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Luxury hotels have entered awards season again, and Asia has checked in early with a commanding lead.

The World’s 50 Best Hotels has revealed its extended 2026 list, covering properties ranked from No.51 to No.100. The list spans 23 territories and 40 cities, while 10 independent hotels also make the cut.

The full World’s 50 Best Hotels 2026 extended 51–100 ranking sets the stage for the main event in Paris on Tuesday, 15 September, when the coveted Top 50 will finally be announced.

Asia leads the 2026 hotel rankings

Asia leads the extended list with 20 hotels, with Japan accounting for seven.

Park Hyatt Tokyo enters at No. 53, Hotel The Mitsui in Kyoto is No. 79, and Waldorf Astoria Osaka ranks No. 89.

Mainland China also has two new entries. Mandarin Oriental Shenzhen takes No.90, while The Peninsula Shanghai lands at No.99.

Europe follows with 16 hotels, led by La Réserve Paris at No.51.

France also gains two notable new entries. Ritz Paris is No.72, and Carlton Cannes is No.80.

Italy has every reason to open the prosecco. Nine Italian hotels appear on the list, including Il San Pietro di Positano at No.58, Castiglion del Bosco at No.62, Orient Express La Minerva in Rome at No.66 and Forestis Dolomites at No.68.

New York also performs strongly.

The Fifth Avenue Hotel ranks No.78, Aman New York No.87 and The Greenwich Hotel No.92. The Fifth Avenue Hotel is also this year’s winner of the American Express Travel One To Watch Award.

Mexico adds three hotels to the global field. Hotel Esencia is No.64, Montage Los Cabos is No.67 and Four Seasons Tamarindo is No.74.

South America has two properties on the list. Palacio Nazarenas in Cusco is No.54, while Hotel das Cataratas at Iguassu Falls is No.77.

Australia and New Zealand make the cut

Oceania claims two places, and both will interest Australasian travellers.

New Zealand’s celebrated Huka Lodge in Taupō is No.82, while Brisbane’s The Calile Hotel follows closely at No.83.

That Brisbane result deserves more than a polite nod.

The Calile is competing with some of the best-known luxury names in Paris, Tokyo, New York and Italy. An Australian hotel sitting in that company is a strong vote of confidence in Brisbane’s growing international appeal as both a leisure and luxury destination.

Africa has one hotel on the extended list, with Morocco’s La Mamounia taking No.75.

Faye Huggett, Director of Community for The World’s 50 Best Hotels, said: “This extended 51-100 list broadens the spotlight to a remarkable community of properties and the passionate people who bring them to life – each one defining what great hospitality means today.”

More than marble bathrooms

The World’s 50 Best Hotels Academy decides the ranking, and it comprises more than 800 hotel-industry experts from around the world.

That gives the list considerable trade weight.

Still, no ranking can measure every part of a great stay. Marble bathrooms are lovely. So are rooftop pools. But great hotels still tend to win guests with the old-fashioned basics: service, warmth, timing and staff who remember a name before breakfast.

The extended list also sends a clear market signal.

Asia is strong. Japan is having a standout year. Italy remains a luxury powerhouse. And Australia still has a very respectable seat at the international table.

The full World’s 50 Best Hotels 2026 ranking will be revealed in Paris on 15 September.

The ceremony will be livestreamed through the official 50 Best YouTube broadcast from 20:00 Paris time.

Until then, the 51–100 list has done its job rather well. It has widened the spotlight, raised the stakes and given travellers another 50 reasons to start checking airfares.