Travel + Leisure Reveals 2025 Top Hotels, Cities

Travel + Leisure's 2025 World's Best Awards drew nearly 180,000 respondents casting over 657,000 votes to identify top hotels and cities worldwide. In the U.S., Nashville, New Orleans, and Seattle were celebrated for their standout hotel scenes and hospitality, replacing previous focus on Boston and Chicago. Cape Town dominated both the city and hotel rankings in Africa, praised for its scenery and service, while the survey also highlighted Bangkok’s riverside hotels and India’s luxury brands in Mumbai and Delhi. European preferences shifted toward classic hotels in Berlin and the blend of new and historic in Washington, D.C. Mexico City and San Miguel de Allende remained favorites for their culture and design-forward accommodations. Across all regions, readers valued historic charm, immersive experiences, and attentive service when selecting top destinations.