Huka Lodge Returns to The World’s 50 Best Hotels Extended List as Beckons Celebrates a Second Year of Recognition
Denver, CO (September 2, 2026) Huka Lodge in Taupō, New Zealand, part of the Beckons portfolio of luxury lodges for curious travelers seeking genuine connection to place, culture and the natural world, has been named No.82 in the extended 51-100 list of The World’s 50 Best Hotels 2026, revealed today.
Following its introduction in 2025, the second edition of The World’s 50 Best Hotels extended 51-100 list features fifty more industry-defining hotels from across six continents. New for 2026, the voting window for the list’s Academy of more than 800 independent members – a global panel selected for their expert opinion of the international hotel landscape – has been extended to three years, enabling consideration of more hotels; those that voters may not visit so frequently but which remain memorable as being exceptional.
Set amongst 17 acres of established, parklike gardens on the banks of the emerald-blue Waikato River near Lake Taupō, New Zealand, Huka Lodge is regarded as one of the world’s most revered and inspirational luxury retreats. With humble beginnings as a fishers’ camp in 1924, the ‘century young’ lodge has evolved into an enduring icon of refined hospitality, welcoming generations of discerning guests with its warm sense of place, exceptional dining and extraordinary natural setting.
Beckons Chief Executive Officer Michael Crawford said the team at Huka Lodge was delighted to receive recognition in The World’s 50 Best Hotels extended list for a second consecutive year.
“We are thrilled and honored to see Huka Lodge recognized in The World’s 50 Best Hotels 2026 extended list for the second year running. For more than a century, Huka Lodge has offered guests a remarkable connection to the natural beauty of Taupō, delivered with the warmth, generosity and personal hospitality for which it is known. This recognition is a wonderful reflection of the passion and commitment of the Huka Lodge team, who create such memorable experiences for guests from around the world,” Mr Crawford said.
Faye Huggett, Director of Community for The World’s 50 Best Hotels, said: “The 51-100 list recognizes fifty more exceptional hotels that represent the very best of global hospitality. This extended list broadens the spotlight to a remarkable community of properties and the passionate people who bring them to life, each one defining the meaning of great hospitality today. Every hotel here has earned its place through our expert Academy’s votes and we hope their achievements will go on to inspire future travels.”
The awarded establishments will be recognized at the fourth edition of The World’s 50 Best Hotels awards ceremony in Paris on September 15, 2026, at Les Salles du Carrousel. It is a pivotal date in the global travel and hospitality calendar that will inspire consumers, travelers and hoteliers around the globe.
For more information on the program, visit Beckons.com
ABOUT BECKONS
Beckons is built around journeys of discovery for curious travelers seeking deeper connection to place, culture, and the natural world. Through a growing collection of lodges in some of the world’s most rare and remarkable destinations, the brand is guided by a regenerative approach to luxury travel, one that goes beyond sustainability to create positive, lasting impact for landscapes, wildlife, and the communities who call these places home. The Beckons collection includes five award-winning properties in Australia, Southern Ocean Lodge on Kangaroo Island, Longitude 131° and the new, ultra-luxury lodge at Uluṟu-Kata Tjuṯa, Capella Lodge on Lord Howe Island, Silky Oaks Lodge at the Daintree Rainforest, The Louise in the Barossa Valley, while across the Tasman Sea in New Zealand
lies the century-young Huka Lodge in Taupō. In the Americas, journeys include Clayoquot Wilderness Lodge on Canada’s Vancouver Island, and the wilds of Tierra Atacama and Tierra Patagonia in Chile. For more information, please visit Beckons.com.
ABOUT THE WORLD’S 50 BEST HOTELS
Following the success of The World’s 50 Best Restaurants and The World’s 50 Best Bars, 50 Best launched The World’s 50 Best Hotels in 2023, marking the brand’s first global launch since 2009. The World’s 50 Best Hotels list is created by The World’s 50 Best Hotels Academy, an influential group of more than 800 independent leaders, each selected for their expert opinion of the international hotel scene. The World’s 50 Best Hotels event program – including the awards ceremony and unveiling of the list – provides a unique opportunity to unite hoteliers, restaurateurs, bar owners, media, business and luxury travelers at a captivating celebration of hospitality, passion and talent. The first edition of the awards was held in London, UK, in September 2023
50 Best Media Contacts: Ola Kociak and Alexandra Colquhoun, The M Collective 50besthotels@the-mcollective.com; +44 7539 699540
BECKONS MEDIA INQUIRIES
SARAH SHIELDS, BECKONS MEDIA RELATIONS MANAGER / SARAH.SHIELDS@BECKONS.COM / +61 425 318 966
FINN PARTNERS / NORTH AMERICA AND UNITED KINGDOM PR / BECKONS@FINNPARTNERS.COM
AD COMUNICAÇÃO / BRAZIL PR / ANADAVINI@ADCOMUNICACAO.COM.BR