Asia’s luxury hospitality scene has taken another major victory lap, with Rosewood Hong Kong named the No. 1 hotel in the world at The World’s 50 Best Hotels 2025 awards in London. The win cements Hong Kong’s position at the forefront of global travel and reinforces the city’s comeback following some difficult years.
Perched on the edge of Victoria Harbor, the 65-storey Rosewood Hong Kong occupies pride of place on the Kowloon waterfront, anchoring the Victoria Dockside development. With its sculpted limestone façade, discreet sense of glamour and sweeping views across the skyline, the property has redefined urban luxury since opening in 2019. Designed by Tony Chi, its interiors balance elegance with warmth, combining rich textures, curated art and subtle references to the city’s past.
The 413 rooms and suites are among the largest in the city, while signature spaces such as the 25-meter infinity pool, Asaya Spa by Guerlain and the Manor Club elevate the experience for both leisure and business travelers. Dining and nightlife have always been at the heart of the Rosewood ethos, and here the line-up is formidable. Holt’s Café celebrates Hong Kong’s iconic cha chaan teng culture with refined comfort food, while Chaat delivers the spice and swagger of Indian street cuisine with spectacular harbour views. Upstairs, Darkside, the hotel’s cocktail bar, has become one of the city’s most lauded drinking destinations, earning a perennial place on Asia’s 50 Best Bars list.
For Angus Pitkethley, Rosewood Hong Kong’s Director of Sales and Marketing, the recognition is as much about people and place as it is about design. “Hong Kong is back,” he says. “What makes Rosewood special is the way we connect guests to the city, its stories and its energy. Kowloon is now the new heart of Hong Kong, and we are proud to be part of its renaissance.”
The accolade marks the first time a Hong Kong property has taken the global top spot, though Rosewood Hong Kong has been building toward it for several years. After ranking second in 2023 and third in 2024, its steady rise reflects consistency, innovation and a clear identity rooted in its surroundings.
Rosewood Hong Kong’s win headlines a list where Asia once again takes center stage. Of the top ten hotels, six are in the region, underscoring its growing influence on the global travel map. Bangkok continues to punch well above its weight, with both the Four Seasons Bangkok at Chao Phraya River (No. 2) and Capella Bangkok (No. 3) placing just behind the Hong Kong leader. Both riverside properties, opened in 2020, have helped transform Bangkok’s luxury landscape, blending bold contemporary architecture with signature Thai hospitality.
Singapore, meanwhile, continues to command attention with Raffles Singapore at No. 5. The historic grande dame remains a byword for old-world elegance and modern grace, following its meticulous restoration in 2019. Aman Tokyo and Six Senses Bhutan also earned high positions within the top 20, highlighting Asia’s diversity of luxury experiences, from the urban sophistication of Japan’s capital to the Himalayan serenity of Bhutan’s valleys.
Beyond Asia, the rest of the top ten included leading names from Europe and the United States, but the center of gravity has shifted eastward. In just three editions of the World’s 50 Best Hotels awards, Asian destinations have consistently dominated, reflecting the region’s momentum in post-pandemic travel recovery and its commitment to innovation in design, wellness and sustainability.