The arrival of this year’s definitive list, The World’s 50 Best Hotels, has once again shone a spotlight on exceptional hospitality establishments globally, and it’s heartening to see several beloved Balinese properties earning well-deserved recognition among the top contenders.
The 50 Best stands as one of the most distinguished accolades within the worldwide hospitality sector. Each year, the dedicated team behind The 50 Best meticulously surveys the globe to curate definitive lists showcasing the finest hotels, restaurants, vineyards, and more. For the upcoming year, 2025, there’s exciting news: the organization plans to release an expanded compilation, extending its reach to highlight the top 51-100 best hotels in the world as well.
As articulated by The World’s 50 Best Hotels, the ranking methodology is robust and meticulously structured. The compilation is derived from the collective votes of an expert Academy, which comprises over 800 anonymous members. This Academy is carefully composed to ensure a balanced representation, drawing from various professionals such as hoteliers, esteemed travel journalists, educators in the field, and seasoned luxury travelers. Each of these individuals is handpicked by a select group of industry-leading Academy Chairs, guaranteeing a high level of expertise and insight.
To further ensure the Academy’s voting fairly encapsulates the vast and diverse global hotel landscape, the team elaborates on its geographical distribution. The Academy Chairs are strategically divided across 13 distinct geographical regions. Every Chair is chosen specifically for their profound knowledge of the travel scene within their respective region and for their exceptional network of contacts within the hotel industry.
These 13 Academy Chairs are then tasked with assembling a voting panel for their own region. In doing so, they ensure a harmonious blend of perspectives, bringing together hoteliers, travel journalists, hotel educators, frequent business travelers, and enthusiastic consumer travel aficionados. This meticulous selection process is designed to capture a broad yet highly informed range of opinions. Moreover, at least a quarter, or 25, of the voting panel members are rotated annually. This ensures a consistent influx of fresh perspectives and keeps the assessment aligned with the dynamic and evolving trends of the global hospitality scene.
This dedication to a rigorously structured and frequently refreshed voting panel is precisely what distinguishes these awards from many other travel accolades. Many alternative award programs rely on a simpler voting system, which can often inadvertently favor hotels with larger guest volumes or those possessing greater financial resources to invest in promotional campaigns. Such systems sometimes lead to results where popularity or marketing spend, rather than intrinsic quality, play an outsized role in determining the winners. The 50 Best’s approach, conversely, aims to circumvent these biases, focusing instead on expert-driven, objective evaluations.
Emma Sleight, who serves as the Head of Content for The World’s 50 Best Hotels, recently shared insights in a press release regarding the motivation behind the decision to introduce an expanded awards list for 2025. She expressed considerable enthusiasm for this development, stating her delight in being able to recognize even more of the world’s truly outstanding hotels with the forthcoming 51-100 list. Sleight highlighted the remarkable dedication and passion that characterize the hotel industry, noting its constant evolution and improvement. She acknowledged the inherent challenge for judges, who, when restricted to selecting only seven properties, end up with a highly competitive field where many deserving establishments miss out on the top 50. This expansion, she explained, addresses that very issue. Looking ahead from this year onwards, the extended list will enable the organization to feature a significantly broader array of hotels and geographical locations. This, in turn, will allow them to celebrate an even greater number of exceptional teams whose tireless efforts bring these remarkable hospitality experiences to life.
Bali’s significant achievements in The World’s 50 Best Hotels deserve considerable celebration. Standing proudly at 18th place on the prestigious list is the consistently striking Desa Potato Head, located in Seminyak, a property known for its distinctive character and forward-thinking approach. Adding another layer to this exciting achievement, Desa Potato Head has also been honored with the Best Eco-Hotel Award for 2025. This recognition underscores its pioneering role in setting exemplary environmental standards for hotels across Bali, demonstrating a profound commitment to sustainable practices throughout its operations.
The World’s 50 Best Hotels team succinctly encapsulates their impression of Desa Potato Head: “Nestled just a stone’s throw from the shoreline, Desa Potato Head transcends the typical definition of a boutique hotel. It offers a starkly modern contrast to the more traditional luxury of established beach resorts dotted across the island. Here, a dynamic and ever-evolving landscape unfolds, where contemporary rooms coexist with captivating art installations, a vibrant beach club, dedicated sound stages and studios, a well-curated library, and unique concept stores. It’s an immersive, holistic environment that effortlessly draws in global creatives, hedonists seeking escape, and local sun-worshippers alike.”
One of the most appealing aspects of Desa Potato Head is its inclusive nature, making its unique offerings accessible to a wide audience. Functioning not only as a hotel and resort but also as a lively beach club and a community-focused venue, it extends its magic beyond its resident guests. This means that travelers exploring Bali and staying at other accommodations can still immerse themselves in the distinct Potato Head experience through a diverse range of activities and venues within the complex.
Entering the top fifty at a commendable 50th position is Bali’s Mandapa. Known in its full designation as Mandapa, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve, this hotel is a true sanctuary situated in Bali’s serene Ubud region. It consistently garners praise and ranks among Asia’s finest hotels, a testament to its enduring quality and exceptional service.
The World’s 50 Best Hotels specifically commends Mandapa for its unwavering dedication to providing a truly bespoke service for each and every guest. The hotel boasts a collection of 35 elegant suites and 25 exquisite villas, each featuring its own private swimming pool. A standout feature of the Mandapa experience is the personalized attention guests receive: every visitor is assigned their own private butler, or "patih," who attends to their needs and enhances their stay throughout their visit.
