Condé Nast TravelerDec 15, 2025
The Best Hotels and Resorts in the World: The Gold List 2026
Our editors across the globe share their favorite places to stay.
Dreamy escape with wildlife and desert adventures.
20 things in this story
- The Ritz-Carlton Ras Al Khaimah, Al Wadi DesertHotelDreamy escape with wildlife and desert adventures.
- Elsewhere
- Al Moudira HotelHotelLuxor, EgyptOasis on Luxor's quiet west bank.
- Bvlgari Resort DubaiHotelDubai, United Arab EmiratesSecret refuge with understated luxury.
- Kinondo KwetuHotelGalu, KenyaBarefoot Indian Ocean retreat.
- Mount Gahinga LodgeHotelsouthwest Uganda, UgandaUnderstated luxury with Virunga views.
- Our Habitas AlUlaHotelAlUla, Saudi ArabiaVillas dissolve into sandstone cliffs.
- HegraSightAlUla, Saudi ArabiaUNESCO-listed tombs, 20-minute drive.
- Raffles DohaHotelLusail Marina, QatarLandmark hotel shaped like a scimitar.
- The St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort, Abu DhabiHotelAbu Dhabi, United Arab EmiratesGrandest luxury resort on beautiful beach.
- Somalisa CampHotelHwange National Park, ZimbabweSafari lodge in Hwange National Park.
- Sterrekopje FarmHotelWestern Cape, South AfricaThoughtful healing hotel on a farm.
- SussurroHotelMozambique Island, MozambiqueArtistry in every corner on a peninsula.
- Wilderness Bisate LodgeHotelVolcanoes National Park, RwandaLuxury conservation tourism base camp.
- Buahan, A Banyan Tree EscapeHotelTaro village, IndonesiaOriginal property with volcanic views.
- Cape WeligamaHotelSouthern Riviera, Sri LankaClifftop hotel with new beach club.
- The AtlasRestaurantSouthern Riviera, Sri LankaAll-day dining at Cape Weligama.
- TableauRestaurantSouthern Riviera, Sri LankaLive cooking experience on cliff's edge.
- The SocietyRestaurantSouthern Riviera, Sri LankaRevamped bar with inspired tipples.
- Capella SingaporeHotelSentosa Island, SingaporeHilltop haven in former barracks.
- CassiaRestaurantSentosa Island, SingaporeFine dining at Capella Singapore.