Condé Nast Traveller’s Gold List 32nd edition includes three UK hotels

Condé Nast Traveller has released its 32nd annual Gold List, a curated selection of the world’s finest hotels chosen by editors around the globe. The list spans continents and offers a snapshot of properties that blend architecture, cuisine, wellness and service into immersive escapes.

This year, three UK properties earned a place: Beaverbrook in Surrey, Claridge’s in London, and Coworth Park in Ascot. The list also features renowned international names such as Akelarre in San Sebastián, Badrutt’s Palace in St Moritz, Castelfalfi in Tuscany, and Forestis in the Dolomites, among many others.

Beaverbrook, a 470-acre Surrey estate dating to 1866, embodies a marriage of history and modern finesse. The property’s spa has an all-stained-glass ceiling, and dining options range from a lauded Japanese restaurant to a summer dining experience on the grounds that’s become an Instagram favorite. Claridge’s, perched in Mayfair, is an iconic Art Deco hotel renowned for its royal and celebrity-friendly history, celebrated afternoon tea, signature bars and a world-class spa. Coworth Park, part of the Dorchester Collection, sits on 240 acres near Ascot, blending Georgian country-house charm with contemporary comforts and a high-profile dining scene centered on Woven by Adam Smith, Michelin-starred at times.

Beyond the UK, the Gold List charts a global map of stays that emphasize experience as much as lodging. Akelarre in San Sebastián anchors the Basque coast with its hillside setting above the Bay of Biscay and a kitchen that has earned three Michelin stars, while Badrutt’s Palace in St Moritz remains a landmark after more than a century, recently expanded with the Serlas Wing and new connecting passages to the historic core.

The list moves through Tuscany’s Castelfalfi, a sprawling 2,700-acre organic estate that fuses medieval character with modern amenities; the Italian Alps’ Forestis Dolomites, a wellness-centric retreat perched high in the mountains; and the Athenian Riviera’s Four Seasons Astir Palace, a resort boasting private beaches, multiple restaurants and access to the region’s island-hopping culture. In the Americas and the Pacific, picks include the Inn on Biltmore Estate in North Carolina, Grand Hotel Excelsior Vittoria in Sorrento, Kona Village in Hawaii, Coral Sands on Harbour Island in the Bahamas, and Inkaterra La Casona in Cusco, a boutique property housed in a 16th-century colonial manor.

The Gold List also highlights more intimate and nature-forward escapes, such as Buahan, a Banyan Tree Escape in Bali, with open-air villas and a philosophy of “no walls, no doors,” designed to blur the line between interior and jungle. In Mexico, Naviva, A Four Seasons Resort in Punta Mita, emphasizes barefoot luxury with tented bungalows and a flexible dining concept. Further afield, Samode Palace in Jaipur showcases Rajput and Mughal influences within a restored heritage palace, while Kinondo Kwetu in Kenya offers a forested, all-inclusive beachfront retreat. Huka Lodge in Taupō, New Zealand, stands as the country’s oldest luxury lodge, famed for its river views and seasonally led dining.

The list also draws attention to hospitality concepts that blend culture, sustainability and gastronomy. Kona Village, rebuilt with a Polynesian-inspired design on Hawaii’s Kona coast, emphasizes a return to island luxury in a contemporary frame, while Coral Sands embraces Harbour Island’s pink-sand beaches with 38 rooms and a casual, elegant ethos. Inkaterra La Casona, housed in a quiet Cusco courtyard, pairs colonial architecture with modern comforts for travelers seeking access to Machu Picchu and Peru’s historic sites. Across the globe, the Gold List presents a spectrum of styles—from century-old mansions and Art Deco icons to contemporary wellness retreats and seafront sanctuaries.

Travelers consulting the Gold List are invited to view it as a roadmap for diverse, season-spanning journeys. Editors stress the importance of properties that deliver more than accommodations: immersive architecture, culinary excellence, wellness programs, and attentive service that aligns with the spirit of their locations. The 32nd edition underlines Condé Nast Traveller’s aim to spotlight destinations that offer authentic experiences, whether navigating Alpine powder, strolling through a historic European capital, or unwinding on a private beach at sunset.

As global travel resumes its long arc back to normalcy, the Gold List serves as a curated compass for discerning guests seeking what the publication calls “culture-forward” stays. The selections emphasize not only luxury and comfort but also context—hotels that reflect their surroundings, respect local traditions, and cultivate memorable moments for guests, from a celebrated afternoon tea in London to a candlelit dinner after a day of exploration in Tuscany or Peru. In a year when travelers are eager for both novelty and reassurance, Condé Nast Traveller’s Gold List offers a diversified catalog of places that can inspire itineraries across seasons and regions.