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The most beautiful hotels for 2026 have been revealed, featuring a variety of breathtaking stays around the world – from historic gems to modern masterpieces for your next holiday.
This year’s list, compiled by a panel of expert reviewers, includes majestic offerings in Britain, standout hotels in Japan and Morocco and boutique hotels throughout Europe and beyond.
The top 33 accommodations have been recognized as the most beautiful this year Timeouts ranking.
And there’s something for everyone in this year’s list, with choices ranging from an adventure hotel in Iceland to a clifftop resort in Bali and even the historic ‘Pink Lady’ hotel in Cape Town.
Here is the full overview of the most beautiful hotels in the world for 2026…
1. Ashford Castle, Ireland
Ashford Castle was once home to the Guinness family – and if that’s not enough to get you there, then the majestic grounds, 83 lavishly appointed rooms and lake views certainly will.
With origins dating back to the 13th century, it has evolved over time from a medieval fortress to a grand retreat, hosting royalty, nobility and prominent figures along the way.
While you’re here, you can also visit Ireland’s Best Hotel Spa 2025, go horse riding and drive a Harris Hawk – a visit suitable for someone who wants a taste of what it’s like to be an aristocrat.
The five-star Ashford Castle in Mayo County was once home to the Guinness family
2. The Hiramatsu Karuizawa Miyota, Japan
Located at the foot of Mount Asama, in Kitasaku-gun, the Hiramatsu Karuizawa Miyota is a stay like no other in Japan.
Food is the crown jewel here in this ‘foodie’s paradise’ nestled in a forest.
The hotel’s motto is ‘One stay, one full course’, and you can enjoy modern French and Italian cuisine, alongside fantastic mountain views and a hot spring.
3. Four Seasons Hotel Firenze, Italy
The 10-acre Giardino della Gherardesca on the grounds of Four Seasons Hotel Firenze is one of the largest private gardens in Florence – making it a unique oasis in the heart of one of Italy’s best cities for a weekend getaway of art and culture.
Combining Renaissance grandeur with authentic Italian hospitality, the hotel last year reopened the Palazzo del Nero, an intimate historic palace that collaborates with the Palazzo della Gherardesca within the hotel.
Within its walls, Onde, a glamorous seafood osteria, and Bar Berni, a vermouth-inspired cocktail bar, are top choices for a stylish night out.
4. Jackalope Hotel, Australia
Jackalope Hotel, a luxury winery in Victoria, is incredibly chic: expect rooms with vineyard views, an infinity pool, a spa and modern furnishings.
The concept – unique and somewhat bizarre – stems from a mythological creature born from jackrabbits and antelopes.
“This concept became intrinsically linked to Jackalope, the duality of being itself that formed the basis for the hotel’s architecture – bold, monolithic, avant-garde and completely out of place in what is considered a traditional vineyard location,” the hotel’s website explains.
5. Fifth Avenue Hotel, New York
Stepping into the Fifth Avenue Hotel in Manhattan truly feels like stepping back in time to the Gilded Age.
The Mansion itself was built in 1907 by McKim, Mead & White, one of the last private residences of its kind in this part of Manhattan, and still carries the curiosities of the era.
It is filled with whimsical interiors, jewel tones, patterned marble under the fingertips, velvet, expensive-looking surfaces and a simultaneously homely and very elevated atmosphere.
The rooms at Fith Avenue Hotel are filled with playful interiors and patterned marble
6. Ritz-Carlton Abama, Tenerife
Located on Tenerife’s volcanic coast, The Ritz-Carlton Tenerife, Abama is surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean, Mount Teide and lush gardens – so it’s already hit the jackpot here.
It features 459 rooms, suites and penthouses and is organized into different environments: the Citadel, the vibrant heart of the dining and social life, the Retreat, which offers privacy for adults and families, and the Penthouses Collection, which combines living comfort with refinement.
The hotel features Michelin-starred restaurants, a spa, a beach and entertainment for children.
7. ION Adventure Hotel, Iceland
There are few hotels in Iceland that are as undeniably cool as this one.
Perched on a mountain, ION Adventure Hotel has just 45 rooms for guests looking for an immersive, luxurious hotel stay in the middle of nature.
Here you can explore the nearby area: enjoy a horseback ride in the beautiful surroundings of the Ölfus area in South Iceland, hike in a dormant volcano and snorkel in the icy waters of Silfra.
