For 2024, LTI—Luxury Travel Intelligence—has unveiled its annual ranking of the world’s best luxury hotel brands.
This ranking is no simple list; it represents an extensive evaluation process shaped by a unique algorithm developed by LTI, specifically tailored to capture the performance and values of top-tier hotel brands. This year’s results reveal interesting shifts, with new brands making the cut and established names holding or adjusting their positions.
The LTI ranking algorithm employs 130 specific touchpoints, each carefully crafted to assess elements vital to the luxury hospitality industry. With a total possible score of 4663, these touchpoints consider not just individual property performance but the overall ability of a brand to deliver on its mission, values, and commitment to excellence. Key factors include brand ethos, management quality, and continued investment in both new openings and refurbishments—ensuring that only brands that maintain the highest standards rise to the top.
Leading the list once again, Mandarin Oriental claimed the top position with an impressive 81.6%. This brand’s commitment to high-quality experiences and consistent delivery of luxury through its new openings have further strengthened its position. Mandarin Oriental has a loyal and growing fanbase, applauding its dedication to exceptional service and meticulously designed properties.
Bulgari made a remarkable debut in the second spot, scoring 81.3%, only a fraction behind Mandarin Oriental. Thanks to LTI’s revised criteria, which now require only eight properties rather than ten, Bulgari’s entry showcases its consistent approach to luxury and excellence. Each Bulgari property resonates with an ultra-luxury experience, drawing guests seeking the epitome of comfort and exclusivity.
Oetker Collection took third place, holding steady with an 80.7% score, reflecting its well-maintained luxury credentials and consistent brand ethos. Six Senses, ranked fourth with 80.2%, offers a unique take on wellness-focused luxury, winning over guests looking for relaxation blended with environmental sustainability. Aman held onto fifth place with 78.1%, consistently delivering serene, culturally rich stays worldwide.
Rising through the ranks, One&Only jumped from eighth to sixth place, reaching 77.4%. Rocco Forte also saw an improvement, moving up to seventh with a score of 76.8%. Meanwhile, Rosewood, at 75.1%, took the eighth spot, building on its commitment to luxury inspired by cultural authenticity.
The Belmond brand, known for its historic properties and exotic locales, secured ninth place with 73.9%, while Auberge ranked tenth with 72.1%, showcasing the brand’s appeal to those who appreciate intimate, boutique-style luxury. Dorchester Collection entered the list at eleventh, supported by the updated criteria, and garnered a 71.8% score, re-establishing its place among the elite brands.
The Four Seasons brand, long synonymous with luxury travel, placed twelfth at 71.5%, followed closely by Peninsula at thirteenth with 70.1%. Two other noteworthy new entries this year are COMO, which made a return at fourteenth with 69.7%, and Raffles, in fifteenth with 69.4%. Both brands earned their spots through focused attention on exceptional guest experiences and superior service.
Here are this year’s results, reflected as percentages, with last year’s positions in brackets:
1. Mandarin Oriental 81.6% (1)
2. Bulgari 81.3% (New Entry)
3. Oetker Collection 80.7% (2)
4. Six Senses 80.2% (4)
5. Aman 78.1% (5)
6. One&Only 77.4% (8)
7. Rocco Forte 76.8% (9)
8. Rosewood 75.1% (10)
9. Belmond 73.9% (6)
10. Auberge 72.1% (3)
11. Dorchester Collection 71.8% (New Entry)
12. Four Seasons 71.5% (7)
13. Peninsula 70.1% (11)
14. COMO 69.7% (New Entry)
15. Raffles 69.4% (12)
LTI’s change to the property qualification criterion from ten to eight allowed for greater inclusivity in this year’s rankings. This adjustment led to the welcome addition of brands like Bulgari and Dorchester Collection, reflecting a more diverse array of luxury styles and services. As Michael Crompton, Founder of LTI, commented, “This year’s increase in the number of brands featured, from 12 to 15, along with the reduction of the number of properties brands require to qualify, from ten to eight, has created an intriguing outcome. The inclusion of Bulgari is particularly prevalent as they are a very focused and well-managed organization, with each property delivering a truly ultra-luxury guest experience.”
Luxury hospitality is a rapidly evolving sector, with increased competition and rising investments driving dynamic changes each year. Crompton noted that this influx of investment and strategic shifts in management continues to fuel excitement and fierce competition among high-end brands, all vying for attention from affluent travelers.
LTI’s annual report goes beyond simple rankings; it offers a deeper insight into the luxury hotel industry’s shifting landscape. Unlike many other industry lists, LTI conducts a thorough review through extensive connections, engaging directly with the leadership, staff, and guests of the brands it evaluates. These interactions provide a more nuanced understanding of each brand’s unique approach to luxury. Furthermore, LTI’s members, affluent travelers with a discerning eye for quality, benefit from these findings as they seek authentic insights for their next luxury getaway.
The World’s Best Luxury Hotel Brands report reaffirms the industry’s dynamic nature, with each year’s rankings reflecting the constant evolution in luxury travel. For 2024, Mandarin Oriental has held its ground as the top brand, while newcomers like Bulgari and Dorchester Collection demonstrate that there’s always room for fresh perspectives in the world of luxury hospitality. As the sector continues to grow and innovate, LTI’s annual ranking offers an invaluable resource, guiding travelers towards exceptional, world-class hotel experiences.
