In a recent global ranking, the Mount Nelson, a Belmond Hotel in Cape Town, has secured an impressive 28th place on The World’s 50 Best Hotels list for 2024.
This prestigious accolade was unveiled on Tuesday during a grand awards ceremony held at London’s historic Guildhall.
A Look Back at the Awards
Following its successful debut in 2023, this year’s ceremony celebrated the finest hotel experiences worldwide, offering inspiration to travelers, hoteliers, and tourism enthusiasts.
The Mount Nelson also claimed the title of Best Hotel in Africa for 2024, adding to its growing list of accolades.
A Blend of Heritage and Modern Luxury
The Mount Nelson stands out with its unique blend of 125 years of heritage and contemporary relevance.
Nestled in the heart of Cape Town, the hotel is surrounded by chic designer boutiques and lively cafés.
Set amidst eight acres of lush gardens with Table Mountain as a backdrop, it offers guests an authentic taste of Southern Africa, from its renowned afternoon tea to collaborations with modern African artists.
Celebrating Global and Regional Excellence
The World’s 50 Best Hotels list, revealed through a live countdown from 50 to 1, highlights the top travel experiences as chosen by a panel of 600 anonymous experts.
This panel, known as the 50 Best Hotels Academy, includes a diverse mix of hoteliers, travel journalists, and luxury travelers, guided by industry leaders.
Africa’s Stellar Performers
In addition to the Mount Nelson, Africa’s top hotels include La Mamounia (31st) and Royal Mansour (38th) in Marrakech, Morocco, and Singita (44th) in Kruger National Park.
Cape Town’s La Colombe also gained recognition as Africa’s Best Restaurant, landing 49th globally.
A Global Overview
The 2024 list showcases hotels from across six continents.
Asia leads with 19 hotels, followed by Europe with 13, North America with nine, Africa and Oceania with four each, and South America with one.
The top-ranked hotels by continent are:
- Asia: Capella Bangkok (No. 1)
- Europe: Passalacqua (No. 2)
- North America: Chablé Yucatán (No. 16)
- South America: Rosewood São Paulo (No. 24)
- Oceania: The Calile (No. 25)
- Africa: Mount Nelson (No. 28)
For those seeking vibrant city escapes, Bangkok leads with four hotels on the list, followed by London and Paris with three each.
Hong Kong, Tokyo, Singapore, and New York each feature two.
The Top 50 Hotels
Here’s a snapshot of the top hotels:
- Capella Bangkok, Bangkok, Thailand
- Passalacqua, Lake Como, Italy
- Rosewood Hong Kong, Hong Kong
- Cheval Blanc, Paris, France
- The Upper House, Hong Kong
- Raffles Singapore, Singapore
- Aman Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
- Soneva Fushi, Maldives
- Atlantis The Royal, Dubai, UAE
- Nihi Sumba, Sumba Island, Indonesia
And the list continues with renowned properties such as Claridge’s in London, Mandarin Oriental Bangkok, and the Four Seasons Firenze in Florence.
What’s Next?
As the world of luxury travel continues to evolve, these rankings offer a glimpse into the extraordinary experiences that await travelers globally.
The Mount Nelson’s ranking is a testament to its exceptional service and timeless appeal, setting a high bar for hotels worldwide.