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An Irish resort has been recognised among Europe’s top properties in Travel + Leisure’s 2026 World’s Best Awards, underlining the country’s continued appeal for high-end travellers. The annual reader-voted survey highlights standout hotels and resorts worldwide, and this year several Irish properties featured prominently.
How the World’s Best Awards are decided
The Travel + Leisure World’s Best Awards are in their 31st year. Readers evaluate hotels, resorts, cruise lines and other travel services, and this cycle drew more than 661,000 votes from roughly 207,000 participants. Organisers included a total of 10,088 properties across multiple categories.
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Headline winners in 2026
At the global level, Patina Osaka in Japan earned the top score, a perfect 100, and was named Best Hotel in the World. Editors noted its clear views of Osaka Castle and a sizeable wellness facility of about 15,000 square feet, which helped place it on Travel + Leisure’s 2026 It List.
In Europe, the top hotel was Rosewood Villa Magna in Madrid. The property was singled out for its midcentury setting and central location near premier shopping and museum districts.
Irish resorts among Europe’s best
One Irish entry made the magazine’s list of Best Resorts in Europe. Sheen Falls Lodge in County Kerry was ranked 13th overall and described by the publication as “a nature lover’s paradise.”
The lodge began life as a 17th-century fishing and hunting house. It overlooks waterfalls and Kenmare Bay and offers activities such as falconry alongside a spa.
Italy’s Castiglion del Bosco, a Rosewood property in Montalcino, topped the European resorts list.
Dominance in the UK & Ireland rankings
Irish properties were particularly prominent in the regional ranking for the UK and Ireland. Nine of the ten spots on that list went to hotels in Ireland, with Sheen Falls Lodge taking the number one position in the UK & Ireland category.
Best Resorts in the UK and Ireland
- Sheen Falls Lodge, Co Kerry
- Ashford Castle, Co Mayo
- Gleneagles Hotel, Scotland
- Mount Juliet Estate, Co Kilkenny
- Adare Manor, Co Limerick
- The Europe Hotel & Resort, Co Kerry
- Ballyfin, Co Laois
- Lough Eske Castle, Co Donegal
- Ballynahinch Castle Hotel, Co Galway
- Dromoland Castle, Co Clare
