australia has made its mark.

Hotels have become a major influence on travel decisions in recent years, often holding equal importance as the destination itself. Accommodations with opulent amenities, unique experiences, and arresting design hold significant appeal for discerning travellers. And The World’s 50 Best Hotels list serves as an annual benchmark for the best hotels and luxury hospitality experiences worth travelling for. 

The results for 2024 have just been announced in London featuring hotels from 36 destinations across six continents, including two Aussie hotels: The Calile, Brisbane and The Tasman, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Hobart . This reflects the growing recognition and quality of Australian hospitality on a global scale and underscores the unique offerings of Australian hotels. 

The winners

Urban oasis Capella Bangkok claimed the number one spot with its sleek design, lush landscaping, and panoramic views of the Chao Phraya River. The World’s 50 Best highlighted the calming nature of the hotel in one of the world’s most lively cities noting “The Capella is a masterclass in serenity and calm, from the neutral-toned, clean-lined, Japan-esque design to the brilliant and seemingly semi-psychic service that anticipates your every waking need." The recently opened Singapore outpost also featured on the list at no. 33. 

 

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Last year’s winner, luxury boutique hotel Passalacqua, Lake Como , was named no. 2. The palatial lakefront accommodation sits within an 18th-century villa once owned by Pope Innocent XI, and features immaculate terraced gardens and ornate Baroque design.

Passalacqua, Lake Como
Experience la dolce vita at Passalacqua. (Image: Edwina Hart)

The Aussie hotels that made the list

For the second consecutive year, The Calile Hotel is featured on the list. In 2023, it was awarded no.12 and this year it has come in at no. 25 as well as receiving the accolade for The Best Hotel in Oceania 2024. Located in the hip precinct of James Street in Brisbane, The Calile has elevated the city’s design landscape and become a hotspot for stylish Aussies since it opened in 2018.

The Calile Brisbane
The urban resort boasts a retro cool design.

Taking cues from modernist Miami and Palm Springs aesthetics combined with elements of 1960s Australia, the tropical oasis is swathed in a sophisticated palette of rich-veined rose marble, smooth concrete, and blonde timber. 

The Calile Brisbane
The sleek rooms exude calm.

The Tasman Hobart claimed no.49 this year, putting the port city on the map for international travellers. An elegant heritage reconstruction of former state government offices, The Tasman is a study in sensitively bringing a historic building into the 21st century.

The Tasman Hotel Hobart
Rooms and suites boast soaring ceilings. (Image: Adam Gibson)

Sitting pretty on the waterfront, guestrooms feature original Georgian details, exposed sandstone walls, sweeping water views, and custom furnishings. 

The Tasman Hotel Hobart
Old meets new at The Tasman Hotel Hobart. (Image: Sean Fennessy)

Bali-loving Aussies planning on visiting The Island of the Gods in the near future should turn their attention to Seminyak beauty Desa Potato Head which came in at no. 21.

