The World’s 50 Best Hotels Includes Four Seasons Hotel Firenze in Its Inaugural List

Four Seasons Hotel Firenze has been named #9 in the new global ranking of the World’s 50 Best Hotels 2023. The list was unveiled at a captivating awards ceremony in London and includes industry-defining hotels from 35 different locations across six continents worldwide. With this nomination, Four Seasons Hotel Firenze consolidates its position as one of the most legendary hospitality experiences, attracting guests from all over the world for its breath-taking historical garden and buildings.

The world of travel gathered from all corners of the globe to celebrate each other’s achievements at the announcement of the World’s 50 Best Hotels 2023. Hosted at the historic Guildhall, the list celebrates outstanding hotel experiences across the world that will shape the aspirations of consumers, travellers and hoteliers.

Four Seasons Hotel Firenze has been voted thanks to its unique features: an authentic Renaissance palazzo combining a timeless atmosphere and passionate service for a one-of-a-kind experience. A serene oasis in the heart of Florence, Four Seasons Hotel Firenze is surrounded by one of the largest private gardens of the city, the Gherardesca Garden.

Tim Brooke-Webb, Managing Director for the World’s 50 Best Hotels, comments: “Our heartfelt congratulations go out to every hotel on the list, each of which has clearly made a lasting impression on our Academy of travel experts. After seeing the devastating impact of COVID-19 on the hospitality industry, it’s been especially fulfilling to see so many hoteliers from around the world gather in London to celebrate each other’s achievements under one roof for the first-ever awards ceremony for the World’s 50 Best Hotels. We hope this list inspires travel lovers to book somewhere truly spectacular for their next trip.”

“It is an honour to have been selected to be on this iconic list representing the finest hospitality destinations in the world,” says Max Musto, Four Seasons Hotel Firenze General Manager. “Our Renaissance palazzo has been welcoming the most diverse personalities since 1473, always making them feel part of something special, at the heart of a cultural melting pot. Now, it is our responsibility to pay homage to this legacy, and this new recognition confirms we are on the right path. Our heartfelt thanks go to the industry professionals who voted us but most of all to our team, a complex orchestra of wonderful different people whose common trait is putting their whole heart into everything they do.”

The launch of The World’s 50 Best Hotels is another step in 50 Best’s journey towards becoming the ultimate global reference point for the very best hospitality experiences across the world, encompassing restaurants, bars and now hotels.

How the 50 Best Voting Works

The list is created from the votes of The World’s 50 Best Hotels Academy, which comprises 580 international well-travelled experts within the hotel and travel industry, with a 50/50 gender balance. The Academy is split into nine regions across the world, where each region is headed up by an Academy Chair. A minimum of 25 percent of the panel will be renewed each year. All voters, aside from the Academy Chairs, remain anonymous to eliminate the possibility of lobbying. At the point of voting, they are simply required to list the seven best hotels they have stayed in over the past 24 months in order of preference. Voting is carried out individually and strictly confidentially on a secure site and the results remain confidential until after the list announcement.

About The World’s 50 Best Hotels

Following the success of The World’s 50 Best Restaurants and The World’s 50 Best Bars, 50 Best launched The World’s 50 Best Hotels in 2023, marking the brand’s first global launch since 2009. The World’s 50 Best Hotels list is created by The World’s 50 Best Hotels Academy, an influential group of more than 580 independent leaders, each selected for their expert opinion of the international hotel scene. The World’s 50 Best Hotels event programme – including the awards ceremony and unveiling of the list – provides a unique opportunity to unite hoteliers, restaurateurs, bar owners, media, business travellers and luxury travellers at a captivating celebration of hospitality, passion and talent. The resulting list is the first ranking of its kind to inspire consumers to book stays at the finest 50 properties in the world. The inaugural awards ceremony was held on September 19, 2023.

About William Reed

The World’s 50 Best Hotels list is owned and organised by William Reed, which also publishes The World's 50 Best Restaurants, launched in 2002, Latin America’s 50 Best Restaurants and Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants (both launched in 2013), Middle East & North Africa’s 50 Best Restaurants (2022), as well as The World’s 50 Best Bars (2009), Asia’s 50 Best Bars (2016) and North America’s 50 Best Bars (2022). William Reed is entirely responsible for the organisation of the awards, the voting system and the list.

The launch of The World’s 50 Best Hotels is another step in 50 Best’s journey towards becoming the ultimate global reference point for the very best hospitality experiences across the world, encompassing restaurants, bars and now hotels.