Robb Report has unveiled its annual ranking of the world's greatest luxury hotels, and this year's top spot goes to a remote boutique retreat in Nepal. Shinta Mani Mustang, nestled in the Kali Gandaki River Valley, claimed the number one position on the list, which was first published in 2023 and has quickly become a benchmark for discerning travellers.
The 29-key property, which requires a minimum stay of five nights, places a strong emphasis on wellness. Each guest receives a personal consultation with a Tibetan medicine doctor, who designs a bespoke programme drawing on Himalayan plants, herbs, and traditional practices. For those who prefer to explore the outdoors, the hotel offers wilderness trekking tailored to individual fitness levels and daily conditions, as well as visits to local villages to immerse guests in Nepalese culture. The suites themselves offer panoramic views of the 7,000-metre peaks of the Nilgiri mountain range.
Robb Report's methodology involves consulting its network of 24 travel masters, who are asked to nominate five newer properties they recommend, alongside past favourites, and to explain why each deserves a place on the list. This year, five of the top ten hotels are in Europe, with a further ten European properties making the top 50.
Europe's finest: from Scottish Highlands to Florence
Leading the European contingent is Hope Lodge in Sutherland, Scotland, which secured third place overall. The former hunting lodge, set within a 100,000-acre estate, offers seven bedrooms and is available for exclusive use for most of the year, though individual rooms can be booked during the summer months. Guests have access to an adventure centre and a well-stocked kit room, complete with wetsuits, paddleboards, and bikes, and can explore the estate with expert guides. Robb Report describes it as “a Scottish safari lodge, with guides as connected to the natural surroundings as many trackers would be.” The all-inclusive experience extends to dining, with food sourced from the estate itself and local suppliers.
Florence's Collegio alla Querce, which was named the best new hotel in the world by Esquire earlier this year, ranks sixth overall. Housed in a 16th-century villa that later served as a boarding school, the 83-key hotel offers views over the Tuscan capital and the surrounding countryside.
London's Claridge's, a Mayfair institution synonymous with luxury hospitality, takes seventh place, followed by Le Bristol Paris, described as “the grande dame of the Right Bank,” in eighth. Completing the European top ten is Casa Bonavita in Malta, a carefully restored 18th-century building that opened as a 17-room hotel earlier this year.
The full top ten also includes Singita Kwitonda in Rwanda's Volcanoes National Park, Park Hyatt Tokyo, Shakti Prana in India's Kumaon region, and Islas Secas in Panama. For travellers seeking inspiration beyond Europe, the list offers a global perspective on the evolving landscape of high-end hospitality.
As the luxury travel sector continues to rebound, these rankings highlight a growing appetite for unique, immersive experiences—whether that means a wellness retreat in the Himalayas or a Scottish estate that feels a world away from the bustle of city life. For those planning their next indulgence, the choices are as diverse as they are exceptional.