The World’s 50 Best Hotels 2024 list

  1. Capella Bangkok, Bangkok
  2. Passalacqua, Lake Como
  3. Rosewood Hong Kong, Hong Kong
  4. Cheval Blanc, Paris
  5. The Upper House, Hong Kong
  6. Raffles Singapore, Singapore
  7. Aman Tokyo, Tokyo
  8. Soneva Fushi, Maldives
  9. Atlantis The Royal, Dubai
  10. Nihi Sumba, Sumba Island
  11. Claridge’s, London
  12. Mandarin Oriental Bangkok, Bangkok
  13. Raffles London at the OWO, London
  14. Four Seasons Bangkok at Chao Phraya River, Bangkok
  15. Hôtel de Crillon, Paris
  16. Chablé Yucatán, Chocholá
  17. Hotel Du Cap-Eden-Roc, Antibes
  18. Maroma, Riviera Maya
  19. Four Seasons Firenze, Florence
  20. Borgo Santandrea, Amalfi
  21. Desa Potato Head, Bali
  22. Bulgari Tokyo, Tokyo
  23. The Lana, Dubai
  24. Rosewood São Paulo, São Paulo
  25. The Calile, Brisbane
  26. The Siam, Bangkok
  27. Park Hyatt Kyoto, Kyoto
  28. Mount Nelson, Cape Town
  29. One&Only Mandarina, Riviera Nayarit
  30. The Carlyle, New York
  31. La Mamounia, Marrakechch
  32. Four Seasons Madrid, Madrid
  33. Capella Singapore, Singapore
  34. Four Seasons at The Surf Club, Surfside
  35. Hotel Bel-Air, Los Angeles
  36. Eden Rock, St. Barths
  37. Aman New York, New York
  38. Royal Mansour, Marrakech
  39. Amangalla, Gaelle
  40. Le Bristol, Paris
  41. Gleneagles, Auchterarder
  42. Castello di Reschio, Lisciano Niccone
  43. Suján Jawai, Rajasthan
  44. Singita – Kruger National Park, Kruger National Park
  45. Six Senses Zighy Bay, Zaghi
  46. The Connaught, London
  47. The Brando, Tetiaroa
  48. Hotel Esencia, Tulum
  49. The Tasman, Hobart
  50. Kokomo Private Island, Yaukuve Levu Island
Rachael Thompson
Rachael Thompson is Australian Traveller's Evergreen Editor and a self-proclaimed cheese and Chablis connoisseur. In her role, she creates and manages online content that remains relevant and valuable over time. With a background in publishing and e-commerce in both interior design and travel, Rachael is dedicated to curating engaging content that informs and inspires. She began her career at Belle magazine, then went on to become Senior Content Producer at Homes to Love focusing on Australian House & Garden and Belle, followed by Editor at Bed Threads. Her work has also appeared in Qantas Travel Insider. When she's not writing, editing, or optimising content, Rachael enjoys exploring the city's newest restaurants, bars, and hotels. Next on her Aussie travel wish list are Uluṟu-Kata Tjuṯa National Park and Lord Howe Island.
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The top 12 hottest places to stay in regional Victoria right now

    Lara PiconeBy Lara Picone
    We round up the luxe, the lovely and the latest places to stay in regional Victoria.

    1. Hotel Ernest, Bendigo

    Hotel Ernest, Bendigo
    The elegantly styled Hotel Ernest oozes heritage charm.

    Settle into this artful lodging in the city centre for a boutique stay with heritage roots dating back to 1864. Each of the 10 suites in this former bank is elegantly styled and furnished with covetable works by Australian artists. Ernest is also home to the much-lauded Euro-style Restaurant Terrae, so be sure to book into the two-level diner during your visit.

    2. Norsu Cabin, Macedon

    a look inside Norsu Cabin, Macedon
    Settle into this Scandi-inspired abode. (Image: Nick Skinner)

    Country cabin dreams come to life under the sweet timber A-frame of Norsu . Sleeping eight guests, this Scandi-inspired abode is so meticulously styled it’s received knowing nods from The Design Files and is everything a modern log cabin should be, including cosy fireplace, fire pit, modern appliances and French linens. Perfect for logging out of daily life for a moment.

    3. Islay House, Woodend

    the bedroom at Islay House, Woodend 
    Bed down at the gorgeously restored heritage Islay House. (Image: Tiffany Warner)

    Lean all the way into a country luxe state-of-mind with a stay at the gorgeously restored heritage Islay House . This bed and breakfast sleeps up to nine guests and is just a short walk from town, but you’ll want to spend most of your time curled up fireside in the elegantly styled rooms as you admire the collection of antiques.

    4. Nerissa Rye, Mornington Peninsula

    Nerissa Rye, Mornington Peninsula
    Indulge in barefoot luxe at Nerissa Rye. (Image: Eve Wilson)

    This Rye beach pad is just a 10-minute walk from 16th Beach, and while a morning walk is lovely, returning to the barefoot luxe vibes of this four-bedroom escape is just as enlivening. Bright, open and welcoming, this is the place to settle in for endless cups of tea and a good book between beach jaunts.

