Dubai Shines on Global Stage as Two Local Properties Crack the Top 15 in World's 50 Best Hotels 2026

Two Dubai hotels have secured their places within the top 15 of the World's 50 Best Hotels ranking, highlighted by Atlantis The Royal climbing to fourth place after finishing sixth last year. The Palm Jumeirah resort earned the title of Best Hotel in the Middle East once more, alongside capturing the Best Beach Hotel Award at the annual ceremony hosted in Paris on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, Jumeirah Marsa Al Arab continued its ascent by moving up five spots from No 20 to No 15, a notable achievement following its debut on the list just months after opening last year. However, The Lana, Dorchester Collection, which previously ranked No 35 in 2025, was absent from this year's selection.

Taking the crown as the World's Best Hotel for a second consecutive year was Rosewood Hong Kong. The 65-storey property towers over Victoria Harbour, boasting 413 rooms and suites, 11 dining and bar venues, and a comprehensive wellness space centered around its Asaya Spa by Guerlain.

Bangkok claimed the next two positions on the list. Capella Bangkok, which previously held the global No 1 spot in 2024, advanced from third to second place, while Four Seasons Bangkok at Chao Phraya River secured the No 3 position. Following Atlantis The Royal at No 4 were Lake Como's Passalacqua at No 5 and Rosewood Sao Paulo at No 6. The remaining spots in the top 10 were filled by Mandarin Oriental Qianmen in Beijing, Upper House Hong Kong, Chable Yucatan in Mexico, and Mandarin Oriental Bangkok.

Atlantis The Royal has enjoyed a swift progression through the standings since its initial appearance at No 44 in 2023, subsequently jumping to No 9 in 2024 and No 6 last year. Opened on Palm Jumeirah in 2023, the 795-room resort features six interconnected towers, restaurants led by celebrity chefs, and a rooftop infinity pool.

Jumeirah Marsa Al Arab, situated beside Burj Al Arab, represents the final component of Jumeirah's nautical trilogy, which also includes the Jumeirah Beach Hotel. Since opening in March 2025, the yacht-inspired 386-room property has expanded its offerings to include 11 restaurants, four swimming pools, an 82-berth yacht marina, and a three-storey spa.

The annual World's 50 Best Hotels ranking is determined by the World's 50 Best Hotels Academy, consisting of over 800 voters distributed across 13 geographical regions. The voting body includes hoteliers, travel journalists, hotel educators, and frequent business and luxury travelers, with at least a quarter of the panel renewed annually. Panelists cast votes for seven preferred hotels based on personal stays within the previous three years, regardless of their own residential locations. The 2026 ranking marks the fourth edition of the awards.