The best hotels around the world have just been named by Travel + Leisure – and a property set in a 900-year-old 5,000-acre estate in the heart of Tuscany took the top spot in Europe.
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Castiglion del Bosco, a Rosewood Hotel received an impressive score of 99.58 out of 100, with 207,000 readers taking part in the World’s Best Awards voting.
We can see why: The sprawling property, composed of 42 suites and 11 private villas, is home to Italy’s only private golf club as well as the historic Castiglion del Bosco winery and Brunello di Montalcino vineyards.
Villa guests can relax by their own private pools, while the hotel’s main infinity pool boasts incredible views of the hilltop town of Montalcino and the Val d’Orcia, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The food offering is as impressive as the setting, with the two-Michelin-starred Ristorante Campo del Drago, which exclusively uses ingredients from Tuscany, the trattoria-style Osteria La Canonica, and the Pool Bar.
While Castiglion del Bosco, a Rosewood Hotel claimed the top spot in Italy, the best hotel in the world title went to Patina Osaka thanks to its unobstructed views of Osaka Castle and its 1,400 square metre wellness space.
Of the 100 top hotels in the world, just 12 made the cut from Europe.
Six Senses is perhaps best known for its luxurious retreats in southeast Asia, but the highest ranked property from the brand, and the second best hotel in Europe, is in Crans-Montana.
The 45-key Swiss chalet-style resort boasts views of both the Swiss Matterhorn and the French Mont Blanc massif and offers ski-in, ski-out access.
Skiing can be tough on the body, but the Six Senses Spa offers plenty of ways to recover, including nine treatment rooms, a stretch pod, a yoga studio, a rooftop swimming pool, steam room, hot tub and cold plunge pool.
Lake Como is a favourite among the rich and famous for good reason thanks to its jaw-dropping views.
It’s unsurprising, then, that the third best hotel in Europe is found on its shores in Torno.
With its own dock, guests reach the all-suite Il Sereno Lago di Como after a journey on one of the hotel’s boats.
Highlights of the property (other than the incredible lake views from floor-to-ceiling windows) include the 18-metre freshwater infinity pool suspended over the lake, as well as the spa, which is found in the former boathouse.
The hotel’s restaurant, Il Sereno Al Lago, is Michelin-starred and serves up contemporary Italian plates.
Another Rosewood property made it into the top four, this time in Madrid. Designed as a tribute to the former Anglada Palace, Rosewood Villa Magna has 101 rooms and 53 suites.
One for foodies, the hotel has four restaurants and bars: Amós by Jesús Sánche, which offers up a taste of northern Spain; Las Brasas de Castella, which offers authentic Spanish cuisine; cocktail bar Tarde.O; and afternoon tea spot Flor y Nata.
The Spa is one of the best in the city, with a hydrotherapy circuit, private treatment rooms and a 24/7 room. There’s even a Claudia Di Paolo Hair Wellth Spa to help with hair and scalp health.
Rounding out the top five is Grand Hotel Excelsior Vittoria in Sorrento.
Perched on a cliff edge overlooking the Bay of Naples and Mount Vesuvius, the family-owned hotel is in the perfect spot for exploring some of Italy’s most popular sights like Capri, Pompeii and Naples.
For those who want to just enjoy the hotel (and with a score of 98.40, who could blame you?), you can book a treatment in the spa which is found within a 19th-century greenhouse, or relax next to the swimming pool.
You can dine at the Michelin-starred Terrazza Bosquet, enjoy the views with a glass of wine at Terrazza Vittoria, or opt for a more low-key affair at L’Orangerie.
The best hotels in Europe:
- Castiglion del Bosco, a Rosewood Hotel, Montalcino, Italy
- Six Senses Crans-Montana, Switzerland
- Il Sereno Lago di Como, Torno, Italy
- Rosewood Villa Magna, Madrid, Spain
- Grand Hotel Excelsior Vittoria, Sorrento, Italy
- Mandarin Oriental, Paris, France
- Collegio alla Querce, Auberge Collection, Florence, Italy
- The Stafford London, UK
- The Dolli at Acropolis, Athens, Greece
- Canaves Epitome, Santorini, Greece
- The Ritz-Carlton, Istanbul, Türkiye
- Le Bristol Paris, France