After being crowned the World’s Best Hotel 2025, Director of Sales & Marketing Angus Pitkethley reflects on purpose, innovation, and the art of Asian hospitality.
At Old Billingsgate in London last week, the global travel community gathered beneath the iron arches of the Thames-side hall to celebrate the World’s 50 Best Hotels 2025. When Rosewood Hong Kong was announced as the world’s best, the applause was immediate and electric — a recognition not only of an extraordinary property, but of a city whose confidence has returned.
Perched on the Kowloon waterfront, the 65-storey Rosewood Hong Kong rises like a sculpture of glass and calm above Victoria Harbour. Since opening in 2019, it has become a living emblem of the city’s evolution, where design, wellbeing, and gastronomy mix with the hum of modern Hong Kong.
“It’s been an incredible year for us,” says Angus Pitkethley, the hotel’s Director of Sales & Marketing, smiling directly after the win. “This award isn’t just about Rosewood Hong Kong — it’s a celebration of the destination itself.”
Designed by acclaimed Taiwanese designer Tony Chi, Rosewood Hong Kong is home to 413 rooms and suites, eleven restaurants and bars, and the multi-level Asaya wellness center, where guests move from hammam to horizon in serene sequence. Yet what sets the property apart, Pitkethley believes, is not its level of luxury but the emotion it evokes.
“We’ve always seen ourselves as part of the city’s rhythm,” he says. “Rosewood Hong Kong isn’t just a hotel — it’s a way to experience the city through connection and story. The view, the culture, the people… it all converges here.”
And what a view it is. The hotel’s vast, frameless windows offer an unbroken panorama across Victoria Harbour. “At night,” Pitkethley adds, “guests often turn off the lights, lie back, and simply watch Hong Kong sparkle. It’s the best seat in the house — to the city on stage in front of you.”
This year’s World’s 50 Best Hotels list told a clear story: Asia now sets the global standard, claiming four of the top five positions. Pitkethley attributes this dominance to two intertwined strengths — creativity and sincerity.
“There’s a spirit of innovation in Asia — a drive to do things differently, surprise and delight,” he says. “But the deeper reason is cultural. Hospitality here comes from the heart. It’s intuitive, human, and authentic. That’s what guests feel most.”
That philosophy guided Rosewood’s recent brand refresh, which focused not only on aesthetics but on purpose — re-articulating what modern luxury stands for. “It’s been about bringing individual identity to life,” Pitkethley explains. “Each Rosewood has its own voice, and Hong Kong’s is shaped by creativity, culture, and connection.”
Within the property, this individuality is reflected in continual evolution — new restaurants, local collaborations, and curated cultural experiences. “Our Cultural Ambassador crafts itineraries that let guests truly encounter and experience the city through food, art, and wellness,” he says. “It’s about transforming travel into belonging.”
After the long silence during the pandemic, the city is alive again. “There’s a real buzz,” Pitkethley says. “From world-class concerts and new museums to major sporting events, Hong Kong feels energized. You can feel pride returning.”
He pauses. “When travellers come to visit now, they feel that creative optimism. I always tell them: 'Don’t just listen to me; come and feel it for yourself.'”
When the award was announced, Pitkethley’s phone lit up instantly. “Everyone in Hong Kong was awake — my phone exploded with messages. The whole team stayed up through the night watching. It was deeply emotional.”
But he’s quick to add perspective.
“Awards like this shine a light on the craftsmanship behind hospitality — the teamwork, the care, the obsession with detail. We’ll take a moment to celebrate, then get back to what we love: creating experiences that matter.”
Rosewood Hong Kong’s triumph crowns a remarkable year for Asian hospitality. The Four Seasons Bangkok at Chao Phraya River claimed second place — a riverside sanctuary where serenity meets creative energy — while last year’s No. 1, Capella Bangkok, followed in third, its lush gardens and luminous riverside suites embodying the grace of Thai hospitality.
Together, these three hotels illustrate a defining shift: the world’s centre of luxury has moved eastward. From the banks of the Chao Phraya to the shores of Victoria Harbour, Asia is shaping the future of travel.
