Hilton Luxury Brands Top Travel + Leisure 2026 Awards
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Hilton Luxury Brands Top Travel + Leisure 2026 Awards

Hilton's LXR and Waldorf Astoria brands lead the Travel + Leisure 2026 World's Best Awards. See which luxury hotels earned top spots.

Hilton Luxury Brands Top Travel + Leisure 2026 Awards

Hilton (NYSE: HLT) has secured 22 placements in the Travel + Leisure 2026 World’s Best Awards, highlighted by LXR Hotels & Resorts and Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts earning spots among the top 25 hotel brands globally.

LXR and Waldorf Astoria Secure Top 25 Global Brand Rankings

In the latest roundup of Hilton luxury hotel awards 2026, the company’s high-end portfolio demonstrated significant strength in the eyes of global travelers. Two of Hilton’s most exclusive brands landed in the top 25 Best Hotel Brands in the World. LXR Hotels & Resorts took the No. 3 spot, while Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts earned the No. 22 position.

This achievement underscores a successful brand diversification strategy. LXR represents a collection of 40 luxury properties that focus on individual design and local culture. Unlike the more standardized luxury experience, LXR properties act as boutique hubs for travelers seeking a deep connection to their specific destination. In contrast, Waldorf Astoria—which maintains a portfolio of 40 iconic properties—leans into a legacy of formal, elegant service and landmark locations.

“There’s no greater endorsement than the voice of the traveler,” said Mark Weinstein, chief marketing officer and head of luxury brands at Hilton. He noted that seeing excellence recognized at the brand level affirms Hilton’s position in the luxury hospitality market.

Standout Property Winners Across Five Hilton Brands

While brand rankings matter for loyalty enthusiasts, individual property wins are what actually drive travel planning. Hilton’s recognition spanned several continents, from the beaches of Mexico to the urban centers of Japan and the United States, across five distinct brands: Waldorf Astoria, LXR, Conrad, Hilton Hotels & Resorts, and Curio Collection.

In the ultra-luxury resort category, Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi was a major winner, earning the No. 9 spot among the Top 100 Hotels in the World and the No. 5 spot for Best Resorts in Asia. For those focusing on North American urban stays, Waldorf Astoria Las Vegas, Waldorf Astoria Atlanta Buckhead, and The Roosevelt New Orleans, A Waldorf Astoria Hotel, all secured No. 1 rankings in their respective cities.

Other notable property wins include:

  • Waldorf Astoria Chicago: No. 2 Best Hotels in Chicago
  • Waldorf Astoria New York: No. 6 Best Hotels in New York City
  • Conrad Tokyo: No. 5 Best Hotels in Tokyo Haneda (HND)
  • Conrad Los Angeles: No. 6 Best Hotels in Greater Los Angeles (LAX)
  • Conrad Dublin: No. 3 Best Hotels in Dublin (DUB)
  • Conrad Istanbul Bosphorus: No. 3 Best Hotels in Istanbul (IST)
  • Crockfords Las Vegas (LXR): No. 9 Best Hotels in Las Vegas (LAS)
  • Waldorf Astoria Costa Rica Punta Cacique: No. 5 Best Resorts in Central America
  • Waldorf Astoria Los Cabos Pedregal: No. 5 Best Resorts in Mexico
  • The Art Hotel Denver (Curio Collection): No. 2 Best Hotels in Denver (DEN)

For travelers interested in beach escapes, the Conrad brand also performed well in Mexico, with Conrad Tulum Riviera Maya ranking No. 13 and Conrad Punta de Mita ranking No. 15 among the best resorts in the country.

Strategic Redemption: Using Hilton Honors for Award-Winning Luxury

For travelers who use points to fund high-end trips, these awards serve as a guide for where to spend Hilton Honors currency. While Hilton Honors points generally have a lower valuation than Hyatt points—roughly 0.5 to 0.6 cents per point compared to Hyatt’s 1.7 cents—the brand’s massive scale and specific perks offer a different kind of value.

One of the biggest advantages of using Hilton Honors for these award-winning properties is the lack of blackout dates on standard room award stays. If you are looking at a high-demand property like Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi, being able to use points without facing the strict availability hurdles seen in other programs is a major benefit. Additionally, Hilton offers a 5th night free on award stays, which can significantly lower the average cost per night of a luxury vacation.

If you are looking to accumulate points for these luxury stays, the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card and the Hilton Honors American Express Card are the primary tools. You can also transfer Amex Membership Rewards points to Hilton Honors at a 1:2 ratio, though the value is often better found by earning points directly through stays or co-branded spending. Unlike Marriott, which often caps the value of its free night certificates, Hilton’s ecosystem is designed to make it easier to book high-value stays through direct point redemption or uncapped certificates earned through various promotions.

How to Plan Your Award-Winning Getaway

If these rankings have inspired your next trip, consider these practical booking tips to maximize your experience:

  • Book Award Stays Early: Even without traditional blackout dates, the most prestigious properties like those in the Waldorf Astoria collection often have limited award availability during peak seasons.
  • Leverage the 5th Night Free: When planning a long-term luxury escape, always aim for a five-night stay to trigger the Hilton Honors benefit, which effectively gives you one night for free when booking with points.
  • Check for Local Curio Experiences: If you prefer boutique vibes over traditional luxury, look at the Curio Collection properties. These often provide a more localized, unique feel that aligns with the LXR philosophy but may offer different point redemption profiles.
  • Use the Hilton App for Upgrades: Once you arrive at an award-winning property, use the Hilton Honors app to check for available room upgrades, which can sometimes be secured using a combination of points and cash.

The Bottom Line

These awards confirm that Hilton has successfully diversified its luxury offerings, moving from the traditional elegance of Waldorf Astoria into the more niche, boutique feel of LXR. For travelers, this means more options depending on whether they want a classic landmark stay or a unique local experience. If you are a Hilton Honors member, these recognized properties are the best candidates for your next points redemption, especially if you can take advantage of the 5th night free benefit.

Learn more in our Guide to Hilton Honors.

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