It is located on Mount Hengill, 18 km from the UNESCO-protected Thingvellir National Park.
8. Le Jardin des Douars, Morocco
A holiday to Morocco as it should be: located in the heart of the hills of the seaside resort of Essaouira, the Jardin des Douars is a boutique hotel that really blends into the landscape.
With orange stone buildings, lush greenery and a real ‘hidden gem’ feel, here you can avoid the tourist traps of Marrakech and enjoy a stay based on authentic Moroccan style, design and hospitality.
Hammam, massages, body treatments and rituals inspired by Moroccan traditions are also available to enrich your free time.
9. Phoenicia, Valletta
Opened in 1947, The Phenicia Malta is Malta’s first five-star hotel, located at the entrance to Valletta – voted the best city in the world last year by Condé Nast Traveller’s 2025 Readers’ Choice Awards.
Located a stone’s throw from Valletta, the hotel offers two hectares of private gardens and combines ancient limestone with modern amenities.
You can also enjoy the Phenicia Spa & Wellness, taste Mediterranean flavors at the Contessa restaurant and walk from the Art Deco lobby straight into the heart of Valletta.
10. Mount Nelson, Cape Town
Cape Town has long been an ‘it’ destination – and Mount Nelson the chicest of them all.
Right next to the iconic Table Mountain, the ‘Pink Lady’ hotel has stood since 1899, with beautiful gardens and an all-star guest list: the hotel has welcomed everyone from Sir Arthur Conan Doyle to John Lennon, Marlene Dietrich and the Dalai Lama.
The pink hotel also has standout South African dishes, from seafood-inspired dishes at Amura from chef Angel Leon to a classic afternoon tea.
Cape Town has long been an ‘it’ destination – and Mount Nelson the chicest of them all
The ‘Pink Lady’ hotel has stood right next to the iconic Table Mountain since 1899
11. The Ungasan Clifftop Resort, Bali
Home to jungle-inspired hotels with infinity pools and miles of views, Bali is full of beautiful places to stay – but this hotel is next level.
Perched above the Indian Ocean, the Ungasan Clifftop Resort has luxurious villas and suites with everything you could want from a Bali holiday.
Some villas can accommodate more than 10 guests, such as the glamorous Villa Santai Sorga, with 2,500 sqm of colonial charm, manicured tropical gardens and a cliff-top ocean setting.
12. 1 Hotel Mayfair, London
Sustainability is the order of the day at 1 Hotel Mayfair.
There is greenery everywhere you look: the hotel has 1,300 individual plants, shrubs and trees and has a fully electric vehicle that will take you around in (eco-friendly) style.
In addition, the rainwater on the roof of the building is used to keep the plants hydrated. Beautiful and good for the planet.
13. Le Pavillon de La Reine, Paris
Located right on the historic Place des Vosges in the heart of Paris’s Marais district, there are few addresses in the French capital as coveted as this.
Le Pavillon de La Reine features 17th-century fireplaces and antiques, a hidden garden retreat and picturesque ivy-covered walls.
“This was one of the best hotels in the world I have stayed in and by far the best I have stayed in in Paris,” one guest wrote.
‘I can’t say enough good things about this place and highly recommend it to anyone visiting Paris. I look forward to staying here again in the future.’
14. Gleneagles, Scotland
In Scotland, The Gleneagles Hotel is perhaps one of the most famous and coveted hotel stays you can find.
For more than a century, the hotel has welcomed visitors wishing to explore lakes, valleys and golf courses, as well as its spa and Michelin-starred restaurants.
The rooms are tastefully decorated, with a stylish and refined feel – perfect for a luxurious family holiday.
15. Madonna Inn, California
Rounding out the top 15 most beautiful hotels is the Madonna Inn in California, a pink and playful hotel, perfect for anyone looking for something out of the ordinary.
The hotel features 110 uniquely themed rooms, from a ‘caveman’ room to flashy and bright suites, Victorian-style bedrooms and a San Francisco room.
‘The Madonna Inn never disappoints. We recently stayed in the Old English room and loved how spacious and uniquely themed it was,” wrote one visitor.
‘The whole hotel is a visual treat, and we had the best time exploring the grounds and souvenir shops. A huge bonus for families: the pool is incredible!’
The Madonna Inn in California is a more pink and flashy choice than others on the list
