Mandarin Oriental has been named the world's best luxury hotel brand for the fourth consecutive year, according to the 2026 rankings by Luxury Travel Intelligence (LTI). The annual assessment, which evaluates brands based on 134 key touchpoints, saw Aman fall seven places due to a significant client data breach, whilst Capella emerged as the highest new entry.
LTI's rigorous evaluation process focuses on overall brand performance, assessing a brand's ethos, values, and management quality. This year, the rankings expanded from 15 to 20 brands, with a minimum of eight properties required for qualification. Mandarin Oriental secured the top spot with a score of 81.1%, followed closely by Oetker and Bulgari.
The rankings also highlighted notable movements, with Dorchester Collection and Belmond climbing to sixth and seventh places, respectively. New entries included Airelles, COMO, Jumeirah, Ritz-Carlton, and Banyan Tree, reflecting the dynamic nature of the luxury hotel sector.
LTI, a global members-only organisation, emphasises its commitment to providing unbiased and detailed reporting for affluent travellers. The organisation's methodology ensures that each year's results are independent, capturing the current landscape of the luxury hotel industry.
As the luxury hotel sector continues to evolve, these rankings offer valuable insights into brand performance and industry trends, guiding travellers in making informed choices.
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