New York City’s Prestigious Status in the Luxury Hotel World

New York City once again solidifies its status as a premier destination for luxury accommodation, hosting properties from six of the world’s top-rated hotel brands. According to the latest rankings by Luxury Travel Intelligence (LTI), the Mandarin Oriental has maintained its crown as the world’s finest luxury hotel chain for the third consecutive year. This prestigious Hong Kong-based brand, which opened its first hotel in 1963, boasts just three locations in the United States, with one of its crown jewels situated high above Columbus Circle in Manhattan, offering breathtaking views of Central Park and the city skyline. The ranking highlights not only New York’s continued importance in the global luxury market but also its ability to attract and sustain the very best in hospitality excellence.

The comprehensive evaluation conducted by LTI’s elite travel advisers employed a sophisticated algorithm analyzing 130 distinct “touchpoints” relevant to luxury hospitality. Rather than focusing solely on individual property performance, the assessment considered overall brand execution, management quality, staff excellence, and consistent service delivery across properties. This holistic approach ensures that the rankings represent genuine, sustained excellence rather than isolated instances of exceptional service. Mandarin Oriental’s continued dominance speaks to its remarkable consistency across its portfolio of 40 hotels and growing collection of branded residences spanning 26 countries and territories, demonstrating how truly global luxury brands must maintain exacting standards across diverse cultures and locations.

This year’s rankings featured several notable shifts among the luxury elite. Aman Resorts made an impressive leap from fifth to second place, demonstrating significant improvement in their already exceptional offering. This advancement displaced previous runners-up Bulgari and Oetker Collection, which now occupy third and fourth positions respectively. Rosewood made an equally remarkable climb from eighth to fifth place, rounding out the top five. These movements within the rankings illustrate the dynamic and competitive nature of ultra-luxury hospitality, where continuous innovation and refinement are essential for brands to maintain or improve their standing among the world’s most discerning travelers.

What’s particularly striking about this year’s rankings is New York City’s remarkable representation among the elite brands. Six of the top-ranked luxury hotel groups—Mandarin Oriental, Aman, Rosewood, Auberge, Four Seasons, and Peninsula—maintain properties in the Big Apple, more than any other city mentioned in the report. This concentration of premium hospitality options underscores New York’s enduring appeal as both a business and leisure destination for the world’s most affluent travelers. The city’s ability to sustain so many ultra-luxury properties speaks to its economic vitality and cultural significance, as well as its residents’ and visitors’ sophisticated expectations for exceptional service and accommodations.

Beyond the top five, the rankings reveal the global diversity of luxury hospitality excellence. Four Seasons secured sixth place, followed by Six Senses in seventh, Auberge Resorts in eighth, Rocco Forte in ninth, and One&Only completing the top ten. The second half of the prestigious list includes Belmond (11th), Dorchester Collection (12th), Peninsula (13th), Banyan Tree (14th), and Raffles (15th). Each of these brands brings its own distinctive character to the luxury space, from Four Seasons’ consistent excellence across a large portfolio to the more boutique, experiential focus of groups like Six Senses and Auberge. This diversity demonstrates how luxury hospitality has evolved beyond mere opulence to encompass unique experiences, wellness integration, cultural authenticity, and sustainable practices—areas where competition continues to drive innovation.

The significance of these rankings extends beyond mere prestige; they reflect broader trends in luxury travel and hospitality. Today’s ultra-wealthy travelers increasingly seek accommodations that offer not just lavish surroundings but transformative experiences, personalized service, and meaningful connections to destinations. New York City’s strong showing in hosting these elite brands indicates its success in evolving to meet these changing expectations. As these luxury hotel groups continue expanding globally—with Mandarin Oriental, Aman, and others continually adding new destinations—they bring with them ever-higher standards of excellence. Yet New York remains a critical market where luxury brands must establish a presence to truly claim global significance, confirming the city’s enduring status as a VIP destination in the world of luxury travel.