If you’re big into hospitality, consider yourself a foodie, and regularly look for celebrated cocktail bars when you travel, you’ve likely heard of The 50.
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The 50 (formerly known as 50 Best) is a well-known publication that releases annual reports on where to find the world’s best bars, hotels, restaurants, and vineyards. (They covered beaches, too, back in the day.) Unsurprisingly, these rankings cap out at 50 selections, which are chosen by a group of hospitality professionals with a keen eye for innovation and perfection.
There’s a catch: The 50 usually select ultra-luxury properties and projects, meaning you won’t be shopping from its list of finalists without setting aside a solid budget. That’s doubly true when you consider that this year’s 50 Best Hotels in the World is Asia-centric, meaning you’d need a pricey plane ticket just to get there.
However, that doesn’t mean the 50 Best Hotels in the World are out of reach. The United States has seven Top 100 finalists from this year’s list, including two in the top fifty. They’re not budget properties by any stretch of the imagination—but they’re more in reach than international selections, especially if you live in the area. Here’s where to find them.
American hotels that made the list of the 50 Best Hotels in the World
San Ysidro Ranch (#21, Santa Barbara, California)
With just 38 cottages and a sprawling property that has hosted names like JFK and Winston Churchill, this is the American Riviera at its freshest and most natural. It’s a hot spot for locals who want to unwind and celebrities alike. Though it’s close to the beach, The 50 says you won’t want to leave the property.
Amangiri (#44, Canyon Point, Utah)
You’ve got 900 acres of Colorado Plateau to yourself at Amangiri, home to 34 intimate suites that come with fireplaces and, if you book the right room, private pools. You’ll have a front-row seat to desert views (and a Navajo guide available to take you on a hike), along with a 25,000-square-foot state-of-the-art Aman Spa. According to The 50, wellness meets introspection at this standout.
Hotel Bel-Air (#57, Los Angeles, California)
Tucked away on 12 acres of lush gardens in the Bel-Air Estates neighborhood, this hotel offers privacy and seclusion in the lap of luxury. History also abounds, as this hotel was built in 1946 and later played host to celebrities like Marilyn Monroe.
The Beverly Hills Hotel (#65, Los Angeles, California)
Like Hotel Bel-Air, The Beverly Hills Hotel is a famed pink-walled monument in Los Angeles—and it also has 12 acres of ripe green gardens to get lost in. The pink-and-green décor is also iconic, defining one of Los Angeles’s most consistently glamorous properties.
The Fifth Avenue Hotel (#78, New York, New York)
This new project opened its doors in 2023 inside one of Fifth Avenue’s coolest historic buildings. As soon as you walk in, you’ll feel like you’re inside a Wes Anderson film set. Great looks aside, this hotel has serious power behind its culinary and mixology team, as it works closely with a James Beard Award winner.
Aman New York (#87, New York, New York)
As a recurring guest on 50 Best lists, Aman New York remains a favorite thanks to its minimalist interior, Beaux-Arts architecture, and its garden terrace. All rooms come with 11-foot ceilings, while the gym has a 65-foot pool that creates a grand, peaceful space in the middle of the Big Apple.
The Greenwich Hotel (#92, New York, New York)
This wellness hotel is located in Tribeca, offering a rich, chic, slightly bohemian ambiance. If it feels like it exudes star power, that’s also true—The Greenwich Hotel was opened partly by Robert De Niro following the transformation of Tribeca. The hotel also offers 88 rooms, giving a more boutique, intimate feel than other NYC properties.