    5. Hotel Vera, Ballarat

    a close-up of the bed at Hotel Vera, Ballarat
    Modern meets bygone elegance.

    This Ballarat beauty set in a 1900s mansion is all bygone elegance edged with modern style. Just seven boutique suites, each with its own distinct personality, makes it a singularly luxe stay. Sister to Bendigo’s Hotel Ernest, Vera is similarly bequeathed with a stand-out fine diner, Babae, which plates up the best of the region’s produce.

    6. Hotel Sorrento, Port Philip Bay

    Hotel Sorrento at Port Philip Bay
    The Amalfi-style beachside Hotel Sorrento at Port Philip Bay.

    The historic and iconic clifftop Hotel Sorrento at Port Philip Bay is mid-refurb and will reopen 1 December 2025, just in time for Amalfi-style beachside stays.

    7. The Idle Lake House, Lakes Entrance

    the Idle Lake House, Lakes Entrance
    Soak up lakeside serenity. (Image: Kate Enno Photography)

    Enjoy a ripple of serenity when you step aboard this water-top abode on the Gippsland Lakes. Once a Chinese restaurant, this spacious and stylish two-bedroom stay offers unbroken gazing of the shimmering surface in a beautifully private bay. Lounge on the deck and enjoy the onboard bathhouse; come evening, sit by the sleek suspended fireplace.

    8. The Monty, Anglesea

    the bedroom at The Monty, Anglesea
    Bed down at the vintage motel, The Monty.

    Palm Springs makes an entrance on the Great Ocean Road with the opening of The Monty in October 2025. Its vintage motel meets modern muse at this playful boutique stay complete with pool and a vibrant Mexican cantina. You’re just a stroll from the beach here, which tells us it’s ripe for summer vacays this season.

    9. Trentham Waters Resort, Mildura

    vibrant bedroom wall and pillows at Trentham Waters Resort, Mildura
    The bright and retro-style bedroom at Trentham Waters Resort.

    Another new property lands in regional Victoria in time for an endless summer with Trentham Waters Resort expected to open by February 2026. Breezy, subtly retro and brightened by the big Mallee sky, this river’s-edge escape is perfect for settling in for a spell with one-, two- and three-bedroom villas. There’s a lagoon-style pool, riverside hot tubs and onsite dining for all your relaxation requirements.

    10. Crowne Plaza, Geelong

    the Trattoria Bar in Crowne Plaza, Geelong
    Sink a cold one at the Trattoria Bar.

    Geelong is getting its own Crowne Plaza in 2026. Its arrival on the waterfront will make it the city’s largest (and newest) hotel with 200 contemporary rooms and suites, a Skybar, all-day dining, indoor pool and gym, and event spaces. Keep it on your radar.

    11. Re’em, Yarra Valley

    a private tub with lush views at Re’em, Yarra Valley
    Sip and soak in tranquillity.

    With verdant Yarra Valley views that take in the linear beauty of tended grapevines, the 16 suites and rooms at Re’em are set amid the Helen & Joey Estate and invite sipping and sitting in tranquillity. The onsite restaurant deftly balances Chinese and Australian flavours and if you’re staying over the weekend, be tempted out of your stylish room for yum cha that features delicate handmade dumplings and vineyard vistas.

    12. Arapiles Clubhouse and Crash Pad, Grampians

    the yard front door of Arapiles Clubhouse and Crash Pad, Grampians
    Spend an overnight stay in the Natimuk stone house. (Image: Bianca Jackson)

    These 1880-era mountain-adjacent digs have been tenderly restored to provide rock climbers and Grampians country wanderers a chic place to rest. You’ll find four bedrooms in the Natimuk stone house, as well as a heated pool out the back and plenty of luxe embellishments. There’s also a two-person ‘Crash Pad’ in the confines of the Clubhouse with its own separate entrance.

    the lounge at Arapiles Clubhouse and Crash Pad, Grampians
    The Crash Pad offers a resting place for rock climbers and Grampians country wanderers. (Image: Bianca Jackson)