Condé Nast Traveler’s Golden List: Luxurious Hotels & Resorts Worldwide

Condé Nast Traveler’s annual Gold List is back, spotlighting a collection of captivating hotels and resorts around the globe. The highly anticipated list, now in its 32nd year, is curated by the magazine’s editors and promises unforgettable experiences, catering to travelers who appreciate stunning locations, exceptional architecture, impeccable service, and outstanding cuisine.

Among the most affordable options in Europe is the Grand Hôtel Stockholm, a magnificent hotel that has been welcoming guests for a century and a half. The landmark hotel, once a haven for stars like Ingrid Bergman, reportedly retains its glamorous atmosphere. Praised for its room service and, especially, its exceptional dining, the hotel boasts a Michelin-starred chef, Matthias Dhalgren, at its Seafood Gastro restaurant. Rooms start at approximately $3570 SEK.

Also on the more accessible end of the spectrum is Verina Astra on the Greek island of Sifnos. The most affordable double room with a sea view and architectural landmark proximity starts at around $7217 CZK during the off-season. However, prices climb to approximately $12,442 CZK during peak season, and a suite with a private pool, often booked months in advance, runs about $27,436 CZK per night. The Gold List clearly caters to a luxury market, offering more than just a place to stay.

Opened a decade ago, the hotel is run by a husband-and-wife team who have established it as one of the best hotels in Greece. They focus on a relaxed atmosphere, local ingredients, and stunning views from the cliffside. Dishes are sourced from the hotel’s own gardens, creating a romantic and natural aesthetic, complemented by a spa. The hotel offers 16 rooms and suites.

Weissenhaus Private Nature Luxury Resort, which opened in 2014 within the grounds of a 400-year-old castle and surrounding buildings in Holstein, Germany, offers a tranquil escape with sun terraces, award-winning spas, and a Michelin-starred restaurant. A night at the resort begins around $8,661 CZK.

Hotel Akelarre, perched on the slopes of Mount Igueldo in San Sebastian, Spain, starts at approximately $9855 CZK per night. Beyond its iconic views, the hotel is renowned for one of the country’s best restaurants. Chef Pedro Subijana earned three Michelin stars before the hotel, run by his daughter, even opened, and has since brought his culinary expertise to the property.

Each of the 22 minimalist rooms was carved into the hillside and features a private panoramic terrace. Guests can choose between the three-Michelin-starred namesake restaurant and the more relaxed Espazio Oteiza. A generous wellness center completes the experience.

Badrutt’s Palace, a Swiss landmark, aims to offer the best location in the renowned St. Moritz resort, the most luxurious service, and a breathtaking lobby. A night in a double room starts at around $19,831 CZK.

The hotel will celebrate its 130th anniversary next year, but remains innovative. A completely new wing, connected by underground passages, has been added to the original building, and gardens have been expanded with tennis courts. The hotel also offers sailing opportunities on the iconic lake.

American actor Spencer Tracy once said he didn’t want to go to heaven after death, but to Claridge’s. The London hotel, in the heart of Mayfair, has attracted high-profile guests since 1812, including Queen Victoria.

Beyond its storied past and impressive design, the hotel boasts celebrated underground spas and a romantic bar. A bakery is slated to open later this year, much to the anticipation of regular guests. A double room starts at approximately $22,000 CZK per night.

A stay at the luxurious retreat of Beaverbrook, which feels plucked from the pages of *Bridgerton*, is comparatively more affordable, starting at around $12,823 CZK. The hotel, located in Surrey, dates back to 1866 and is set on expansive grounds. The spa is consistently praised as a highlight.

Coworth Park – Dorchester Collection is an 18th-century estate located just 17 minutes from one of Heathrow Airport’s terminals. Situated in Berkshire, it boasts extensive parkland with lakes, gardens, tennis courts, a polo field, a spa, and a Michelin-starred restaurant, offering a perfect escape into nature close to London.

Castelfalfi promises the best of Tuscany. The large luxury hotel features 146 rooms and is accessed via a 13th-century street lined with boutiques, ice cream shops, and acclaimed restaurants. But guests don’t need to venture far, as Castelfalfi is renowned for its gastronomy, offering four highly-rated dining establishments.

Beyond the pools, spas, and bars, the hotel offers design-focused rooms, a Montessori club, and over 40 activities, from archery to truffle hunting and cooking classes to falconry and yoga. Silk bedding and furniture from renowned designers are the finishing touches. The hotel is booked through mid-March, with the lowest price starting at around $13,881 CZK.

Forestis’s core element is nature. With the motto “the art of simplicity,” the hotel is strongly ecologically focused. It offers breathtaking views of the jagged peaks of the Odle massif. It also features incredible gastronomy, including a restaurant in a cave with a fireplace, celebrated spas, and pools. Prices start at around $20,735 CZK per night.

Grand Hotel Excelsior Vittoria, located on the Amalfi Coast, was built in the 1930s and is run by several generations of the founding family. A Michelin-starred restaurant, antique furniture, and a pool with stunning views are just a few of the reasons to visit. A night at the hotel starts at around $12,000 CZK.

Tuscan sunshine, the Tyrrhenian Sea, and a true Mediterranean atmosphere await at Il Pellicano. Impeccable service, careful design, artistic photography, and a Michelin-starred restaurant reportedly attract bohemians from around the world. An Italian vacation in its most polished form starts at around $19,511 CZK per night.

Hotel Il Salviatino entices with hand-painted rooms, each with a unique design, stunning spas, and breathtaking views of Florence. Hidden in centuries-old gardens, it offers tranquility while remaining close to one of Italy’s most beautiful cities, overflowing with art and historical buildings.

Venice Venice hotel is situated in a 13th-century palace directly on Venice’s Grand Canal. Offering views of the iconic Rialto Bridge, it’s a favorite among celebrities. Opened in 2022, the hotel, like Venice itself, is packed with art. Nights start at around $13,657 CZK.

Representing Lake Como, Passalacqua boasts 12 apartments in a villa with original frescoes and additional rooms in the original stables and lake house.

Emphasis is placed on the best available materials – glass, marble, mirrors, and leather. Vast terraced gardens are filled with olive trees, flowers, and ornamental shrubs and fountains. Opened three years ago, the hotel quickly won the hearts of tourists from around the world and is largely booked for the coming year. Prices start at around $60,976 CZK per night.

La Réserve Paris, opened a decade ago, has a three-Michelin-starred restaurant, Le Gabriel. With only 40 rooms, luxurious spas, and an excellent bar, the hotel offers iconic views of Paris and the right amount of privacy and grandeur, starting at around $48,779 CZK per night.

Hôtel Lily of the Valley, located on the French Riviera, offers sparkling pools, excellent spas, and a Provençal restaurant. A rustic-modernist design and a combination of great food, sea air, and exercise classes are said to be a balm for the soul. All this for a price starting at around $12,438 CZK per night.

Hotel Maçakızı, located just 40 minutes from Bodrum, Turkey, has built a reputation as luxurious yet relaxed. Operating since the 1970s, it has a loyal clientele who return to the same room each year. The seaside location, pleasant atmosphere, and excellent seafood have resulted in high occupancy throughout the year. When available, rooms start at around $9000 CZK per night.

Six Senses Douro Valley entices with stunning spas, a location in the most famous home of Portuguese wine, and a nine-acre forest with hundreds of native plants. It offers excellent personal trainers and healthy, yet delicate, menus. Beauty is said to be hidden in every detail at the Portuguese hotel, with prices starting at around $23,935 CZK per night.