Red Carnation Hotels Celebrates Success at the Travel + Leisure World's Best Awards 2026

Red Carnation Hotels is celebrating an exceptional year in the Travel + Leisure World's Best Awards 2026, having been named the No. 7 Best Hotel Brand in the World alongside a remarkable collection of honours for its individual hotels across Africa, the UK & Ireland and London. 

Leading this year's achievements is The Oyster Box, which has been crowned the No. 1 Resort in Africa, a remarkable accolade that places the iconic Durban hotel at the very top of the continent. Adding to the celebration, Bushmans Kloof Wilderness Reserve & Wellness Retreat was ranked the No. 3 Resort in Africa, meaning two Red Carnation Hotels properties now sit among Africa's top three resorts. 

The Oyster Box, Durban

The success continued in Europe, where Ashford Castle was named the No. 2 Resort in the UK & Ireland, recognising the Irish estate's enduring reputation for exceptional hospitality and unforgettable guest experiences. 

In London, both Hotel 41 and The Rubens at the Palace were recognised among the capital's finest hotels, ranking No. 3 and No. 10 respectively. 

Lounge at Hotel 41, London

Voted for by readers of Travel + Leisure, one of the world's most respected travel publications, the World's Best Awards are widely regarded as one of the hospitality industry's most prestigious accolades. Each year, they celebrate the hotels, resorts and brands that leave a lasting impression on travellers through exceptional service, memorable experiences and consistently outstanding hospitality. 

Whilst we are incredibly proud to see the collection recognised on the global stage once again, these accolades are a reflection of the remarkable people behind each hotel. Every member of our teams plays a part in bringing our values to life each day, creating the warm, personal experiences that guests remember long after they return home 

Together, these honours represent one of the collection's strongest performances to date, spanning Africa's No. 1 resort, two of the continent's top three resorts, one of the UK's most celebrated castle hotels, two of London's best-loved luxury hotels, and recognition as one of the world's top 10 hotel brands. 

Bushman's Kloof, Western Cape

We are incredibly grateful to every guest who voted for us and, above all, to our remarkable teams across the collection. Their unwavering commitment to our values, to one another, and to creating memorable moments for every guest is what makes achievements like these possible. 

While these awards celebrate the experiences our guests enjoy today, they also inspire us to look ahead. Across the collection, we continue to invest in thoughtful enhancements, carefully considered renovations and restorations, and exceptional new experiences that honour the unique character of each hotel while ensuring every stay continues to exceed expectations. 

As we celebrate these achievements, we remain committed to delivering the thoughtful hospitality, genuine care and memorable experiences that have always defined Red Carnation Hotels. We invite you to discover our award-winning collection and experience it for yourself.