The Top Three Hotels in the World (2026)
Let's Discuss the very best hotels in the world (rated by aggregate vote)
The World’s Best Hotels: My Top Three Picks
I figured it was time to go over some of the world’s best hotels. This is not a complete list—it’s just my top three—but the full list can be found on my team’s site: brookeintheairtravel.squarespace.com. Each of these hotels has been rated four to five stars, and I’ve had the pleasure of staying in many of them.
Bvlgari Resort, Dubai
Located away from Dubai’s main traveler trail, the Bvlgari (pronounced “Bulgari”) Resort Dubai feels like a secret refuge. The line-up of supercars on the driveway might hint at a clientele of crypto bros and reality TV influencers, but inside there’s a grown-up, understated crowd.
Nothing is showy about the architecture, but everything looks and feels expensive—from the gleaming Mongolian black granite in the lobby to the green-and-gold mosaic tiles in the spa and the cashmere blankets in the bedrooms. Gardens are filled with shade-giving palms and fragrant frangipani, the beach is soft and powdery, and poolside cabanas are perfect for mindless lounging.
The resort boasts Michelin-starred dining at its Italian and Japanese restaurants—the latter featuring a 17-seat counter that feels straight out of Ginza. The 20 resort villas are among the best in the city, offering perfectly private residences for those who prefer discretion.
This is one of my personal favorites, especially in the city nicknamed the “Golden City.”
From $568 per night, base room rate.
Kinondo Kwetu, Kenya
Twenty years ago, Nordic couple Ida and Filip Andersson—relatives of the famous Blixen family—opened this barefoot Indian Ocean retreat along a private stretch of sand at Galu in Diani. Sandwiched between the sea and a protected forest, a collection of thatched cottages sits along the sands alongside two main houses and a modern villa with a private pool.
Start your day with morning yoga on a clifftop platform, enjoy long lunches on a beached wooden dhow, or take a starry-skied horse ride along the surf at night. But “slow” doesn’t mean sedentary: a tennis court, stables, and equipment for windsurfing, scuba, canoeing, and stand-up paddleboarding are available.
Connecting with the community lies at the heart of this project: a foundation funded by tourism supports the local hospital and primary school, and guests can explore sacred forests with indigenous Digo guides. “Kwetu” is Swahili for “our home”—a place everyone is invited to share.
Personally, I’m not usually a fan of African-style resort retreats, but this property is beautifully executed and stands out from the rest.
From $280 per night, base room rate.
AlHabitas AlUla, Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia has undergone a whirlwind transformation—from a nation with no cinemas or tourism to one hosting electronic music festivals and cultural seasons drawing millions annually. At its crown jewel is AlUla, a sandstone-strewn landscape of otherworldly beauty, and the AlHabitas property perfectly captures it.
Low-slung, earth-toned villas seem to dissolve into the burnt-sugar cliffs. Interiors feature earthy red textiles, desert-hued ceramics, and design elements echoing the artistry of Hegra’s UNESCO-listed tombs, just 20 minutes away. Dip into the hotel’s infinity pool—a showstopping ribbon of turquoise—or take a complimentary e-bike to explore colorful art installations by Lita Albuquerque and Manal Aldowayan dotting the valley.
This is the new Saudi Arabia—rooted in history but with a modern flourish for adventurous travelers.
From $346 per night, base room rate.
For more ratings and detailed descriptions of each resort and hotel, visit our site: brookeintheairtravel.squarespace.com.
