A Major Global Honour
The World's 50 Best Hotels list is a highly anticipated annual ranking that celebrates the finest hospitality experiences across the globe. Voted on by a panel of over 800 anonymous experts—including hoteliers, travel journalists, and seasoned luxury
travelers—securing a spot is a monumental achievement. While the main top-50 list generates significant buzz, the 51-100 extended list, announced in early September 2026, shines a spotlight on a broader range of exceptional properties. This year, Asia dominated the extended list with 20 hotels, signalling a shift in the global luxury landscape. For India to have two properties on this list is a testament to the country's growing stature as a premier travel destination offering world-class service and unforgettable stays.
The Johri, Jaipur: Intimate Luxury at No. 94
Making its mark at number 94, The Johri in Jaipur represents the pinnacle of boutique luxury. This is not a sprawling resort but an intimate, five-suite property set within a meticulously restored 19th-century haveli in the city's historic Johri Bazaar, or jeweller's market. Each suite is a jewel box, named after a gemstone and decorated in its corresponding hue, blending heritage architecture with a vibrant, contemporary design sense. Opened in late 2020, the hotel is a collaboration that includes the ninth-generation owner of the famed Gem Palace jewellery house. The Johri is celebrated for offering a blissful retreat from the city's bustle, complete with a stunning inner courtyard, a vegetarian restaurant lauded for its inventive local cuisine, and an unforgettable cocktail lounge.
The Oberoi Udaivilas, Udaipur: Grandeur and Romance at No. 98
Just a few spots down at number 98 is The Oberoi Udaivilas in Udaipur, a hotel that offers a completely different, yet equally enchanting, vision of Indian luxury. Where The Johri is intimate and modern, Udaivilas is a sprawling masterpiece of traditional Mewari palace architecture, complete with dramatic domes, sprawling courtyards, and cascading fountains. Situated on the banks of Lake Pichola, the hotel offers breathtaking views of the water and the city's historic palaces. This property isn't just a place to stay; it's an experience designed to evoke the romantic grandeur of a bygone royal era. Its inclusion on the list highlights its consistent excellence in service, architecture, and its ability to provide guests with a truly majestic and immersive experience in the City of Lakes.
A Tale of Two Rajasthani Gems
The presence of both The Johri and The Oberoi Udaivilas on the same prestigious list tells a wonderful story about the diversity of India's hospitality offerings. It demonstrates that global excellence isn't confined to one style. One hotel is a small, independent, and artfully curated haveli deeply embedded in the cultural fabric of its city market. The other is a grand, palatial resort that has become an iconic symbol of lakeside luxury. Together, they represent two brilliant facets of what makes travel in Rajasthan so special: the ability to find unparalleled luxury in both grand, sweeping gestures and in small, perfectly executed details. Their joint recognition is a powerful statement about the quality and breadth of experiences available to travellers in India today.
